Pedal Tractor Pride

By Bill Vossler
Published on December 3, 2012
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When Ron pulled it out of a trash dumpster, this Case VAC pedal tractor launched a collection. A particularly rare piece, it's the only tractor in his collection he's had restored.
When Ron pulled it out of a trash dumpster, this Case VAC pedal tractor launched a collection. A particularly rare piece, it's the only tractor in his collection he's had restored.
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A newer Big-D pedal tractor, manufactured by Scale Models.
A newer Big-D pedal tractor, manufactured by Scale Models.
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This Power Trac Model 502 pedal tractor was sold new in 1961.
This Power Trac Model 502 pedal tractor was sold new in 1961.
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This BMC (Bike & Motor Club) pedal tractor is another rare and unusual piece in Ron's collection.
This BMC (Bike & Motor Club) pedal tractor is another rare and unusual piece in Ron's collection.
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Little is known about this tin Powerama pedal tractor. Ron likes to leave his pedal tractors in their original condition; restoring and repainting can lower the toy's value, he says.
Little is known about this tin Powerama pedal tractor. Ron likes to leave his pedal tractors in their original condition; restoring and repainting can lower the toy's value, he says.
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This pedal tractor was manufactured by F.C. Castelli Co., Philadelphia. Parts are extremely hard to find for this unusual tractor.
This pedal tractor was manufactured by F.C. Castelli Co., Philadelphia. Parts are extremely hard to find for this unusual tractor.
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This Oliver 70 Row Crop pedal tractor is one of just a few in Ron's collection modeled on actual tractors produced by leading manufacturers.
This Oliver 70 Row Crop pedal tractor is one of just a few in Ron's collection modeled on actual tractors produced by leading manufacturers.
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Weed whip engines provide excellent power for this pair of pedal tractors. The pink pedal tractor was made by Sears; the green one was made by Mustang.
Weed whip engines provide excellent power for this pair of pedal tractors. The pink pedal tractor was made by Sears; the green one was made by Mustang. "Since then, I've come to realize that it's the only Mustang I've ever seen," Ron admits. "I wish I wouldn't have done what I did to it."
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A Murray Big 4, one of four Murray pedal tractors in Ron's collection.
A Murray Big 4, one of four Murray pedal tractors in Ron's collection.
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Ron believes this AMC Diesel pedal tractor was built by American Machine Co.
Ron believes this AMC Diesel pedal tractor was built by American Machine Co.
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Weed whip engines provide excellent power for this pair of pedal tractors. The pink pedal tractor was made by Sears; the green one was made by Mustang.
Weed whip engines provide excellent power for this pair of pedal tractors. The pink pedal tractor was made by Sears; the green one was made by Mustang. "Since then, I've come to realize that it's the only Mustang I've ever seen," Ron admits. "I wish I wouldn't have done what I did to it."
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Hamilton pedal tractors — and any tin pedal tractors for that matter — are difficult to find.
Hamilton pedal tractors — and any tin pedal tractors for that matter — are difficult to find.
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The Go Trac, made by Universal Mfg. Co. Inc., and the Ranch Trac next to it, were likely manufactured by the same company. They are almost identically built, and the Ranch Trac Turbo 502 uses the same number as the other tractor made by Universal, the Power Trac Model 502.
The Go Trac, made by Universal Mfg. Co. Inc., and the Ranch Trac next to it, were likely manufactured by the same company. They are almost identically built, and the Ranch Trac Turbo 502 uses the same number as the other tractor made by Universal, the Power Trac Model 502.
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Ron made this disc to show with his pedal tractors.
Ron made this disc to show with his pedal tractors.
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A portion of Ron's pedal tractor display at the 2012 Mowthen (Minn.) Historical Power Association show. Ron grew up on a farm surrounded by Ford, Massey-Harris and Allis-Chalmers equipment. He's still looking for a Massey-Harris 44 and a Massey Ferguson, duplicating some of the farm toys he played with as a kid.
A portion of Ron's pedal tractor display at the 2012 Mowthen (Minn.) Historical Power Association show. Ron grew up on a farm surrounded by Ford, Massey-Harris and Allis-Chalmers equipment. He's still looking for a Massey-Harris 44 and a Massey Ferguson, duplicating some of the farm toys he played with as a kid.

Ron
Fratzke owes his pedal tractor collection to a dumpster. “People cleaning out a
house were throwing a lot of stuff into a dumpster,” he recalls. “As we were
going by, we saw this old pedal tractor in there.”

After
talking to the people who’d pitched the pedal tractor, Ron (who lives in Mora, Minn.) offered $10 for

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