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The Topeka Hiway Mower

December 10, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: I recently ran across an article discussing a pre-war Topeka Hiway mower built from Ford truck parts: http://www.farmcollector.com/tractors/mowing-tractor-zmbz14octzkel.aspx I haven’t looked any deeper into this information.

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This is Joe’s DiMaggio’s Topeka Mower in Wisconsin (see more pics here)

One source argues that the Topeka Hiway Mowers were built by ‘Shorty’ Meinhardt, who founded Meinholt Machine and Welding in Topeka Kansas. Shorty’s grandson Dean Fechter now runs the business. According to Meinhardt’s cousin, the first mower they built rolled over and broke Shorty’s back. But, that didn’t stop them from building more tractors.

Yet, according to at least one data plate, the Topeka Hiway mower was produced out of Irwindale, California, a product of the American Hoist & Derrick Company. Can anyone clear up the discrepancy between producers of the mower?

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According to Marty Henson in 2009 there were three versions of the mower:

I have kept records of all of the people I know who have these mowers and information about the style, age and attachments. So far I have found three distinct styles. The oldest style appears to date to the late 1930s and uses Ford-style sheet metal and running gear. Examples are owned by collectors near Seattle, Wash., and Hartsville, Tenn.

The second style closely follows a CJ Willys/Jeep and uses a Continental 4-cylinder flathead engine, 3- or 4-speed transmission, and Dana 18 transfer case. The mower attachments on these were either a sickle bar or rotary. I think later mowers of this style included a windshield. I have found two examples of the later style Topeka Hi Way mower. One was recently sold by the Montana Highway Dept., and the other is in Lyons, Colo.

Most, if not all, of the mowers were painted yellow. To date, I have recorded the names and addresses of 11 owners in eight states. Just today I added two more contacts. By including my previous letter in your magazine, you have generated many of my contacts. I’d like to receive information from your readers about anyone who has one of these mowers or knows where one might be found. Thank you for producing such a wonderful magazine and assisting me in researching the Topeka Hi Way mower.

Here are some examples of the jeep version of the Topeka Mower:

This was for sale in December of 2014:
topeka-hiway-tractor-3

This one was for sale on eBay in Ohio in 2009 (see more pics here):

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This one was for sale in Baker City, Oregon, in 2010 for $400.

Here’s an orange one:topecka1

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From the CJ-3B Page.  There’s a second pic here with the windshield up.

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Here’s a fancy one from the Antique Tractors Page

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  1. Farm Collector Magazine
  2. My Tractor Forum
  3. Lesser known tractors
  4. CJ-3B Page
  5. Here’s a tractor called a Topeka, but looks different
  6. 1960 article about Topeka Mower
  7. Partial article from 1959
Fb-Button
 

37 Comments on “The Topeka Hiway Mower”

  1. Pingback: Topeka Highway Mower, Baker City, Or $400 | eWillys

  2. DJ Bill

    There was one of these on Ebay in Kansas recently….Missed it but still interested on one. If anyone knows of any near Texas, let me know….Looks like a way to have a jeep that works for a livin’ altho with a different motor. I would like one of the hydraulic rotary mower versions like the one that was just on eBay, and I think if I added a three point I could mow a 12 foot swath at a time……and drive to my vacant lots in style.

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  3. Dave Shaw

    I bought a Topeka Highway Mower off the side of the road in Ashfield Ma. this summer. I’m in the process of restoring the unit. the guy I bought it from didn’t know much about it. He told me his father in law bought it some 20 years prior. after a few hour and rebuilding the carb it started right up. all new brakes hoses, lines, and wheel cylinders. parts have been easy to come by. It has a 60″ hydraulic 4 blade rotary cutter. I have all new tune up parts. all hoses will be replaced. mower hyd motor and control valve resealed. new tires. sand blasted and new paint

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  4. deilers Post author

    Hi Dave,

    Thanks for the information. If possible, could you send me some pics? I’d like to add them to the thread: d@ewillys.com. I’ll do an updated post on them and see if I can dig up more info.

