I believe this to be a 1920 or later Avery 40-80 (rerated 45-65 after Nebraska Tractor Test #44) as the Avery Company redesign their radiators from round to the "automotive style" flat radiatiors in late 1920.
(continued from earlier comment) The 40-80 was used primarily for plowing, powering an Avery Yellow Fellow thresher which resides in the Ackerman Building along with the tractor at the Albany Museum, and moving the occasional building. Today, in anticipation of each year's Old Albany Days, and after sitting quietly for 12 months, the 40-80 usually starts on the third pull of the crank. It is a wonderful piece of American engineering history and I am privileged to be the current operator. GRA
... (continued from earlier comment) Mr. Wurzbacher began investigating the mechanical problem and determined that the original crankshaft was faulty. He ordered a replacement from the Avery Company, waited for it to arrive by rail, installed it, and fired up the big engine. It ran perfectly, and has done so for the nearly 100 years since! The engine has required NO additional internal repair in that century! From 1916 until the mid 1940's, it was used primarily for . . . (to be continued)
This tractor was purchased new in 1915 by Richardson County Nebraska, primarily for use in road construction and maintenance work. It was built in Peoria, Illinois by the Avery Company as the Model 40-80 (40 drawbar, 80 belt horsepower). Unfortunately, this particular tractor developed mechanical problems within its first year of operation and was parked. DeWitt Wurzbacher, of Sabetha, Kansas, purchased the crippled unit and . . . (see additional comments for the remainder of the story!)
Frankenstein auto!
IzTam89 1 month ago
I believe this to be a 1920 or later Avery 40-80 (rerated 45-65 after Nebraska Tractor Test #44) as the Avery Company redesign their radiators from round to the "automotive style" flat radiatiors in late 1920.
dirtywhiteboy5751 7 months ago
(continued from earlier comment) The 40-80 was used primarily for plowing, powering an Avery Yellow Fellow thresher which resides in the Ackerman Building along with the tractor at the Albany Museum, and moving the occasional building. Today, in anticipation of each year's Old Albany Days, and after sitting quietly for 12 months, the 40-80 usually starts on the third pull of the crank. It is a wonderful piece of American engineering history and I am privileged to be the current operator. GRA
beefmaker1 1 year ago
... (continued from earlier comment) Mr. Wurzbacher began investigating the mechanical problem and determined that the original crankshaft was faulty. He ordered a replacement from the Avery Company, waited for it to arrive by rail, installed it, and fired up the big engine. It ran perfectly, and has done so for the nearly 100 years since! The engine has required NO additional internal repair in that century! From 1916 until the mid 1940's, it was used primarily for . . . (to be continued)
beefmaker1 1 year ago
This tractor was purchased new in 1915 by Richardson County Nebraska, primarily for use in road construction and maintenance work. It was built in Peoria, Illinois by the Avery Company as the Model 40-80 (40 drawbar, 80 belt horsepower). Unfortunately, this particular tractor developed mechanical problems within its first year of operation and was parked. DeWitt Wurzbacher, of Sabetha, Kansas, purchased the crippled unit and . . . (see additional comments for the remainder of the story!)
beefmaker1 1 year ago