My pedal tractor build thread

[KMinAF]

A few weeks ago I saw an add in the local classifieds for a vintage pedal tractor but it was beyond my financial resources so I decided to build one. Here are pics of the progress so far.
I would appreciate suggestions as to what I could do to dress up the cowl a bit.

 

[Ohmthis]

Wow! That's looking great so far. My take for the cowl would be to bend a piece around something round like a welding gas (argon, oxygen, something like that). You could straddle the section you have and tilt it where the end closest to the steering wheel would be about even to the wheel. The other end tilted down to where it touches the hood. Make a mark where the top of the hood is even with the part that straddles. Cut on that line and weld it on. You could do the same thing with using your brake. Bend a rectangle and then use the same technique as I described. Hope that wasn't too complicated of a description. Great job again!!!

 

[don long]

The tractor looks great
If you have access to a bead roller you could roll a grille into it

 

[KMinAF]

This project was placed on the back burner for a while (Grandma said the grand kids were too small to ride it) until last week when I decided to get it moving again. First issue was the steering. With the front wheels close together and on a single pivot it was "twitchy" and difficult to steer. I decided on a front axle system which is more stable and made the steering wheel much easier to turn. With a little bit of welding and a couple of cam gears and timing chain from a Nissan I was able to come up with what you see here. I even took it for a test ride around the garage and it works great! Next I need to come up with a tensioner and guide for the drive chain. I was thinking that an old 10 speed derailleur would be just the ticket. After that a trailer hitch and possibly powder coating in a Ford blue or Massey Ferguson red, I am open to suggestions.

 

[royce]

What a grand project for both the grandkids and grandpa.
They will carry the memory for life.
Good on you

Royce

 

[Robert Haas]

greatest dad ever, ask the kids that are going to play with it what color they want.

 

[2oolhound]

Looks great! That's a "slight" mod on the steering alright.

How about painting louvers along the sides when you paint it and maybe some bug eye head lights coming off the sides.

 

[dadsEH]

Did you leave one rear wheel 'freewheeling' ?
built in ackerman angle on the front?

 

[dadsEH]

JD green !!!

 

[bgarrett]

A few weeks ago I saw an add in the local classifieds for a vintage pedal tractor but it was beyond my financial resources

I paid $100 for the real deal 1953 John Deere and sold it for $650 on ebay. Just bought another $90

 

[Adk Mike]

I bought a John Deere from around 1974 a while back. 20 bucks but bad shape. I spent another 125 or so on new wheels and parts. The grandkids ride it when they visit. Otherwise it's on a shelf up in the corner of the shop. Good project.

 

[Adk Mike]

One other comment that's quite a project. Looks to be a lot harder than fixing one up. I hope you post the pictures when it's done.

 

[KMinAF]

Did you leave one rear wheel 'freewheeling' ?
built in ackerman angle on the front?

Yes and yes.

Green? Everyone it seems does John Deer green not that I have anything against John Deer, I thought I would dare to do something different.

 

[Richard Cranium]

nice build, keep posting.

 

[shedfullatools]

That is looking awesome!! I vote to paint it Massey red, some small chrome headlight rings and glass lenses could look pretty cool on the front Just shooting ideas

 

[JimDon]

Allie Chalmers Orange

 

[2oolhound]

More ideas:

Rear wheel fenders made from an old tub, big pot or chinese wok (but made in USA
exhaust pipe sticking up along side the hood.

 

[KMinAF]

More ideas:

Rear wheel fenders made from an old tub, big pot or chinese wok (but made in USA
exhaust pipe sticking up along side the hood.

Great idea! I think a trip to the local thrift store is in order

 

[OccupantRJ]

Some louvered return air vents mounted on the hood sides. I know they are available in 4x10 and other smaller sizes.

 

[Scout Driver]

Very cool project! The overall shape of your tractor immediately reminded me of an '88 Series IH tractor.



Scott

 

[JonBoehman]

I think it looks like an Allis Chalmer 60 series myself

 

[KMinAF]

No roofs, that would be going too far, but hmmm what if.....

 

[KMinAF]

Almost done, just a few more minor details then its off to the powder coaters for some color. Speaking of powder coating, is there any prep work that I should do aside from disassembly and how do I protect those parts that I don't want coated such as the gears?

 

[CudaChick1968]

Almost done, just a few more minor details then its off to the powder coaters for some color. Speaking of powder coating, is there any prep work that I should do aside from disassembly and how do I protect those parts that I don't want coated such as the gears?

Generally speaking, ANY prep work you can do yourself will save your powder coater time which turns into saving you money. Depending on the qualifications of your chosen shop though ** you should be able to rest assured that powder will not be applied where you don't want it to be.

Media blasting is a key component to a good powder job. It's best to not even present the parts you don't want coated / blasted (especially if it's a large shop with several employees) because things get lost in translation or due to a lack of internal communication. It should not be your responsibility to mark every bolt opening or point out threaded areas; a qualified shop will already know what to coat and what NOT to coat. If when you drop it off you get barraged with a couple dozen basic questions, pick up your stuff and run out the door.


** Check references before hiring a new shop. Ask to see REAL work samples rather than photos and thoroughly inspect them before you make a commitment. Look especially at any tight inside corners, threaded areas and at the overall finish to make sure it's uniform.

Talk with the person who will actually be doing your work to make sure they're experienced, knowledgeable and professional because, straight up, there are literally hundreds of "powder coating shops" seemingly on every corner these days who will basically practice on your parts without mentioning they've been in business for three months. (Just today there's a newbie coater thread here on GJ asking for help choosing his business name.)

Simply put, your little jewel there shouldn't be trusted to just anyone. You worked too hard on the fabrication to let the finish work turn into a thorn in your side ... and if it isn't done "right," it will always just piss you off every time you look at it.

Good luck!!! I can't wait to see it finished. I know -- neither can YOU.

 

[jarhead]

very cool!

 

[mitusa]

Needs more cow bell!!!

Cool!

 

[C_F]

Cool tractor! I really like how you rigged the steering, with timing gears & chain. Are the drive sprockets easily removed, in case you need to change the gearing?

 

[KMinAF]

The sprockets are from a Nissan and are welded in place. On the "test drives" the steering was very smooth and easy to maneuver. To tension the chain I just removed links until there was minimal play and since the gears don't move that much there really isn't a worry about the chain coming off.

 

[KMinAF]

I just picked up the tractor from the powder coaters and was very satisfied with the work done. After reassembly I began on the accents and trim. I think I will let the ideas marinate for a while before I start painting the grill and creating some graphics for the side. I would like to come up with some kind of a steering wheel wrap or cover, maybe even going with a wood rim. It continues to be a fun project and I look forward to the grand kids next visit.