Who Built The "Chrysler" (CO-OP?)Tractors???

[74clueless74]

Two Chrysler-badged tractors have turned up, both apparently descendents of the farm coopt'vs Chrysler Cptn running-gear CO-OPs #2 and #3, their modifications B-2Sr, B-3, D-3, or of the Custom Tractor M'f'g Co/Harry A Lowther Co etc models that continued the design (Custom, Lehr, Jumbo, Simpsons Jumbo, Wards exc twin-row, Love, Friday,Norseman, Rockol, Regal, OMC,Closson/Wilson etc).
If anyone here has seen, heard of, or has any recolllection whatsoever of any Chrysler-badged tractor, whether display model, customised or a working model, please, pretty please post a reply or email Bud pitybud@msn.com. Any and all comments appreciated! Many thxx!!!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Two Chrysler-badged tractors have turned up, both apparently descendents of the farm coopt'vs Chrysler Cptn running-gear CO-OPs #2 and #3, their modifications B-2Sr, B-3, D-3, or of the Custom Tractor M'f'g Co/Harry A Lowther Co etc models that continued the design (Custom, Lehr, Jumbo, Simpsons Jumbo, Wards exc twin-row, Love, Friday,Norseman, Rockol, Regal, OMC,Closson/Wilson etc).
If anyone here has seen, heard of, or has any recolllection whatsoever of any Chrysler-badged tractor, whether display model, customised or a working model, please, pretty please post a reply or email Bud pitybud@msn.com. Any and all comments appreciated! Many thxx!!!

I don't know much about them, other than the company name had "Co-Op" in it, and they were based in SHelbyville, Indiana. They weren't "Chrysler badged". They used a Chrysler 6 cylinder industrial engine as a powerplant. If I remember the story correctly, the tractor plant later became an RCA factory. And from what I was always told, they were good tractors in their day. They would also run road speeds over 45 mph.

 

[74clueless74]

Farm/w/j, I really hate to rain on your parade, but...there do seem to be some actually badged "Chrysler". Altho I've done some reading on the original farm coopt'vs CO-OPs, built in Battle Creek, then Shelbyville, Arthurdale and Minn/South St Paul, I'd not seen any mention whatsoever until the other day:
A post to the Antique Tractor forum of enginads(Smokstak) asked for info, and the guy has one, and pix are there. I assumed it was some kind of customised model, but out of curiousity posted around, and got a reply on ytmag's Lesser Known Classics forum from a guy who'd seen one at local Pulls, and the desc of the nameplates and nose medallion matched the pix on enginads. (The Norseman and the Regal, sold in Canada, were reportedly sold thru Chrysler/Dodge Truck dealers). If you're interested, there's a brief (lol) sketch of the CO-OPs also posted to the thread on the enginads site. Many thxx for your taking the time to reply, and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions you might have.

 

[AndyM]

Chrysler-badged tractors?

Pictures! We want pictures!

 

[Fredex]

I don't have personal experience with Co-Op's, but Peter Henshaw's "Illustrated Directory of Tractors" claims that they were re-badged Cockshutts sold by several cooperatives. No mention of badged as "Chrysler," though that doesn't rule it out.
Fred

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Farm/w/j, I really hate to rain on your parade, but...there do seem to be some actually badged "Chrysler". Altho I've done some reading on the original farm coopt'vs CO-OPs, built in Battle Creek, then Shelbyville, Arthurdale and Minn/South St Paul, I'd not seen any mention whatsoever until the other day:
A post to the Antique Tractor forum of enginads(Smokstak) asked for info, and the guy has one, and pix are there. I assumed it was some kind of customised model, but out of curiousity posted around, and got a reply on ytmag's Lesser Known Classics forum from a guy who'd seen one at local Pulls, and the desc of the nameplates and nose medallion matched the pix on enginads. (The Norseman and the Regal, sold in Canada, were reportedly sold thru Chrysler/Dodge Truck dealers). If you're interested, there's a brief (lol) sketch of the CO-OPs also posted to the thread on the enginads site. Many thxx for your taking the time to reply, and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions you might have.

