Harlen Grovom and his friends in the North Dakota Pioneer Association had a great time building a giant 3-wheeler this past winter. It's now a big hit at parades and shows.

Grovom says he bought some scrap iron and a couple pieces of new roller chain, but that was it. Everything else in the giant 3-wheeler was salvaged from equipment on hand.

"The big, spoked front wheel with an 11 by 36-in. tire came from a 1950's combine. The two small back wheels are off a corn planter," he says. "We used some angle iron and metal parts off a drill for the frame, including the front wheel steering spindle. The front forks were made from 2 by 3-in. steel tubing."

The rear wheels are driven by a 1-cyl. LB International 5 hp gas engine. It mounts on a platform between the rear wheels.

"It's an awful nice-sounding engine that just putt-putts along steady," Grovom says. "It travels at the speed of a fast walk, which is ideal for parades. The engine speed is pre-set before you get seated, and the hand-controlled clutch and gearshift are located to the left of the seat. There's also a brake pedal on the right, near the foot rest."

The tricycle is fitted with an auto transmission and the rear end and hydraulic brakes out of a pickup. Grovom uses a belt tightener as the clutch and installed a cover over the chains and transmission for safety.

Foot rests welded half-way up the front forks supply the "power steering." The giant steel pipe handlebars measure 4 ft. across.

He says a driver can easily mount the unit because of the platform and another step up to the old F20 International tractor seat. "Getting off is a little trickier -- you have to pay attention," he points out.

Grovom painted the rig red and added accessories including a big headlight from an old truck, and two used electric trumpet horns, to make it parade-ready.