Route 4, Huntingdon, Indiana 46750.
Every now and then we run across some unusually rare tractor in
some old shed or pasture field. Dave Krietler of Libby, Montana
wrote me he had the remains of a Gile tractor once made in
Ludington, Michigan-and did I know anything about one?
Well, I found a picture of one in Tom Smith’s book on early
American Tractors, which is enclosed. It was also shown at the
Tractor Demonstration held at Fremont, Nebraska in 1907, so they
must have been made somewhere between 1917 adn 1920 – for how long
I have no idea. Dave says there is some difference between the
picture I found and the one he sent me that he took of the remains
of his tractor.
Following specifications: 18 HP on drawbar, four cyl. vertical
engine 4 x 6 by 875 R.P.M. would pull three plows at speeds of 2
and three miles per hour. High tension mag impulse starter, valve
in head, Scheibler carb. force feed lubrication. Drive wheels 60
inches in diameter with 12 inches face. One wheel in front for
steering. Had radiator, fan and pump.
If anyone knows where there is a Gile tractor, pleae contact
Dave Kreitler, 306 Nevada, Libby, Montana 59923 or myself.
