Mini 8400 Tracked Tractor Works Like The Real Thing

Mini 8400 Tracked Tractor Works Like The Real Thing AG WORLD “It looks and works pretty much like a real Deere 8400 ” says Ervin Schulze Hampton Neb about the “mini” Deere tracked tractor he built by converting a Deere 140 garden tractor The mini tractor is equipped with rubber tracks that measure 7 1/2 wide and 5 ft long They were made by modifying the tracks off an old Deere 400 snowmobile “I call it my Deere 8400 1/2 T It took a lot of work to build but it looks realistic and drives like the real thing ” says Schulze He removed the garden tractor’s wheels and replaced them with the homemade track drive with help from Neil Andreason of Jensen Mfg in Hampton Neb The snowmobile tracks were originally 15 in wide He cut them in half He welded metal rods across the drive wheels for the track lugs to catch on to However there wasn’t enough friction so the lugs weren’t catching He solved the problem by having someone spray pickup bedliner material on the wheels to increase the friction He also removed the tractor’s steering wheel and installed a pair of levers which are used to operate the brakes that steer the tractor “The snowmobile tracks don’t have real deep lugs so it doesn’t turn real good on grass but it turns great on pavement and gravel ” says Schulze He also converted a Deere 110 garden tractor to look like a Deere 4020 He replaced the garden tractor’s original front wheels and axle with new “pedestal-style” wheels and he installed 15-in tall 10-in wide lugged wheels on back He also lowered the tractor’s rear axle and transmission 2 in in order to make room for the bigger wheels Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ervin Schulze 1703 North X Rd Hampton Neb 68843 ph 402 725-3365; ervdischulze@hamilton net

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