First, if this tractor is in the wrong section, could a moderator please move it for me? I wasn't sure if it should be under Sears or David Bradley. Thanks.
This is the second tractor I was able to purchase in the package deal, along with the Mighty Mite (see "Other" brand part of the Forum). I think this is a 1941 Handiman, based on the design and model number on the tractor's data tag, but I see varying information on the internet on these little guys. Information seems to be scarce and not all in agreement. Anyway, there is also a data tag on the engine which may shed more light on it, but I have to remove the hood to see it which I'll do at some point. It's obviously in tougher shape (at least in some ways), but they are hard to find. Love the flat pulley drive system (seriously, it's neat), and the rear end. Cool shifting mechanism too (the knob in front of the seat), and independent rear brakes. The rear of this little tractor weighs a ton, between that rear end and the cast iron rims. New rear tires (but not new tubes - they need to be replaced) and the fronts are good. I think it's the original engine (looks right, from what I can see), but I won't know for sure until I pull the hood off and get a good look at the data tag). The bad is pretty obvious - it needs part of the hood fabricated and grafted to the original (at least it's just a flat piece of sheet metal with a few holes, longer than the other side, although I bet those louvres will be fun to make), a belt cover fabricated and a two inch flat belt itself to drive the tractor. Still, overall what's there is in decent shape, I think. The rear tires should be a 22" rim, but it looks like when they replaced the rear rims and tires they put 24" on as I know they're far easier to get and cheaper than the 22". I do have the fuel tank for it too, just not installed.
This is the second tractor I was able to purchase in the package deal, along with the Mighty Mite (see "Other" brand part of the Forum). I think this is a 1941 Handiman, based on the design and model number on the tractor's data tag, but I see varying information on the internet on these little guys. Information seems to be scarce and not all in agreement. Anyway, there is also a data tag on the engine which may shed more light on it, but I have to remove the hood to see it which I'll do at some point. It's obviously in tougher shape (at least in some ways), but they are hard to find. Love the flat pulley drive system (seriously, it's neat), and the rear end. Cool shifting mechanism too (the knob in front of the seat), and independent rear brakes. The rear of this little tractor weighs a ton, between that rear end and the cast iron rims. New rear tires (but not new tubes - they need to be replaced) and the fronts are good. I think it's the original engine (looks right, from what I can see), but I won't know for sure until I pull the hood off and get a good look at the data tag). The bad is pretty obvious - it needs part of the hood fabricated and grafted to the original (at least it's just a flat piece of sheet metal with a few holes, longer than the other side, although I bet those louvres will be fun to make), a belt cover fabricated and a two inch flat belt itself to drive the tractor. Still, overall what's there is in decent shape, I think. The rear tires should be a 22" rim, but it looks like when they replaced the rear rims and tires they put 24" on as I know they're far easier to get and cheaper than the 22". I do have the fuel tank for it too, just not installed.