Tractor Research Archives

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1947 Model 90 Empire Tractor Brighton, CO $3500

May 14, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: Still Available.

(05/10/2020) Seems a good price. Radiator has been swapped.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/738891896918305/

“1947 Empire tractor, s/n 5184. This tractor runs well. Tires are in good condition. We were told by seller who owned the tractor since the 1960s that the first owner had a custom haying business & the tractor kept overheating pulling a self powered bailer so he installed a McCormick Deering radiator. Sellers family built the 3 point lift & blade to clean barn stalls. Empire tractors were made with same engines, transmission, transfer case, and differential as Jeeps.”

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1947 Empire Tractor Lonedell, MO $2300

April 29, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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Gwen’s selling this tractor: I would like to sell my dad’s empire tractor. He has been gone 20 years and we just aren’t using it enough here on our farm. I’m sure someone else would enjoy this, and the tractor deserves some love! You can email her at gwenandyoda @ gmail.com (remove the spaces around the @).

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Empire Tractor Model 90 Huntsburg, OH $11,600

February 27, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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Doug is selling his beautiful Empire Tractor. He’s included a recent magazine article about Empire Tractors and his restoration process. Call or text 440 840 5538 or email decarter @ windstream.net (removed spaces around the “@”) … you read more about Empire Tractors here.

“Empire Tractor Model 90 S/N 5607 frame off restoration. The Tractor was in the Vintage Tractor Digest magazine spring 2018 plus it’s on the cover of magazine.

Sandblasted, primed and painted with urethane automotive paint. Complete engine re-build done by a motor shop. The head and flywheel resurfaced and installed a new clutch. New brakes, gas tank, radiator, tool box, wiring harness, governor control, exhaust system, gauges.

I can send many pics just ask. Located in Huntsburg, Ohio 44046. Asking $11,600 OBO.”

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1948 Empire Tractor Lake Havasu City, AZ **SOLD**

October 23, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was $4900.

This looks in very good shape for the price.

“Very rare 1948 Empire Tractor (Willys), model 90
Perfect condition, ready to show”

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Model 90 Empire Tractor Versailles, MO **SOLD**

April 5, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.

This is the later model of Empire Tractor. Learn more about these here.

“For Sale: Rare 1948 Empire tractor. Serial # 6413. Restored. It has a Willys- 4 cyl CJ-2A engine with 134.6 cu in. horsepower is 40 at belt and 25 at drawbar. Transmission Warner Gear T-90, 3 sp forward, 1 reverse. This is 1/2 tractor and 1/2 jeep. Very”

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Empire Tractor Danby, VT **SOLD**

November 30, 2018 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was $4200.

Could be a good price. Appears to be a Model 90. Seller also has an M-38 and a CJ-2A for sale in the same ad.

“1948 empire tractor runs very good $4,200”

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1947 Empire Tractor Hanover, NH **SOLD**

May 9, 2018 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.

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“The Empire tractor consisted of military power components from World War II-era jeeps. It had a 4-cylinder, 40 hp Willys-Overland engine, a Model T-84 Spicer 3-speed transmission, Spicer transfer case with high and low speeds, Willys rear end, steering column and gearbox. It also had PTO, individual clutch-type rear brakes with a stop provided for parking and a rear belt pulley. The fuel tank and an Empire-style seat were mounted on a large operator’s platform (made from Navy ship decking). Its simple, basic gauges (ammeter, oil pressure and temperature), ignition switch and starter button also came from the jeep. The Empire tractor was originally made for exportation in the Lend-Lease Program after World War II.

If I had to mention a couple of things that made the Empire Tractor really unique, one would be the straight bar hitch that pulled from under the center of the tractor (patented) thus making an overturn nearly impossible. The other selling point was, of course, the Willys engine and drive train made famous in the Jeep during World War II. The Empire was a well equipped tractor, very reliable and versatile with its wide range of speeds. Today this tractor draws a lot of attention at shows and is very sought after by collectors commanding higher than average prices. “.

 
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Empire Tractor Parts Lawrence, KS **SOLD**

February 27, 2018 • CATEGORIES: Parts • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.

Seller has some tractor parts.

