In 1918 a mechanical engineering student at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin presented his design for a two wheel walk behind tractor to his Professor for comment. It’s not reported if the student got an A for his project but Professor Earl Welbourne must have been impressed because by 1920 he was heavily involved with the production of the machine.
A factory was established in Milwaukee with Welbourne at the helm. Sometime in the middle 20’s the firm became known as the Pioneer Manufacturing Co. and the tractor became the Pioneer Red E Power Cultivator. The article in gas engine magazine ( which is the source for this post and about all that’s available online ) doesn’t say what became of the original designer, but he seems to have faded from view.
In keeping with the theme of rugged self reliance, these machines were designed for easy owner maintenance. The piston and many other components were the same as those used for the model T Ford thereby ensuring a ready supply of replacement parts. To make it easy for the owner to work on his machine, a tool box was built into the cast shroud around the engine. Simplicity and easy repair became the main selling points for the Red E product. Contrast this to the attitude of manufacturers today.
The two wheel walk behind tractor had been the mainstay product for Pioneer since the early 1920’s but by 1946 things began to change with the introduction of four wheel garden tractor models. These were rear engine models that had been designed by The Page Dairy and Farm Equipment Co. of Milwaukee Wis. Pioneer had had some sort of relationship with Page for a number of years, but when they merged is not made clear.
1946 was a year of change. Pioneer built a new factory in Richfield, Wis. and changed its name to : Red-E Tractor Co. Since That’s what’s on the front of the tractor shown in these photos it dates this machine to after 1946. The first 4 wheelers however were rear engine models that were originally a Page product. Red E closed down sometime during the 60’s.
I photographed this machine at the Steam Expo. in Cumming, Ga.
Sources: A Short History of the Red E Tractor by Gas Engine Magazine
