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Case IH Magnum

This tractor seemed to be the forgotten customized miniature tractor…or at least for this website. In 2019 our farming operation underwent some major changes. One change was that the barn shop was no more. Tractor building gradually resumed as we relocated our shop.

During this time Dale saw a future project when he looked at our Case IH DX22e compact tractor. With some changes it would hopefully resemble the full-size Case IH Magnum series tractors. The hood stayed the same but tires were changed out as soon as possible. Firestone 31×15-15 rear tires were chosen first, with matching tread 23×10.5-12 front tires added next.

Several ideas to customize the rear fenders to fit the wider tires were considered. The final choice was to cut apart and extend the original panels. Since this compact tractor has a FWA option the build continued with the addition of front fenders. Todd and Dale designed fenders and mounting brackets. A side step was also built and added.

The front weights were cut with a plasma cutter and mounted to a custom front bracket. New seat also added. Painting, including some special effects, brought the build closer to completion. Decals challenge us to get it “right” at times. Model number for this tractor was purposely left off in the chance this miniature would go to a new home and an appropriate number could be added.

John Deere 4960 FWA

Going back to a different green for our miniature tractor build this year. Dale always liked the John Deere 4960. They were produced 1992 through 1994, testing at 200 PTO horsepower. Although we didn’t have that model to farm with, it remained a tractor that we thought needed to sit in our shed, albeit a small version. Many times we had heard “if it just had duals” when we would take one of our previous custom builds out to a tractor show. This was the time to give that a try once again.

Our 4960 began with a John Deere 430 diesel lawn and garden tractor. As the pictures show, it is not a true FWA tractor, but we tried to replicate the look as best we could with this model garden tractor. A complete front axle was built and repositioned. The fuel tank was moved and is accessible under the original hood. Some nervous moments were spent cutting into the front of the hood so the screen could be inserted. Gas cap, radiator cap, hood ornament, handles were added features.

We decided to keep the original seat pan and rework it to more replicate what we remembered being inside of a John Deere cab. A front grill and weight bracket were built, adding some CNC machined custom steel weights we had help with that we further customized. More challenges with the side screen and replicating inserts.

Moving on to fenders, lights and flashers added. Both rear and front rims have customized inserts and custom extensions where needed. Custom draw bar, functioning 3 point hitch and quick hitch finish up the rear. Hardened bolts used when appropriate.

John Deere 4440

This little guy is a pinch too small to be called a true half scale tractor although there are parts that do measure right in that 1/2 scale range. We try to say they are garden tractor size; this build beginning on a John Deere 332 lawn and garden tractor. This “open station JD 4440” retains the original 16hp Yanmar diesel engine and power steering.

The frame was lengthened, a complete new front axle fabricated and repositioned on the frame. Front grill, handle, customized side panel and features added. The fuel tank was moved to be more correct as well as functional. The hood was lengthened also, with added air cleaner and chrome muffler. CNC machined metal weights were added to our custom weight bracket.

The seat pan was built and painted to hopefully represent the open station 4440 tractors we had seen. The rear has 3 pt hitch, quick hitch, fender lights. We extended the rear axle and added custom wheel inserts. Hardened bolts used wherever appropriate. Original John Deere primer and paint with clear coat used; fender undersides painted black.

Oliver 1855 FWA

Each year we look ahead to upcoming shows that we would like to attend. Some shows take us to places we have never visited and others have become favorites. Since the previous mini tractor build had been an Oliver we decided to make a second Oliver and hopefully take both to Forest City, Iowa for the 2022 National Oliver Show. After what seemed like a lengthy build we were able to make a first time visit to Forest City for the show.

An Oliver 1655 and an Oliver 2255 had been built several years before. One-of-a-kind builds are what we enjoy building so doing a custom 1855 seemed like the missing piece. Also, we actually farmed with an 1855 in earlier days so there was a little sentimental attachment.

A John Deere 655 compact tractor was the base for this project. Tires are the usual starting point for most of our custom tractors. Changing our minds about tires happened more than once on this one! We wanted a beefier look so we eventually went with a taller rear tire (and front to go with) than we had used in the past.

We decided to tackle the challenge of fuel tank fenders once again after thinking once was enough!! The tanks don’t actually hold fuel but hopefully give the impression of it. Front and rear tires have inserts that we made in our farm shop as well as hood, side panels, grill and metal weights. A hand-painted “wooden” dash, customized Oliver tool box and pleated Oliver seat were additional details.

Oliver Super 99 GM Diesel

Time for a new project. How about doing a tractor that has several different colors Dianne suggested? After looking at possible options, the Oliver Super 99 GM diesel was chosen. Let’s just say that probably wasn’t the most scientific or sentimental way to choose a tractor to build!

A John Deere 425 with a bucket had been helpful with the little jobs around our farm and yard but wasn’t needed as much after transitioning out of dairy farming. Giving it a new look in its retirement years seemed like a nice transition.

