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Empire Tractor Marlow, OK **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Industrial-Welder-Generator • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.”

empire-tractor-marlow-ok1 empire-tractor-marlow-ok2 empire-tractor-marlow-ok3

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

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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**

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.”

1948-empire-tractor-toronto-canada

 
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1947 Empire Tractor Hanover, NH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

 
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1947 Model 90 Empire Tractor Project Cincinnati, OH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Parts • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

“Have a very rare Empire Tractor model 90 I beleive it is a 1947..The Empire tractors were built with left over WWII Willys Jeep Parts.. “NOTE” It has been totally taken apart and restoration started.. The restored tractor picture is just to show what they look like when finished.. I just dont have the time to finish.. It is very complete with many extra parts, extra trans/transfercase, hood,dash, to many to list… The motor and tranny are mounted on a stand (stand not included) and runs great..It will need to be finished and you will have a very rare and enjoyable tractor…”

1947-model-90-empire-tractor-cincinnati-oh

 
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Topeka Highway Mower Galion, OH on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These aren’t easy to find.  Here is more information about them.

“Pretty much complete, motor does not turn over what you see is what you get, see pictures. Pick up only will help load on open trailer”

View all the information on eBay

 
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Here’s an unusual tractor

• CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Dave forwarded this to me, who found it here. It’s pretty cool. He’d like to replace the tractor with a CJ-3B.
(Fordson snow-motor)

<a href=”http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf?autostart=false&token=568_1233111054″ mce_href=”http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf?autostart=false&amp;token=568_1233111054″ target=”_blank”>http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf?autostart=false&token=568_1233111054</a>

 
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The Topeka Hiway Mower

• CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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?

topeka-mower-joe6

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):

1953_topeka_snow_plow_prospect1

 

 

 

 

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

topeka_tractor

  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
 
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1953 Topeka Hiway Mower **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

“RARE WILLYS TOPEKA MODEL. ASSEMBLED IN TOPEKA KANSAS. ALL HYDRAULIC WITH POWER STEERING. HAS A CONTINENTAL FOUR CYLINDER INDUSTRIAL ENGINE WITH ABOUT 1100 HUNDRED HOURS. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, TWO WHEEL DRIVE, HIGH LOW RANGE, FOUR WHEEL IN AND OUT AND HAND THROTTLE FOR THE REAR HYDROLICS SUCH AS LOG SPLITTER, DISC ETC.  FOUR WAY PLOW, HEATER, WITH DEFROST AND REMOVEABLE CAB. GREAT FOR THE SUMMER ALSO. A SICKLE BAR OR ROTARY MOWER CAN BE ADDED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. HAS REAR HYDRAULIC REMOTES FOR ATTACHMENTS. TITLE NOT NEEDED AS ITS CONSIDERED AS A MOWER OR YOU COULD GET ONE AS IT HAS ALL THE STREET LEGAL ITEMS. NEW TIRES AND RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT.”

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1953_topeka_snow_plow_prospect2

1953_topeka_snow_plow_prospect3

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View more pics

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1947 Empire Tractor Eagleville, TN **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. See this same tractor here: View Post

I have only seen two of these for sale (here’s the other one).  These use the Willys drive train. You can learn more about the specs for these tractors here.

“For sale is a 1947 Empire Tractor S/N # 5582. This tractor has been fully restored and has brand new tires and a new battery! Check out www.empiretractor.net for more information relating to the history and specifications of this model.”

1947_tractor_eagleville

 
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Unsual Tandem Tranny Tractor

• CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

tandem_transmission_tractor_chicagoBrian forwarded this to me.  Here’s an odd tractor with Willys running gear and 2 inline trannys.

“FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ALL TERRAIN ROCK CLIMBING MACHINE 18 HP WISCONSIN WILLYS JEEP RUNNING GEAR TANDEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN SITTING AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS HAVE NOT REALLY USED IT. COME TAKE A LOOK. $1200.00 EMAIL ME WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND I WILL CALL YOU BACK I DO NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS WITHOUT A PHONE NUMBER. ”

Brian also included an interesting discussion about dual trannys from the WillysTech board.

Continue reading

 
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1947 Empire Tractor (uses Willys drive train) Drexel, Mo **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Machinery, MB, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1947_empiretractor_drexelUPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.

Empire Tractors were built from parts that are also used by Willys, such as the transfercase (spicer 18), transmission (t-90), differential (spicer 25) and more.  You can learn more about the specs for these tractors here.  Note that the seller claims these were built out of surplus WWII jeeps, however the t-90 was a CJ-2A tranny, so it seems more likely to me that they shared parts with the CJ-2A rather than built from the MB.

“HERE WE HAVE A RARE 1947 EMPIRE TRACTOR. MODEL 88-90 MADE IN 11-47 SERAIL NUMBER 6352 IT WAS RESTORED ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN KEPT INSIDE ALL IT’S LIFE. THIS HAS WILLYS JEEP ENGINE AND TRANS,AND ALOT OF OTHER JEEP PARTS IN IT,THAT ARE ORGINAL TO THE TRACTOR. THESE TRACTORS WERE BUILT AFTER WWII OUT OF SURPLUS ARMY JEEPS. THE PAINT SHOWS SOME WEAR . THE TIRES ON BACK ARE ORGINAL AND FRONTS HAVE BEEN REPALCED. COMES WITH ORGINAL LIGHTS AND GENERATOR IN A BOX. IT HAS HAD ONLY 3 OWNERS AND RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE IT SHOULD, READY TO USE OR SHOW. THIS COMES WITH A BELLY SICKLE MOWER,THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED IN 20 YEARS. 3500 FIRM. MY NUMBER IS 660-267-3282 THANKS FOR LOOKING”

http://www.empiretractor.net/spec.html