Show Us Your T Doodlebug or Conversion Tractor!!

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Show Us Your T Doodlebug or Conversion Tractor!!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 07:41 pm:

On another thread, someone noted how few T-based doodlebugs there are compared to Model As. I've been fooling around with doodlebugs for 35 years now and I have to say that is a pretty accurate statement. In fact, I'd say that A-based doodlebugs outnumber T-based about 10-1 (at least from what I've seen). The odd thing about that is the fact that one of the first published instructions on how to build your own tractor recommend using a T - and all the accompanying illustrations depict a T (Handy Man's Home Manual, Third Edition, Modern Mechanix Publishing Company, Greenwich, CT 1936 - pp. 110-112 "Build 'Handy Henry' A Twenty Dollar Tractor").

I've attached pictures of my three, T-based tractors: a straight doodlebug, a T/IHC mowing machine hybrid (my next project)and a Shaw conversion kit. How many people on the forum have a T-based doodlebug or conversion tractor? Post a picture and show us what you've got!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 09:15 pm:

I could really use one of those. I have enough stuff that I could probably put one together. But I would rather find the remains of an old one. It would have to be cheap, though. I am too broke to buy much of anything these days. What I really wish I had, is one or more of the similar tractors my grandfather had back in the '30s. Even though they were 4 cylinder Chevys.
I look forward to and hope for a lot of photos posted on this thread!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Schrope - Upland, IN on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 09:33 pm:

How did they drive that mower?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 09:50 pm:

It's not the most well-balanced machine Fred. Cutting bar is as long as the entire wheelbase. Was supposedly used to cut fields in upstate NY until the late 70s.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Gruber- Spanaway, Wash. on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 10:05 pm:

Here's my Fond Du Lac.
Haven't had it running yet but getting there.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Gruber- Spanaway, Wash. on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 10:06 pm:

Should have said it's based on a TT.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Schrope - Upland, IN on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 10:07 pm:

Yeah, I understand that, but how did they drive the sickle bar of the mower? I'm guessing it's some sort of ground drive off a back wheel, but it might be some sort of power take off from the engine.

These doodlebugs are neat. We had one back in the late '50. The drive shaft had been cut down to about 18 inches or so. You sat right above the rear axle. It was fun to drive. We drove it all over Anderson, IN with no license or insurance. Ahhh.......the good ole days.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 10:45 pm:

My Doodlebug has a TT frame that was cut and slid forward and then bolted in four places on each side of frame. Aux trans. with 4 selections. One of those turns the low-high pedal into reverse gears. That's how I bought it. I removed 4.75-5.00 rear wheels and put 6.50-20's on it. Big difference in speed. Sets a lot higher in the back. No worries about front bearing lube. I put AA wires on my TT dump truck but I wished I had put them on the Doodlebug instead. Ron's Nebraska tires would look good on the wires. I think it will climb a tree. I popped it over the railing on front of the trailer last summer and the winch was wedged inside the wishbone with the oilpan setting on top of the winch. Didn't need to strap down to haul home.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 11:48 pm:

Fred - you're correct. Sickle bar is cog-driven off the rear wheels (no PTO).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:44 am:

Mike, I really want to see your tractor - especially after that description above. I want to find one made from a TT. My three all have car frames. I told Bob before, I'd happily drive to Spanaway and take his off his hands!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:47 am:

Boy Oh Boy. I have no practical use for one around here but now I REALLY want to build one of these. I spent a lot of time in the 70's/ 80's on farms two of my uncles owned and while they had more modern machinery, this somehow takes me back to that younger age.

Would it be possible to get pics of the mods mad to build one, or online resource of reprints for plans?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:23 am:

Chad,

Here you go!! Step by step, courtesy of the Handy Man's Home Manual of 1936. Pics will have to do until I can access a decent scanner. My straight doodlebug is pretty much a clone of the instructions given, but the formula was pretty much the same for anything built (A, T, Chevy, Buick Dodge, whatever):

1. Remove the body and extraneous sheet metal

2. Shorten the wheelbase by cutting the frame

3. Add a truck rear end (standard TT seemed to be the rear end of choice, because 90% of the ones I've seen over the years have a TT)

4. Drop in a second transmission to gear it down low (on Model As, #2 is usually another Model A). The article recommends a Dodge when building one out of a T, but I've only seen them with early Chevy transmissions.

Trucks were the platform of choice for the heavier frame (and you already had the low speed rear end). A lot of people also narrowed the front axle, removed the front spring and replaced it with a pivot mount (better ride in a ploughed field).

The greatest thing about doodlebugs and conversion tractors is the fact that no two are exactly alike - each is a unique achievement in engineering and creativity borne of necessity.

I loved this line from the article: "With T Fords available throughout the country any shop man can easily convert one into a practical tractor."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:34 am:

Ron,

Thanks. I hope you can get to a scanner because I would be real interested in doing this. I get the gist of what to do, but my T knowledge sometimes lacks a little--but I am getting there.

I have what could be a start to one of these, finding a good used running motor/trans is the biggest hang up really.

As far as the frame, I have a frame that is really not worthy for a car, but I could hack it up for one of these no problem and absolutely not feel bad at all. I could box it for more strength too.

