P.O. Box 142 Roanoke, Indiana 46783
My story of a restored garden tractor began from an article in
the ‘Smoke Rings’ colum of GEM. A Mr. Wilson was asking for
information on Mighty Mite tractors built in Denison, Texas, by the
Jaque Saw Co. Through letters back and forth and a talk at the
Portland, Indiana show in 1985, I made a deal to buy the tractor
from Mr. Wilson. A trip halfway for both of us and the transfer of
many parts from his car and trailer to my truck and trailer was
done.
It was finally dug out of the corner of my garage late in March.
It was disassembled the rest of the way. The differential was a sad
case. A parts tractor showed up just in time for rear end
gears.
It was finally ready to go to the sand blaster. The engine
needed only a valve grind and a carburetor kit.
Now was the time to prod my bearded brother Dan into priming and
painting the tractor for me.
A bit of research through Texas Parks and Wildlife got me a
letter from the man who penned the name ‘Mighty Mite’ for
the Jaque Company in 1947.
Finally all painted, it was time to reassemble. Many evenings
and spare time were needed to get the Mite done in time for the
Portland 1986 show. A few days before the Portland show, it was
loaded up and taken out to Mr. and Mrs. Husband’s farm for some
pictures by the pond.
A Mr. Fisk of Michigan has helped with bits and pieces of
information and a few pictures of tractors. Some are of
Frazier-Jaque tractors made in Michigan with a different engine on
the same frame and axles. It debuted in New York in 1948.
A Mr. Salo of Michigan has helped with some information also,
but mainly on Frazier built tractors.
Some day I hope to find a manual and some sales literature on
the Mighty Mite.
Anyway, we made it to Portland. A good time was had driving the
Mite in the Portland parade and around the grounds.
It has been to many shows since it was finished and is a real
treat to show.
