Articulated Chore Tractor

Articulated chore tractor TRACTORS Made-It-Myself 12-3-10 "It really works well for cleaning holding pens and loafing barns, for moving round bales, and for pushing and packing corn silage into a pile," says Gerald Athorp, Cleveland, Wis., about his 30 hp, articu¡lated 4-WD tractor. To build the tractor, Athorp converted two Allis-Chalmers WF models with wide front axles. By putting their rear ends back to back and by hinging the rear axle in the middle so that it pivots, Athorp ensured that the loader remains stable when the bucket is raised. The compact rig is only 5 ft. tall and wide, small enough for barn work. Yet its four large tires, 12.00 x 24s, also allow Athorp to use the tractor outside. "All of the small commercial articulated tractors have low wheels which work alright on concrete, but as soon as you leave it you're stuck," says Athorp. "The large tires on this tractor allow me to carry a loaded bucket, even in soft ground, without getting stuck." Bucket lift height is 8 ft.; capacity is 3/ 4 yard. To move round bales, Athorp replaces the bucket with forks. The articulated tractor can turn in a 17 ft. radius. "For the size of the machine, it's remarkable how you can get around posts inside the barn," notes Athorp. "As long as you can get through with the bucket, your wheels will always clear because they all follow in the same tracks." In building the tractor, Athorp turned the engine around to get power from the engine to the transfer case. After hinging the axles, he connected a driveshaft between them. He also rebuilt a gearbox taken from a McCormick-Deering 10-20 tractor. There are 4 gears in forward and reverse. On the floor in front of the seat are 4 control levers; one to raise and lower the bucket, one to tilt the bucket, one to shift gears, and one to steer. To turn left, Athorp pushes the steering lever forward; to turn right, he pulls it backward. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gerald Athorp, Box 346, Cleveland, Wis. 53015 (ph 414 565-3274).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.