    Thanks,

    – Dave

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  7. Marty

    Buck, in Greenville, Illinois has sold his mower. I know of one for sale in Louisiana, MO for about $1000, with non-original, sickle bar mower.

    Dave,
    it good to hear that you are moving along with the restoration of your machine. I am making some progress restoring on my 1938 Topeka Hiway Mower

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  9. Keith Langenhahn

    I have a restored Topeka Highway Tractor w/ snowplow that I don’t need anymore.
    Give me a call. 715-218-1929 – Central Wisconsin location. Private seller.

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  10. Steve M.

    I just bought a Topeka Highway mower, It came from Montana highway dept. Was built in California. It has a 4 speed transmission, a Continental engine, windshield, and Willys/Jeep axles. . It runs pretty good and is in very good condition for the vintage. It is 4×4 with a 5 ft hydraulic sickle mower. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Steve

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  11. David Eilers

    Steve,

    If you get a chance, could you take a few photos of it for me? Some are a little different than others and I’d be interested to see if yours differs. If you can, email them to me at d@ewillys.com.

    Have fun with it!
    – Dave

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  13. aaron stohr

    I just bought a Topeka highway mower with rotary mower mine was originally orange and then was painted yellow at some time. its in nice condition with roll bar,4 speed high and low. also 4 wheel drive my cell number is 641-430-0254 I am in northern iowa .my cell is 641-430-0254 thanks

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  14. David Eilers

    HI Aaron,

    If possible, I’d like to get some pics and add them to the database. I know it helps others. If you are able to do this, feel free to email them to d@ewillys.com. Thanks so much!

    – Dave

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  17. Kimberley

    I have a Topeka Hiway Mower model # H-F5. Does anyone know where I can get general and/or technical info about this equipment?

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  20. David Eilers

    Tom,

    What size are the brake drums, 9″, 10″, or 11″? Maybe we can track some cylinders that way.

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  26. jason

    hey I just bought one and I was looking for information on it as to what year and anything else I could find out and looking through the picture you guys posted here I have the one that was posted for sale in Oregon in 2010 for $400, small world, but in the pictures it has a mower on it, I was wondering if there was anyone here that knew where I could get it or one like it? someone mounted a snow blade on it now. the guy I bought it from said that the guy he bought it from brought it from Oregon, so I started comparing pictures and it looks to be the same machine, is there anywhere I can call to get more info on it? thanks

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  27. David Eilers

    Hi Jason,

    Unfortunately, there’s not much information on these. I haven’t searched for them in a few years, so maybe there’s more about them on a Tractor forum? Sorry I can’t be more helpful,

    – Dave
    David Eielrs
    Ewillys.com

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  28. Lyle Odland

    Dear Topeka Highway Mower fans
    In 1968 I drove a Topeka during the summer for our county. It was made from a GM pickup chassis and had a belly sickle mower. Can anyone offer me pictures or a source of more memories? Lyleodland@yahoo.com
    Thank you.
    Lyle

    Reply ↓
    1. David Eilers

      Hi Mike,

      Unfortunately, we haven’t unearthed much information at all about these vehicles. I keep an eye out for brochures/info on eBay, but I’ve had no luck so far.

      – Dave

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  31. Tylor

    I just bought one tonight the “jeep” style from and older guy here in Wisconsin got a service manual and multiple brochures that show attachments also have a Worthington golf corse tractor looking for info on will ad pictures if I can figure out how

    Reply ↓
    1. David Eilers

      Hi Tylor,

      If you email me pics, I’d be happy to post them on eWillys. That’s some invaluable information for folks! You can email me at d@deilers.com,

      Thanks,

      -David Eilers
      ewillys.com

      Reply ↓
  33. Andy alberding

    I have one in Oregon. Keep style that’s been converted to tree trimming blades for orchard. Found this page while searching for parts.

    Reply ↓

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