John M. Mitchell, a retired college professor from Volant, Pa.,
sent these old photos of a Centaur tractor his father bought new
in 1938, after trading in a Centaur Model 2-G. Mitchell writes that
his first experience of driving by himself was on this Centaur KV.
“The tractor had a LeRoi engine and there was an integral plow which
was being used (top right),” he says. “I think there might have
tractor was sold in 1947 for perhaps $600.”
Apparently the narrow wheel tread of the KV wasn’t always an
advantage. “My father found this tractor was very narrow and
especially very susceptible to upsetting on hilly ground, which we
had,” Mitchell writes. “In fact, I believe it turned over several
times, perhaps three, with my father jumping off safely each time.
He finally rigged up dual wheels by adding large truck tires. It
worked!” Before coming up with the dual wheels, Jim Mitchell
mounted a wooden platform outside each rear wheel upon which
someone could ride on the uphill side, hopefully adding enough
weight to prevent the tractor from rolling over.
