62919 Turkey Trail South Bend, Indiana 46614-9419
With reference to the article in February 1995 issue of GEM by
Arthur Beard Jr. concerning the Utilitor Tractor Company, I agree
that the pictures he submitted were not of a Utilitor tractor but
more likely something of a homemade version, or perhaps a version
of a ‘Shaw’ tractor, as they marketed many models utilizing
the Ford Model T in kit-form or complete tractors.
The tin chain cover going to the rear wheels, however, does not
appear in any of my Shaw literature.
Regarding the question of a 4-wheel model by Utilitor, there
definitely was one built. I have two pieces of Utilitor literature
which are not dated but must be post-1938 since they contain
customer testimonies through those dates.
At the time of this printing there were two locations in Ohio,
those being 1150 W. Second St., Dayton, which was the office,
advertising, and parts department and Plant 1, where the tractor
parts were apparently built; and S. Third St., in Miamisburg, Ohio,
which was considered Plant 2 where the tractors were assembled,
tested and shipped.
The catalog indicates that the first units built in 1918 were
known as Model 500. Then came Models 501, 501-A, 502 and Model 507,
known for many years as Model 7. The current models being built at
the date of the advertisement were Models 8, 10, 20, 22, 25, 30 and
the Utilitor 4, the latter being 4-wheel. Strangely enough the
model numbers did not run in relation to the increase in horsepower
as one would suspect.
The model 20 was 3 horse with automobile type clutch and
transmission. The Model 22 was 3 to 4 HP with 3-speed forward and
reverse. The model 25 was 4 HP also with 3 speed and reverse. The
model 8 was 6 HP water cooled, 3 speed and reverse; and being water
cooled it also had a hood. The ‘New Utilitor 4’ was 4
cylinder, 12 HP, air cooled, and could be purchased on steel wheels
or rubber tires. No description is listed for the other models.
A price list was enclosed for all models except the
’30,’ including attachments.
The Utilitor Company apparently also built, or at least promoted
sales of, ‘Cooper Clipper’ and ‘Imperial’ lawn
mowers, as advertisement of these units was included in the
brochure.
I am especially interested in small, antique garden tractors and
probably have something in excess of 20, including several
‘Speedex,’ another Ohio-built unit.
Perhaps some of this info will be welcome to those
interested.