How big is a garden anyway? At what square footage does it stop being a garden and become a farm field? That was the question posed by Shaw Manufacturing Co. in their catalog number 21. It was also the question you might ask about the R 12 Du-All because it was somewhere between a “garden tractor” and a small full size.
Powered by a two cylinder, air cooled Wisconsin TF engine that pumped out twelve horsepower it was the top of Shaw’s line and in direct competition with tractors like Deere’s L and LA and International’s Farmall Cub. Shaw contended that their tractors could do the same jobs more economically than a full size tractor.
Catalog # 25 was published in 1953 and marked the 50th anniversary of production of gas engines and garden tractors. Gas engine production it said, had been sidelined several years previously to meet demand for the tractor products. The tractors shown in earlier catalogs were mainly walk behind models. By 1953 they had been replaced by riding tractors.
The R 12, it said,could handle a 14” plow in most soil conditions. Accessories offered included: hydraulic kits, cultivators, cutter bars, disc harrows, disc plows, hauling carts and hay rakes. Lawn mowers, snow plows, bulldozer blades, planters, sprayers and end loaders were also available.
The R12 had a wheelbase of 60 inches and was mounted on 7” by 24” rear tires, 4” X 12” in the front which gave it a 24 inch plant clearance. The transmission was described as “selective sliding gears, synchronous automotive type. Speeds ranged from 2 ½ to 7 miles per hour. It weighed in at 1150 pounds.
By the time catalog # 21 was published, ( unfortunately they didn’t date the earlier ones ) Shaw had operations in Columbus, Ohio, New York, NY., and Chicago, Ill. as well as their factory and main office in Galesburg, Kansas. Apparently this did not last as later publications don’t mention them.
According to Shaw, “ Many customers drive to our factory and haul our riding tractors in trailers. Some drive more than a thousand miles. One customer purchased a R 12 T tractor and drove it home across several Kansas counties, across an adjacent state and into the third state.” Shaw’s shipping and handling charges must have been predatory. I think I would beg, borrow or steal a truck or a trailer before taking an interstate drive on a lawn tractor.
Source:
Oldirongardentractors.files.wordpress.com provided all the information used for this post. This is a must see website for anyone who is interested in this type of machinery. They have posted a collection of downloadable catalogs and sales literature that is the best source of information available on a variety of collectable garden tractors and are adding more all the time.
The R 12 shown in these photos is owned by Wayne Bryant, it was exhibited at the Foothills Antique Power Association show in Hickory, NC. Visit www.foothillsantiqe.com to learn more about the upcoming 2021 show. ( That is if Gropin Joe Obidenbama doesn’t put the country in permanent lockdown as part of his Covidiocy policy. )
