This is 50 year old music to my ears! When I was a boy in 1970, after dad passed away, my chore was to keep firewood cut for the house. I found dad's old DB tractor just like this in the barn that wouldn't start and the manual in the garage. Never done it before, but using the manual, tore down the engine, put it back together again (found the timing one tooth off and thumb-screw needle valve gouged) and got it running like a top. The DB tractor was the only mechanical help I had - everything else was done by timber saw and axe. I cut down trees with an axe and skidded them out with the DB just like you are doing - except they weren't iron wood but 10" diameter douglas fir. People don't realize the torque and power this old machine had from just a simple one cylinder engine, float bowl carburetor, and finger adjusted needle valve... the way this little beast hops around when the load digs in, it's just begging for better traction and another chance. That was the thing about the DB - nothing stops it and the wheels just keep turning... that's why you stay at the end of those long handle bars with a tight grip until you put that clutch lever (clutch on the left, throttle on the right) back down - or else it will just climb right over you and not even look back! BTW... Dad kept the tires water-filled - that may help with adding weight, improving traction and lowering the center of gravity. Also, use the smallest diameter pulley on the double pulley off the engine shaft - makes a big difference in slowing the speed and increasing the torque. I love seeing the rope-pull start (perhaps something modern folks haven't seen before) and the way you hitch the pull rope on the bar is exactly the place and way dad used to! The sound that spunky, little one-jug stump puller makes when it leans into the yoke and gets down to work is music of an old friend from my childhood! Nothing else quite has that special voice - I haven't heard that voice in 50 years, but at the first second of hearing it again, my heart perked up in joy. Although many ships have sailed for that boy who thought he wanted to be a logger but instead joined the military to work on fighters and now is an aircraft inspector, you have given me a moment of joy by sharing the voice of an old friend from my childhood and memories of being with my dad. Thank you very much Mr. LogCabinLooms.
The power of these old walk behind tractors is amazing. I had a DB many years ago, with a 2 hp motor, it might have even been a 1 3/4 hp. And it had more power than some of these 20 hp riding tractors these days. Maybe it's all in the transmission gearing?
Hi. it's good to see the old iron still working. I still use my DB to plow the garden, and the driveway. I have a little bit of advise for you. The cast iron hole where you have your chain attached is notorious for being broken off the way it is being used. This hole should be used as a mount for a steel pin attached to a tool bar. The tool bar being steel has the strength to take the twisting that would break the cast iron of the transmission case. The thing is that cast iron is very strong, but also very brittle.
Build yourself a ride on logging arch to hook to the DB. that way you can ride and pick the butts of the log up off the ground. It well pull a good twitch of wood out then
Put too much tension on that cast hitch point where you've attached your draw chain, and it will crack off. Too many DB owners will tell you, that attachment point is not for tension. Instead, use the under carriage draw-bar in the front for any pulling loads- that way your transmission casting is in compression not tension. You will eventually break that cast iron hole off if you keep pulling with it- it was only designed for stabilizing certain attachments.
I'll bet you used to do motorcycle hill climbs, back in the day! I remember my gran pap using a David Bradley to work his large garden many years ago. It was good to hear and see one running again.
Good show mate. I'll bet if you used a cable and had the tractor on level ground at the top of the hill it would make the endeavor of getting the logs up much easier. Keep up the great videos.
There is a BLM or USFS video from the 1950s that shows a walking tractor with the sideways round blade clearing brush. Amazing how there was a definite lack of safety guards back in the day. We used to sell a mower brand called Chris cut. They made push mower of all sizes including some large ones that had a pull behind Surrey cart with a seat and steerable axle. Ralph Nader regulations shut them down in the early 1970s. Some of their machines are still in use. They were unstoppable in heavy weeds
Maybe make a skid plate to put front of wood on would glide along maybe better ,just an idea love these old bradleys well done or put the front of these trees on an old hood
Make yourself a little sled to stick under the front of the logs and they should scoot right along. Kinda like a full size tractor and a car hood keep it from digging in.
I think an old shovel might work, but I won't be using it much for pulling, the Red Menace is better for that. I just wanted to try it out with a heavy load to get the engine up to operating temperature so I could adjust the carburetor. Next thing will be to put the mower back on, and slaughter some weeds.