I like the idea of making a pivot on the front axle. I could do that easily too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Holcomb, Watertown WI on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:43 am:

I have 2, one the my grandpa built in the late 30's
and one I bought that is a fond du lac. Both are in running condition. I'm not smart enough to post pictures.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Holcomb, Watertown WI on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:46 am:

I should comment also.
The home built is a 2 cylinder.
The Fond Du Lac I just brought home and got running correctly. the thing that made it come home was the accessory front pulley!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:51 am:

Brian - find someone to take the pics!! We gotta see those!! Especially the 2-cylinder your grandfather built.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John McGinnis in San Jose area, CA. on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:59 am:

Here is one I discovered in Porterville, CA many years ago. Perhaps someone knows of the fate of this machine.
porterville


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By CharlieT on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 10:41 am:

Here is a factory made Model T Worthington Tractor conversion made to pull a gang mower on a golf course.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 11:48 am:

This is my dad about 1934 sitting on a tractor that he and my grandfather Adolph Peterson built that year. The T engine had a transmission from some other old car mounted between the engine and the rear end to give a steep gear reduction. Rear wheels were from an old horse drawn grain binder. The basis of the tractor was dad's first car which had been a late teens touring originally built from parts found at the town dump.

The tractor worked fine but it was the depression and they lost the farm about a year later, unable to make enough money to pay rent on the land.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 12:11 pm:

Would be nice to have that today Royce. Always envy the guys, like Brian, who have one that was made by a family member 70-80 years ago and is still in the family.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Hector, Minnesota on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 01:50 pm:

My load going to a threshing show.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 02:27 pm:

Was waiting for you to post Lance!! Is the cutting bar one new?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Todd Retterer on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 04:47 pm:



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary H. White - Sheridan, MI on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 04:50 pm:

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/grd/4665349350.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Hector, Minnesota on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:40 pm:

No Ron, I fixed it up for the guy that owns it. Here is a new one. It doesn't look like this right now after sitting in the woods since 67. I bought it for $10 when I was 16. After getting it home, The guys kids told me how they filled the engine and radiator with sand. The fuel oil driver stopped by and offered me $15, so I sold it. I found it again and the original owner wants me fix it up like this 1959 picture.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:49 pm:

Lance, that is a great story. Pretty amazing that you found her again. You did a beautiful job fixing up that cutting bar one!! Any other pictures of it? Your red-gas tank one is a favorite of mine! Is the crank-mounted pulley working?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:12 pm:

Here are some photos of my late 1930 to 1931 (year of kit) Montgomery Ward Trailblazer tractor conversion. In 1929 early 30 the kits were made by "Shaw" for Montgomery Ward, Then in late 1930 The Peru Wagon and Wheel Company started making them, If you look at the old ads it appears that Peru stole the design from Shaw. They are almost alike. The late 30 and 31 models are an internal tooth "bull gear" Its a poor design and traps dirt. The late 30 31 models also use a "roller pinion" to drive the "bull gear". Mine had been stolen before I got the tractor, and I had to make my set. I have shown them on the running board, and one of them in the "bull gear" Then in 1932 Peru changed to a external tooth "bull gear" That required them to make larger diameter rear wheels. They also did away with the "roller pinion" type of drive gear and switched to a common "spur" type of bevel drive gear. Those are the most common of the Montgomery Ward "Trail Blazers" They were a better design and were still being sold till sometime before WW2 era. I have a good overhauled engine in mine, and have already rebuilt the rear end, Im also lucky to have the correct Montgomery Ward Accy. front wheels. Maybe in a little while Ill have her plowing the fields again. :-) :-)

tractor

tractor 2

tractor 3

tractor 4

tractor 5

My roller pinion gears I had to make.

tractor 6

roller pinion gears in bull gear..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:22 pm:

Donnie - she is great! I've really enjoyed the pictures you've posted of her over the last couple of years and watching her progress. I was amazed at the job you did building those roller pinions when you posted pictures of them a while back and I am still amazed - they are beautiful!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Hector, Minnesota on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:30 pm:

I saw this one in a state park. No driver was around. Very nicely restored.



My friend had this in his shop. They used the hydraulics to lift the front of a log so they could drag it out of the woods.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:37 pm:

Lance,

There was one similar in condition to that state park vehicle that just sold recently on EBay for almost 6k. It was also made from a AA. Unbelievable.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Hector, Minnesota on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:07 pm:

Ron, I posted about the sickel mower T back some time ago with several pictures. It didn't draw much interest at the time.
I do have my PTO working and I added headlights. I need to find something to power but I have been moving pretty slow after more health problems.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:12 pm:

Here's an old film from the late 30s showing a brass T doodlebug mowing the football field in my hometown of Adams, MN. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t71C9OqIbxM


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:15 pm:

Lance, Ron, and anyone else. I want one of those PTOs for the front of the engine to use on my conversion. I guess that's my "dream list item" for the upcoming 2015 Chickasha swap meet. :-) never too early to start dreaming :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:21 pm:

Lance - doodlebugs and conversion tractors never seem to generate that much interest on here. That's why I started this thread!! For guys like you and me and Todd and Brian and Bob and who knows who else out there that have these works of Depression-era art and love them.

Going to look for that other thread on the sickle bar mower. I think, at the time, it was missing the radiator and you had it parked in your garage next to your red tank one.

I am envious of that PTO - would like to find one. I'm sorry to hear about the health problems and hope they are past you now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Todd Retterer on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:47 pm:

This is slightly OT:

Are there any shows coming in 2015 that may be a good place for a few of us doodlebug owners invade?

I'm part of a group that collects Boa Ski snowmobiles & we try to have a get together at some vintage snowmobile show once a year. We try to move it around the eastern half of the country each year to give everyone a chance to show up at some point.

Something along these lines could be a lot of fun for us doodlebug owners.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:55 pm:

Donnie - see if you can dream up two of those PTOs. I've been looking for one too. There was one listed on the classifieds a while back and I PM'd the guy who had it, but he never answered.

Todd - I invade all the tractor shows and a lot of the pulls in my area (MA & NH). If the show is close enough to me, I'll make multiple turns and bring all 5 of mine (the 3 Ts, the A and the AA). I've also crashed a couple of cruise nights with my AA. Doodlebugs NEVER fail to draw a crowd - no two alike.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 06:34 am:

Well I can say you guys have certainly peaked my interest in these. It would be great to find one fairly close by, but I would build one too---and I just might.

