His Big Four Builds World Famous

His Big Four Builds World Famous Al Severson fell in love with Big Four tractors for their size, beauty and innovative design. The problem was that while the big prairie tractors sold for $2,200 new, the now-rare tractors sell for $300,000 or more today. “Big Four tractors are the most majestic tractors there are,” explains Severson fervently. “They’re almost like a carnival ride coming to town.” Knowing he couldn’t afford to buy a restored one, he decided to build his own. In 2010, he acquired a 1910 Big Four 30-60 frame, wheels and differential. He built the rest. As word spread, he became part of an international network of Big Four fans, many of them builders like him. Big Four tractors were introduced in the early 1900s by the Gas Traction Company, which claimed to be the first and largest builder of 4-cyl. tractor engines with a vertical design. Severson’s model weighs 22,000 lbs., with 8-ft., 3-in. tall and 30-in. wide rear wheel hubs. The engine produces 30 hp at the drawbar and 60 hp on the belt. It can pull a 10-bottom plow at 2 mph. When it came to reproducing the necessary parts, Severson had several advantages. A professional machinist, he helped rebuild an engine for one in the 1990s. In 2000, he started his own company, Countryside Manufacturing, doing short-run production and specialized in larger parts, some weighing as much as 10,000 lbs. He had the expertise, tools and vendors to apply to his own rebuild and to others. He also had the support and help of his wife, Harriet.  “She works with me in the shop, as well as taking photos all the time and posting online,” says Severson. When he started his Big Four, he and his wife posted the project on Smokestack, an online site for antique engine enthusiasts. “I had tons of feedback from it,” says Severson. “Our shop became an attraction with visitors from Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.” By 2014, he was working on the 30-60 and a Flour City Junior from the same period. An article in the February 2014 issue of Farm Collector details the process for the 30-60 and his involvement with 10 others around the world. A growing network of Big Four fans shared information and parts. There were four in the U.S., three in Australia, and one each in South Africa and the Netherlands. In some cases, he provided parts he had learned to make for his own tractor. Meanwhile, he finished his Big Four to keep, did one to sell, and did two more for customers. At the same time, he was running his business. “A few years ago, I fired my customers,” says Severson. “Now I just work on tractor restoration and one-off stuff for gas engines. The only problem is time,” he adds. “I have about a three-year backlog.” In his spare time, Severson continues working on his Flour City Junior. It’s one of only two known to exist. Like his first Big Four, it’s been a nearly complete build from scratch. “I started out with busted up gears, a frame, front axle and wheels,” says Severson. “Everything else we built. We work on components and then walk away for a while. You have to give a project like it time.” After more than 10 years, he recently got the engine running. He knows the time spent will be worth it in the end if he wants to sell it. Stevenson continues to expand his international network. “I recently had a call from a fellow in Argentina,” he says. “There was a Big Four he was interested in rebuilding. I shared the steps he would have to follow and the parts needed.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Countryside Machining, 10374 Bixby Ln., Blooming Prairie, Minn. 55917 (ph 507-583-2057).

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