Anyone know what this is? Rototiller? Tractor?

Hockey fan · 03-04-2019, 07:57 PM

Apparently my dad was "gifted" this and he asked me if I knew what the heck it is. I can't tell if it's some type of early rototiller or some type of farm equipment?

Ever seen anything like this? Thanks!

smadsen · 03-04-2019, 08:14 PM

Mobile stationary power unit. Walk it out to the well pump, or whatever stationary farm implement that has a wheel that needs turning, attach a leather belt around the front flywheel, lite it up, let it run all night, irrigate the cotton patch.

Hockey fan · 03-04-2019, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smadsen

Mobile stationary power unit. Walk it out to the well pump, or whatever stationary farm implement that has a wheel that needs turning, attach a leather belt around the front flywheel, lite it up, let it run all night, irrigate the cotton patch.

Thank you! Just couldn't get an idea of what it was until your post. Was this something that several companies produced? I have no idea what he thinks he's going to do with it.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

Looks to me like an old Vaughn Flex-Tred tractor (that has seen better days). Essentially a walk-behind tractor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX4YWsswSeI

Look up Antique Powerland - most likely somebody there will want it if your father isn't interested in it:

http://www.antiquepowerland.com/

thingmon · 03-04-2019, 08:18 PM

Vaughan Flex-tread tractor (tiller), per Pinterest. Made in Portland, OR. Looks like it could tear some stuff up
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjA5Pa3n-rgAhVBHqwKHZdFCJUQjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F455004 368580336178%2F&psig=AOvVaw2lk4tydu6A3ULRJjezI_-i&ust=1551849085535547

LWJ · 03-04-2019, 08:22 PM

Garden tractor. Old school walk-behind. Has crawler treads vs tires.

Google up "walk behind crawler tractor" for some similar rigs.

Cool!

Hockey fan · 03-04-2019, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanaudical

Looks to me like an old Vaughn Flex-Tred tractor (that has seen better days). Essentially a walk-behind tractor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX4YWsswSeI

Look up Antique Powerland - most likely somebody there will want it if your father isn't interested in it:

Antique Powerland

Thanks! I'll see what his plans are. It looks like a pretty major job to restore it so not sure it's something he wants to tackle. Will for sure keep the museum in Brooks in mind - they've got some great stuff.

Hockey fan · 03-04-2019, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thingmon

Vaughan Flex-tread tractor (tiller), per Pinterest. Made in Portland, OR. Looks like it could tear some stuff up
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjA5Pa3n-rgAhVBHqwKHZdFCJUQjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F455004 368580336178%2F&psig=AOvVaw2lk4tydu6A3ULRJjezI_-i&ust=1551849085535547

Thank you! It really does look like (if running) nothing would stop it once you put it in gear.

thingmon · 03-04-2019, 09:07 PM

Hope you guys can get it running.

asphaltgambler · 03-05-2019, 04:01 AM

That's some beautiful rusty gold right thar, a treasure.....

Hockey fan · 03-05-2019, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

Garden tractor. Old school walk-behind. Has crawler treads vs tires.

Google up "walk behind crawler tractor" for some similar rigs.

Cool!

Thanks! I was bummed he didn't end up with one of those little bulldozers instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thingmon

Hope you guys can get it running.

Worth a shot tearing into it to see just how rough it is. Although if I knew my dad was looking for a project I've got several things I could have shifted over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

That's some beautiful rusty gold right thar, a treasure.....

I think my mom is concerned dad will try and pass it off as yard art.

stevej37 · 03-05-2019, 10:03 AM

My G'pa had one similar to that one with a twin-cyl Continental engine.
It was too old to have a spring loaded pull start...had to wrap a rope around the pulley and give a good pull. It was a B to start...but it would plow or cultivate the garden easily.

Hockey fan · 03-05-2019, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

My G'pa had one similar to that one with a twin-cyl Continental engine.
It was too old to have a spring loaded pull start...had to wrap a rope around the pulley and give a good pull. It was a B to start...but it would plow or cultivate the garden easily.

I vaguely remember a go kart from way back in childhood that required a rope with a knot at one end that was the key to start it. I also recall it smacking me in the face about every 5th time as it slipped out of the pulley.

Rednine11 · 03-05-2019, 11:56 AM

that is awesome is what it is. will the engine turn over? I have lots of hit miss engines

Hockey fan · 03-05-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rednine11

that is awesome is what it is. will the engine turn over? I have lots of hit miss engines

The engine apparently does turn over. Is this something worth entertaining the thought of restoring? It's a complete unknown for me and wasn't sure if parts were even available.

Crowbob · 03-05-2019, 01:32 PM

Back in the late 1900’s, oh around ‘72 or so, I was labor for my dad who was a bricklayer (they call ‘em masons nowdays). We had a big ole one-lunger seement mixer that we used for bigger jobs and concrete footings and such. That thing was old then. A pulley was welded to the flywheel and we held an electric motor in our hands attached to a fan belt. Turned the motor on, leaned back to get some tension and the thing would eventually start and run all day long, if needed.

OSHA woulda zhit if there was one back then.

Evans, Marv · 03-05-2019, 02:01 PM

I think it would be fun to at least take it apart to gauge whether it could be resurrected.

Hockey fan · 03-05-2019, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I think it would be fun to at least take it apart to gauge whether it could be resurrected.

I am pretty curious to hear just how loud it might be once fired up.

Arizona_928 · 03-05-2019, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smadsen

Mobile stationary power unit. Walk it out to the well pump, or whatever stationary farm implement that has a wheel that needs turning, attach a leather belt around the front flywheel, lite it up, let it run all night, irrigate the cotton patch.

+1

Looks like the shaft is attached to a fan, and a radiator?

Either way, it's pretty cool! Yet dangerous for the time. You can see why they went to a drive shaft, and 3 point system!

Mark Henry · 03-05-2019, 03:26 PM

Be careful that you don't sell it to some steam punk dude.