I have been thinking of how I can use a car rear axle though to have some speed on the road though because I would drive it to a show some where, and TT rear axle ratio speeds would take me all night to get there.



On my way to work, but I ran across a great conversion article last night. I'll try and post it up later.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:22 am:

Chad, I'm not sure you want a lot of speed with that short wheelbase. My TT Doodlebug has a 26-27 roadster cowl. I'm putting a windshield on it so I don't have the bugs hitting me in the face. It not only has very low speeds but also gets down the road.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 09:00 am:

Chad, these conversions are designed to go very, very slow. Montgomery Ward advertised there's to be 11 to 1 ratio. The top speed of my tractor will be about 3 miles per hour in high gear..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 10:12 am:

On the for sale part of the yesterday tractor site is a [Friday] doodlebug made with a model A engine.Price picture and location is all i know.The picture might suggest a fire?? Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 05:57 pm:

My Doodlebug with my brother's help. It will remain at the intersection until the end of football season.DoodlebugDD2db3


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 06:58 pm:

Gotcha on the speed thing, I was thinking like 20-25mph, nothing too crazy though. Maybe your right, keeping it slow would be better. Just thinking on what I would have to do to get it legal for use on roads--I think they actually have agriculture plates I might be able to get.

The conversion document I found is a PDF file so I am not sure how to unconvert it so I can post it.

The article shows modifying a Chevy transmission to put between the rear and T trans, but I am wondering why I couldn't just use a Model A trans instead.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 07:26 pm:

Mike,

She's FANTASTIC!!!! Pictures are small so I can't tell for sure, but are those bomber seats??!! I went back and forth about bomber seats for my '30 AA doodlebug and now, seeing them in yours, I wish the hell I had put them in!! Those seats look great!

I love your trailer!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 07:42 pm:

Chad,

Playing with the transmissions, I was able to, on separate occasions, briefly get my A and AA up to around 25-30 mph. I'll tell you, I did it ONCE on each one as I was mapping out the gear combinations. Never again. Mike is correct - it is way too fast for the wheelbase (along with unusual axle configurations and "leisurely brakes"). Frankly, 15-20 mph will produce an excess of excitement. Mine plod along nicely at 10 mph through the backroads around my house and I trailer to shows.

At pulls, my '30 AA with the 2 4-speed transmissions and a Diamond T rear end creeps along at about 1 mph and, if she gets a good bite, shames the hell out of production tractors. The announcers will poke fun about finishing sometime today, but she just creeps along and out pulls nearly everything around. Crowds LOVE her because you NEVER see doodlebugs at a pull around here. Speed kills, slow pulls. ;)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 07:43 pm:

BTW - the Ts are my "porcelain dolls" - they don't pull. Only the AA.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:23 pm:

That seat came off a speedster. It was going to need repainted and upholstered so I decided to put it on the Dbug and get a new seat for my speedster. The Dbug is the best parade vehicle I have. Two little kids can sit on the tool box and have leg room plus they are able to see over the front seat occupants. The trailer holds several as well. The best part of it, The Dbug has the parade speed gears. I have a siren, electric horn and a Klaxon horn with the push plunger. However, it will not be in the Homecoming parade because it will not be moved from that spot until end of football season. I'm making new signs for my TT Weaver Wrecker truck to be in the parade on Friday.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:34 pm:

OK, lets try this.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:35 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:35 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:36 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:37 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 09:30 pm:

Price went up $30!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rex Pyles on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 - 10:18 am:

found this.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/grd/4665349350.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 - 02:02 pm:

Not a bad price if it's a complete unit - T running gear included. The kit portions look immaculate.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 07:06 am:

Chad,

Check this out. If you are willing to drive to NH, the TT package would be a perfect start to building a doodlebug. Cowl is there, frame is already shortened and it's a TT!

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/4682059749.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:45 am:

They must have been very common. The selection of rear wheel types is interesting.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jon Crane on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:52 am:

I have one of the Chevy transmissions shown in the $50 junk pile tractor article available if anybody wants it cheap
jon crane


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 12:11 pm:

Jon,

Where are you? I might be interested.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Oldman on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 12:51 pm:

Hi,

Here is my 1919 Pullford Conversion. Years ago I had a rustic cabin in the woods, this thing did all the work with an accessory pickup bed on the back. It goes easily through three feet of snow. It has a warford three speed. I used a piece of plywood as an adapter and put a Model A shifter on the Warford. The big steel wheels can be removed and regular road wheels put on the back after changing out the drive hubs. (no rear spring) The local fair here in Maine refused to let me use it for a tractor pull as they said it would rear up and flip over backwards, that is true it will stand straight up but the pickup box keeps it from overturning. Its a cool rig.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Oldman on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 12:52 pm:

HI

Picture did not upload from my mac why is that?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 01:14 pm:

Pictures have to be smaller than 194K to post on this forum. I find that a resolution of 150 dots per inch and a width of 6 inches works well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 05:31 pm:

Geez Ron, you going to corner me out of building one of these things, LOL.

Jon, as Ron said, you didn't mention where you were located. At least put it in your profile. I would be interested too if your not too far, because I want to build one of these Tractors. But Ron did call dibs on it first.

Andy, you can email the pics and I can resize them for you and post them if you wish. crazydart400 AT yahoo.com

I thought I found a deal on Craigslist for a chassis (3 hrs away) that had most of the drivetrain parts I would need. I thought I would be well on my way to building one of these cool tractors. I made the deal with the guy, told I would be there Saturday with a car trailer and cash in hand. A couple hours later he calls me back. Says his lady friend that put the ad up for him put too low of a price and he wouldn't sell it for that and wanted to know what I was willing to pay. Guess he didn't like it when I told him less. Says he can get more for it from the right buyer----funny thing is he told me first thing no one has given him cash yet from the 1/2 dozen people that already looked at it.

