australians ship 1950's tractors to drive across america

[split51]

I hope these guys and gals have a safe trip, wish they were coming through OK, I would love to see them.

These tractors remind me of the 1938 Minneapolis Moline UDLX that was built to serve are both a tractor and vehicle for road use. They had a top speed of 45mph.

[MedicCustoms]

They have a lot of heart and bones of steel my back hurts already for them. Ihope they have a safe trip and meet some good people along the way. Thanks for the pics they are cool looking.

[X38]

Originally Posted by LOW LID DUDE

30 mph yikes,With the high speed traffic we have here in the US it sounds like a accident waiting to happen.I hope the best luck for them .I think they will need it.They better stay away from the big cities.The road rage morons will be shooting at them.

Yep. We only got electricity and flush toilets in 1983.

[Old Roadster]

That Is so COOL, The trip of a life time, and what's the rush any how.........
Thanks for the pic's

[DocWatson]

Originally Posted by 8flat

You typically don't want to get a tractor much over 35mph anyway.....no suspension, terrible steering, etc. I know this from experience...LOL

It would be a cool way to see the country, going that slow with no cab, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells...

Edit: I see on their site they do have cabs on some of the tractors. Good for keeping the weather out I guess.

The Australian Army built the HSEV (High Speed Engineering Vehicle). Its a tractor that can do 110, air bag suspension, front end loader and excavator on the back!

I hope all goes well for these guys, sounds like a great adventure.

[rc.grimes]

[QUOTE=1LIFE2LIVE;4059970] My father and I offered are shop to them in case they have to work through the night to get them ready. They have to wire lights for the campers and some of them have to enlarge the hole on the drawbar for a ball hitch to fit. I am going to stop by there after work and will try to take some shots of everything and am going to help them out any way i can so they are on schedule for tommorow.

QUOTE]

Give me a shout if you need anything sense I'm working a mile down the street at Liberty Equipment.
-Chris

[1LIFE2LIVE]

chris- You probably pass my place everyday if you drive down route 91 between 30 and 140. I live on the big farm right near the new church with the white and green building and a john deere looking sign that says memory lane farm. stop in sometime when you see us out.

[INTRUDER]

can you post their route?
Would like to come out and support them.

I am sure many HAMBERs would ltoo!

[Evil Wicked Mean & Nasty]

I know I posted a smart ass remark earlier but, I just can't stop thinking about these guy's. We have guy's right here in America with beautiful $100,000 + street rod's, loaded with every imaginable amenity, literally made for just this kind of epic adventure. Yet they won't drive them a few hundred miles much less a few thousand. And here come a bunch of Ausies who are going to do it on 1950's tractors... TRACTORS for crying out loud! What an adventure! I hope these guys know that there are a lot of us out here who think this kind of undertaking is a wonderful example of what we used to think of as the indomitable American spirit. Where has my America gone? Godspeed to them and maybe we can take a lesson

[kiwiboy]

Blast from the past, I drove the original "Tail End Charlie" in the early 80's. The tractors are Chamberlains, built to go faster than imported tractors because of the huge distances on Australian farms. Chamberlain was brought by John Deere who eventually built their version of the Chamberlain with a Deere motor in the early 80's, the original motors where Perkins. Some guys at the factory fixed up "Tail End Charlie" & it was driven around Australia in relays by employees of Chamberlain John Deere, I was the Area Service Manager for Northern NSW, drove it from Moree to Gunnedah via Wee Waa (I think that was the route), more than 100 miles. I remembered the steering was very imprecise & the brakeing was ...well lets say you would stop eventually.

[converseandbowlingshirts]

These tractors remind me of the 1938 Minneapolis Moline UDLX

That's what I thought when I first saw the thumbnails. Minne-Mo made some pretty versatile stuff, but I still wouldn't like to commute in it.

[21tat]

Looks like fun.

[TudorJeff]

Finally a group I can keep up with !!

Kidding aside it sounds like a great time. Hope the trip goes great for them!


.

[torchmann]

30 mph After some time you get into the grove and get used to it. Spent quite a few days running 30-40 mph convoying through sleet and snow in the big rig. once you get used to others blowing by and see how far you got you know you'll still get there.
But if you have other things to do... damn where's my overdrive

[oilslinger53]

Originally Posted by DocWatson

The Australian Army built the HSEV (High Speed Engineering Vehicle). Its a tractor that can do 110, air bag suspension, front end loader and excavator on the back!

I hope all goes well for these guys, sounds like a great adventure.

MPH, or KPH? either way thats just impressive for a tractor!

[1932tub]

Originally Posted by kiwiboy

Blast from the past, I drove the original "Tail End Charlie" in the early 80's. The tractors are Chamberlains, built to go faster than imported tractors because of the huge distances on Australian farms. Chamberlain was brought by John Deere who eventually built their version of the Chamberlain with a Deere motor in the early 80's, the original motors where Perkins. Some guys at the factory fixed up "Tail End Charlie" & it was driven around Australia in relays by employees of Chamberlain John Deere, I was the Area Service Manager for Northern NSW, drove it from Moree to Gunnedah via Wee Waa (I think that was the route), more than 100 miles. I remembered the steering was very imprecise & the brakeing was ...well lets say you would stop eventually.

Hi from New Zealand

We had 2 Chamberlins back in the 70's with backhoes, quickest tractor on the road here. Although I think the Massey Harris Twin Power with the Chrysler engine might have given them a run for thier money.

[rowdy]

I drive my tractor everywhere, we have 3 farms about 30 miles between them and it takes me longer to trailer back and forth than to drive, so i usually just drive. You would think a lot of people would be upset, but i always get bigger smiles from little kids and that makes up for the turds that get upset. i have 3 usual forms of transportation tractor, 1951 ford F3 and my bicycle i am used to seeing the world at best 40mph. I love how it takes some aussies to make us remember the spirit of America. I promise i am going to drive my tractor to nashville to meet up with these folks. I LOVE IT. this shit makes my day

[DocWatson]

Originally Posted by oilslinger53

MPH, or KPH? either way thats just impressive for a tractor!

Thats KPH, dang 110MPH would be wild for a tractor!

[wingnutz]

Originally Posted by DocWatson

Thats KPH, dang 110MPH would be wild for a tractor!

Should've used these tractors to deliver the mail to Abalinga!!!

http://www.pandora.com/music/song/sl...inga+mail+live

http://www.we7.com/track/Abalinga-Ma...kId=840093&m=0

rip Slim...!

If they can drive these... the tractors will be a "BREEZE"!!!

[1LIFE2LIVE]

here is the map of their route that some of you have requested. They left from the howard county fairgrounds on sunday and headed west. I would imagine there out of MD by now and somewhere in west virginia or ohio. If anyone spots them make sure to post it here to keep the rest of us informed. If they call me i will let everyone know there progress.