11306 Mill Dam Road Burlington, Iowa 52601
I bought this tractor from the estate of the man who worked on
it at the Crosley Company around 1952. He later acquired it for
home use. It has Crosley cast all over it.
When it was built, some parts were purchased from the same
supplier that five other brands of tractors used, like front and
rear axles. The only parts that are the same as the Crosley
automobile are the starter, generator, ring gear and pinion, trans
(gears only), clutch disc, shift knobs, steering wheel, thermostat
housing, oil filter, tower shaft and gears. Crosley had a
connection with a defunct tractor company in Texas.
The parts that are different than the car are as follows. The
engine block is cast for a built-in governor. The oil pan has
radiator coolant running through it. The crank and overhead cam are
different. It has a four pound heavier flywheel and lower
compression than the cars, which were 26.5 HP. The tractor has 21
HP according to the tag. The radiator looks like the car, except
one-half again as many fins and tubes with a shroud around a
four-blade reverse fan. The water pump is cast iron instead of
aluminum. The intake exhaust manifold is one piece cast iron, real
different looking, like the one on my forklift.
It has three power take-offs, one at the front of the engine,
one at the rear of the transmission, and a common looking one cast
at the rear of the rear axle. It has high-low range gears on front
of the rear axle. The taillight lens and bezel hinges up over the
top and snaps in place, exposing the light for a rear back up or
work light.
I’m not sure what the original muffler looked like because
it was rusted ‘gone.’
The tractor is red with yellow wheels and pinstripe. The Crosley
industrial type engine idles at 90 rpm pulling the tractor less
than one mile per hour in the lowest of six speeds forward and two
reverse.
I was told the cost to produce was more than the already
established Far-mall Cub was selling for, and even though the
Crosley had almost twice the horse power, it failed to compete in
the price and profit race. Just as Crosley was getting out of the
automotive business, anyway.
There were two other attempts at Crosley garden tractors that
the war displaced. I have one 4×4 one and a picture of the other, I
would like to find if anyone knows the whereabouts of it.
Crosley built a Farm-O-Road jeep type vehicle with eight pieces
of lawn and garden equipment.
We have 50 different Crosleys in our world’s largest Crosley
collection from every year, color and body style, including nine
prototypes, from a 1937 three looking first prototype Crosley car
to Crosley motorcycles, snowmobile and 4×4 jeeps, etc. Also many
different Crosley household appliances, from Crosley grandfather
clocks to wind-up flashlights.
We show at twenty-six shows in six states almost every year, so
watch for our display of something different, because we collect,
restore and show anything real different. Approximately thirty
items of this collection will be on display at one time at our
closest local show right here at the Southeast Iowa Antique
Gas Engine, tractor, hobby, car show and flea market at West
Burlington, Iowa. Exit 260, then south. First full weekend in June.
See ads. Contact me at the above address, or phone (319)
753-1837.