Better I found out all this before I drove all the way there I guess. I hate trying to buy from for sale ads sometimes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jon Crane on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 05:46 pm:

I am in Rochester Mich. Don't know how to put additional data in my profile.
Sent Ron an email as I plan to be at Hershey.
jon


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Holcomb, Watertown WI on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 06:25 pm:

I can't figure out how to resize a picture. so you will have to imagine what my tractors look like


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Holcomb, Watertown WI on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 06:37 pm:

tractor


here is my Fond Du Lac tractor!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:20 pm:

Chad,

Jon is too far away from me and, unfortunately, I'm not going to Hershey - free fire zone on that transmission. That frame and cowl in New Hampshire would be a great start if you are willing to make the trip. It's been posted on Craigslist for a while, so he may come off that price (which isn't bad to begin with). Might be worth a call.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:24 pm:

Brian,

That is one beautiful tractor!!! How long have you had that? Some pulls around here demand wheelie bars at pulls. One even prohibits Fordsons from pulling because of the flip over issue (and makes no exceptions for Fordsons with fenders). I love the shaved and covered rear wheels - really nice job on them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Holcomb, Watertown WI on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:55 pm:

Ron,
I just got it 2 weeks ago. It still has the 2 piece valves so I haven't worked it to hard yet. I have a few changes to make to consider it truly mine. I;m anxious to see what it can do in the field. Its a rough ride with the steel rears and solid front tires.
I did use it today to spin a stationary T engine with low compression. It seemed to have plenty of power once I got the belt lined up and the stationary staked down!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:28 pm:

Ron, That guy in New Hampshire is exactly the one in my described incident above. He said his lady friend put the wrong price on it. Unfortunately. it seems to me it is another old timer that is going to let it rot into the ground unless someone gives him what he wants for it. Truly ashame.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 11:38 am:

Chad,

Had no idea that is what you were talking about above. That same ad has cropped up again and again for almost a year - with the same prices. So he had plenty of time to fix his lady friend's "pricing mistake." Bait and switch.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zachary Dillinger on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 01:14 pm:

You know, I've been thinking about buying an old tractor to play around with. A Deere B or Minneapolis Moline, something like that. Maybe I should find some old T parts and make one. Maybe figure out a PTO and some sort of mower deck and mow the grass with it! That would be fun!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 03:59 pm:

Zach - my '27 doodlebug (just finished two weeks ago) will be pulling a light gang mower around my fields next Spring. The T/IHC mower conversion will be put to work on my property when I finish her. If I can combine routine chores and a doodlebug, I'll do it - even if it is slower than something new


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 04:43 pm:

Ron, your not awfully far from me either, so if you happened across something your not going to use parts wise, please let me know.

In the mean time I will keep my search on. At the minimum, I really need--well, everything, LOL. But I do have a car chassis that would be perfect for cutting up (has serious rot on the rear crossmember) and a firewall and possibly a front axle in the same condition---very well patina'd


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 07:14 pm:

Chad,

Will do!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 07:38 am:

Hey Chad

I'll make you a real good deal on a T whoopie tractor if you're interested. May be able to help with transportation, also. I'm on the other end of N.Y. but future son in law is attending the trooper academy in Albany and possibly could be conned into helping out. Will send pictures when the wife comes home tonight.
Let me know if you're interested.

Tyler


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 11:44 am:

Tyler

If Chad passes on the tractor, please let me know - I am always looking for T-based tractors (doodlebug or conversion).

-Ron (in Massachusetts)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 01:59 pm:

Will do, Ron. I also have a T
rear end that's been shortened for a tractor. I'll try to post pictures tonight.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dale L Myers on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 02:21 pm:

Tyler, it's interesting to see someone else referring to these home made tractors as "hoopies". It must be a western NY. & northwestern PA. term.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 03:20 pm:

Yeah - that was a new one on me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 04:35 pm:

Ron, I have "dreamed up" a power take off. Im in the process of finding out if I can get it, or not. It is a different style than Im familiar with. Send me a PM with you e-mail address. I want to send some photos of it to you. Maybe you can help me figure out how it works.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 04:44 pm:

Donnie - PM sent.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 11:27 pm:

Hi Tyler, sorry for not responding sooner, long 13hr day at work. Anyhow, you can send pics and info to me at my email. crazydart400 AT yahoo.com

I am not afraid of a little road trip either. So let me know. Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 06:24 am:

Chad

I'll send some pictures later this a.m., got to go to work for a bit.

Dale

That's what the ole timers that used them around here referred to them as. I wonder where they came up with the term? I also had scrapple for breakfast this morning, probably not many people familiar with that, either!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 06:38 am:

Scrapple:

Also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name panhaas or "pan rabbit,"[1][2] is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and wheat flour, often buckwheat flour, and spices. The mush is formed into a semi-solid congealed loaf, and slices of the scrapple are then pan-fried before serving. Scraps of meat left over from butchering, not used or sold elsewhere, were made into scrapple to avoid waste. Scrapple is best known as a rural American food of the Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia). Scrapple and panhaas are commonly considered an ethnic food of the Pennsylvania Dutch, including the Mennonites and Amish. Scrapple is found in supermarkets throughout the region in both fresh and frozen refrigerated cases.

I had to look it up just to see if my thought was right. I was pretty close but I thought it had eggs in it.

Thanks Tyler, I am off to work myself for a bit too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 09:50 am:

Ron, I sent the photos and a e-mail to you. Im trying to do it from my mobile. So there is no telling where they end up..:-) :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 11:24 am:

Chad,

The mid Atlantic region includes New York State

John
RTFM


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 01:53 pm:

John, I know, I actually copied that from the internet so it is someone elses description. It is funny though because at least to me, it seems that parts of NY could be considered Mid Atlantic and some not. But for the most part I would say it is.

