Home-Built Articulated 4-WD Tractor

Home-Built Articulated 4-WD Tractor TRACTORS Made-It-Myself 25-1-36 My grandfather, Earl Rockwell, built this articulated 4-WD tractor back in 1957 by combining two F-30 Farmall rear ends with a 105 hp, 471 cu. in. Detroit diesel engine. The result was a 4-WD tractor that steered hydraulically and was hinged in the middle for turning. He named the tractor "The Beatall", after someone came by his shop, took a look at the rig, and said "Well, if that don't beat all!" Grandpa used the tractor to pull a 21-ft. tandem disk as well as a 6-bottom moldboard plow. His home-built tractor was way ahead of its time. International Harvester sent three engineers from Chicago down to take a look at it. It wasn't until a couple years later that IH and Deere came out with their own 4-WD tractors. When Grandpa retired in 1971 he sold the tractor to another farmer, John Simousek of North Judson. Grandpa still has the letter John sent him two years later in which he stated that "The Beatall was the best tractor he'd ever owned", and that he'd yet to have a single breakdown with it. In 1991 û 20 years after he sold The Beatall to Simousek û Grandpa and I bought it back. I'm now the proud owner, and Grandpa and I spent quite a bit of time restoring it to like-new condition. It still runs great. Grandpa is now 89 years old, and he still loves to tinker. I enjoy giving him a hand with his projects. (Scott Wuethrich, 9157 S. 1400 W., Francesville, Ind. 47946 ph 219 567-2102)

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