5I66 S. Vine Wichita, Kansas, 672I7
I attended an engine show at Pawnee, Oklahoma about a year and a
half ago. While there I noticed a small John Deere tractor powered
by a Briggs and Stratton engine. This tractor really appealed to me
and I thought it would be possible for me to build one of those. I
don’t get as excited about green tractors as some of the guys
in our club (the K & O Steam & Gas Engine Association,
Windfield, Kansas meeting) so a nice red colored tractor was
chosen. I settled on a Farmall F-12 for two reasons. First, I had
an F-14 at the time to scale from; second, the un styled
configuration would be easier to build. After some thought a scale
factor of .4 was decided upon. Rather than build an accurate scale
model, what I call ‘fun scale’ was used. The wheels I had
also fit a ‘fun scale’ configuration better. At our show
last year the flea market produced two 10 inch dia. wheels for the
front; these are balloon type tires with no tube. If they ever go
flat new wheels will be in order. On the back are Goodyear 5.00×12
tractor grip tires. These were hard to find; after ordering them it
took four months for the tires to arrive.
The rear end and transmission are a transaxle from a small
riding lawn-mower. I found the steering wheel on an old go-cart my
nephew had thrown in the trash. A Briggs and Stratton 2HP engine
was used for power first, but wasn’t strong enough. A 3HP
Briggs is now installed. Two inch channel is used for the frame and
radiator sides.
Whenever someone sees the F-12 for the first time the first
question asked is ‘Where did you get those steering gears?’
I reply they are from a forward and reverse gear box used on a
cheap riding lawnmower. Most people then reply, ‘I have one of
those in my junk box!’ My daughter Karen made the Farmall and
F-12 decals; it helps to have a graphic designer in the family!
After running the tractor for a while I felt it was too light in
the front, so 20 pounds of lead were added under the engine. This
brings the total weight to 200 pounds. A cart was made to pull
behind for kids to ride in.
This has been an enjoyable project to build. I have also had fun
riding the tractor in shows and parades.