Donnie and Ron, if you guys manage to figure this PTO stuff out, please post it up whether it be in this post or another as I am sure others would be interested.

Hopefully Tyler will either Email me pics or post them here soon. It's all I could think about while at work today, LOL.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 03:10 pm:

Chad, I will post it if Im able to buy it. Im still in the process of trying to get it. I do not want to post the photos yet because they are the sellers photos and not mine. He probably would not mind but I just want to make sure.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 07:49 pm:

Donnie - sent you a couple of emails.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 08:00 pm:

Chad

Sorry, I was very busy today but I promise I will have pictures for you in the morning. I have to get the tractor out from where it's stored to get decent pictures and I ran out of time tonight.
Again, sorry for the delay.

Tyler


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 08:15 pm:

Began tinkering with the T/IHC mower today. Had her running - once and very briefly - back in May, but it wasn't pretty. She had a really beat up period distributor - tower was cracked - and very sketchy wiring. Returned her to standard coil ignition, put in a new wiring harness, a rebuilt carb and a rebuilt starter (old one was shot and she was a VERY hard hand crank). She then sat as I finished up the 27/21 doodlebug.

Even with the new wiring, new commutator, new starter, rebuilt carb and rebuilt coils, she was not starting easily. She was a hard crank by hand and on starter - really warming up the ground cable (the heaviest one Lang's offers) and the starter. Bands were COMPLETELY loose. I had her jacked up in the rear and that helped a little, but still a strain on the starter. Another T guy suggested hitting her with a 12 volt. She has a governor in place of a generator, so there was really no risk. I took a 12-volt lawn tractor battery and hooked it up. She fired immediately and ran really well. The best thing is, her mag is still hot and she switched over without missing a beat.

Need to do some work on the timing. Advancing the spark made no change in the engine (new commutator, brush and control rod).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, September 27, 2014 - 08:17 pm:

Tyler,

Would love to see the pictures too (obviously Chad has first dibs).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 09:49 am:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 10:15 am:



Here are pics of the whoopie tractor. My wife is awesome. ;)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyler searle on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 11:52 am:

It's a bit rough but it would be a good start. I really didn't want to sell the engine that's in it but I may be purswaded . I took the engine out of my sedan a couple years ago, it's tired but runs good and is a good one to rebuild. Probably last forever in a tractor.
I hooked it up to whatever trans. is in the tractor and drove it around my driveway last year, everything worked. I'll find some kind of radiator and shell to go with it and maybe a few other odds and ends.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 12:22 pm:

Tyler, Email me at crazydart400 AT yahoo.com

Maybe we can work something out on that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 04:13 pm:

Thank You Tyler! We came to an agreement and I will hopefully be the new caretaker by next weekend.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 06:15 pm:

Congratulations Chad! That is a GREAT start!!!! Easy build.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Oldman on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 07:24 pm:

Hi Here is my 1919 Pullford in deep snow, hopefully the resized picture will post. I will try to scan and post a Pullford advt later in the week. I remember seeing a sequential ad in which the family drives to church in the morning, then the fenders come off and the tractor wheels are added and the final view is of the touring car plowing the back 40.Pullford conversion in deep snow


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 07:36 pm:

Andy - great picture and a beautiful tractor!! I thought I knew the whereabouts of every T conversion kit in Massachusetts! Guess not.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 08:47 pm:

this is my pullford pulling at Old Thrashers reunion 20014
pl


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 10:31 pm:

well, i was holding back, didnt want to make you guys all jealous , but here's my handy dandy combination snow plow and log skidder. its based on a TT frame and rear end with rocky mountain 3 speed inline, with a willys motor, and plymouth radiator. on the business end it has a chain sprocket off the input shaft of the main transmission, that drives the trans on the side that drives the winch, engaged by a model t high gear clutch pak. winch itself is a t rear end narrowed up with a accessory brake holding one axle so the other winds the cable for the plow. cables use T drive shaft spools for pullys, and T frame rails for the plow frame. i'd like to say i'm gonna fix it up, but its quite far down on the list and may just go at the auction as is when i'm gone!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 06:24 am:

Clayton, That is some serious home brewing going on there. It definitely was built and served its purpose at the time and is in the spirit of what is going on in this thread though.

Dean, just a couple of guys is all it could pull? I know a T is weak, but geez, LOL.

Keep posting them up guys


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 06:27 am:

Clayton - she is a beast. Have seen countless doodlebugs - but nothing quite like that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 02:19 pm:

Clayton - Interesting machine for sure! I'll bet it's done a lot of pretty serious work in the past. The photos of your machine and your description reminded me of a rig I saw in action when I was a kid, and I'm 72 now, so memory is "fading", but as I remember,......

This was while on vacation with my folks out west "somewhere"......Montana, Idaho,....???

