4WD Tractor Built From Two Case 930's

4WD tractor built from two Case 930's TRACTORS Made-It-Myself 13-1-9 When Martin LaForge, Arborfield, Sask., decided he needed a more powerful trac¡tor, he coupled his two 90-hp Case 930 tractors into a single 180 hp 4-WD unit. "In 1980, a new tractor in the 180-hp range was selling for around $80,000 and interest rates were about 17%," says LaForge. "The two Cases were worth around $4,000 each, and I spent about $4,000 to build the frame and controls for this unit. The total $12,000 invest¡ment was less than a year's interest on a new tractor." LaForge eliminated the front wheels of both tractors and used a heavy iron frame to couple them together. The front tractor no longer has a set of front wheels, and the rear tractor simply uses the front tractor's rear dual wheels as its front wheels. "The front wheels now bear the entire weight of the front tractor, plus part of the rear tractor as well." The frame is hinged at the center. A hydraulic motor drives a pair of hydrau¡lic cylinders, one on each side of the tractor. The cylinders work in unison when turning - one pushes out while the other draws in. The pivot point also allows the tractor to flex in either direction so that all four drive wheels always stay on the ground, even on rolling land. To prevent the hydraulic cylinders from twisting when the tractor "flexes", each cylinder is equipped with a universal-type joint at both ends. Both engines run. LaForge simply starts the first tractor's engine and leaves it in neutral as he climbs into the cab of the rear tractor. All controls, clutch, throttle and gear shift for the front tractor are operated from the rear tractor by means of long extension arms into the cab. LaForge synchronized the rpms of the two engines so they run in unison. The tractor has a wheelbase of 151/2 ft. "We used the tractor for five years to pull a 40-ft. Bourgault cultivator. We then bought a 250 hp 4-WD Belarus tractor, but we still use this unit for certain jobs," says LaForge. "With duals all the way around and the long wheel-base, it really stays up well in softer soils and wet spots that other tractors might not get through." The two engines bum a total of about 8 gal. per hour of fuel. "My Belarus bums about 15 gal. per hour," says LaForge, who adds that he spent about $4,000 to make the conversion. "I'm working on adding a third tractor," he adds. Story and photos courtesy of Calvin Daniels and Grainews, Winnipeg, Canada

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