I had/still have some interest in these older Walking Tractors. Had a few so far. Bready, David Bradley, Simplicity, Bolens I'll be maybe a little blunt. They kinda suck. I can see why they faded from the market. Of the models I've had so far I liked the Bready and Simplicity the best, the David Bradley was the worst. The Bready I still have and use to cultivate corn once in a while. The DB while I thought would be good was the worst. I liked the gear ranges on the Simplicity. Problem with these walking tractors is that they're too light weight (unless you load them down with cast iron weights) and often geared on the high side with only one speed on average. They have almost no hopes of competing with a modern rear tine tiller for any garden work....Tillers are much superior. I made a little hitch with a balance weight for my TB horse (Horse is a PTO model) and have used it as a walking tractor a few times. Even it is much superior to any of the old Walking Tractors like the DB.
With all respect sir, that's a dangerous rig. What if you get a foot captured by the logs? I would make a steel, curved front skid plate to ratchet tie-down the logs onto. Hook on low to the skid plate front - to the tractor. Or try just P-whistle the logs (switch end-for-end). A low sled would be best, allowing you a place to safely stand or sit, buckboard type. I'd switch back to the lower gearing shorter tires. Seems the idle is too high too. Ha, sorry for all the negatives, but just trying to help.
there a good old tractor i had many and some of the first sears that used the db rear ends i won lots off tractor pulls with my 725 sears i could push 3 5x5 round bales with it i have to look i may have a pull cord cover for u so u dont need to the pull cord with u. troy
That is one thing the david bradley has over the gravely is them big wheels. The gravely though you can double up wheels each side, which give them some better traction, as well you can put chains on them too. You should mayhap take a look see if anybody is getting rid of some in your area (cheap), I'm pretty sure you would like them. Nice to see the old boy work though.
Hard to tell by just watching vid, the ones I had / have though did have more like a car size and type tire on them, rather than a tractor tire. Big none the less that is. The gravely are way smaller, maybe the size of a rear lawn tractor tire., though fairly narrow. And will run both turf and ag tires.
Yes, I understand he switched the tires. Pretty obvious if you have watched all the vids on them. Still doesn't change the fact either set are much bigger than gravely tires.
Jeffry Richardson a car hood is really too light, they get bent up quickly. The best is one of the old horse drawn dirt scrapers reversed, and I have a couple of those. For this small machine, an old steel scoop shovel would be about right, and those I have.
If you had a set of skid wheels - small frame allowing space for logs and lashing attachments - on the front of the log load, you probably wouldn't have much trouble moving the load you were trying to move. BTW horses work much better.
This is 50 year old music to my ears! When I was a boy in 1970, after dad passed away, my chore was to keep firewood cut for the house. I found dad's old DB tractor just like this in the barn that wouldn't start and the manual in the garage. Never done it before, but using the manual, tore down the engine, put it back together again (found the timing one tooth off and thumb-screw needle valve gouged) and got it running like a top. The DB tractor was the only mechanical help I had - everything else was done by timber saw and axe. I cut down trees with an axe and skidded them out with the DB just like you are doing - except they weren't iron wood but 10" diameter douglas fir. People don't realize the torque and power this old machine had from just a simple one cylinder engine, float bowl carburetor, and finger adjusted needle valve... the way this little beast hops around when the load digs in, it's just begging for better traction and another chance. That was the thing about the DB - nothing stops it and the wheels just keep turning... that's why you stay at the end of those long handle bars with a tight grip until you put that clutch lever (clutch on the left, throttle on the right) back down - or else it will just climb right over you and not even look back!
BTW... Dad kept the tires water-filled - that may help with adding weight, improving traction and lowering the center of gravity. Also, use the smallest diameter pulley on the double pulley off the engine shaft - makes a big difference in slowing the speed and increasing the torque.
I love seeing the rope-pull start (perhaps something modern folks haven't seen before) and the way you hitch the pull rope on the bar is exactly the place and way dad used to! The sound that spunky, little one-jug stump puller makes when it leans into the yoke and gets down to work is music of an old friend from my childhood! Nothing else quite has that special voice - I haven't heard that voice in 50 years, but at the first second of hearing it again, my heart perked up in joy.
