Self-Propelled Radio Flyer Wagon

Self-Propelled Radio Flyer Wagon FARM HOME recreation 31-6-4 "Everyone who sees it gets a real kick out of it," says Jason Peterson of Boyceville, Wis., who added power and an imposing chassis to a Radio Flyer wagon. Powered by a 2/3 hp Briggs & Stratton engine, it rides on big 23-in. high wheels. To "drive" the wagon, all he does is squeeze the handle on the wagon's steering tiller. FARM SHOW spotted Peterson using the wagon last summer to pull his sons Tyler, 6, and Trent, 3, at an antique tractor show. "It makes pulling the wagon an almost effortless job. It goes a little faster than walking speed," says Peterson. "It all started when a friend mentioned that he was going to build a gas-powered wagon. I decided to build one, too, and started working on it last June. After many modifications, I had the final result ready just in time for an antique tractor show in August." To keep the weight down, everything on the wagon is made out of aluminum except for the axles and spindles, which are steel.? The engine belt-drives a jack shaft via a 6-in. pulley on the engine and a 2-in. pulley on the drive. The 2-in. pulley in turn belt-drives a 16-in. pulley on the wagon's rear drive axle. The 23-in. high wheels accommodate the large pulley. "Squeezing the handle on the steering tiller tightens the belt between the engine and jackshaft. If I want to go slower, I just feather the belt tensioner," says Peterson. All four wheel hubs were taken off an old Montgomery Wards tractor. The front wheels are the rear wheels off a Simplicity garden tractor. Peterson used the spindles off a Montgomery Ward garden tractor and welded a 1-in. shaft on the wheel end to accommodate the front wheels. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jason Peterson, N8747 Co. Rd. J, Boyceville, Wis. 54725 (ph 715 643-4041).

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