Same story… strip it down and start mocking up. Anxious to see how the color combo would look, wife tried using the computer’s paint program. Obviously that is better left to the grandkids and cardboard and tape will continue to be used for any mocking up .

Hood, front grill, fenders were first in line to get replaced. The Super 99 GM diesel had dual air cleaner stacks that made it stand apart from the other Super 99’s. Although we couldn’t replicate the sound of a Super 99 GM, we pulled two exhausts into one and used a straight pipe to make the tractor sound a little beefier.

Adding the different paint colors brought the tractor to life. When the Super series were introduced, the wheels were painted green. In 1957 Oliver changed the wheels to red which seemed to be a more popular color scheme.

It has been interesting learning about the Super 99’s and especially the GM diesel version. Thanks to those who shared information with us about this particular tractor. Even more fun than building this “colorful” little tractor was hearing the stories people have shared about these workhorses and the sound that made them so distinctive!

Minneapolis Moline G1000

Throughout the 44 years Dale and wife Dianne dairy farmed there were several colors of tractors in use at any given time.  Loyalty to one brand changed as dealerships came and went.  As Dale and Todd talked over what tractor they would like to build next, Todd suggested a Minneapolis Moline.  The particular MM model they wanted to try to replicate was a G1000.  The G1000 was manufactured 1965-1969 and was offered in three versions: row-crop, wheatland or Vista.  A wheatland tractor would present some never before details and challenges and also put a new color combo on our paint shelf.

Our MM G1000 started out with a JD 455 diesel garden tractor.  The original hood, side panels, front grill, fenders, seat and tires were removed.  Tires are the usual starting point in T&D builds.  After they were decided on, metalwork and fabrication began.  The biggest challenges were the getting the wheatland fender look and bending some of the side panel curves to encase the front screen. 

When it was time to paint, the era of “not being able to find or get what we need” plagued us and we found our paint job was not as accurate as we hoped.  The G1000 has since gone to a new home and its new owner repainted it “Energy Yellow” to match his other Minneapolis Moline tractor(s).

Massey Ferguson 2805

A new decade brought a new project.  On the lookout for a different tractor to build with its unique challenges, we decided to take on a Massey project.  Dale liked the look of the Massey Ferguson 2805, being the biggest 2WD Massey of that era (1978-1983). 

Since our earlier builds we have gravitated to starting with bigger garden tractors.  As real tractors progressed to diesel engines we decided building on diesel garden tractors was the way to go in many instances.  A John Deere 332 (diesel) was the starting point for the MF 2805.

After taking it down to the “bones”, tires were chosen, chassis lengthened and fuel tank relocated to the tractor front to begin the remake.  The front grill was the next to figure out and build from bar stock, mesh screen, metal and lights. From there on axles, hood, side panels, side screens and louvers. Louvers….the last to build because we all thought they would be the worst, but got them figured out after all our procrastinating.  Adding the different layers of paint (especially the silvers/grays), decals and finishing touches completed our MF 2805.

International Harvester 5488

In 1981 IH announced the new “50 Series” of tractors which included the 187 hp 5488. The new innovative and stylish design changed the look of the IH tractors from that time on. However, the International “50” and also “30” series tractors had a short life span becoming Case IH in 1985.

This project began with an IH Cub Cadet 782 diesel. Once again the garden tractor was lengthened to give a more tractor-like stance. New axle and weight bracket were fabricated, as well as rear rims. Side panels and hood were lengthened, grill built, and other mods made to resemble features on the full size IH 5488.

John Deere 9370R

One of the projects we completed in 2018 was our John Deere 4WD. We enlisted the help of Glenn Peterson after seeing several of his 4WD projects. We liked the look and stance of his articulated tractors. The project began with using a JD 332 diesel garden tractor and the transmission from a JD 318. The engine from the 332 was turned around so the radiator took its place in the front to cool better. To continue going for the look we wanted a hood, grill and dash from a JD 1025R compact tractor aided the mock-up process. Rear fenders were added and the external fuel tanks on the back fenders were fabricated for looks only. Front weights and bracket were hand fabricated from metal. The 4WD has working quick attach, 3 point hitch and rear hydraulic plug-ins.

John Deere 6030

2018 was the year to tackle a couple of our more ambitious projects. We decided to truly customize one of our builds. The project began with a tired JD 430 diesel garden tractor. After taking it down to the running chassis the build began. The exhaust was rerouted and gas tank moved from under the seat to its proper place at the front of the tractor. The front axle was completely rebuilt as was the drawbar. Three point hitch and quick attach were added. Fenders are propped up to find a height that seems suitable. Like always, we try to go for “the look” we had envisioned at the start of the project. We try to do as much metal work as we can, but are open to using OEM parts, recycled parts that we cut down, or if we are lacking the needed equipment in our shop we will turn to a local welding shop to help with fabrication of specific pieces. We have been known to raid the kitchen cupboard for a unique shaped piece if all else fails. Liberties with choice of seat, paint, decals, and others were taken. Body work and paint all done in-house.