Although many ships have sailed for that boy who thought he wanted to be a logger but instead joined the military to work on fighters and now is an aircraft inspector, you have given me a moment of joy by sharing the voice of an old friend from my childhood and memories of being with my dad. Thank you very much Mr. LogCabinLooms.
The power of these old walk behind tractors is amazing. I had a DB many years ago, with a 2 hp motor, it might have even been a 1 3/4 hp. And it had more power than some of these 20 hp riding tractors these days. Maybe it's all in the transmission gearing?
I once saw an old farmer that had one of those with a cart behind it so he could sit on it and ride. Like a front wheel drive articulating ATV.
Hi. it's good to see the old iron still working. I still use my DB to plow the garden, and the driveway. I have a little bit of advise for you. The cast iron hole where you have your chain attached is notorious for being broken off the way it is being used. This hole should be used as a mount for a steel pin attached to a tool bar. The tool bar being steel has the strength to take the twisting that would break the cast iron of the transmission case. The thing is that cast iron is very strong, but also very brittle.
I just made the same comment not seeing yours.
Build yourself a ride on logging arch to hook to the DB. that way you can ride and pick the butts of the log up off the ground. It well pull a good twitch of wood out then
The engine sound reminds me of Grandpa's old Roto-Tiller. Pull starter was wire rope and the machine was built to last and work hard.
I have similar memories. :)
Straight pipe, no muffler at all, but those little Briggs and Stratton motors run fairly quiet anyway.
the bitch of it is w are getting old. memories , life in your channel, thank you
Put too much tension on that cast hitch point where you've attached your draw chain, and it will crack off. Too many DB owners will tell you, that attachment point is not for tension. Instead, use the under carriage draw-bar in the front for any pulling loads- that way your transmission casting is in compression not tension. You will eventually break that cast iron hole off if you keep pulling with it- it was only designed for stabilizing certain attachments.
I'll bet you used to do motorcycle hill climbs, back in the day!
I remember my gran pap using a David Bradley to work his large garden many years ago. It was good to hear and see one running again.
That thing is a BEAST! haha. Love it. Never seen one of these things before. Now I'll be obsessed for weeks finding out everything I can about them.
Dad had one this was back in the 60s we lived in black land country and that's how he made the garden it would do it all
Nice little tractor I'm glad you got it running once again will be useful to you around your place I'm sure . i enjoyed this video .
I'm on the look out now trying to find a DB,I'm glad I seen this video I had been wondering about how useful they are.
Good show mate. I'll bet if you used a cable and had the tractor on level ground at the top of the hill it would make the endeavor of getting the logs up much easier. Keep up the great videos.
Cool little Mule🤠👍🐴Heeyawww pull em out
There is a BLM or USFS video from the 1950s that shows a walking tractor with the sideways round blade clearing brush. Amazing how there was a definite lack of safety guards back in the day. We used to sell a mower brand called Chris cut. They made push mower of all sizes including some large ones that had a pull behind Surrey cart with a seat and steerable axle. Ralph Nader regulations shut them down in the early 1970s. Some of their machines are still in use. They were unstoppable in heavy weeds
Thumbs up for the gallant David Bradley!
Maybe make a skid plate to put front of wood on would glide along maybe better ,just an idea love these old bradleys well done or put the front of these trees on an old hood
My dad had one with many implements. It was hard to start in the winter for snow plowing!
One thing to keep in mind is that rear eyelet you have the chain hooked to can snap off easily
Put the chain below the load and it will pull upward and drag much easier instead of the chain on top pulling the logs into the ground 👍
I recently got a BCS 2 wheeled tractor - similar concept, still in production!
Make yourself a little sled to stick under the front of the logs and they should scoot right along. Kinda like a full size tractor and a car hood keep it from digging in.
Wow runs great
Wheel weights would be helpful. Awesome DB
Sounds great
I thought for a moment that machine was going to wip you. Need gear reduction or smaller tires, but looks like a capable machine.
If you could get the ends of the logs on q two wheel dolly to clear the ground it may do great
Looks like you need to fix yourself some sort of small sled to put the front of the logs to keep them from digging in.
I think an old shovel might work, but I won't be using it much for pulling, the Red Menace is better for that. I just wanted to try it out with a heavy load to get the engine up to operating temperature so I could adjust the carburetor. Next thing will be to put the mower back on, and slaughter some weeds.
The little engine that could.
You need to put wheel weights or small tractor ballast.
