2-Cyl Engine Boosted From 27 Hp to 115 Hp

1994 - Volume #18, Issue #2, Page #21

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"It can really pull a lot of weight for its size," says Scott Boehler, Girard, Ill., who modified a 1938 John Deere General Purpose 2cyl. tractor to compete in antique tractor pulling contests.
Boehler competes in the 5,500-lb. antique class at pulling contests sanctioned by the lllinois Tractor Pulling Association. The tractor pulls a mechanical sled weighing 40,000 to 50,000 lbs. The 2-cyl., 4-stroke, horizontally-mounted engine originally produced about 27 hp. Boehler bored it out to boost horsepower to 115. He also modified the carburetor to draw more air. Twin chrome stacks are mounted on top of the tractor and there's a weight bracket on front. The tractor's 14.9 by 38 rear tires are mounted on 16-in. wheel rims. The pto was removed to reduce weight, as was the air cleaner.
"It makes a deep throated bark that draws a lot of attention. People from all over the U.S. have called to ask me questions about it," says Boehier, an employee of Area Diesel Service, Inc., Carlinville, Ill. The company exhibited the tractor at last year's Farm Progress Show in Iowa. "Other General Purpose tractors have been modified
for pulling contests, but not to this extreme. A lot of the tractors I compete against have more horsepower and more cylinders. I don't win every time but I stay competitive. However, I can only go so far in boosting the horsepower because of the small engine size.
"Many people who pull tractors competitively wouldn't drive my G because the engine is modified way beyond manufacturer's specifications. It runs on turbo blue high octane racing gas that contains lead. The engine has a kill switch and I keep a fire extinguisher next to the steering column to comply with pulling contest rules. One of the chrome stacks is the exhaust and the other is the air intake. It has a wheelie bar on back.
"My dad bought the tractor when I was 11 years old and we've had it for 17 years now. He paid $675 for it. I think it's worth about $10,000 now. However, it has a lot of sentimental value so we have no plans to sell it."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Scott Boehler, Rt. 2, Box 83, Girard, Ill. 62640 (ph 217 627-3547).

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2-Cyl Engine Boosted From 27 Hp to 115 Hp ENGINES Engines 18-2-21 "It can really pull a lot of weight for its size," says Scott Boehler, Girard, Ill., who modified a 1938 John Deere General Purpose 2cyl. tractor to compete in antique tractor pulling contests. Boehler competes in the 5,500-lb. antique class at pulling contests sanctioned by the lllinois Tractor Pulling Association. The tractor pulls a mechanical sled weighing 40,000 to 50,000 lbs. The 2-cyl., 4-stroke, horizontally-mounted engine originally produced about 27 hp. Boehler bored it out to boost horsepower to 115. He also modified the carburetor to draw more air. Twin chrome stacks are mounted on top of the tractor and there's a weight bracket on front. The tractor's 14.9 by 38 rear tires are mounted on 16-in. wheel rims. The pto was removed to reduce weight, as was the air cleaner. "It makes a deep throated bark that draws a lot of attention. People from all over the U.S. have called to ask me questions about it," says Boehier, an employee of Area Diesel Service, Inc., Carlinville, Ill. The company exhibited the tractor at last year's Farm Progress Show in Iowa. "Other General Purpose tractors have been modified for pulling contests, but not to this extreme. A lot of the tractors I compete against have more horsepower and more cylinders. I don't win every time but I stay competitive. However, I can only go so far in boosting the horsepower because of the small engine size. "Many people who pull tractors competitively wouldn't drive my G because the engine is modified way beyond manufacturer's specifications. It runs on turbo blue high octane racing gas that contains lead. The engine has a kill switch and I keep a fire extinguisher next to the steering column to comply with pulling contest rules. One of the chrome stacks is the exhaust and the other is the air intake. It has a wheelie bar on back. "My dad bought the tractor when I was 11 years old and we've had it for 17 years now. He paid $675 for it. I think it's worth about $10,000 now. However, it has a lot of sentimental value so we have no plans to sell it." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Scott Boehler, Rt. 2, Box 83, Girard, Ill. 62640 (ph 217 627-3547).

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