My dad is 81 years old. He has worked a garden every summer with one of these for as long as I can remember (I'm 47) and he still uses it for cultivating. He has OEM moldboard turning plow, disk, cultivator, harrow and front-mount bush-hog that all came with it when he bought it long before I was born. For several summers we rigged up an old mule drawn planter beneath the handles that worked very well. Around here, people who have these machines and really realize WHAT they have won't part with them.
My Dad and Grandfather had these. During the summers I would plow the garden spot for my Dad when I was about 7 years old and had to reach up to the handle bars. It was all a 7-8 year old could do to back up the tractor once it reached the end of the row where the fence was. It you weren’t careful it would sometime vibrate and the handle would engage the clutch and it would literally try to climb the wire fence since it was geared so low. I would love to see more videos about these old work horses. Someday I would love to get a hold of one again. It would be great to hitch a buggy to it and turn it into a riding tractor rather than just a walk behind. Thanks so much for the videos you create.
Great little machine as were all these garden tractors. My dad bought a used Planet Jr. back in 1964. Had a 3hp Briggs motor and came with a cycle mower, disc, cultivators, and 12" bottom plow. It also had a 3 speed transmission. Still have it. Don't think that little thing ever wore out, and we worked hard on a one acre garden. I'd like to eventually revive it. Thanks for the fine video.
Dad got ours in 1952, with the mower, plow, disk, and the one row cultivator. It had a 3.5hp Brigs engine on it. We made a wagon to haul straw out of the fields for the garden, and corn when we hand picked the fields. Dad used the tires on our 52 Nash Rambler for snow tires until a big chunk came of it. Then they were back on the DB again. Wish I still had it, but dad sold it when we moved to town in 1960.
The Bradley and Troy tractors were very popular for many years down home, especially with what today are often referred to as "hobby farmers" though the farmers I knew back then were hardly hobbyists. Such tractors were used in gardens too big for the smaller walk behind tractors and too small for the "riding" tractors of the day or mules for that matter. Most of those gardens supplied fresh vegetables for the table and for canning.
David Bradley 2 wheel tractors could be had with both reverse and adjustable speeds. The speed changing assembly is called, cleverly enough, a speed changer. Old Ford truck wheels fit the bolt pattern. DB is 3 x 5.5" and Ford is 5 x 5.5"
I have an identical machine to yours. I just got it back after a 30 year absence. When I was a kid, I mowed the fields, plowed snow, and with the cart went joy riding on our 25 acre farm. I just cleaned out the blower housing, loaded with nuts and seeds. The engine was stuck and had no spark when I got it freed up. So I figured I'd install new points and condenser, $38 dollars later I still had no spark. I was quoted $65 for a new coil, none appear to be available on eBay, sooo! I used my experience with re-building windmills! I removed the coil, cleaned off all dirt and oil, placed it in a oven and baked it for two hours, tested it and it was now 6.9 K ohms, so I put motor varnish on it, let it dry, baked it again and while still warm, put a second coat of varnish in it. The engine started right up and ran wild. I shut it dwon and have determined that the governor is not working! Any ideas from any readers? Thanks: Ed
We used to have three of these two wheeled tractors only two where operable the last for parts but we had many implements to attach to them. For our little farm they where enough and used for everything even a saw to buck up firewood. I see these type of tractors are still being used in 3rd world countries today which tells you they still pass the test of time.
The machines themselves aren't too expensive, generally $200-$300, but it's the tools that hook on to them that are a bit hard to find, and can run into money. For a small scale homestead they are hard to beat, as long as you are willing to do the walking. Very economical to operate with such a little motor, but capable of doing a pile of work.
LCL great video i use to see a lot of the DB tractors around my area years ago its sad they like many things have gone by the wayside . id love to see your run and operate when you get it going . thanks for posting this .
Had a friend who put out his whole family's winter food supply with one of these David Bradly tractors. I think he had every implement that was made except for the rotary mower and sulked. He has since passed on. God rest his soul.
Simplicity made many of the walk behind power units. They Bent the tin a little different and changed the color of the paint and hung a new brand name on it. I just discovered documentation for some in the paperwork I am reducing for my building project
Should look into the gravely tractors. I had a couple of the david bradley and the township came out and robbed me of my best one (had a modern engine on it), not just though, robbed me of a whole lot of stuff, no law just what they made up. Crunched it all up in a garbage truck what they couldn't tow away. Now have recently done it again. Agenda 21 at it best. Thank god I have got out of that hell whole, and feel like I'm in heaven compared to over at the old place, though still trying to get everything out of it. Still have a couple of the david bradley and some other two wheel tractors, but I'm investing more in gravely and they are much more plentiful, including implements of all sorts. Way more versatile and capable too the gravely are. They actually have a pto in the front with slip clutch, and a hitch set up in the back. Can usually pick them up for fairly cheap, though some folk like to get a good dollar out of them. Can't blame them I reckon, they are worth it if they are in good working shape and come with attachments, as well have the better options like electric start, remote pto engagement, and ultra low forward and reverse hubs (4 speeds both directions) . Also all gear drive, planetary at that.
