Just finished my 27/21 doodlebug - about a year on this one. Here are some "before and after" pictures. She was originally used at a sawmill in Norton, Massachusetts - so I used that as her theme. After completing my Shaw, I said I'd never do another "show room" restoration; they are more interesting when kept in their "work clothes." She was completely disassembled, cleaned, new body built (and "distressed" to match the patina) and, with the exception of the engine, finished in linseed oil. She'll join my Shaw on the tractor show circuit next year. Now going to start working on my '27 T / IHC mower conversion.
Congratulations!!! Looks like a lot of fun.
Rich
Thanks Rich!! She is a lot of fun. Has a '28 Chevy transmission mated to the T (only one of my T-based tractors to have a dual setup), which gives her all sorts of speed/power options.
Those pictures were really small! Here's another try:
Couple of more (better size):
Some very cool stuff!
Great, I'm collecting parts to build something similar too. Where's the rear wheel/tire combination from? Dimension of the rear tires?
Thanks
Roger,
Rear end is standard TT on 20" wheels. The tires are 7.50-20 and they were a pain to find in an agricultural lug. Had to special order them from Nebraska Tire Co.
Are they called Epkatraktors in Sweden?
Thanks for the tire info and sure, EPA was the name of a chain of dollar stores in Sweden established in the thirties (more like nickel stores back then), so when no new tractors could be bought during the war and cheap erzatz tractors were improvised from old cars, well, a cheap name for a cheap tractor
Roger,
There is a guy in your neck of the woods who runs a couple of photo sites on FLICKR that feature "doodlebugs from the USA" and "EPA traktors from Europe." Thousands of pictures he has collected from all over the internet. Will try and post the links.
Here they are:
America:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32687125@N05/sets/72157626692069451/
Sweden:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32687125@N05/sets/72157626194116626/detail/
Around the world:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32687125@N05/sets/72157612340347219/
Just tried them - the active link doesn't work from the posting. You have to copy and paste the entire link into your browser.
Ron,
I've never wanted one of those I can honestly say I'd take yours in a heart beat.... (Nice)
I tell you what you knocked it out of the park with yours, I like the patina glad to see you left it looking well used on the outside.
Where did you find the rear tires?
"The tires are 7.50-20 and they were a pain to find in an agricultural lug. Had to special order them from Nebraska Tire Co."
Steve - THANK YOU!!! None of my others have agricultural tires (and the Shaw is on steel in the back) - and I wanted this one to have "that look." Nebraska Tire Company is absolutely fantastic - great prices, super customer service and exceptionally reasonable shipping. Until I happened upon them, I was beginning to give up on the idea and go back to a truck tire like she came with. Incidentally, they were also the ONLY source of the long-stemmed valve tubes for the 7.50-20 (the short stemmed rubber ones would not have cleared the rim).
Ron,
Looks great! And with the second transmission in second or low -- a great vehicle to teach the kids or grand kids how to drive a T.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Thank you Hap!
Those rear tires are fantastic! Wished I had seen them before I got my last set of 6.50-20 tires.
Mike - I was thrilled with the way they looked on the TT wheels. Would order another set for the '27 T / IHC mower conversion I'm starting, but the lug profile won't clear the cutting bar mount. Have to go with standard TT tires on that.
oh man, you need a 4 wheel model t wagon to pull behind that thing. You would have the best hay-ride outfit available!
Nathan,
I found a '17 T power unit mounted in a cart. Am going to do it up like this tractor (same hood graphics) and tow it behind at shows.
don't see many T doodle bugs. Most were A's.
Tyrone,
You are absolutely correct. I've been messing with doodlebugs for 35 years and have seen very, very few Ts.
I was proud of the look of my Doodlebug until you posted pictures of the one above!
Another great job Ron, congrats!..Seems traction wont be an issue with those nice new beefy rear tires. best of luck to you.
Mike - post pictures of your's!! I'd love to see it. So few T doodlebugs.
Thanks John!
Ron: I need to take the time to learn to take pictures and post them. I have mine showing off the 4-0 football record of our High School team. I use DOT tape. A lot of it! Glows in the dark.
Mike
Mike - looking forward to seeing it!!