One-Of-A-Kind Garage Sale Tractor

2025 - Volume #49, Issue #6, Page #03

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John O’Bar’s garage sale tractor is truly unique. When he bought it for $75, he could only guess where the parts came from. Once he got it home, he began identifying what he could. The findings led him to name it “Frankin-Tractor.”
The 7.2-hp AFH Wisconsin engine was easy to recognize and start.
“Surprisingly, it cranked right up with some fresh gas,” says O’Bar. “The rear tires were old military ones from the 1950s and hard as a rock on split rim wheels. I cut the centers out of the wheels and welded them into some 15-in. wheels with tires.”
A serial number on the well-worn front axle showed it was from a 1926 Austin Seven automobile. The tie-rod assembly was made from an E-Z-GO golf cart, and the front wheels came from an early British car.
The origin of the clutch and flywheel is unknown, but the first transmission seems to be from a Model A Ford. The second transmission, mounted upside down, is a 4-speed with reverse from a 1950s GM Corvette. The heavy-duty rear axle proved to be an old Ruckstell 2-speed from a 1920s Ford Model TT truck that appears to have been narrowed down.
“This combination of transmissions and axle makes for some complicated and exciting shifting patterns,” says O’Bar. “It will just barely crawl or do 40 mph on the road, if you dare. I’m not brave enough to go over 20, and it’s terrifying to drive it over about 10 mph.”
One thing the tractor was missing was brakes. O’Bar installed a lever-brake system with pads that rubbed against the rear tires. While not very effective, it’s better than having no brakes at all.
The modified steering wheel is from a Model T, and the modified steering box is from a Ford Model A.
“The currently non-working rear 3-pt. hitch system looks to be from an early Jeep kit,” says O’Bar. “Oil pressure is supplied by a small hydraulic pump chain-driven off the engine shaft.”
When he got the tractor, the only shutoff was shorting out the spark plug wire. O’Bar wired a switch into the magnet and mounted it on the steering column. Other additions included a drink holder and a grab handle.
“I made the drink holder from a section of old driveshaft and mounted it to the left-hand fender,” says O’Bar. “The tractor wasn’t easy to get on or off, so I added a center bar with a trailer ball for a grab handle.”
The Frankin-Tractor is a fun conversation piece for O’Bar. He simply enjoys riding it around.
“I’m sure the person who made it actually made it to be used and did use it at some point,” he says. “I enjoy bringing these old pieces of history back to life.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John O’Bar, 9790 W. Ranch Rd. 1431, Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609 (ph 325-248-1354; Obarsdeals@yahoo.com).

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One-Of-A-Kind Garage Sale Tractor John O’Bar’s garage sale tractor is truly unique. When he bought it for $75, he could only guess where the parts came from. Once he got it home, he began identifying what he could. The findings led him to name it “Frankin-Tractor.” The 7.2-hp AFH Wisconsin engine was easy to recognize and start. “Surprisingly, it cranked right up with some fresh gas,” says O’Bar. “The rear tires were old military ones from the 1950s and hard as a rock on split rim wheels. I cut the centers out of the wheels and welded them into some 15-in. wheels with tires.” A serial number on the well-worn front axle showed it was from a 1926 Austin Seven automobile. The tie-rod assembly was made from an E-Z-GO golf cart, and the front wheels came from an early British car. The origin of the clutch and flywheel is unknown, but the first transmission seems to be from a Model A Ford. The second transmission, mounted upside down, is a 4-speed with reverse from a 1950s GM Corvette. The heavy-duty rear axle proved to be an old Ruckstell 2-speed from a 1920s Ford Model TT truck that appears to have been narrowed down. “This combination of transmissions and axle makes for some complicated and exciting shifting patterns,” says O’Bar. “It will just barely crawl or do 40 mph on the road, if you dare. I’m not brave enough to go over 20, and it’s terrifying to drive it over about 10 mph.” One thing the tractor was missing was brakes. O’Bar installed a lever-brake system with pads that rubbed against the rear tires. While not very effective, it’s better than having no brakes at all. The modified steering wheel is from a Model T, and the modified steering box is from a Ford Model A. “The currently non-working rear 3-pt. hitch system looks to be from an early Jeep kit,” says O’Bar. “Oil pressure is supplied by a small hydraulic pump chain-driven off the engine shaft.” When he got the tractor, the only shutoff was shorting out the spark plug wire. O’Bar wired a switch into the magnet and mounted it on the steering column. Other additions included a drink holder and a grab handle. “I made the drink holder from a section of old driveshaft and mounted it to the left-hand fender,” says O’Bar. “The tractor wasn’t easy to get on or off, so I added a center bar with a trailer ball for a grab handle.” The Frankin-Tractor is a fun conversation piece for O’Bar. He simply enjoys riding it around. “I’m sure the person who made it actually made it to be used and did use it at some point,” he says. “I enjoy bringing these old pieces of history back to life.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John O’Bar, 9790 W. Ranch Rd. 1431, Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609 (ph 325-248-1354; Obarsdeals@yahoo.com).

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