3205 Circle Dr. N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Picture A shows the tractor hooked to a trailer loaded with
broken cement and bricks, at the left of the picture you will note
the back end of a new pickup truck.
In Picture B is another version with a cover over the driver and
a cargo box behind him. This fellow is transporting people instead
of bricks and cement. You will also note the most common mode of
transport in China, the bicycle.
Picture C shows the single cylinder diesel hit and miss engine
with the cylinder in the horizontal position, the fuel tank over
the crankcase forward and the hopper type cooling tank over the
cylinder.
Picture D shows the left side of the tractor with belts going to
the gear box. You will see the head lamp mounted to the fuel tank
and turn signal and rear view mirrors mounted on the fenders. It
appears this fellow did not intend to drive at night because the
generator, mounted on the steering handle, does not have its drive
belt attached.
On a recent business trip to Beijing, Peoples Republic of China,
I saw something of interest to me and other lovers of tired
iron.
Remember the old Wheel horse and Gravely engine driven,
two-wheeled tractor that you would attach various garden implements
behind to plow, rake or cultivate your 30′ by 40′ garden?
In the Peoples Republic of China they have literally millions of
this type unit in use every day.
I saw many of these vehicles putt-putt-putting around the city
with steam vapor rising out of the cooling tank.
There is nothing new under the sun; they just took the old hit
and miss engine and put a headlight and turn signal on it.