At a small sawmill someplace, a guy was handling logs like they were "twigs". It was some sort of cable/pulley/gin-pole arrangement, and the cable came down off of the pole to a Model "T" chassis that was securely bolted to huge concrete blocks. As in your machine Clayton, the Model "T" rear end was used as a winch. Cable from gin-pole wrapped around a wheel on one side, and the other side of the rear end was being controlled by a large hand lever hooked to the brake lever on the backing brake. When the lever was pulled to stop the axle on that side, the other side with cable wrapped around wheel would wind up and lift the log that he was adding to the pile or whatever. Wish I'd been old enough to have a camera or had my Dad photograph that "operation", because that guy operating the Model "T" winch and his helper hooking up the logs were handling those logs like they'd been doing it forever! Fascinating, and as a small boy watching that operation, I've never forgotten it!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, October 04, 2014 - 10:51 am:

Picked up a nice '17 T power unit yesterday. When she's spiffed up, I'll tow her behind my '27/21 doodlebug. Will post some picks later.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, October 04, 2014 - 05:24 pm:

New power unit:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Saturday, October 04, 2014 - 05:56 pm:

Neat power unit! Interesting combination manifold which seems to also provide for use of carburetor heat stove! Those are always a nice accessory! Can't quite read the name but doesn't look like ANCO or Wilmo,.....harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, October 04, 2014 - 06:32 pm:

Thanks Harold! It's a Pecks manifold. Has a Zenith carb too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, October 05, 2014 - 08:22 am:

Neat unit Ron. I work with guys who work on generators, I have been having crazy thoughts of putting in a home generator powered by a model T engine. Having a portable power unit like you have would make it more versatile though.


The doodlebug/ tractor that Tyler posted above is now safe at home with me. I have some ideas of things I want to do--heck, I had a week to think about them before I picked it up, LOL. He had not done much with it since he purchased it, but he did get it operational.

It does run, he drove it on my trailer with one of his carbs and coils, so those are what I need to put back to a running state.

I did notice this morning the super long road trip and rough roads took their toll on things. About 2.5 hours on the way home, the wife noticed the steering wheel was gone. It had unscrewed it self at the gear box on the top of the column. I noticed this morning looking at it that the tierod was almost cracked in half. Didn't see if that is where they shortend it or not. I will get a piece of heavy wall DOM tubing, cut the ends off and weld them in the tubing. Simple fix for that and way stronger.

(Message edited by Chad Marchees on October 05, 2014)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, October 05, 2014 - 06:32 pm:

Some newer pics now that it's home.

Gathered up some parts today from a local club member, I will be adding some T headlights to it, and got a steering wheel with pinion shaft and cover to replace what fell off on the way home.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 05, 2014 - 07:24 pm:

Chad - congratulations!!! She's fantastic! Amazing where a thread can lead, isn't it?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Sunday, October 05, 2014 - 07:36 pm:

chad, slotted wheels on the back are 37-38 chev if you don't already know. nice rig, loads of fun in the future!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, October 05, 2014 - 07:57 pm:

Thanks Ron--I am pretty excited about this.

Clayton, I did not know that, my early car knowledge is not that great when it gets down to ID'ing what came from where. All the wheels are 16", but every one of them is different. I would like to find two matching wheels for the rear, so I appreciate the ID. I plan on putting T wheels back on the front.

Here are pics of the front and rear axles that are both narrowed. The whole footprint of the tractor is 5' x 8'. The front axle was split in the middle, rewelded and then plates front and back bolted and welded. Spring is stock but uses wide spring shackle hangers.








Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Tuesday, October 07, 2014 - 10:46 am:

I've noticed a lot of typical tractor conversions in this thread, but I haven't seen a Cultor show up yet. I'm guessing it'll be the most unique tractor to appear in this thread. I'll try to get some pictures this afternoon to show you guys.

I'd still like to see more of the bolt-on kits. I have always wanted a Pullford kit. They were built in Quincy, Illinois, which is only about 45 miles from my hometown. If anybody knows of one for sale, let me know.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Tuesday, October 07, 2014 - 04:53 pm:

Jared - post them!!! I'm looking forward to seeing this!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Wednesday, October 08, 2014 - 02:32 am:

Here is a rare one . I once owned this conversion before selling it on to Francis Ransley in Tasmania knowing he would restore and use it on displays for all to see.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Wednesday, October 08, 2014 - 03:00 am:

You guys may be interested in a Genuine Ford factory Doodlebug from 1914.

This one serviced Ford's Canadian Factory.
doodle


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Wednesday, October 08, 2014 - 06:22 am:

Interesting, looks like an all car T doodlebug. And that the engine is lowered, perhaps to meet up with the car rear end better---that is still mounted on a leaf spring.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Wednesday, October 08, 2014 - 09:41 pm:

the driver is happy because they finally put the pedal extensions on


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Thursday, October 09, 2014 - 05:28 pm:

A better pictures of Francis Ransley's --
THRIFTY FARMER tractor conversion as sold by SEARS ROEBUCK at the time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Booth on Thursday, October 09, 2014 - 07:08 pm:

Fyi Clayton.
Your doodle bug better not make it to auction. Anytime you want to get rid of it... I know a guy.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Friday, October 10, 2014 - 09:38 pm:

Because I had to fix the steering linkage out of neccesity on my doodlebug, I came up with this. It is now very heavy duty--If I bend this, I have serious issues.

1-1/8" steel DOM tubing. Cut about a 1.5" of the old tie rod end tubing and yoke off the old tie rod. Drill 4 perpendicular holes about 1" from the end of the new tubing so you can also plug weld the end pieces in place. Insert the ends into the tubing trying your best to square it up. Tack weld and then fully weld around--finish with the 4 plug welds. Repeat for other end.

I will do the same for the drag link, I think the tubing size for that was 3/4" DOM steel. Hopefully no more bent, battered, and damaged steering linkage.








Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Sunday, October 12, 2014 - 10:40 pm:

HILL BILLY STRIPTEASE---- TRUE ?

Cletus is passing by Billy Bob 's hay barn one day when, through a gap in the door, he sees Billy Bob doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old John Deere tractor.

Buttocks clenched, he performs a slow pirouette, and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing a torn and frayed plaid shirt.

Then, grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained T-shirt underneath. With a final flourish, he tears the T-shirt from his body, and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.

Having seen enough, Cletus rushes in and says, "What the world're ya doing, Billy Bob ?"

"Good grief, Cletus, ya scared the bejeebers out of me," says an obviously embarrassed Billy Bob ..

