JENSEN TRACTOR MFG. CO.

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Ann Hopkins
5 years ago
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1 JENSEN TRACTOR MFG. CO. This article s purpose is to put together the few pieces of information we have about the Jensen tractors. It is not intended to be inclusive. Further information is appreciated. Please us at briggsplanet@aol.com The JENSEN TRACTOR MFG. CO. was located at 901 S. Main St., in Burbank, California. The earliest dated paperwork we have is dated July 10, It is a copy from Davis University Library in California. The letterhead reads: California TESTING LABORATORIES, INC. CHEMISTS AND ENGINEERS, 1429 SANTA FE AVE., LOS ANGELES 21, CALIF. The letter remarks on testing done on the Jensen Model 35. This was a walk behind garden tractor. The Model 35 was powered by the Gladden Products Corporation #BB 3.5 HP engine. It was a single cylinder, fourcycle, air-cooled type engine. It would use either kerosene or gasoline for fuel. Jensen Tractor Mfg. Co. manufactured and assembled the clutch for these tractors themselves. The California Testing Lab found this tractor and the accessory implements are well engineered and strongly constructed of the best available materials and the workmanship throughout is excellent. The article also mentions the Model 75, a wheeled walk behind tractor, as identical to the 35 except it is driven by a Gladden Model #BB, 7 HP engine. Both the Model 35 and Model 75 were called the TRACT-ALL and were advertised as an ALL PURPOSE SMALL-RANCH TRACTOR. A Riding attachment (sulky) was available for both. They had adjustable wheels from in width. The tires were 600x16s. The 35, for the Smaller Rancho, was available in rubber tires or lug wheels. Both Models had an engine hood that was decaled JENSEN TRACT-ALL, mounted on a full swing Hinge. (There may have been non-hooded models. We have one we cannot see where a hood hinged to.)

walk-behind garden tractor. The pictures on the following pages show a Model 75 without the hood.

2 The 1949 paper work shows the Model 35 name was changed to #40 and had a 4 HP engine ads: The TRACT-ALL JENSEN #75 walk-behind garden tractor with the optional ride on sulky, steel wheeled #40 and rubber tired #40 walk-behind garden tractor. The pictures on the following pages show a Model 75 without the hood. The pictures show the Gladden BB Model 75 Engine, the tractor and ride-on attachment, the engine tag, the Jensen tag on the handlebar brace bracket, the unique handle bars, the implement attachment details, implement bracket attachment end.

3 Walk behind Jensen Model 75 Flat spoke wheels, sulky behind Gladden Model 75 BB Engine Tag Clip & Pin sulky attachment

4 MORE JENSON MODEL 75 TRACT-ALL DETAILED PICTURES Jensen s tag on handlebar brace Unique adjustable handlebar Implement bar of plow View just in back of engine

There were two models that year. The other was a 15 HP tractor.

5 The reference book, GARDEN TRACTORS, VOLUME 3, Complied by Alan C. King shows a 1954 advertisement for the New JENSEN 8 ½ HP riding tractor. There were two models that year. The other was a 15 HP tractor. They featured an automotive transmission (T-96) and differential, dual final drive gears, individual brakes, rugged construction. This shows the 8 ½ HP Rider This ad shows the 15 HP Rider-Slim Jim

7 The 15 HP Jensen pictured on the previous page has the Wisconsin Twin cylinder TF engine. Wisconsin sold the engine, gas tank, hood and grill as a kit. You will find this engine, gas tank, hood and grill kit on other garden tractors. The tag on the frame reads JENSEN TRACTOR COMPANY, BURBANK CA. TRACTOR #150N-442. Hand painted on the engine screening is Garden Master. (We have no reference material stating that Model name) Also hand painted on the grill is Jensen in script. We do not know if the colors and seat are correct. This tractor seems to have oversized tires. They measure 41.5 from outside to outside of rear tires. From center to center of rear tires they measure An un-restored 15HP Jensen we have measures 39 from outside to outside of rear tire (smaller tire) and 32 from center to center. This tractor is unmarked with a model name but it appears to be the same as the 150N. THE TRACTOR FIELD BOOK with Power Farm Equipment specifications, Published by FARM IMPLEMENT NEWS CO., Chicago-1956, shows some new models with pictures. Beginning with the walk-behind models available in 1956, we find the Farmaster 45 with the Gladden Model 40 engine, 7-16 tires, air maze air filter and Eiseman Magneto Model 71-T. This tractor had no reverse. There was also the Farmaster 75 with the Gladden Model 75 engine, Marvel-Schebler Magneto Model KI-100, TVS-27 Carburetor and 8-16 tires. It came with a sulkey with tires. This tractor also had no reverse. Interestingly, there are also details about the Jensen T-7 walk-behind track machine. The engine set up was the same as the Farmaster 75 Model but it did have reverse and double clutch steering. The two track machine came in 5, 6 or 7 width tracks. The following page is a scan from the book afore mentioned. Because of the right edge binding some of the type may be cut off. Pictures of these tractors would be appreciated and will be posted with the owner s name and information as desired.

9 Also listed in THE TRACTOR FIELD BOOK under Riding Tractors of Capacity Less than One 12- inch Bottom are listed two ride-on 4 wheel tractors. The smaller one is called the Farmaster Model 86. It had a Wisconsin single cylinder AEN engine and a Borg-Warner Transmission. The rear tires were 8-16 and the front It had a 60 wheel base and width. The larger tractor was called the Farmaster Model 150. It sported the twin-cylinder Wisconsin TFU engine, Borg-Warner transmission and Spicer differential. The rear tires were 7-24 (over size were 8-24) and the front tires were It had a 62 wheelbase and width of The following page is a scan from THE TRACTOR FIELD BOOK. All of the specifications are listed. Because of the binder edge some of the print on the right is blurred. If you need more detailed info you just cannot read, us and ask. Again, any pictures or additional info would be appreciated and credited. briggsplanet@aol.com

JENSEN TRACTOR MFG. CO.

JENSEN TRACTOR MFG. CO. This article s purpose is to put together the few pieces of information we have about the Jensen tractors. It is not intended to be inclusive. Further information is appreciated.