1917 Willmar Lil Oak Tractor, $420,000 1 known to exist (1)
The highest selling item was this
one of a kind 1917 WILLMAR LITTLE OAK – Sold $420,000
Believed to be the only known Little Oak in existence
Purchased from Ralph Hall
Featured in the magazine Antique Power - March/April 2015 edition.
Old advertising promoted it as a one-man tractor.
Cross-mounted engine - engine sits crossways in the frame to eliminate the need for bevel.
Engine is located between the machine's rear wheels.
Engine is started from the driver's seat with a lever.
One of the first tractors to use the engine's power to lift the plow.
Upon looking at the tractor in its original form, it was discovered there was red paint hidden in the corners and edges on the exterior of the sheet metal and under the hood.
Waukesha Model P Engine
4-cylinder engine
20 HP - drawbar
40 HP - belt
Chain driven
All-new clutch parts were cast
New drive chains
Radiator cleaned and repaired
All-new sheet metal
Painted with high-quality automotive paint
The Little Oak tractor was an engineering masterpiece of its time. This machine was coined the one-man tractor for the operator's ability to start the tractor from the platform and raise and lower the plow from the operating position. While most tractors of the time were unstyled machines built for practicality, the Little Oak was built as an absolute work of art.
An example of the amazing craftsmanship on this tractor is the oil tank above the chain that drips oil on the chain as it operates. In today’s world, where tractors steer themselves and turn around on their own, it’s hard to imagine how revolutionary a one-man tractor like this was at the time.
There is no other prairie tractor like it. George has a keen eye for capturing the absolute best tractors ever built, and this Little Oak is a testament to the extraordinary machines in his museum.
Mecum Gone Farmin’ Auction
Schaaf Truck & Tractor Museum
Frankfort, Illinois
Will County, USA.
1917 Willmar Lil Oak Tractor, $420,000 1 known to exist (1)
The highest selling item was this
one of a kind 1917 WILLMAR LITTLE OAK – Sold $420,000
Believed to be the only known Little Oak in existence
Purchased from Ralph Hall
Featured in the magazine Antique Power - March/April 2015 edition.
Old advertising promoted it as a one-man tractor.
Cross-mounted engine - engine sits crossways in the frame to eliminate the need for bevel.
Engine is located between the machine's rear wheels.
Engine is started from the driver's seat with a lever.
One of the first tractors to use the engine's power to lift the plow.
Upon looking at the tractor in its original form, it was discovered there was red paint hidden in the corners and edges on the exterior of the sheet metal and under the hood.
Waukesha Model P Engine
4-cylinder engine
20 HP - drawbar
40 HP - belt
Chain driven
All-new clutch parts were cast
New drive chains
Radiator cleaned and repaired
All-new sheet metal
Painted with high-quality automotive paint
The Little Oak tractor was an engineering masterpiece of its time. This machine was coined the one-man tractor for the operator's ability to start the tractor from the platform and raise and lower the plow from the operating position. While most tractors of the time were unstyled machines built for practicality, the Little Oak was built as an absolute work of art.
An example of the amazing craftsmanship on this tractor is the oil tank above the chain that drips oil on the chain as it operates. In today’s world, where tractors steer themselves and turn around on their own, it’s hard to imagine how revolutionary a one-man tractor like this was at the time.
There is no other prairie tractor like it. George has a keen eye for capturing the absolute best tractors ever built, and this Little Oak is a testament to the extraordinary machines in his museum.
Mecum Gone Farmin’ Auction
Schaaf Truck & Tractor Museum
Frankfort, Illinois
Will County, USA.