You were asking about a specific tractor. The Co-Op. I commented that IT wasn't a badged or RE-badged Chrysler. It ISN'T.. It only uses a Chrysler powerplant. I've also heard the Cockshutt tie-in mentioned with Co-Op tractors. Co-Op tractors weren't all that UNcommon around here up until the 60's. Most have disapeared now.

Chrysler and Chevrolet tried to make their way into the tractor market in the 30's. Chevrolet built the grand total of TWO tractors. One prototype was destroyed. The other still lives. It's home is in nearby Cox's Creek Kentucky. If I ever get the chance again, I'll get a picture or 2.

 

[dgl24087]

Somewhere I've seen mention and photos of these tractors, it seems they were sold mainly in orchard and vineyard areas. They were geared for highway speeds so that they would not slow traffic as much while transporting the harvest. If I find my source, I will post more information.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Somewhere I've seen mention and photos of these tractors, it seems they were sold mainly in orchard and vineyard areas. They were geared for highway speeds so that they would not slow traffic as much while transporting the harvest. If I find my source, I will post more information.

It's been 30 years or more since I recall seeing a Co-Op tractor, but I do remember them being row crop tractors. They were very much like the more common Cockshutt or Blackhawk tractors they were patterned after.

 

[74clueless74]

First, I want to thank everyone for taking the time to reply; that done, I'll try to fill in some information.
Farm/w/j: I'm sorry I misunderstood your post; I wasn't trying to lecture. To be honest, I'd seen a reference to a "Chrysler" tractor, and ignored it as just meaning a Chrysler running-gear tractor.
Andy M: PIX!! pix are on enginads.com(Smokstak) Antique Tractor forum, under recent "Crysler tractor" thread (sorry, don't know how to make link). If you get the "old" forum menu, Antique Tractors is a sub-forum under "Lugs & Cleats"; it's listed separately on the "new" forum menu.
Fredex: The farm coopt'vs CO-OP began prod 1936; after WWII their sales dropped (more modern eqpmt from other makers). Cockshutt wanted entry into US market, made deal with farm coopt'vs to sell Cockshutts as rebadged Co-ops beg 46/7 somewhere, POSSIBLY at same time prod and/or sales of the Chrysler running gear CO-OPs was winding down.(Cockshutt Co-ops have E- numbers; the "real" CO-OPs were #1,#2,#3, B-1, B-2Jr, B-2Sr, B-3, C, D-3, S2 and S3) This period is confused, partly as Minn/St Paul CO-OP prod records lost in 50's fire.
dgl24087/Farm/wj: Orchard/row crop: I think you're both right (my tractor knowledge is somewhere between limited and almost nonexistant). I believe the CO-OPs #2 and #3 and their updates came in both tricycle and wide-front, if that's the right term; at least some of the later models (after the farm coop'tvs quit prod) ,especially the Love and Friday, are often referred to as orchard models, and my understanding is the only real difference is the name painted on. (After The farm coopt'vs quit, prod was by Custom Tractor Mfg Co and Harry A Lowther Co, and maybe others; names used were Custom, Lehr Big Boy, Wards exc row crop, Jumbo, Simpsons Jumbo,Love, Friday, Norseman (Canadian OMC),OMC,Closson and Wilson, and two more Canadians, Rockol and Regal, plus any I haven't run across).
Unfortunately, to date, no more definite leads, which makes two definite and one probable "Chrysler"-badged tractors, but I hope for more. Again, many thxx to all who replied, and, again, I'd be happy to answer any questions , here or at pitybud@msn.com.

 

[74clueless74]

In all the talking I did above I forgot to mention that I don't think there was ever any real connection with the Chrysler Cptn, other than as supplier of parts; my own guess is that one of the small specialty builders put a few out as a lark, or possibly for some Chrysler dealer to sell as a local advertising gimmick ( not that I'm that good at guessing!)