FITCH FOUR DRIVE TRACTOR COMPANY
BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Coach House Museum's 1922 Model 20-35 #1588
The late Jim Spall of Feilding, New Zealand owned this 1922 Fitch Four Drive Tractor Model 20-35. Following the death of Mr. Spall in March 2011, his family followed his instructions to donate this unique and rare example of 1920s engineering to The Coach House Museum in Feilding. It forms the center piece of the ‘Jim Spall Collection’ of the Fitch Four and range of stationary engines.
The tractor was originally owned and operated by the Pohangana County Council of Palmerston North, New Zealand. The tractor was purchased in 1922 from Adams & Burgess LTD and was shipped to Auckland. The County minutes show a report of the decision to proceed with the purchase at ₤750. Upon arrival to New Zealand, the steel lugs were removed and the tractor was driven on the road a distance of 300 miles from Auckland to Pohangina in Palmerston North.
Fitch tractor owned by Pohangana County Council of Palmerston North, NZ with the 6 ton metal crusher that was driven and pulled by the tractor.
This photo taken in the mid-1920's near Apiti, NZ.
The full-restored tractor features a Climax KU 4-cylinder engine serial #2508 built in February 1920.
The tractor was retired from work around 1939 and sold to the late Claire Buckman of Apiti, New Zealand. Jim Spall purchased the tractor in 1970 for restoration and returned to its former, new condition. The tractor had remained outside in the open for about 20 years and required a great deal of work to restore the tractor. The restoration took place over a number of years with help from fellow members of the Manawatu Vintage Machinery Club. Most notably different about the tractor is the lack of traction cleats on the steel wheels, which allows Jim to drive the tractor on the roads without damaging the asphalt. It is powered by a 4 cylinder Climax engine with a 5 inch bore and a 6½ inch stroke.
Jim was a charter member of the Manawatu Vintage Machinery Club and enjoyed restoring vintage engines. His other projects included a Clectra Model E, a number of stationary engines and a 1954 Singer sports car. Jim's 1922 Fitch tractor was seen for many years at the Central District's Field Day held every March in Feilding.
