Shop-Built Tractor Was ‘Too Fast’

Shop-Built Tractor Was ‘Too Fast’ TRACTORS Antiques “It took me about a year to build my small custom tractor that had a 4-speed Ford transmission and a cut-down Ford rear end ” says retired steel worker Charles Zook “The engine was a 4-cyl flathead from an old IH combine and when I got that paired with the transmission the top speed was way over 30 mph I drove it in parades idling along in first gear I’d run it on the road in second and third for fun I eventually sold it because with this gearing it was potentially too dangerous for an 80-plus-year-old guy ” Zook made the frame out of 2-in by 2-in tubular steel strong enough to carry the old IH combine engine mated to the truck transmission and car rear end The front and rear wheels were scavenged from a 440 Case garden tractor Zook says he put duals on the back “because the tractor just looked better with duals than with singles ” The steering was an old Ford assembly mated to tie rods that turned the front wheels Zook used extruded aluminum to make the running boards and 1/8-in sheet steel for fenders and the rear platform He says those features added a measure of safety and made it look like a factory-built tractor The seat was from a riding lawn mower Its overall dimensions were about 5 1/2 ft wide and 7 ft long The tractor’s McCormick hood gas tank and air intake were all from the original combine engine The drum brakes were from the Ford He added a stainless-steel straight pipe that gave it a nice throaty sound “The engine started well with the 12-volt battery and electrical system ” Zook says Although Zook built the tractor for fun he occasionally used it to pull a trailer and clean up around his yard It also had a front hitch Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Charles Zook 6116 S Hollis Rd Bartonville Ill 61607 caseallis@yahoo com

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.