I acquired a homemade tractor a few years ago. Powered by a 20 hp Wisconsin 1 cylinder engine-taken from a "kicker-pump, it was the product of an old ex-oil field worker/tinkerer. Homemade bellhousing [16" surface pipe] with an add-on hand clutch-hooked to a Ford 4 speed pickup truck transmission. That transmission was hooked to a Ford differential that was turned on it's side with one axle and housing removed and the other axle hooked to the second differential that was "lookin up". The gearing was so much lower than the original truck that workin with this as a tractor--was really amazing. Truck wheels for rear wheels and a solid axle in front that was cut down and spindles dropped so smaller wheels could be used in front. The rearend was also shortened for a more narrow "track". I never used it to work with as I didn't get any implements with it but he did have it fixed for a plow with the mount up under the belly of the tractor.

I did play with the thing and was blessed enough to not get hurt. EVERYTHING you touched on that beast hurt you! Dangerous to drive any faster than 1st gear--idle'n! In 4th gear, runn'n flat out---it would run about 40mph. With a "shimmy" in the front end ---well, I finally gave the thing away just so nobody would get hurt. It didn't run anymore as the carb had gone bad and couldn't get it replaced or repaired.

More on the self sufficient/stocking up thread! I'm STILL getting the "urgings" from Him to get busy and become more self sufficient. He also wants me to tell all that I know [didn't know I knew enough to help much] and urge others to get started themselves. I still don't know why but it's not my place to question Him--just do as He asks!

Ya'll have a most Blessed day and LOOK UP! Christ is coming back soon. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), June 03, 2001

Answers

Grandpa Hoot, you have enough knowledge you could write many many books plus some! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and memories with us young uns! Plus you have the best knowledge of all - knowing God as your Saviour! Take care!

-- Michael W. Smith in North-West Pennsylvania (kirklbb@penn.com), June 03, 2001.

Just keep it coming, Hoot! We appreciate and look forward to every post. God bless!

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), June 03, 2001.

Hi Hoot. I have an old copy of a publication the Seed Saver's Exchange puts out, and it was an article on farming in Poland. SSE members take trips to Europe to gather seeds of unusual varieties of vegetables/fruits so they won't be lost. Anyway, the article was about a family farming in rural Poland, and bless their hearts, they didn't have hardly anything, but the man built a home made tractor to farm his land with. I can't give the specifics of what it was made out of or how he constructed it, but I could see from the photos that there were lots of car parts and what looked to me like fabbed-up, home-forged metal parts, and maybe a few tractor parts. The thing had car tires on the front and truck tires on the back and the steering wheel was also from a car or truck. The man said it would run on just about any kind of fuel he could get his hands on, and that it served him well. (Looked like a death-trap to me!) They also built a tunnel greenhouse out of scraps of plastic and fabric, wood and metal. It looked like a crazy quilt, but it also worked well for them. Now, THAT'S ingenuity and perserverance!

-- HannahMariaHolly (hannahholly@hotmail.com), June 04, 2001.

Mr. Hoot,

I wonder why, with all of your wisdom and experience, I have never seen you post any helpful comments on threads written by others. Clearly, the Countryside community accepts you as a helpful authority on so many subjects, your advice on other threads would be so welcome.

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), June 04, 2001.

Kim! I do post followups to other threads. When I don't-if it's something I'm familar with their is always others that have meaningful responces already posted and any more from me wouldn't really be needed. I'm not an authority on much of anything-only through the Grace of Almighty God that I have anything to offer. This forum is a wealth of information from many different people. Besides all that---sometimes I get tired of hearin me talk! Sound like a "know it all" at times. Matt.24;44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), June 04, 2001.

Am I crazy for remembering a series of articles in the old Mother Earth News, late 70s, early 80s maybe, about building your own tractor? Or was it Countryside? Anyone got a Mother index to check it out?

-- Cash (Cash@andcarry.com), June 04, 2001.

There's a homemade tractor up here that I've been looking at that has a Morris mini motor...it runs real good...the motor...but the clutch is really tight and hard to press on. It comes with a 4 foot blade...the guy wants $1400 Can. for it. Its a little bigger than a lawn tractor. I haven't given him an answer yet. It's got lots of poop but where would you get parts if something goes wrong?? Any opinions?

-- Fish (pisscopis@dr.com), June 06, 2001.

I'm new to using and reading the forum and was wondering why the posts have warnings about containing Christian material. I made sure to read the ones that did, I guess it is good advertisement for our Jesus! Yes He is coming back soon, keep spreading the good news! God bless!!!

-- Sharon (spangenberg@hovac.com), June 07, 2001.

Fish if you need any parts for a Morris Minor I suggest you do a 15 second search for Morris Minor owners' clubs and I am sure you will find someone to help you. Beware, the Morris Minor name was used on various models over several decades!

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), June 07, 2001.

Ah Oh, sorry Fish! I see you said Morris Mini. They have only just gone out of production last year so there should be plenty of spares for a while yet! Look for a club.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), June 07, 2001.

Sharon,Hoot, et. al.: it's a treat to read your comments/questions/insights. I've also noticed the "warnings" re. Christian material. My, how dangerous we must be! I'm a small town resident, definatly on the grid, but admire your efforts, large and small to be more independent. Y2K got me started on more whole grains, baking my own bread ( it comes out different EVERY time) (still better than store-bought, though [:!). Financial circumstances are great teachers on the simple life style. And the Lord is a faithful provider.

-- stef (sbrogers@csonline.net), June 09, 2001.