Nails, Bolts Used To Make Toy Tractors

Nails, Bolts Used To Make Toy Tractors AG WORLD 28-3-22 "About a year ago I started making toy replicas of old tractors out of old bolts, nails, nuts and washers. They've become a big hit in our area. I've sold some and given others away as gifts. Everyone loves them," says Ken Berggren, Unityville, Penn. Each tractor measures about 6 in. long and 5 in. high. The body is made by welding together a pair of big bolts. Twelve nails are used to make each rear wheel. Two bolts are used for the rear axle, one bolt is used for the front axle, and a nail is bent into the shape of a man who's seated on the tractor. His arms hold onto a steering wheel that's made from a washer. A long nail forms the steering linkage and a short length of tubing forms the exhaust stack. A pair of large washers are used for the front wheels. A short length of bent nail serves as a hand crank on front. "I use a small jig to make the rear wheels. At first I used a wooden jig, but it didn't last long because of the welding work. My stepson, Jason Huff, who is a machinist, then made a jig out of round stock, and it works great." Berggren paints the tractors in green and yellow, blue, orange, and red, all with white wheels. "The green and yellow models seem to sell the best, but I can make the tractors just about any color," he says. Two-color tractors sell for $20 plus S&H; one-color models for $15. For anyone who'd like to make their own tractors, he sells plans and a parts list. "All you need to build these tractors is a welder and some extra time," notes Berggren. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ken Berggren, 5101 Moreland Baptist Rd., Unityville, Penn. 17774 (ph 570 584-4085; email: kberggren@chilitech.net).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.