Mini Tractors Keep Retired Farmer Busy

Mini Tractors Keep Retired Farmer Busy TRACTORS Conversions 33-4-43 George Rush of Griswold, Iowa, never got over his interest in farm machinery. The 77-year-old retired farmer uses his spare time to build miniature replicas of older International Harvester farm tractors. He builds the tractors in his garage in town. Because Rush has no fancy tools in his garage - only a welder and cutting outfit - he had to learn how to bend sheet metal using a variety of pipe and vices. Using scrap yard metal, he built two engine-powered tractors and two pedal-powered units, modeling them after 1206, 966 and 856 IH tractors. He equipped the mini 1206 with a salvaged 8 hp Kholer gas engine, installing a straight pipe through the hood, just like the real tractor. He used a hydrostatic transmission from a Cub Cadet. The other gas-powered model - an 856 - has a salvaged 8 hp Briggs and Stratton engine. Both of the engine-powered tractors have 12-volt electrical systems for their headlights. Rush built pedal-powered versions of IH 966 and 1206 models. He uses the gas-powered tractors to tow small floats in parades. He also uses them to show off a few small pieces of machinery he's built such as a 6-bottom plow and an anhydrous ammonia tank and applicator. Rush builds one mini tractor each winter and says they cost only about $250 per unit. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, George Rush, 49 Maple St., Griswold, Iowa 51535 (ph 712 778-2257).

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