UTO

[JazzDad]

(Unidentified Tractor Object)

Methinks this be an aircraft tow vehicle. With ag tires?

 

[RoyJackson]

(Unidentified Tractor Object)

Methinks this be an aircraft tow vehicle. With ag tires?

I agree...looks like a tow tractor. However, those aren't ag tires on the back...more like an industrial tire. The lugs aren't deep enough for an ag tire.

You're also looking at a vehicle that was used to tow aircraft (pretty heavy objects) in all kinds of weather...including snow. That's a lot of weight to get moving, and more importantly..stop moving, in inclement conditions.
So, those grippy tires were a good choice, IMHO

 

[Highbeam]

The can of ether is perfect.

 

[RoyJackson]

The can of ether is perfect.

Yeah...it does add to it, doesn't it?
That machine probably was built in the 50's or 60's. It wasn't uncommon to use ether then. A Ford backhoe I operated in 1968 had a factory installed receptacle for a can of ether.

Since the picture appears to have been taken in a salvage yard of some sort, that tractor was probably used as a pusher or tower.

Now you know where old aircraft tow tractors end up... Looking at it, that might have been one of those I drove while I was stationed as Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

 

[MossRoad]

It looks like a light duty aircraft tug. There appears to be a large rubber bumber on the front. Never seen that on a tug. I wish the picture was clearer.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Jazzdad,
Well as Moss mentioned the photo isnt very clear, but my first thought was an International Shop Mule, which also saw duty as an aircraft transport also. There are some similarities of course thats just a guess !

 

[RoyJackson]

It looks like a light duty aircraft tug. There appears to be a large rubber bumber on the front. Never seen that on a tug. I wish the picture was clearer.

I'd guess the current owner added that bumper so he can use this machine as a pusher. I'm not sure what is actually is, but I'd guess it's an old truck tire (well used too).
The picture looks like it was taken in an auto salvage yard where a pusher would be a handy piece of equipment (that's a mid to late 50's Chevy pickup behind the tractor...and a newer car just to the right of the truck).

 

[MossRoad]

I can't tell, but it may say HYSTER on the hood. Too faint to read.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Guys,
I dug this photo out of the YT tractor archive photos. Some similarities.

 

[Nasty135]

Maybe also the luggage tram motor at the airport http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/503/Tow_Tractor-Tug_MA50_1999_a.jpg

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm kinda surprised nobody has asked if it's for sale yet...

 

[xlr82v2]

That's a Clark aircraft tow tractor. We used to have one like that where I work... I had the priviledge of rebuilding it after it sat through the flood of '93. I wish I could remember the model #... but it has a 6 cyl Continental flathead engine (at least ours did), with a 3 speed manual transmission. Ours did duty aboard an aircraft carrier during WW II, from what we were able to find out about it from Clark by running the serial #'s. It will do pretty good wheelies, as several unfortunates found out that no longer work for us

 

[Skyco]

Kinda looks like the seat is porcelain

 

[MossRoad]

That's a Clark aircraft tow tractor. We used to have one like that where I work... I had the priviledge of rebuilding it after it sat through the flood of '93. I wish I could remember the model #... but it has a 6 cyl Continental flathead engine (at least ours did), with a 3 speed manual transmission. Ours did duty aboard an aircraft carrier during WW II, from what we were able to find out about it from Clark by running the serial #'s. It will do pretty good wheelies, as several unfortunates found out that no longer work for us

When I worked at the airport back in the early 80's we had an old military tug that was made by Clark. It was very short, but the rear fenders and back were all one piece of cast iron about 10 inches think, kind of like the counter weight of a crane. It was shorter than a VW bug and weighed 10,000 pounds! When the original engine died, our mechanic put in a chevy 350 and a turbo 400 tranny. The thing had a 27 to 1 rear end in it. If you pumped the gas pedal, it would do little wheelies each time you stomped on it. We could move the Fed-X 727 with no problems. I had pictures of it somewhere, but they are long burried in the basement. If I ever come across them again, I'll post them.