Story of the exhibit

A home-built tractor of unusual design, built in the early 1990s. Lauri Vaarma, son of the previous owner, remembers: "My father came up with the idea of building a tractor in the late '80s. That is when he started looking for the parts he needed. The main construction work took place in 1990–1991. The tractor's axles come from a Balkancar forklift. Spacers were made for their ends to get enough track width and to fit UAZ and GAZ wheels. For the power unit we managed to get a new Dnepr MT-10 motorcycle engine, with a power take-off added to drive the hydraulic pump and cooling fan. A GAZ-51 gearbox was used as the transfer box. The steering box probably comes from a NYSA and the rest of the steering from a ZiL-130. The hydraulics also came from the forklift, and the seat was obtained ready-made from somewhere. Father made most of the rest himself; only the more complex parts were made by turners and millers. As the tractor could be kept in an old farm building, no cab or engine covers were made. In spring 1991 the tractor was ready enough to be taken to the countryside and put to work. The first shortcomings soon became apparent: the rear wheels did not have enough grip on clay soil, and the original Dnepr ignition coils would not last. As proper tractor wheels were still not available, covers of thicker sheet metal with welded-on lugs were made for the rear wheels. The single original ignition coil was replaced with two Zhiguli coils. In the following year(s) a box was added at the back along with a central lift. The box's main purpose is to add weight to the otherwise rather light rear end, hence the choice of material. In autumn big field stones were put in it for extra weight. In the first year or years the tractor was used for planting potatoes, ridging and lifting them in autumn. Later, when experienced tractor drivers with machinery were easier to find in the village, it was used only to open furrows in autumn. Otherwise it was used to haul everything needed around the farm, both in the field and in the garden. Once we tried ploughing with the existing plough, but the engine was too weak for virgin land. 2003 was the last year we farmed, and after that the tractor was retired. By then many shortcomings had become clear, but earlier there was no time to deal with them and later no need. The wheelbase could have been shorter, as the turning circle is now too large. The rear axle should also have been turned round, because now one of the gearboxes has to be in reverse to go forward. The steering box had a lot of play from the start, and it gradually grew. When building, nothing better was available, and later, when we no longer opened the furrows ourselves in spring, very precise steering wasn't needed." The acquisition of the tractor was arranged by Argo Ellisson. The Järva-Jaani Old Tech Park thanks him and Mr Lauri Vaarma for the opportunity to acquire the tractor and for all their help! We thank the Järva-Jaani Fire Brigade Society and the following friends of the Old Tech Park for their donations towards the tractor: Jaanis Mallas, Silver Kuik.