Wow you have the coolest things, My Gf is always joking with me (I think) about all the old iron I seem to collect and will have to move to my compound in Ark, don't care...My neighbor made a statement about the state of my lay yard, then two days latter she came over whining about her mower not working, well wouldn't you know I had a mower found on the garbage day that I fixed up and traded her, hers needed a carb rebuild then offered it back to her said she like mine better and I sold it on CL.
Ah.... back to the days of lead gasoline and when things were much simpler and really worked and lasted... Thanks for the video! I'd like to see it running and being put to work.
These new cars won't last but about 400,000 miles now. Back when I was a kid they'd go as much as 50 or 60,000 thousand miles on first engine and roads were rough too.
I suspect condenser myself. I had it apart today and checked the points, but I still have a weak spark. Enough to give me a good shock, but not enough to jump the plug gap.
It depends, I couldn't say for positive because they used a variety of motors over the years, and it's possible they made a two stroke. Every one I have seen has been a 4 cycle, which uses straight gas, but it wouldn't be impossible to come on a 2 cycle, people sometimes fit any motor they had laying around if they had trouble with the factory one.
My dad is 81 years old. He has worked a garden every summer with one of these for as long as I can remember (I'm 47) and he still uses it for cultivating. He has OEM moldboard turning plow, disk, cultivator, harrow and front-mount bush-hog that all came with it when he bought it long before I was born. For several summers we rigged up an old mule drawn planter beneath the handles that worked very well. Around here, people who have these machines and really realize WHAT they have won't part with them.
My Dad and Grandfather had these. During the summers I would plow the garden spot for my Dad when I was about 7 years old and had to reach up to the handle bars. It was all a 7-8 year old could do to back up the tractor once it reached the end of the row where the fence was. It you weren’t careful it would sometime vibrate and the handle would engage the clutch and it would literally try to climb the wire fence since it was geared so low. I would love to see more videos about these old work horses. Someday I would love to get a hold of one again. It would be great to hitch a buggy to it and turn it into a riding tractor rather than just a walk behind. Thanks so much for the videos you create.
Great little machine as were all these garden tractors. My dad bought a used Planet Jr. back in 1964. Had a 3hp Briggs motor and came with a cycle mower, disc, cultivators, and 12" bottom plow. It also had a 3 speed transmission. Still have it. Don't think that little thing ever wore out, and we worked hard on a one acre garden. I'd like to eventually revive it. Thanks for the fine video.
Would you sell it all 400 cash money
Dad got ours in 1952, with the mower, plow, disk, and the one row cultivator. It had a 3.5hp Brigs engine on it. We made a wagon to haul straw out of the fields for the garden, and corn when we hand picked the fields. Dad used the tires on our 52 Nash Rambler for snow tires until a big chunk came of it. Then they were back on the DB again. Wish I still had it, but dad sold it when we moved to town in 1960.
I had one of those years ago. Very useful is right. I also saw a homemade one with a model T engine at a farm sale once. Wish I bought it now.
yessirreeBob..... that is the real deal lucille.....yup...awesome piece of machinery
Thanks for the water heater update and the cooking for 2 dollars meat and potato’s video I’ve been eating at home for 3 days now
The Bradley and Troy tractors were very popular for many years down home, especially with what today are often referred to as "hobby farmers" though the farmers I knew back then were hardly hobbyists. Such tractors were used in gardens too big for the smaller walk behind tractors and too small for the "riding" tractors of the day or mules for that matter. Most of those gardens supplied fresh vegetables for the table and for canning.
I love seeing older things brought back to life when possible. Thanks for sharing
David Bradley 2 wheel tractors could be had with both reverse and adjustable speeds. The speed changing assembly is called, cleverly enough, a speed changer.
Old Ford truck wheels fit the bolt pattern. DB is 3 x 5.5" and Ford is 5 x 5.5"
I have an identical machine to yours. I just got it back after a 30 year absence. When I was a kid, I mowed the fields, plowed snow, and with the cart went joy riding on our 25 acre farm. I just cleaned out the blower housing, loaded with nuts and seeds. The engine was stuck and had no spark when I got it freed up. So I figured I'd install new points and condenser, $38 dollars later I still had no spark. I was quoted $65 for a new coil, none appear to be available on eBay, sooo! I used my experience with re-building windmills! I removed the coil, cleaned off all dirt and oil, placed it in a oven and baked it for two hours, tested it and it was now 6.9 K ohms, so I put motor varnish on it, let it dry, baked it again and while still warm, put a second coat of varnish in it. The engine started right up and ran wild. I shut it dwon and have determined that the governor is not working! Any ideas from any readers? Thanks: Ed
We used to have three of these two wheeled tractors only two where operable the last for parts but we had many implements to attach to them. For our little farm they where enough and used for everything even a saw to buck up firewood. I see these type of tractors are still being used in 3rd world countries today which tells you they still pass the test of time.
