A Peerless Pedal Tractor

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Above: Gene Gregory with his customized Ford Model 8N. Custom features include a Comfort Cab, half-track, lowered profile, lights and grille.

Craftsman extraordinaire is the phrase that best describes Gene Gregory. His distinct craft of customizing pedal tractors has blossomed over the years. Today, Gene's pedal tractors have been acclaimed by the most avid collectors as peerless. A Ford Model 8N is the most recent addition to his fleet of uniquely customized pedals.

Gene lives in farm country in north-central Ohio. While he has no practical farm experience, he's gained an appreciation for field machinery while observing farmers working the land. Inspired, he began restoring and collecting antique tractors years ago, before the hobby became popular. Then came a passion for pedal tractors. He subsequently liquidated the antique tractor collection.

One-of-a-kind Ford 8N

While attending an antique tractor show in Portland, Ind., Gene saw a photo of a unique 1948 Ford 8N: an original factory-built tractor, with several after-market features. The tractor was equipped with a V-shaped snow blade on the front, and was traction-assisted by half-tracks.

On the drive home from the show, Gene pondered the photograph. "That was a uniquely equipped tractor," he recalls. "I began visualizing how it would look as a pedal tractor. It inspired a challenge, and the creative juices kicked in. I just started tinkering, and this is what resulted."

When Gene tinkers, it is an art form. He does not customize something without considerable forethought and planning. The thoroughness of Gene's craftsmanship shows through in his beautifully customized pedal tractors.

Details under the paint

The first challenge was to find a pedal tractor that resembled the Ford 8N. Ertl manufactured a nice Ford Model 8N, but it had a higher profile than the real tractor. Gene made do. "With Ertl having the only available pedal tractor, I had to work with it," he says. "I began to cut and shave to accomplish the lower profile."

He started by trimming about 2 inches off under the chassis. That allowed the axle to be raised, which then meant the sprocket and chain clearance had to be adjusted. Gene altered the housing under the seat, accommodating the raised axle. The front end was lowered and retrofitted as a standard 8N. Front wheels were changed to accommodate 7-by-1.25 tires. By then he was on the right track to a scaled-down Ford 8N.