“I Have A Almost Compleat Rare Empire Tractor For Sale ! Made From 1946-1951 Will Not Part Out ! I Have Front End Grill Dash Jeep Motor Trans. Transfer Case ( Which Is What Came With ) ! Rear Hams 1 Fender Frame I Also Have 2 Others Not For Sale ! Yellow One Is What It Looks Like When Restored !”

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1948 Empire Tractor Clarksville, TN **SOLD**

January 2, 2018 • CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5500.

I can’t tell for sure if this Empire Tractor is a model 88 (built from WWII parts) or a Model 90 (built from 2A parts), but the spring under the seat suggests to me it’s a 90. You can learn more about these here.

“1948 Empire tractor with Willys Jeep engine tractor was manufactured in Philadelphia after the World War II tractor in excellent condition with matching serial numbers with winch on the rear.”

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Wormobile Denmark, WI No Price

December 18, 2017 • CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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This jeep-engine-powered screw-tractor called the Wormobile was spotted by Aaron. There’s a third photo of this here.

“one of a kind screw type vehicle built in 54 has willys jeep motor and transmission a complete overhaul 2 years ago
willing to trade for a black stripe ten or a good utility tractor 3 pt and hydraulics a must”

https://greenbay.craigslist.org/grd/d/one-of-kind/6427859629.html

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1970 Topeka Hiway Mower/Snow Plow Bucyrus, OH $800

April 3, 2017 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: , .
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Mark’s selling this 1970 Topeka Hiway Mower/Snow plow. Contact him for more information: 419-563-4002. Here’s a similar Topeka model with a snow plow for comparison.

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1948 Model 90 Empire Tractor Portland, OR **SOLD**

August 29, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.

Thanks to Blaine for spotting this good looking Model 90 for sale. What’s an Empire Tractor?

“Empire tractors were only built for a few years after WWII.
The drivetrain of these tractors was the Willys Jeep 4×4 which were available at that time.
The engine, transmission, transfer case, rearend, radiator, steering column and wheel are all Willys.
The operator platform of the tractor is surplus navy ship decking.
This tractor does not have the original Willys engine, but instead has a flat head Jeep engine with a counterbalanced crankshaft. The electrical system has also been updated to 12v instead of the original 6v system.
The engine, transmission, and transfer case were all rebuilt a few years ago. The engine runs great and idles very smoothly.
The tractor can easily do 20mph on the road and if the rear tires were balanced it would go faster.
This tractor would be great for someone wanting to do one of the antique tractor drives that various tractor clubs offer.

There are less than 500 Empire tractors in the USA, known to the Empire Tractor Club.
(oh…. also included with the tractor for the buyer would be all the Empire Tractor Club newsletters that I have)”

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Oliver OC-3 Bulldozer Watsonville, CA $1500

July 31, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: .
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This has been repowered with a Willys motor.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/grd/5142543350.html

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“Cute little classic farm crawler tractor / dozer. I believe this is an Oliver OC-3-42 42” gauge tractor, probably late 1940’s or early 50’s. As I understand it, the Celtrac HG & Oliver OC-3 are the same tractor, so it could be either. This one has been rengined with a Willy’s Jeep flathead 4 cylinder gas motor. The tractor starts and runs well (12 volt) and all gears work as do both steering clutches. The sheet metal is in decent shape although the bottom section of the grill appears to have been cut off.

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Topeka Highway Mower Northwood, IA $1000 obo

April 21, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: , .
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Dan forwarded this for a friend. You can contact Dan for more information. It appears in good shape. The data tag lists this as a “special” model, but what’s special about it is not clear to me. It hasn’t run in years but had new rings put in before it was parked.
Fcdan@wctatel.net
641-390-0208

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Empire Tractor Beaverton, OR **SOLD**

April 12, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: Sold Was $3500.

This is a rare Empire Tractor built with civilian Willys parts.

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“Empire tractors were only made for a few years after WWII. To start with they used surplus military Willys jeep drivetrains, later using civilian jeep drivetrains. The engine is jeep, the transmission and rearend are jeep, steering column and wheel is jeep, even the radiator is jeep. The operator platform is surplus Navy ship decking.

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Homemade Tractor Jay, ME $400

April 6, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: , .
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UPDATE: Still Available.

(10/01/2014) There are a few jeep parts under this crazy vehicle.

