Mystery Tractor

[SONNY]

Heads up guys, we are still looking for the story behind this tractor. We still have not identified this unit and will not give up. Pass the word.





The only details available is what is written on the picture before it was touched up by a photo shop.--I remember reading a story about this tractor and it had the same picture, but CRS prevents me from remembering the name the tractor and location of the story. Thanks; Sonny

[Iron Art]

The rear wheels are the size and style of the "Pioneer 45" but the radiator looks differant, interesting tractor. Fred

[SONNY]

I did find one with the square rad., but it was too small compared to this monster unit! thanks; sonny

[brian flatmoe]

Sonny, Here is what I know, which isn't alot, about this tractor. We bought a rear wheel, front wheel, pinion shaft and gear on an auction sale from one of these tractors near Thunderhawk, SD. The rear wheel measures 10'1"x24".
The front wheel measures 66.5"x10". The pinion shaft measures 4.25"x69". The only part # I have been able to find is 59H on the sunflower gear on the pinion shaft. There was a query in the December 2003 issure of Farm Collector from a man in WA state looking for info on this tractor as his uncle had operated this tractor in eastern Montana. I received copies of several pictures from him. There are two of these tractor in the pictures so more than one were made. Where we purchased the parts is roughly 100 miles due east of where the pictures were taken in MT. A while back we got a post card from a friend who had purchased it on ebay. It shows the same picture of this tractor as one of the pics I received from the man in WA. What's interesting is that the person who wrote the card said he could be reached in care of Hartsough. Hartsough was an early developer of several gas tractors including the Big Four and Bull and also some others. Same Hartsough???? There is some thought that this could be an experimental Big 4. Would welcome any thoughts or ideas in our pursuit of the identity of this tractor.

Brian

[FSHOOK]

Brian,
That is 100% more information than We have gotten already, I just reactivated an account Sunday eve from the Gentleman who originally sent Me the pictures from the photo lab technician where the picture first showed up. I have the original and the retouched picture on My hardrive. Our forum may not be the "biggest" But We will get to the bottom of any question asked even if it takes Us years. This group of Guys has taken on some pretty interesting questions and have come through every time.

Welcome to Antique Farming. Your lead will most likely crack this interesting
post

Frank

[FSHOOK]

I also have worked on the copies I received in My Picassa program, the quality of the photos were so good I can fill light and see all of the exposed gearing under the cab. I have all of the work saved If any one wants to see it. However My computer is under limited capability at this time due to a processor and mother board failing at the same time. The hard drive is OK but the computer it is slaved into is weak and very slow

[SONNY]

Brian had a very interesting thread on Smokstak (LONG thread)!!

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showth...ght=foot+wheel

I just read thru all 6 pages of it and a lot of possible names came out!
so far Big 4 seems a close runner and 2 of these tractors are shown in 1 pic plowing in Montana in 1911!---so that rules out a one of a kind!

Also the wood covering might have been to keep dirt from blowing onto the operator and into the engine area, therefore hiding the factory hood! thanks; sonny

[brian flatmoe]

Will see if I can add some more pics here. The first pic in the previous post was the rear wheel laying in the sod at the auction site. the next pics are of the wheels after we got them home.

[brian flatmoe]

Some more pics. Differential or pinion shaft and wheel.

[brian flatmoe]

Pictures of the big tractor.