July/August 1994
Donald L. Childs
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Only belt drive is for starter generator.
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11404 Hunters Lane, Austin, Texas 78753
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Last year, I walked into Ron Shoup's hangar to find him on
hands and knees working with a very sad garden tractor. His wife
Betty was there to assist. As usual, I just had to join in the fun.
Before long we had the little Wisconsin engine running. It sounded
great had possibilities.
We looked the unit over and discussed its many problems. One
front tire had been flat for a long time. The grill was missing.
The battery box had been altered with a cutting torch. The trans
axle had problems as it would roll a little, then lock up. It
wouldn't shift properly. As I said, it looked bad with long
term grease, oil, dirt, etc., all over from front to rear.
Ron had noticed this tractor in Marvin Morrison's hanger at
Taylor, Texas, and had asked about it. Marvin indicated that it
belonged to Roderick Rorie, who lived in Omaha, Nebraska, and it
was for sale. An agreement was reached and Ron loaded it on his
trailer for the trip to his own hangar at Kittie Mill Airport near
Leander, Texas. This is where I first saw it.
It was the first Bush Hog tractor I had ever seen although other
Bush Hog products are very well known.
I love to work with engines etc., so I couldn't resist the
opportunity to own another. I popped off and told Ron I'd give
him what he gave for it with a little to boot if he decided to sell
it. Our hangars are close so I saw the little tractor several times
during the following weeks. One day, Ron walked in and said he had
too many larger projects that needed attention and I could have the
tractor if I still wanted it. We closed the deal.
In all honesty, I was delighted. I ran a little 1965 Sear's
lawn tractor down to his hanger. We hooked a short chain and Ron
guided it to my place. My fun was just beginning. This little
tractor was a joy to become involved with and a real challenge. It
is a delight. The more I looked, the more I realized how rugged and
sensible its design really was. This was a real 'piece of
iron'.
Having taught in the automotive and related fields over 34
years, I had knowledge of this unit's basics, but I also knew I
needed more details. Its inspection plate was stamped D4-7, Serial
7061. It was manufactured by the Bush Hog Company of Selma,
Alabama, and was sold by the Askew Tractor and Implement Company of
Harrison, Arkansas.
A telephone call put me in contact with the very helpful folks
at Selma. In a short time, I received an owner's manual which
was super. It not only pictured the unit as it originally appeared,
but also gave operating instructions, as well as complete exploded
views of all parts in the tractor, plus their part numbers.
Great!
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