What gas 4wd tractors were made?

[diesel lover]

I was just wondering if there were any gas 4wd tractors made. My guess would be maybe cockshutt or Ford. Not sure otherwise

 

[motownbrowne]

I've seen a Minneapolis Moline mfwd. About 90 or 100 horse. Funny question for a guy whose handle is diesel lover. Personally, I'm not convinced on the diesel thing. My 8ns make a lot of torque, start at any temp, and have for sixty years. I just filled my third can of diesel tonight for my Kubota and golly that stuff stinks. Can't keep it from getting on everything and it's harder than heck to wash off. If I could have bought a gas mfwd tractor I probably would have, especially if it was cheaper.

 

[diesel lover]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like your mini. Moline is quite a machine!! The question was more directed for my dad. He enjoys antique gasoline tractors more than diesel tractors. He is more familiar with the gas fuel systems.

I myself am a current heavy truck technician and have lots of training on Diesel engines and equipment. I'm comfortable with working on them. I have 2 years of tech schooling a a diesel technology program, then I have my associates in diesel truck technology.

Usually when you spot a 4wd (mf wd) tractor regardless of age they are many times diesel powered. I find they each have their pros and cons. The main one of corse is winter starting. That's another place my dad enjoys gasoline powered tractors. Personally for me it depends on the machine, but many old gasoline tractors will start right up! Once you get into the higher horsepower there really is a high torque to weight ratio! I love larger equipment because it has the weight in the machine it self to move large objects or pull other stuck machines with ease

 

[diesel lover]

Edit, not your M. Moline but one that you seen

 

[super55]

There were a few older manufacturers that made a fwd gasser. Ford had an 801 or 901 that I believe was gas and oliver and international both had some all in the 60's.

The old ford 4wd actually looks a lot like the new holland boomer 8n. All these old tractors were special order and are now highly sought after by collectors. I been looking for one to find or restore and everytime I find one they are $$$$$$.

 

[motownbrowne]

There were a few older manufacturers that made a fwd gasser. Ford had an 801 or 901 that I believe was gas and oliver and international both had some all in the 60's.

The old ford 4wd actually looks a lot like the new holland boomer 8n. All these old tractors were special order and are now highly sought after by collectors. I been looking for one to find or restore and everytime I find one they are $$$$$$.

Boy, that'd be sweet! Doesn't surprise me they go for big bucks.

 

[jagyzf]

I don't think any manufaturer actually made a 4wd gas tractor as a "factory" built tractor.

The early 4wd were all add on kits made by another party as far as I know. I can't remember the name, but I came across the company that made kits for ford tractors last year, they are no longer in buisness. American Coleman made some of the early ones for IH and tried to make some for Deere.

There were some all-wheel drive tractors, but I think they were all diesel.

Yesterdaystractors.com would have more information on the subject.

 

[mo1]

Gasoline engines for tractors faded out during the latter half of the 1960s, generally were displaced by diesels during the 1970s, and were gone by the early '80s. MFWD started to appear around 1980 but wasn't very common until the 1990s. I haven't seen a gasoline 4wd/MFWD tractor in person.

On a related note, I am surprised that gasoline engines haven't made a comeback with the Tier IV DPF/SCR/EGR bullcrap the EPA is forcing on us plus diesel fuel costing 20-25% more per gallon than 87 octane in addition to the inherent significant extra cost of diesel engines and their servicing compared to gasoline engines. At the worst you'd have to use 1950s pushrod technology to build a gasoline tractor engine and you'd fall well within EPA regs but if it's a diesel you need at the very least the EGR and $2000+ DPF if not the pee-water DEF SCR system too. You'd see thousands of dollars saved up front with a gasser and probably break even over the long term with gasoline being less expensive even though you use more.

 

[wolc123]

I think that the very first 4-wheel drive tractor was an unusual "green" painted Allis-Chalmers, articulated machine back in the early 1930's, or late 20's. It may have been that companies first tractor, before they started making the "orange", gas, 2-wheel drives, that were so popular, almost in the league of Ford, IH, and JD, from the late 30's thru the 60's. They brought back the 4 wheel drives in the late 60's or 70's, and made them until their demise in the 80's. I think that those ones were all diesels however.

I am also fond of them old gas 8N's, and for many tasks, greatly prefer them over any modern diesel. 4-wheel drive don't mean much when operating a 3-pt, 2-bottom plow (all the traction force is transferred to the rear axle anyhow), or a 2-row, 3-pt corn planter. I think almost anyone would have to admit the vast superiority of gasoline power for winter operation. For jobs where the 8N is poor, I think the "perfect tractor" would: Start with the basic "N" and its fuel-efficient, flathead-4 gas engine. Add "live" hydraulics but keep them as dependable as the original N's "dead" ones (unlike the trouble-prone early Ford attempts at "live" with the Jubilee and 600 series). Forget about "live" pto as a cheap little orc takes care of that weakness. Next, add an extra-strong front axle, power steering, and 4 wheel drive. Thru the use of modern, high-strength materials (titanium maybe?) do all of this while maintaining the original, 2wd, 8N's weight, small size, and easy mount/dismount (from either side). Also, make all the parts, that may be required, available at your neighborhood farm store like they are now.

I know NH tried making a retro-8N for a while but it never panned out. Too big, too heavy, and diesel power sunk the ship there I would guess. I continue to be amazed at how quick and easy ANY 3-pt implement can be attached to the old 8N's. With all the modern diesels 4wd's: quick-hitch, Pat's, I-match, etc., is required to get that done in reasonable time and effort. Harry Ferguson would turn over in his grave if he saw what has happened to his invention.