Triple Farmall Runs On One, Two, Or Three Engines

Triple Farmall Runs On One, Two, Or Three Engines ENGINES Engines 27-3-24 Antique tractor lovers can't get enough of this triple tractor hookup put together by Dewitt Stewart of Bogalusa, La. He mounted three Farmall A's together on a frame with a single front axle and a single set of rear dual wheels. The tractor runs on one, two or three engines in any order. There are two steering wheels and two sets of clutch and brake pedals so Stewart can drive the tractor from either side. The tractors used range from 1939 to 1946, all of which were completely restored. The triple tractor measures 9 ft. 2 in. wide. Stewart built the tractor six years ago and has been wowing crowds at parades and shows ever since. He contracted to build the tractor for Rawlin Williams of America's Old Iron Museum in Bush, La., where the tractor is on permanent display. Stewart made an axle to tie the three differentials together. He turned the ring gear upside down on the center tractor to make it work with the rest of the tractors. He also extended the front axle 20 in. Each transmission is bolted together with the original spacer housing. All pto's operate. All three clutches are tied together with one clutch pedal. One throttle operates all three engines. "It was a lot of fun to build and always draws a lot of attention wherever it goes. My son Casey helped me build it," says Stewart. "It makes a great parade tractor, and we really enjoy taking it to tractor shows and listening to people try to figure it out. It's surprising how many people ask me what year Farmall made this type of tractor. At shows I often crank one engine up, then put the other two engines in gear and let off on the clutch and drive forward to start the other two engines up. "I know of only one other triple tractor hookup, which was put together by Harry Lee (Vol. 17, No. 4). There's nothing missing on my center tractor except for the drop housing axle and wheels. There are three differentials, three clutches, three throttles, three transmission shift levers, and three governors. It's a continuous job to keep the governors adjusted and the throttles all set. "At first I mounted the steering system on the center tractor. However, it was awkward to drive with the shift lever between the operator's legs and the clutch lever on his left and the brakes on his right, so I remounted the steering system on the left side and added another steering wheel on the right side." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dewitt Stewart, 60007 Spring Valley Rd., Bogalusa, La. (ph 985 732-2065) or Rawlin Williams, 81171 Williams Blvd., Bush, La. (ph 985 886-5665).

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