Made in 1933 by the Standard Engine Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, this steel lugged, steel wheeled garden tractor is powered by a Model 'K' 3½ HP Kinkead gasoline engine. This particular engine was used on the Standard Monarch from 1928-1935. These garden tractors had wooden handles with a twist grip throttle on the left handle. Though some were equipped with a Wico magneto, this one has a buzz box ignition (the large square box beneath the gas tank). An interesting use for these machines was as a stationary engine which could be used to drive saws, feed mills, cream separators, etc.
The tractor is on display inside the
Boundary County Museum in Bonners Ferry, Boundary County, ID, for which there is a quite reasonable $2 charge to tour.
It's definitely an ungainly looking machine but likely did its job as advertised. It has no accessories attached, but has two straight tool posts mounted for attaching cultivating, discing, plowing and harrowing implements. It would have been a handy tool for the market gardener or small orchardist.
Regular equipment included:
48 Pyramid Field Lugs
Trailing Double Draw Bar
Clear Vision Tool Control
2 Guage Wheels
2 Tool Lift Levers
Denet Air Cleaner
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2 Straight Tool Posts
2 Front Staggered Tool Posts
2 Rear Staggered Tool Posts
6 Cultivating Steels (1 1/4")
6 Tool Post Clamps
All Required Bolts and Nuts
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The sign with the garden tractor:
Marion Bradley with his Monarch model garden tractor, manufactured by Standard Engine Company ca. 1933-34; powered by 3 1/2 hp Kinkead gas engine, it sold new for $238. Marion purchased it from Del Barber to use on the "Old Place".