"But me 'n the wife been havin trouble lately in the bedroom d'partment, and the therapist suggested I do something sexy to a tractor."


(Don't make me come splain this to you! Read the last line again, slowly.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, October 13, 2014 - 02:16 am:

That's disgusting! (And I can't stop laughing!)
Can we get back to model T doodle-bugs and tractors now?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert G. Hester Jr., Riverview, FL on Monday, October 13, 2014 - 10:28 am:

LOL! That's just sick. :-) :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Monday, October 13, 2014 - 06:28 pm:

This is for Chad.

Parts were not mailed today cause PO was closed.
Will ship out in the morning.

John


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Adam Bosch on Thursday, October 16, 2014 - 10:29 pm:

first post on here: here is my fathers 23 Staude Tractor conversion. factory made in St Paul Minnesota. if you have been to threshing shows in west central MN in the last 40 years you might have seen this.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M G Hillhouse on Friday, October 17, 2014 - 12:28 am:

My first T was a tractor that was made like the article above. I bought it for $35.00 including a Atwater Kent distributor that was on it. I still have the transmission that was mated to the TT rear end. If anyone is interested in it send me a pm. I know that after 48 years I am not going to use it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Saturday, October 18, 2014 - 08:24 am:

Adam, do you have any larger pictures and/or more of you conversion tractor? If you can't get them to post bigger, email them to me at crazydart400 AT yahoo.com.

Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Saturday, October 18, 2014 - 09:49 am:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-T-Ford-Tractor-Conversion-Doodlebug-Antique-Car-Tr uck-Parts-Homemade-Farm-/281471138265?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&has h=item4188fcb9d9&vxp=mtr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Saturday, October 18, 2014 - 10:05 am:

I like the "hi-crop" axle. and the magneto conversion. I have never seen an adapter like that. I wonder if its a home made or aftermarket adapter. Something like that would sell good if it was reproduced. Those types of mags are cheap and plentiful. Wish the picture showed it better.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep on Saturday, October 18, 2014 - 05:14 pm:

Is that a governor on the fan hub?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Saturday, October 18, 2014 - 07:21 pm:

Here are Adams pictures in a little larger size.





Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 07:48 am:

Power unit I just picked up has a fan hub governor.

Adam - your Dad has one beautiful machine there - one of the nicest conversions I've seen.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 08:03 am:

I agree Ron. That's why I wanted to get bigger photos to post for him.

Another one that my friend found on the interweb.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 08:05 am:

Funny how few Staude kits seem to have survived. Not sure what their production numbers were, but they seem to have the advertising I run across the most often.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 08:13 am:

Have the rear wheel pulled on my '27 mowing machine right now (needs to get fitted with a new tire before I can get her into the newly-floored shed for the winter). Previously on this thread, someone asked how the cutting bar was driven? As this is the side with the drive mechanism, I'll take some pictures later and post them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 10:25 am:

Taking a page from Lance's tractor, I made up mounts, and mounted an air tank for use as my fuel tank. Added a filler spout and were good to go. Just need to take it all apart and paint it. Total investment, $60 and about ten hours of fab and weld time.

Now just need a carb and plumb it up and I can fire it on coils.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dale L Myers on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 11:07 am:

This tractor was on ebay several years ago. I liked the flipped front axle.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 06:24 pm:

Dale - did you buy her or are those the listing photos?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 06:50 pm:

Cutting bar drive system on my '27 T/IHC mower:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 06:51 pm:

One more:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dale L Myers on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 08:06 pm:

Ron,I did not buy it. I saved the photos because I thought it was a very nice home made tractor.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 08:20 pm:

Dale - she is EXCEPTIONALLY nice, which is why I asked if you had snagged her.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 09:15 pm:

Dale, thank you for posting the tractor with the flipped axle. I'm going to try that when my D-bug is finished keeping the football wins and losses by the High School.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 01:57 am:

t
I call this my Monster tractor, Pullford bull gears, Muncie axillary transmission, RBF Ricardo head. rear wheels 4,binder front 4 rims


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 08:59 am:

Dean - monster is an understatement. Did she come that way or did you beef her up?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 11:26 am:

That must be a young version of Dean.....notice he doesn't have a beard on this picture! :-)

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 05:51 pm:

Ron it came in that configuration. It had a broken crank. I added the RBF Ricardo fenders, extra seats and toolbox. The front wheels have 4 rims per side. can't find a before picture now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 06:07 pm:

as purchased
b


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 06:22 am:

Good lord that thing is a beast. Thanks for posting it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 06:46 am:

Dean,

That is the widest T-based tractor I have ever seen - do not think it would fit on my flatbed. Someone was obviously trying to reduce ground pressure with the width of those wheels. Any idea of what it was used for? What did you do about the center wheel on the driver's side (looks rusted right through in the last picture)?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 05:28 pm:

Ron, Yes many holes rusted through some spokes rusted off. Practiced my welding patching things up. I had part of a old binder wheel I cut up for patches. It is just the wheels that are wide . the rear end is shortened.
The tractor came out of Wisconsin.
ttd
Todays project nice enough weather to power warsh.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 05:44 pm:

My Wards conversion is my widest Tractor.
t


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 08:28 pm:

Dean,

Another nice one!! How many do you have?

Wards is very wide. Passed on a AA with a Wards kit because there was no way I'd be able to transport on my flatbed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 11:07 pm:

4 at the present time #5 will be made more like a garden tractor. I just cleaned a shortened TT rear today for it today.
t


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - 06:44 am:

Would like to see pics of #5 if you have any.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - 06:40 pm:

Nice collection Dean. I agree, if you have a pic of #5 Post it up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - 07:34 pm:

#5 is still Parts collection, I need to make steal wheels on TT hubs. I have a shortened front axle to go with my shortened rear and a Large Muncie just need time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Thursday, October 23, 2014 - 04:38 pm:

Dean, since you brought it up....

