I've seen it before here on the forum by a YouTube video, the Fordon F snowmobile.
Someone in Holland sended me pictures, taken in Canada from such a tractor.
Thing is, the front axle and the rear end are different from others I can find on the internet. So it looks like a replica to me, but maybe this is a later type.
Can any one tell?
Last edited by henk on Sun Oct 09, 2016 5:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Lovely thing, an E1A version would only need a couple ex USAAF drop tanks, shame I didn't know about it when they were falling from the sky most days
It looks like the version in this museum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciSK3Egjts4 which has a different rear end to the one in the Ford concept film that seems to be referred to as the prototype, maybe they went into limited production, if it was as good hauling timber etc on the snow there should have been plenty of Yank & Canuk outfits keen to have one given the winters in parts of the continent - IF it was as good...............
I can see your thinking and it would be useful to have one over here in Bogland as although friction & slippage would be higher than on ice it might be good over swampy ground with slightly deeper 'threads' - you should be OK, there must be plenty of remote drainage pumps still using these Archimedean screws your way just waiting for an enterprising chap with gas axe, tractor & trailer
Best regards
Rick - Bogside on Bure
1958 Diesel E1A Mk2 s/n 1470165 - still in working clothes
The one in your video is the same as all the others.
The one in Canada has a different front axle and the steering mechanisme at the baxk and the chain setting is different.
Well it looks like at least two originals may have survived then Henk - does the US plant have a historian or archivist who might know any more ??
Can't help thinking I'd want the radiator blind up if trying to run on TVO in the cold !
There were a few homemade ones on youtube including a very crude thing made from a quadbike but I think my ankles are worth more to me unminced, than the urge to try and build one that size................
Best regards
Rick - Bogside on Bure
1958 Diesel E1A Mk2 s/n 1470165 - still in working clothes
Having had a further look, I'm going to call your bluff on the rear end differences between the one in your pictures and the one on the video I noted, while I can see that the one from your contact may have a fabricated front wishbone / axle compared to the video, the rear end steering & drive arrangements appear the same to me, other than the chain guard is missing on 'yours' (and you possibly have more pictures to refer to than you posted) what have I missed ??
As it is shown in the snow and has a sled attached to it, the videoist may well have missed the chance to film it in action, which is a shame
I will keep my eyes open for other examples or information
Cheers & beers
Rick
Best regards
Rick - Bogside on Bure
1958 Diesel E1A Mk2 s/n 1470165 - still in working clothes