Have you ever tried logging with your horses?
THATS A HELLAVA LOT OF WORK FOR JUST 1 STUB
I had/still have some interest in these older Walking Tractors.
Had a few so far. Bready, David Bradley, Simplicity, Bolens
I'll be maybe a little blunt. They kinda suck. I can see why they faded from the market.
Of the models I've had so far I liked the Bready and Simplicity the best, the David Bradley was the worst. The Bready I still have and use to cultivate corn once in a while. The DB while I thought would be good was the worst.
I liked the gear ranges on the Simplicity.
Problem with these walking tractors is that they're too light weight (unless you load them down with cast iron weights) and often geared on the high side with only one speed on average. They have almost no hopes of competing with a modern rear tine tiller for any garden work....Tillers are much superior.
I made a little hitch with a balance weight for my TB horse (Horse is a PTO model) and have used it as a walking tractor a few times. Even it is much superior to any of the old Walking Tractors like the DB.
Make for your self a wheel 2,,pull behind trailer with seat lay logs on bar behind seat so the butts are no on the ground chain and drive
Yep, buckboard type. Wide as can get away with. Far better than getting hurt.
Wonderful machine.......
P.S. Y ou lost some logs...lol
With all respect sir, that's a dangerous rig. What if you get a foot captured by the logs?
I would make a steel, curved front skid plate to ratchet tie-down the logs onto. Hook on low to the skid plate front - to the tractor.
Or try just P-whistle the logs (switch end-for-end).
A low sled would be best, allowing you a place to safely stand or sit, buckboard type.
I'd switch back to the lower gearing shorter tires. Seems the idle is too high too.
Ha, sorry for all the negatives, but just trying to help.
I’m sure it is a back saver, but still looks like a lot of work to use...lol
there a good old tractor i had many and some of the first sears that used the db rear ends i won lots off tractor pulls with my 725 sears i could push 3 5x5 round bales with it i have to look i may have a pull cord cover for u so u dont need to the pull cord with u. troy
That is one thing the david bradley has over the gravely is them big wheels. The gravely though you can double up wheels each side, which give them some better traction, as well you can put chains on them too. You should mayhap take a look see if anybody is getting rid of some in your area (cheap), I'm pretty sure you would like them. Nice to see the old boy work though.
Those wheels weren't on it tho, it had much smaller wheels.
Hard to tell by just watching vid, the ones I had / have though did have more like a car size and type tire on them, rather than a tractor tire. Big none the less that is. The gravely are way smaller, maybe the size of a rear lawn tractor tire., though fairly narrow. And will run both turf and ag tires.
In the first 10 seconds of the video he says he switched out the tires. In the first video he did on it you can see the original tires.
Yes, I understand he switched the tires. Pretty obvious if you have watched all the vids on them. Still doesn't change the fact either set are much bigger than gravely tires.
The thing is just a little bit light in the britches.
Kinda like bullridin ... it gives ya a good workout! ;-)
Less air pressure in tires will work
My logs are much bigger. I wonder if you could use a "log arch"?
That looks about as fun as a turd in the britches.
Looked as if she might get away from you on that stump. I've seen those with a seat for row work.
I believe the seat was primarily used for operating a dump rake, most of the other tools attached under the handlebar, or in front.
Need an old car hood for skid platform!? 👍🏾😀❤️🇺🇸
And maybe some weight on the front?
Jeffry Richardson a car hood is really too light, they get bent up quickly. The best is one of the old horse drawn dirt scrapers reversed, and I have a couple of those. For this small machine, an old steel scoop shovel would be about right, and those I have.
You need a 2 wheel log dolly.
Cool!..careful though....why so many became yard art...
Wheel weights man, put on the wheel weights to make it grip.
A steel nose skid plate to cover the log noses so they can't dig in.
If you had a set of skid wheels - small frame allowing space for logs and lashing attachments - on the front of the log load, you probably wouldn't have much trouble moving the load you were trying to move. BTW horses work much better.
you need a log arch
If you could get the weight on the wheels somehow it might work out ok.
They used to make wheel weights for them, I will have to keep a lookout.
you need spade lugs
Ever thought about a real mule or horse.. smaller one not a ton horse.. build a wooden sled.. been used I'm my area for ever
I think one of your horses would do better at this.