4-WD Articulated 1/4-Scale Tractor

4-WD Articulated 1/4-Scale Tractor TRACTORS Miscellaneous 32-1-18 "I got the idea from reading FARM SHOW and seeing other mini tractors that people had built," says Todd Rufenacht, Wauseon, Ohio, about his 1/4-scale, 4-WD, articulated International Harvester 4366 tractor. Rufenacht says the tractor was built from parts from several different garden tractors including Bolens, Cub Cadet, Murray, Montgomery Ward, Case Ingersoll, Deere, Massey Ferguson, Wheelhorse, White, and Simplicity. It has working lights and dual wheels. "My dad bought a 1976 IH 4366 tractor a few years ago and I always liked the look of it," says Rufenacht. "I also built a matching model of a 4-ft. wide Glencoe æelectric-lift' chisel plow to go with the tractor." The mini IH is powered by an 11 hp Briggs & Stratton engine and has two identical Peerless 3-speed transmissions. The engine belt-drives the forward transaxle, which has a double pulley mounted on it. A belt runs to another double pulley at the articulation joint, where a third belt runs back to the rear transaxle. One clutching drive on the first belt engages all three belts. The tractor has two gear shift levers, one on front and one on back. The steering is done by a shortened steering box out of an old Chevy car. He used 3/16-in. thick steel to build the frame and articulation joint. The seat and steering wheel are off a garden tractor. The exhaust stack was made from a 2 1/4-in. dia. stainless steel milk line. The dual wheels measure 8 1/2 by 14. Each set of wheels is connected by a steel ring, with a couple pieces of threaded rod used to hold the wheels together. "I did all the sheet metal work myself and had custom decals made. The grille is made from wood but is painted silver so it looks like brushed aluminum," says Rufenacht. The chisel plow has its own electric lift, which is operated by an electric cylinder that's wired to the tractor's dash. A switch on the tractor is used to raise and lower the chisel plow from the tractor seat. To make the shanks he shortened up some old row crop cultivator shanks, and he cut down some disc openers off an IH planter, removing 4 in. from the perimeter to make them 8 in. in diameter. "I've taken both units to antique tractor shows where I get a lot of compliments on them," says Rufenacht. "I also took first place in metal working at our local county fair." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Todd Rufenacht, 18768 St. Rt. 2, Wauseon, Ohio 43567 (ph 419 446-9400).

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