Build Yourself A Tractor

Build Yourself A Tractor TRACTORS Made-It-Myself 2-4-20 Canadian farmer Matt Sattler, of Wilcox, Sask., built his own 4-Wheel Drive tractor tailored to fit his needs. "My operation consists of straight small grain production on flat, heavy clay prairie land," he told FARM SHOW. Instead of shelling out a lot of money for a factory-built tractor with features he felt he didn't need, he cut costs by building his own 4-wheel drive tractor engineered for his specific needs. "I didn't need a pto, for example, nor a 3 pt. hitch or on-the-go shifting. To accent flotation, I wanted a low weight-to-power ratio." Major components include a 4-71 N series Detroit diesel engine by General Motors, rated at 160 hp. at 2,100 rpm, and giving an estimated drawbar hp, of 120. A 14 in. twin-disc clutch connects the engine to an R-96 Fuller 10 speed transmission - a `Road Ranger model commonly used by various heavy truck models about a decade ago. The power divider is from an offhighway, 4-wheel-drive 4 ton truck and has a link-belt silent chain running in oil to give high efficiency and low temperature power division to each of the front and rear axles. Axles are from a 2 yard, 4 wheel drive loader of an early model, but with planetary hubs. Dual wheels are attached by 4 set-screw bolts per wheel. They have no spacer rims, leaving completely open centers for mud to fall through to prevent any buildup. In designing his home-built tractot, Sattler paid special attention to making it easy to service and maintain. The engine hood tilts upward and locks without disturbing air intake and exhaust stacks. The under-hood dry type air cleaner pivots out for servicing. The engine oil filter pivots away from the engine and frame, making it easy to reach. Batteries slide out on trays from the front fenders. These service items, as well as the radiator grille and a 12 sq. ft. dust cover over the rear half of the articulated frame, have finger operated fasteners. "The entire tractor frame was fabricated progressively from front to rear to provide clear, functional attachment of all units in the tractor makeup," Sattler explains. "Proper distribution of weight on the front and rear axles was attained by detailing frame construction carefully." Sattler notes that his homebuilt tractor "works great trod has made it easier t~ ' itend with the time and r o,t factors of operating the power source for a prairie graiä farm." For more details, contact; FARM SHOW Followup, Matt Sattler, Box 277, Wilcox, Sask., Canada SOG 5E0.

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