Rare Wood Tractor Equipped With Air-Cooled Engine

Rare Wood Tractor Equipped With Air-Cooled Engine AG WORLD Ag World 22-4-23 FARM SHOW reader Jake Henkel recently sent us a photo of what he believes is a oneof-a-kind wooden tractor equipped with an air-cooled engine. The tractor was used as a portable power plant to belt-drive corn grinders, water pumps, and other equipment in the early 1900's. "The æEasy Built' all-pine tractor was built by Sylvester McChesney of Highland Park, Iowa. The company later moved to Pipestone, Minn.," says the Aurelia, Iowa, collector. "I know it was built before 1911 because after 1911 these tractors were equipped with steel wheels rather than wooden. This may be the only tractor of its kind still in existence." Henkel paid $25 for the tractor 20 years ago. It was missing the original engine so Henkel equipped it with a rare 7 hp New Way air-cooled engine, which weighs 900 to 1,000 lbs. He bought it from a collector in Virginia for $900. Henkel installed new rings, valves and tin shroud around the head. "I understand that no one has ever been able to duplicate the honey-comb design used on this engine's manifold," Henkel notes. Henkel wants to sell the restored tractor. He's asking $10,000. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jake Henkel, P.O. Box 174, Aurelia, Iowa 51005 (ph 712 434-5400).

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