“homemade tractor converted from mid 1930’s willy’s jeep
have to see in person to believe
chains on tires
has plow attachment on front
newer honda 5 hp motor runs 2 transmissions
powerful easily hauls a cord of tree length wood or move a car
rear has a hitch with ball for pulling trailers
great conversation and show piece
guaranteed not to find anywhere else”

http://maine.craigslist.org/bar/4963763946.html

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Topeka Hiway Mower Park City, UT Best Offer

February 27, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: , .
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UPDATE: Jean would like to see this saved rather than send it to salvage. She’s moving, so it has to go. I drove up to Kimball Junction in Utah on Wednesday to get some better photos. The mower is a mix of jeep and non-jeep parts.   You can contact Jean at jnbpc  @  msn.com if interested in the mower. I have other photos.

This ‘Tornado’ Topeka Hiway Mower is different from other Topeka mowers I’ve featured. One of the biggest differences is the front grill area. All the Topeka’s I’ve seen have an angled front grille area like these. The front of Jean’s model has a more typical tractor front.

Jean hasn’t used it much over the last seven years. The motor was rebuilt around that time and has had very little use since. It is four wheel drive, has a transfer case, and a continental engine.

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The front of this Topeka has a more typical tractor grille.

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Are these FC suspension mounts?

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Note the centered pumpkin. The Topeka uses a Dana 18 transfer case, so the driveline is angled.

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Dana 18 with an interesting mounting system.

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Continental motor.

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Joe’s Topeka Highway Mower

December 4, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: , .
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Joe just picked up this rare Topeka Highway Mower last month. Joe would love to find a soft door setup like is shown on this Topeka.

Topeka like these were assembled with jeep parts. I’ve updated the Topeka Mower info.

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Love Tractor and Hydraulic Lift System

July 25, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine • TAGS: , .
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Speaking of Hydraulic Lifts, the Love Tractor Company (or perhaps more accurately Love Industries — I’m not clear on the difference) made a lift and also sold a willys-engine powered tractor.

According to the Standard Catalog of Farm Tractors 1890-1980, by C.H. Wendel, Love Tractor offered model J51 that was built around a Willys CJ-2A engine. This may have been a repurposed Empire Tractor, because at least one source suggests Love purchased eighteen Empire Tractors when Empire dissolved. Anyone know more about the ‘Willys’ Love Tractor?

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Standard Catalog of Farm Tractors 1890-1980, by C.H. Wendel

Love Tractor also created a hydraulic three-point lift system. At CJ3a.info is a page devoted to the lift. At the Farm Jeep site is a scan of the brochure.

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The February 1947 issue of Popular Science has an article on the Love Hydraulic Lift System distributed by Newgren.

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There is also an article about the Love system and Newgren in a 1949 issue of Farm implement news – Volume 70 – Page 56.

 
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Empire Tractors: The Tractor Built From Willys Parts

May 27, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: .
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empire-tractors-and-willys-jeeps

Willys-Overland powered Empire Tractors in the foreground and jeeps in the back.

The Empire Tractor was made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Empire Tractor Corporation from 1946-1948. Leveraging the Willys drive train, Empire produced two different models: Model 88 and Model 90. You might have seen one of those tractors at a Willys show or for sale, but sightings are rare. The primary reason for their scarcity is that of the approximately 6,660 made around 5,370 were exported leaving about 1,290 available in the US and Canada.

The history behind the Empire Tractor company is complicated. It involves Willys Overland Motor’s largest shareholder, Empire Securities, and a successful international business man named Frank Cohen, who was investigated multiple times for suspicious financial dealings.

Here’s how and why only a few tractors were made . . .

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The two basic models of tractors produced by Empire Tractors. They look pretty close, but one of the most noticeable differences is the seat.

EMPIRE SECURITIES:
 In 1932 George Ritter, Ward Canaday, and H.J. Leonard organized Empire Securities, Inc. They launched it as a holding company to process claims against the Willys-Overland Company, which had gone into receivership. In 1935 Empire Securities offered to buy up all the Willys-Overland Company bonds that were due two years earlier in 1933 so they could reorganize the Willys-Overland Company. In October of 1936, Empire Securities successfully rebirthed the Willys-Overland Company as Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and became the largest shareholder. Several years later the Empire Securities founders used Willys Overland stock to partly fund a business deal with a man named Frank Cohen.