Ever since I bought mine, I wanted to make a set of steel cleated wheels. But I am unsure of how to go about it exactly. Lance measured his for me, they are 10" wide by 33" tall. I forgot to ask about the thickness of the outer shell though.

So how do you go about making a round and true spoke wheel? If this is something you want to discuss offline, please Email me: crazydart400 AT yahoo.com


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 08:30 pm:

Ron and anyone interested. I finally was able to get the PTO I "dreamed" up in the previous post way up above this post. Ill post one photo here and then start its own thread. PTO


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 08:35 pm:

Donnie - looking forward to more pics to see how everything hooks up. Am really envious - still looking for one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 11:43 pm:

Ron I started another thread dedicated to the PTO. I added a lot of photos there.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 06:37 pm:

Celtic Rust pulled some leaf tarps today - a lot of them;


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 08:15 pm:

God to see you put it to work Ron. I assume that is your son in the pics?

I have some vast parts here to make mine run again but have yet had time to get it together--even though I have the week off. Fall house/yard maintenance have taken over.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 08:59 pm:

Yes, that's my son.

I hear you about no time. Have to put a new clutch in my AA, have the '27 T:/IHC to start working on, along with the '17 power unit. But leaves, leaves, leaves.....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 04:32 am:

Yes, that's my son.

I hear you about no time. Have to put a new clutch in my AA, have the '27 T:/IHC to start working on, along with the '17 power unit. But leaves, leaves, leaves.....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 08:11 am:

Managed to get some work done yesterday on the Tractor. I decided for many reasons to go with a distributor, so I flipped all the cushions in the house and got enough to buy a Texas T part distributor. Nice kit, well written instructions. Not really impressed with the plug wires though and they needed the length to be trimmed down alot for my liking. Not a hard process though, just took some time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 08:26 am:

About spit out my coffee laughing with the "flipped all the cushions in the house" line!! My '27 T/IHC had a distributor set up - period, pot-metal tower was cracked. I switched her back to standard Ford ignition. Wires were too long on that setup too - could see where they had burned across the manifold.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 08:57 am:

It was a hard decision Ron. I feel most T's should have coils. But I did not have a spare set of cores, plus getting them rebuilt, plus a Fun Projects coil box kit, Plus a new Anderson Timer to make it all bullet proof. This thing is likely to sit outside too, maybe i can build a small shed later on.

I am super anal about spark plug wires not fitting right, comes from working on hot rodded modern V-8s. I may still do more tweaking on them but i trimmed a good 4-5" off 3 of them, the other one just needed about an 1" taken off. The coil wire i will trim when i figure out where I am going to put it.

Today I plan to finish up the ignition, hopefully get the tank and carb mounted up, and make plans for replumbing the fuel system.

Glad to see I could make you laugh this morning.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 08:58 am:

Opps, double post

(Message edited by Chad Marchees on November 13, 2014)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Harper - Keene, NH on Monday, November 17, 2014 - 03:32 pm:

Interesting thread.

I do not own this tractor. I saw it at a show and thought that some of you might enjoy seeing it: a Worthington conversion with front wheel drive and rear wheel steering.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Monday, November 17, 2014 - 03:50 pm:

Very good friend of mine owns that gal. Very rare tractor - VERY rare. In fact, it is one of only a couple of rear-steer Worthingtons known to exist.

BTW - this thread was getting too long according to some, so we started a Part 2 with a link back to this one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 02:00 am:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/494083.html?1416110314

(Link to part 2) (Yes, my less-than-stellar DSL now takes an annoying time to load a thread this long with so many photos) (Boy, am I spoiled, it does take less than a half minute)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 10:06 am:

Ron,

For the last ten years, I have been traveling US Route 26 from Lowville, NY to Vernon Downs Horse track and Casino and when I saw the little crawler
on the doodlebug thread, it put me in mind of the one I saw about 100 Ft off the road that has not moved in 10 years. It does not look like the one on the site, and I have not looked at it up close.
I may be going that way tomorrow and will take some photos and send to you, and if you are
interested you can post them if not and someone
else might be.

I do not have capability to post photos. I could
send them to James Golden and he could post. Jim is a cousin


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 12:39 pm:

Craigslist for up State is listing an A-model Doodlebug for trade. The location is Gouvernour,
St Lawrence Co., NY Craigslist does have photo and looks like some missing items. Says he I have enough iron around so I am not interested in buying. Jus trying to be helpful.

John


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 12:58 pm:

John,

Thank you!! If the crawler is a Fordson OR homemade from a Model T or A (or anything else out of the 20s/30s) I am definitely interested. I will PM you with my email address. Any pictures you send, I'll post on here.

God, this thread has gotten so long, you'd swear all these doodlebugs had E-timers and were filled with MMO. Just a reminder to everyone else reading, a continuation of this thread has been started. Here's the link:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/494083.html?1416110314


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 01:07 pm:

Ron

Just got off the phone with a man named Carl who is the owner of the A doodle bug mentioned just above your post. That one is set up for an A-model, but no engine, does have a-tranny. Carl's number is 315-771-0597

The crawler I am going to try and see if the other half wants to go that way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 01:22 pm:

John - I know which one you are talking about now. Listing says it was built by a guy who was a pilot in WWII. It's made from a AA. Looks pretty solid, with a heavy duty plow setup - too bad the engine is gone (find myself a bit short on spare A engines right now - besides, I already have one made from a AA that I use for pulling). Someone else mentioned it a few weeks ago and I posted a link to the Craigslist ad for it on the Doodlebugs Part 2 thread. I think Chad needs a AA and should hitch his trailer up and start heading for Governour.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 01:24 pm:

BTW - sent you a PM with my email address.


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