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Garden Tractor Transformed Into Mini Deere 4020
Steven Weisbrod has always loved Deere 4020 tractors. He recently went to work on a Deere 318 garden tractor. Five hundred hours later he had a garden tractor-sized replica of a classic Deere 4020.
"More than half the time was spent in design and engineering," says Weisbrod. "Everything was mocked up in cardb
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Garden Tractor Transformed Into Mini Deere 4020 AUGERS Augers (29B) 28-3-24 Steven Weisbrod has always loved Deere 4020 tractors. He recently went to work on a Deere 318 garden tractor. Five hundred hours later he had a garden tractor-sized replica of a classic Deere 4020.
"More than half the time was spent in design and engineering," says Weisbrod. "Everything was mocked up in cardboard before transferring to steel. The toughest part was getting the right proportions."
Weisbrod measured the hoods on the two tractors and found that there were 2.37 in. on the 4020 for every inch on the 318, or a 42 percent ratio. Every dimension on the 4020 was divided by 2.37 to get the correct size for the mini version.
Once he had the ratio, he stripped the 318 down to the bare frame, engine, transmission and radiator. The dash, shift and hydraulic controls were similar enough to be retained. The 318 already had a 3-point hitch, individual wheel brakes, live pto and power steering. The battery was also retained.
The rear axle was worked over to look like a farm tractor with an adjustable axle. The 12-in. rear wheels were replaced with 16-in. wheels.
Weisbrod built a new front axle by rounding off a square cast iron I-beam to look like a tube axle on a 4020. He also modified the hub on the front wheels so it had spindles and bolts like a farm tractor.
"We relocated the fuel tank under the hood and built exhaust pipes and mounted them where they are on the 4020," says Weisbrod. "All the sheet metal, hood, fenders and radiator screens were built by hand."
A graphics company made vinyl decals to scale. They were mounted on aluminum pieces also cut to scale, polished and mounted on the dash. The only other things purchased new were tires, lights and seat.
"The seat is full-size because I wouldn't fit in one built to scale," admits Weisbrod. "We also built a four-wheel hay wagon to the same scale. It has a flat rack and a gate on the back."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Stephen C. Weisbrod, R.D. 3, Box 99, Canastota, N.Y. 13032 (ph 315 655-3821).
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