Popular Post mrsmackpaul Posted June 5 Popular Post Share Posted June 5 This came across my social media today Homemade Tractor From A Mack Truck Big tractors cost lots of money, unless you build your own like G. R. Rasmussen and his son, Brian, did in the workshop on their farm near Standard, Alberta, Canada. Their homemade 135 hp tractor started as a Mack truck and the rear end from a Euclid machine found in a scrap yard. It took one winter to put the tractor together. "We've been using it for ten years and it's still going strong," says Brian. The Rasmussens particularly liked the big displacement (673 cu. in.) and slow speed (1,600 to 1,700 rpm) of the Mack engine. That power, plus a 15-speed transmission with 10 speeds slower than 10 mph, lets them pull a 36-ft. hoe drill with fertilizer attachment, or a 36-ft. chisel plow and smoothing harrow. Top speed is about 20 mph, but their normal field speed is about 4 to 6.5 mph, says Brian. So, it's easy to match power to the implement and field conditions. The frame of the Mack truck was cut off just back of the cab and welded to the underside of the Euclid axle. The frame was reinforced with extra beams and the driveshaft shortened and coupled to the Euclid differential. However, the truck front suspension and steering system remained unchanged, with the short wheelbase permitting sharp, quick turns. An extra brake pedal was added to provide individual braking of rear wheels for easier turning. New dual wheel rims and dual 18.4-38 tires added to the tractor's cost, but were worth it, according to the Rasmussens. The rear axle had a positive traction differential when they bought it. Concerned that this might restrict maneuverability, the Rasmussens installed a new "spider" and have no differential lock now. However, this has not been a problem, according to Brian, who notes that "we've had very little problem with the tractor ever getting stuck." "The combination of truck front suspension, the truck seat, and the mid-tractor operator location provide a very smooth ride. The cab is cleaner and quieter than the cabs on many tractors. One reason for the lower noise level is the slower engine speed, compared to most current tractors," Brian points out. The original sealed beam headlights were retained and sealed beam work lights were mounted on the back side of the cab. An old power steering pump, driven from the front of the engine, provides hydraulic power for implement control. It's a bit slow, admits Brian, but it was economical and he says the system doesn't need high capacity for their work. Two remote valves are located in the cab, and a used air tank on the front bumper is the oil reservoir. To prevent kinking or damaging hydraulic hoses between the tractor and implement, the hoses and couplers are supported on a vertical pipe bracket welded to the swinging drawbar. This keeps hoses more in line with the implement tongue and requires less slack than if the couplers and hoses were mounted on the axle. The drawbar was made from the 2 3/4-in. square steel frame of a Minneapolis-Moline one-way tiller. Would they build another tractor like this one? "We've considered it," says Brian, noting that these are the components and features he and his dad would look for or want to include in the next model they build: "First of all, we'd look for a big, slow-speed 6-cylinder engine. We feel that newer truck cabs are higher and most have larger windows, so visibility would be better. The rear end might come from a junked tractor, an earth mover, or perhaps even a 'retired' 4-wheel drive. Paul 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 That thing is awesome. I wonder if it survived. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-553259 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 I thought it was talking about something present time… thanks for that ,, Paul ….bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-553302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 1961H67 Posted August 22 Popular Post Share Posted August 22 It’s kinda like our “TERMACK” ,, 1/2 Terex and R Model. 8 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-557416 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 On 8/22/2024 at 6:00 AM, 1961H67 said: It’s kinda like our “TERMACK” ,, 1/2 Terex and R Model. That thing is awesome!! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-559940 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBWhite Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 Wow that is cool! It needs front wheel assist lol 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-559965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 It’s really a good working tractor,, We don’t have a use for it,, Just a novelty now. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560012 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 40 minutes ago, 1961H67 said: It’s really a good working tractor,, We don’t have a use for it,, Just a novelty now. Is this a custom made piece? I can't imagine this was a factory production... 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560013 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 1961H67 Posted October 15 Popular Post Share Posted October 15 It was , the fellow had a farm here in Western North Carolina, he never bought anything new. his brothers had a rock quarry and some old Terex dump trucks , he had a old R Model Mack, so he took the rear end from a Terex dump, the engine,trans ( 10 speed duplex) , frame, front axle is R Model, the steering is Hydraulic from the off road dump truck, he put 2 foot valves on it for right and left brakes, it has a big drawbar on the back and hydraulic lines ( no 3 point hitch) . He pulled a big disc harrow with it. He didn’t really have a very good shop to build this thing in but when you drive it and just look how it’s put together it’s pretty amazing what he did. I know his brother and they gave it to me when he passed away ,, it’s a great conversation piece . 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560050 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 1961H67 Posted October 15 Popular Post Share Posted October 15 IMG_2531.mov 6 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560051 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseliner64 Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 On 10/15/2024 at 10:26 AM, 1961H67 said: It was , the fellow had a farm here in Western North Carolina, he never bought anything new. his brothers had a rock quarry and some old Terex dump trucks , he had a old R Model Mack, so he took the rear end from a Terex dump, the engine,trans ( 10 speed duplex) , frame, front axle is R Model, the steering is Hydraulic from the off road dump truck, he put 2 foot valves on it for right and left brakes, it has a big drawbar on the back and hydraulic lines ( no 3 point hitch) . He pulled a big disc harrow with it. He didn’t really have a very good shop to build this thing in but when you drive it and just look how it’s put together it’s pretty amazing what he did. I know his brother and they gave it to me when he passed away ,, it’s a great conversation piece . That is an amazing machine.id love to have a go at driving it.just goes to show what can be done with a few parts,tools and a good brain.... Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560417 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted October 21 Share Posted October 21 I’ll let you drive it! It’s very easy maneuver around. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseliner64 Posted October 21 Share Posted October 21 12 hours ago, 1961H67 said: I’ll let you drive it! It’s very easy maneuver around. Thanks,next time im in the US ill take you up on that👍 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560451 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted October 22 Share Posted October 22 Please Do!!! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74231-mack-tractor/#findComment-560514 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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