Crank Tractors
"Crank Tractors" are old tractors we convert to be interactive animatronic tractors that your guests can start just like the farmers of the early 1900s did. When a guest gives the handle a crank, the tractor roars to life with animated headlights, realistic engine noise, exhaust smoke, and an exhaust rain cap that flaps up and down. Tractors start at random, so no two starts in a row are exactly the same.
We can build out your tractor if you already have one, or we often have some of our own available for sale. Conversions use parts that bolt on — no permanent modifications that would keep a tractor from being put back to original.
Two ways to get one: bring your tractor to us and we do the full conversion here — or order it as a kit you install yourself and save the cost of shipping a tractor both ways.
We currently convert these McCormick-Deering models
10-20
McCormick-Deering
The workhorse that started it all — our first running crank tractor was a 10-20.
15-30
McCormick-Deering
The 10-20's bigger brother. Same rugged bones, more iron to animate.
22-36
McCormick-Deering
The very first Crank Tractor ever built was a 22-36 with a stuck engine.
How It Started
We built the very first crank tractor when my dad and I picked up an old McCormick-Deering 22-36 with a "stuck" engine as a photo op for our farm. The tractor was great, but it was just sitting off in a corner and we knew we could do more with it.
Later we got our hands on a running 10-20, and while it was tricky to crank start, we thought it would be neat if kids could see what it was like to start one of these the way they used to before the days of electric start. So we took that old 22-36 with the stuck engine and animated it to mimic the running 10-20. It ended up being surprisingly popular with our guests — and we started getting requests to build more.
Reliability
The first group of tractors we built for customers shipped all over the country, so they had to be very reliable — it wouldn't be easy for us to get to them if there were problems. We used quality parts throughout and built every component so it can be easily switched out or replaced. The fog machine we use carries a clog-free guarantee and never needs to be cleaned; it now retails at over $1,200 on its own, and we have yet to have one fail.
Much of the cost of the tractors comes from the components we've chosen. What that means for you: less maintenance, less downtime, and a product you can count on. Most tractors run at pumpkin farms and businesses with a short season — things just need to work!
Features
Controls
- Show controller purposely built for animatronics
- Solid state controls provide long life and have no moving internal parts
- Float sensor for fog juice level prevents your fog machine from running dry and damaging your pump
- Fused circuits with blow-indication LEDs allow easy identification and replacement of any blown fuse
- High quality weatherproof electrical connectors throughout make components easy to disconnect and reconnect — no cheap connectors to corrode and fail
- Class D audio amplifier for great sounding audio with low power consumption
- Runs on standard 110V electric
- Contactless crank sensor for long life
- High quality speakers for realistic engine and cranking sound
Tractor
- Headlights made in-house from aluminum, painted and weathered to match the tractor — sealed and easy to service for many years (LED bulbs for long life)
- Exhaust made from 304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and long life of the components which operate the rain cap
- Top section of exhaust is removable on its own for easy access to the rain cap mechanism
- Bright colored "Crank Me" sign mounted around the crank handle to draw attention to the tractor crank
- Side panels are locked shut to keep guests away from the controls box
- Quick-attach cover under the hood protects all electronic components from the weather
Options
- Rear standing platform — an elevated standing spot for a photo op
- Electronic timer with Bluetooth: schedule the tractor to turn on and off with your hours of operation, programmed on the timer or wirelessly from your phone (also good for manual override)
- Custom options possible upon request
Pricing from $11,500
A great interactive way for your guests to experience this old farm equipment. See our gallery of completed tractors, or contact us direct for availability and build slots.