Sec. Upper Potomac Vintage Auto Club Rt4,Boxl49A Keyser, West
Virginia 26726
Could you possibly be harboring one of those great little garden
tractors in your storage shed? It might just be a TIGER
TRACTOR.
Keyser, West Virginia is the home of this unique little tractor,
and plans are now underway for the first-ever Tiger Tractor
Collector’s Meet. On Sunday, September 16,1990 the Upper
Potomac Vintage Auto Club will be hosting a get-together of Tiger
Tractors in conjunction with the town’s annual Founder’s
Day Festival. At present, seven Tigers have been located locally,
with hopes of seeing them on display in September.
The club is now gathering information about this unique garden
workhorse from many of those who actually worked in the
manufacturing plant, which was operating from 1947 until the early
1960’s when the company went bankrupt. In the search for
historical information the club has been loaned a
manufacturer’s publication with a great amount of information.
At least seven different models were made, ranging from 4? HP to 9?
HP, which could reach a speed of fifteen mph. The earlier models
were operated using a hand clutch, while later ones had three-speed
transmissions and differentials. The average Tiger was sold with
five attachments including snow plow, garden plow, discs, cycle
bar, and belly mower, with other pieces available. According to one
informant, who actually painted the finished machine, the original
colors were green and yellow with white letters.
This little garden gem was very unique in that it had no belts.
The manufacturer states ‘the model #920 was better than other
similar American tractors. The reason is that it is backed by 20
years experience in the small tractor field by the company that
invented and marketed the first small tractor anywhere in the
world. The Tiger has no belts, instead, uses heavy duty gears,
drive shafts and heat treated steel gearing throughout!’
More information and photographs are rapidly pouring in. A
fact-filled, informative booklet is being prepared for the
September 16th gathering in Keyser, West Virginia.
The club invites anyone who has a Tiger Tractor to let us know
and come and join us for this historical event.
Those Tigers are still out there and still roaring!
