1938 Minneapolis Moline UDLX Comfortractor - video and photos

[Jon]

The 1938 Minneapolis Moline UDLX Comfortractor, an attempt to create a dual purpose tractor-car vehicle. The Comfortractor included a fully-enclosed cab (a first for a farm tractor), and creature comforts like a heater, radio, second seat, and full gauges. It had an advertised top speed of over 40 mph (but no suspension).









Unfortunately, the Comfortractor's $2,000 cost (about twice as much as a regular tractor) limited its appeal, and only around 150 were made. Today, because of its unique look and rarity, a fully restored Comfortractor can fetch almost $200,000 at auction.

Previously:

Dying man carves last will and testament into tractor fender
First Caterpillar tractor - steam-powered
tractor powered by Buick Nailhead
Hornsby Mammoth steam tractor crawler
Ford Flathead-powered 1970s John Deere lawn tractor
Rock burying tractor attachment - GIF
Unique tractor turning method - GIF

[gunsgt1863]

I saw one of these at a local tractor show with my dad years ago. Very cool.

[Jon]

When you can't afford a Minneapolis Moline:

[McDesign]

Wow - that's . . . stunning!

[PJs]

Beautifully done dual crossover!! Stunning is right! Anyone for cow tipping? Just saying...reminds me of Mater and Cars.

[Frank S]

Sure doesn't look anything like the big old Moline my Grandpa had except for the back fenders.

[baja]

I`m hoping I can see a door at the rear of this, otherwise it looks impossible to get into unless you`re a contorsionist.

[Frank S]

Ours didn't have a cab but yes you enter from the rear there was no 3 point lift on it just a draw bar very little room for your feet at the peddles and you hade to kind of climb over the transmission. tons of power but if I remember correctly, ours was a duel fuel it started on gasoline then once it was warmed you could switch it to kerosene

[J_P]

Why do you keep posting things by others you find on the internet. I thought this was supposed to be a forum for people to display their own homemade tools.

[PJs]

Why do you keep posting things by others you find on the internet. I thought this was supposed to be a forum for people to display their own homemade tools.

I think its because these are home/shop built creations that inspire others here. I personally helped build a 49' Willy's show car in a garage a very long time ago, won many events and trophies, even a magazine article, spending days before an event polishing and dialing things in, packing up and getting on the road. The time and effort is rewarded with innovative (custom military wrapped waxed jute, color coded wiring harness {a full month of nights a weekends}), dedication and craftsmanship and the Ooh's and Awhh's of people in those circles, and here. All the while continuing to do electro-mechanical engineering and other things around the shop. Guess it's because it's in the blood of those that appreciate all those qualities...whether we build them or not.

Sorry Jon, no one else seemed to chime in here so I thought I would.

PJ