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Side Note: Empire Securities continued to be the largest shareholder through 1946. Meanwhile, Ward Canady was president of Empire Securities and Chairman of the Board of Willys-Overland Motors through 1946.

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1991 Book of Forgotten Tractors **SOLD**

May 7, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Books, Features • TAGS: .
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UPDATE:  **SOLD** Was on eBay

This 1991 booklet includes information on the Willys Farm Jeep. Not sure whether they mean the sparse CJ-3A version or something else. But, if you like jeeps and tractors, this might be for you.

“A COMPENDIUM OF LITTLE KNOWN AND MOSTLY FORGOTTEN TRACTORS 1930-1960 BY ALAN KING SOFTCOVER CONDITION VERY GOOD- COPYRIGHT 1991 PUBLISHED BY;INDEPENDENT PRINT SHOP CO. INC. -64 PAGES.. INCLUDING ;BROCKWAY,CENTAUR,CUSTOM, EAGLE, EARTHMASTER,FARMASTER,GIBSON, HARRIS, GRAHAM-BRADLEY, INTERCONTINENTAL,LAUGHLIN,LOVE,PORSCHE,SHEPPARD,SILVER KING,THOMSON AND MORE..11 NEBRASKA TEST RESULTS FOR THESE TRACTORS, SPECIFICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS DATA… CORBITT,GIBSON MODEL I & H,HARRIS POWER HORSE MODEL 53, HARRIS POWER HORSE FWD,INTERCONTINENTAL D 26 OR DE, AND MODEL DF, LONG MODEL A, FARMASTER MERCER FG 33 OR 30 CKAND FD 33 OR 30 BD, PORSCHE DIESEL JUNIOR L108, UNIMOG 30 DIESEL, WILLYS FARM JEEP… 
OTHER NAMES IN BOOK ZETOR KOVO, THOMSON MACHINERY CO, R H SHEPPARD CO, LAUGHLIN ROW CROP, FRIDAY MODEL 048, FERGUSON HI-40, FATE ROOT HEATH, ,CI CAPPS CO JT GO-GETTE, AVERY RO-TRAK,ALLIGATOR”

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Empire Tractor Marlow, OK **SOLD**

April 26, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Features, Industrial-Welder-Generator • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $650.

Finding an Empire Tractor is a rarity. Carl and I are finishing up a special post about them for eWillys sometime in May.

“Interesting little Empire tractor. These were built from left over Jeep and Willy’s parts from WWII. For the best source of information go to http://www.empiretractor.net – this one is almost complete, the engine, drive train, etc, is there. It’s missing some of the body/panels. Great project or if someone is restoring a 40’s/50’s Jeep or Willy’s, lots of good parts! $650 cash.”

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1951 Ad for a Willys Powered Empire Tractor **SOLD**

November 29, 2013 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

I can’t say for sure this is an Empire Tractor, but it sure looks like one to me. The ad is from Bernstein Brothers Machinery Company in 1951.

willys-powered-tractor-ad

 
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1948 Empire Tractor Toronto, Canada **SOLD**

August 8, 2013 • CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.

This tractor looks in good shape. Brian has seen this work in person.

“Very rare and 100% complete Empire Tractor . Good running Willys Jeep components . Original tractor ( lights are stamped tractor ) . New front tires , good rear tires .This is an excellent collectors tractor and is very rare . Second seat added for parades but not yet painted.”

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1947 Empire Tractor Hanover, NH **SOLD**

May 30, 2013 • CATEGORIES: Unusual • TAGS: .
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6000

“The Empire tractor consisted of military power components from World War II-era jeeps. It had a 4-cylinder, 40 hp Willys-Overland engine, a Model T-84 Spicer 3-speed transmission, Spicer transfer case with high and low speeds, Willys rear end, steering column and gearbox. It also had PTO, individual clutch-type rear brakes with a stop provided for parking and a rear belt pulley. The fuel tank and an Empire-style seat were mounted on a large operator’s platform (made from Navy ship decking). Its simple, basic gauges (ammeter, oil pressure and temperature), ignition switch and starter button also came from the jeep. The Empire tractor was originally made for exportation in the Lend-Lease Program after World War II.”

1947-tractor-empire-hanover-nh