I've never heard of these before, but now I think I'll go looking for one. They look terrifically useful!
The machines themselves aren't too expensive, generally $200-$300, but it's the tools that hook on to them that are a bit hard to find, and can run into money. For a small scale homestead they are hard to beat, as long as you are willing to do the walking. Very economical to operate with such a little motor, but capable of doing a pile of work.
K W :I've seen people us them as yard art. I was always curious as to what's under the hood, now I know.
Ah very nice. The 'ol..
*Windsor Mikey 210* .. these things were/are nice rigs. Especially for plowing & trimming.
LCL great video i use to see a lot of the DB tractors around my area years ago its sad they like many things have gone by the wayside . id love to see your run and operate when you get it going . thanks for posting this .
Never knew they made such an animal. Wish I was 30 years younger and they still made'em!
Had a friend who put out his whole family's winter food supply with one of these David Bradly tractors. I think he had every implement that was made except for the rotary mower and sulked. He has since passed on. God rest his soul.
My dad had one- it was an unstoppable rig. A real gem.
What a handy looking rig!
Looks like a real BEAST!
Wow, I've never seen those before. But I sure do like it!! I really like how it has a tractor hood. :) I think I need one now...
Simplicity made many of the walk behind power units. They Bent the tin a little different and changed the color of the paint and hung a new brand name on it. I just discovered documentation for some in the paperwork I am reducing for my building project
Still looking for one myself!
Should look into the gravely tractors. I had a couple of the david bradley and the township came out and robbed me of my best one (had a modern engine on it), not just though, robbed me of a whole lot of stuff, no law just what they made up. Crunched it all up in a garbage truck what they couldn't tow away. Now have recently done it again. Agenda 21 at it best.
Thank god I have got out of that hell whole, and feel like I'm in heaven compared to over at the old place, though still trying to get everything out of it.
Still have a couple of the david bradley and some other two wheel tractors, but I'm investing more in gravely and they are much more plentiful, including implements of all sorts. Way more versatile and capable too the gravely are. They actually have a pto in the front with slip clutch, and a hitch set up in the back. Can usually pick them up for fairly cheap, though some folk like to get a good dollar out of them. Can't blame them I reckon, they are worth it if they are in good working shape and come with attachments, as well have the better options like electric start, remote pto engagement, and ultra low forward and reverse hubs (4 speeds both directions) . Also all gear drive, planetary at that.
Which township was that in?
Wow you have the coolest things, My Gf is always joking with me (I think) about all the old iron I seem to collect and will have to move to my compound in Ark, don't care...My neighbor made a statement about the state of my lay yard, then two days latter she came over whining about her mower not working, well wouldn't you know I had a mower found on the garbage day that I fixed up and traded her, hers needed a carb rebuild then offered it back to her said she like mine better and I sold it on CL.
Ah.... back to the days of lead gasoline and when things were much simpler and really worked and lasted... Thanks for the video! I'd like to see it running and being put to work.
These new cars won't last but about 400,000 miles now. Back when I was a kid they'd go as much as 50 or 60,000 thousand miles on first engine and roads were rough too.
Mine come with a 2 1/2 Clinton motor. Nice
may be the condenser. I bet most people have no idea how to work on points setup anymore lol
I suspect condenser myself. I had it apart today and checked the points, but I still have a weak spark. Enough to give me a good shock, but not enough to jump the plug gap.
Would really like to see it running the Maytag
yap 1 1\2 or 2 horse Briggs. real tough engines Ithier is couple of frams and parts around our place amoung the tractor parts .
I May be looking for a parts engine.
i got one of this, do i use pure gasoline, or mix it with 2 stroke oil?
It depends, I couldn't say for positive because they used a variety of motors over the years, and it's possible they made a two stroke. Every one I have seen has been a 4 cycle, which uses straight gas, but it wouldn't be impossible to come on a 2 cycle, people sometimes fit any motor they had laying around if they had trouble with the factory one.
Hey man, are you still around? Haven't heard from you in a couple of weeks.
Have you seen the toad lately?
SmokyMountainOutdoorsman no toads or frogs out yet, but no mosquitoes either. It's been dry but we had a rain last night so they should turn up soon.
We've had like 7 inches of rain in the last week. It's 4 wheel only around my place!