3502 Patterson Lane, S.E. Cleveland, Tennessee 37323
These are pictures of my dad’s garden tractor. I’m
interested in contacting others who are familiar with the Planet
Jr. tractors/equipment, and in specific information about this
particular model.
The tractor’s original owner suffered a heart attack just
after beginning the garden work in the spring of 1952, and decided
to sell the tractor to my dad, Charlie Davis. Dad has plowed the
same garden area for the past 45 consecutive years with this same
little tractor, and has done a lot of other work with its help.
The original tires were just replaced in the spring of 1997 with
new Firestones that are almost identical to the old ones (the 6:50
x 16 is slightly larger than the original 5:50 x 16). The wheel
weights were homemade using lard can halves that are concrete
filled and held on with long stove bolts.
I think this tractor is fairly unique in its articulated
steering design. When the handles are pulled down, the tractor
turns in that direction and is fairly easy to control in a plowed
field. The steering mechanism and its pivot points and arms/levers
have never been replaced. The clutch is a sliding/locking type and
is the original, with never any problems. The little tractor and my
Dad (80 years young) just keep on farming!
General information: it’s a 1951 model, Planet Jr. (S.L.
Allen Co.) s/n 11210, Briggs & Stratton #BR 6. Original
equipment includes turning plow, cultivator w/lay off plow, disc
harrow, two-wheel trailer, and factory supplied wrenches (Cast with
S.L. Allen name).
I’m a new subscriber to the magazine and I really enjoy
it!
