A (T)rusty Tractor, do I want to know?

[rjy]

I have not had one of these before, and am extremely “green”, but with some knowledge “old stuff”.

This one I have found out of doors, at least slightly covered by some rotting tarmaulin, all wodged and piled up on top with the handlebars sticking out and even less completely covered. I have not looked at it closely. There does not seem to be any trace of paint on it, the bits I can see, it’s all rusty brown. It has metal wheels. There seems to be some tinwork on it including a coffin-shaped box and a (lidless) petrol tank. I have no idea what engine is on it (but there is one), or how old it is (I’m told “1928” but suspect that might mean “1948”), there are illegible at first glance plates on it including a “Supplied By (illegible at first glance)” one. I am told it has a “reversible plough”. I am also told it ran some 20 years ago, that “I could have it” but then “It belongs to the person I was talking to’s brother”. How it might be pulled out of its current position is another thing.

Anyway, basic advice (“Run away”? What to look for?) woud be welcome. I do want something like this, to keep, but don’t want to take on something that will cost an absolute fortune in parts and a lifetime’s labour, the idea is to get it usable and maybe a green colour if that’s what it once was.

[charlie]

It may well be worth having a look at the Trusty tractor page in the galleries on our website. This will give you an idea of what one looks like (should look like).
The earliest version had no bumper, just a longer chassis plate, the next version had a bumper like the one in this photo, this was then replaced with this version
Various engines were used, JAP, Douglas, Norton and others.
Without seeing the machine it is impossible to advise if you should ‘run away’ or ‘jump in’. Does engine turn or is seized would be a major factor.

[rjy]

Thank you. It looks, from the brief glance I had, like this machine this machine (Trusty tractor with JAP 6 engine and 3-speed transmission, BUT with all-metal wheels (what are these called?). The bumper is the same at any rate.

Whether it turns over or not is anyone’s guess. A good sign is that there’s still a sparking plug vertically in the cylinder head, but whether it’s tight of not…

I will have to have another look, and try to get a few photos.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by rjy.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by rjy.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by rjy.

[trusty-mad]

Trustys had two different steel wheels available. The more common one is the standard divisible wheel which is offtern referred to as a straked wheel.the other is the spade lug wheel which has the larger pointed lugs.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by trusty-mad.

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[rjy]

I see. Thank you, this one seems to have standard strake wheels, although not splittable (maybe an old mod? Could be made splittable). Don’t know what the engine is, do the pics give a clue?

Perhaps it’s compost, though.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by rjy. Reason: Toomuchbiglypictures

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[trusty220]

Looks like a standard single speed (with no reverse) fitted with a JAP 5 engine; probably dates from around 1946-49 looking at one or two other features but without the tractor serial number it’s difficult to pin down.

The serial number can be found on the rear of the transmission case where the handlebars are bolted to the machine.

It would be a good machine to learn on as it’s the simplest and most common Trusty sold with a very common engine that you can still get parts for. Trusty parts are generally not available but you can always buy a donor machine quite cheaply with the parts on that you want.

[rjy]

I note the “you can always buy a donor machine quite cheaply”. I assume the value of this one is about 300Kg of scrap metal. It might be better to use this as a donor machine, looking at it, I don’t know, if there’s anything usable there, I find the prospect somewhat depressing. Anyway, questions:

I live about 350yds from this machine. If I (literally) dig it out, is there any way I could move it that distance, on its own wheels, with no running engine. I have a Howard 350 that it might be possible to use as help pull.

As I say, I know nothing whatsoever about these. Can any drive mechanism be disconnected, and are wheels/axle likely to be able to rotate?

[will-haggle]

It may be worth sending your info to Charlie with the pictures and he could put it in the Cultivator Magazine for you, there may be someone nearby who can have a look at it for you.

[rjy]

Thank you Mr Haggle. I’m just going up to the allotments to put a new tarpaulin over the remains, will get some photos then.

I have asked in another thread (awaiting approval) about the legality of driving/pushing pedestrian controlled machines along the pavement. I don’t want to get in trouble!

[rjy]

will-haggle: “It may be worth sending your info to Charlie with the pictures and he could put it in the Cultivator Magazine for you, there may be someone nearby who can have a look at it for you”

I can’t. PMs are not allowed unless I pay.

I also can’t ask about my “pending moderation” question in another thread (awaiting approval) about the legality of driving/pushing pedestrian controlled machines along the pavement, a topic I’d imagined might be of general interest.

Oh well.

[charlie]

“I can’t. PMs are not allowed unless I pay.” Trial members have limited functionality on the website and forum. Paid members have full functionality, one of the benefits of membership, after all it is their membership fees that pay for the website.

“I also can’t ask about my “pending moderation” question in another thread (awaiting approval) about the legality of driving/pushing pedestrian controlled machines along the pavement, a topic I’d imagined might be of general interest.” Which thread did you post this in? Would it have been better to start a new thread?
Charlie (website admin team and membership secretary).

[rjy]

Hi Charlie, I’m OK with the functionality limitation, not griping 🙂

The “legality of driving/pushing pedestrian controlled machines along the pavement” article I thought probably ought to go in the “Pedestrian operated machines” subforum for general interest, as I guess people occasionally do this. I’d spent quite a bit of time looking at parts of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, “Learning to drive a tractor or specialist vehicle” (- HMG), and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, and included them for information/discussion. I can’t find a “yes/no” answer anywhere (but non-ride-on mow grass mowers seem to be OK). When I pressed “Post” I seem to remember a “Your post is awaiting moderation” type message. If it’s not available, i should be able to reconstruct it fairly soon by looking at my browser’s history.

[will]

I have just taken on a similar machine (1952) which has been stored outside for 20 years or so, it’s proving to be a bit of a pig, with a lot of seized parts, but it looks to be in far better condition than ‘yours’. I’d be giving that one a very wide berth I think, unless you are looking for a full on restoration project..

[rjy]

I agree. I have to say I feel a bit gloomy about it, but it might be possible to get it usable in some way. These seem rare, although they do not seem to sell for much. I had another look. The coffin-shaped box has largely disintegrated, and a few rusty tools and semi-oily chains and sprockets and things can be seen under it. There’s a (rusty!) tobacco tin in the works which seems to have a little dried up grease or something in it. Spare parts don’t seem to be particularlty common. The tin (sheet metal cowling) where I assume a starting handle goes has no middle, by the look.

I’ve got a amongst other things welder, a couple of gas torches, a press, some old tools, a big bucket of HCl and a sledge-hammer. Oh arr um.

Maybe if I can dig, literally, and drag this one out something else will turn up.

[Author]

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