My Happy Tractor (now with video!)

[kontemax]

I will change front wheels for narrow ones, maybe 1.9 x 25 mm with tall tires.

This will turn the look more super deformed and will lower the nose so the car will not over wheelie.

My two cents.

Max

[Olly_Lunchbox]

Sweet vids. I like the Run DMC remix one.

Looks great with the stickers on now - breaks up the yellow a bit.

Just needs a flashing amber light on the roof.

Definitely looks more wheelie happy than my Willy WR02 - maybe the combination of the bigger rear wheels and the lighter body is an influence on that so I think your idea for weights on the bumper is a good one.

[XV Pilot]

I like the idea of an amber light on the roof. I'll have to see if I can find one. RC4WD sell them, at a price. Maybe I can find one off a toy or something?

I was also thinking of a rearward-facing work light, as I see those on a lot of the full-size tractors around here. I have a couple of spare spotlights in my bits box. I'll have to see what I can do...

[bromvw]

I like the idea of an amber light on the roof. I'll have to see if I can find one. RC4WD sell them, at a price. Maybe I can find one off a toy or something?

I was also thinking of a rearward-facing work light, as I see those on a lot of the full-size tractors around here. I have a couple of spare spotlights in my bits box. I'll have to see what I can do...

try tamiya truck on evil bay mate - loads of reasonably priced flashing beacons intended for Scania ect

[XV Pilot]

Thanks - I'll have a look.

In the mean time, it just had to be done:

[mr crispy]

That actually improves it quite a bit! Goof factor 9 Mr Sulu

[XV Pilot]

Happy Tractor has something new to show everyone:

Yes, he has a new rear wing! (His own this time, not one borrowed from my rally car.)

While an improvement over the stock location, having the "rotovator cover" thing mounted as a rear wing was not ideal. However I felt that the rear end looked a bit bare with nothing mounted there, so I ordered him his own HPI D-spec wing, which arrived yesterday. It is a nice size for the tractor shell, and its rounded shape when viewed from above ties in well with the shell's rounded lines.

[Tamiya1/10]

Like the changes you've done. The eyes head lights and happy grill remind me of a worm, no offense. Don't want to sound like a back seat advisor... maybe cut out the side black decal area and use a dark mesh instead.

[bromvw]

i hated this this when i first saw it but its growing on me . I like what you have done and the rear spoiler works well . I'd like to see a drag tractor version with a parma hemi motor though . That would look excellent IMO

[XV Pilot]

Don't want to sound like a back seat advisor... maybe cut out the side black decal area and use a dark mesh instead.

I'd like to see a drag tractor version with a parma hemi motor though . That would look excellent IMO

Hmm. Might be interesting to combine these two ideas and put in a bit of engine detail viewable though dark mesh vents? I wouldn't do it to this shell, as this is a runner and needs its structural integrity. However if/when I get it a second shell for display purposes, I might just give that a try.

Or is there anyone else out there with a Farm King that would like to beat me to it? At the moment it feels like I'm the only one on the forum who has built one of these...

[Psylence]

Love it! Mailman dropped my Farm King off this afternoon actually....

[XV Pilot]

Love it! Mailman dropped my Farm King off this afternoon actually....

That's good. Are you going to build it or keep it boxed? If you are building it, I hope you do a build thread!

[XV Pilot]

Earlier today a mate gave me cause to wonder if there was actually such a thing as a racing tractor, so I had a look on YouTube and found this:

I am now quite tempted to see if I can make an exo cage for Happy Tractor, and maybe get some sponsor decals and race numbers on him!

[Psylence]

That's good. Are you going to build it or keep it boxed? If you are building it, I hope you do a build thread!

Oh it's definitely getting built. I've got bearings on the way to replace the plastic stuff in the gearbox so far. No idea what sort of scheme to go for on the body, and very nervous about tackling the driver figure as I am unable to make a presentable Warhammer 40K miniature either...I do get the feeling that I'll be picking up another one or two of these kits for the wife and nephews

[Skottoman]

I still want one of these... But too many projects already.

I have a feeling they will be available for quite some time.

Cheers,

Skottoman

[kontemax]

As I said they have small and narrow wheels on front end...Kontemax

Earlier today a mate gave me cause to wonder if there was actually such a thing as a racing tractor, so I had a look on YouTube and found this:

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I am now quite tempted to see if I can make an exo cage for Happy Tractor, and maybe get some sponsor decals and race numbers on him!

[XV Pilot]

As I said they have small and narrow wheels on front end...Kontemax

Thanks for the suggestion. While I agree that smaller, narrower front wheels would be more scale-like if the Farm King was modelled after one of the tractors in the video, I see it more as being in the style of one of these, where the width and tread of the front tyres are similar to those of the rear:

Plus, since this is a fun runner rather than a scale model, and we usually run our offroad models on soft ground, the wider, taller front tyres are more practical than smaller, narrower ones.

[XV Pilot]

Tried some smaller rear wheels, from my Mad Bull:

I quite like the stance. Pity they aren't the right colour...

[XV Pilot]

Oh it's definitely getting built. I've got bearings on the way to replace the plastic stuff in the gearbox so far. No idea what sort of scheme to go for on the body, and very nervous about tackling the driver figure as I am unable to make a presentable Warhammer 40K miniature either...I do get the feeling that I'll be picking up another one or two of these kits for the wife and nephews

The driver figure is quite challenging, but not as much as a Warhammer 40K miniature. I collect Tau, and they are a lot harder to paint than this chap. His eyes and belt gave me a bit of a hard time, but otherwise painting went quite well. I didn't go for a particularly difficult colour scheme though - just blue jeans, a dark blue T-shirt and a mustard brown overshirt with a black belt and hat.

If you want him wearing a plaid or checked shirt, it'll be a lot harder. You might want to consider decoupage if this is your desired scheme? I can't remember who did it, but there is a good example of a Sand Rover driver figure somewhere in the showrooms with a decoupage shirt that came out very well.

Please keep us posted as the build progresses!

[kontemax]

I suggest you to cut down the rims to get narrower ones and cut down the tires also.

I'm sure with these modifications the car will be more driveable (due the lower front end for the smaller TLT wheels) and scale looker.

With some racing decals it will be perfect.

Max

[XV Pilot]

It has been a while since I updated this thread, because, I confess, Happy Tractor has been a bit of a shelf queen this Summer. I fully intended to use him as a runner, but each time we went out with the cars, another vehicle always seemed more suited to the occasion, so Happy Tractor stayed at home on the shelf.

That changed last Sunday with the Clumber Park meet, to which I was determined to bring a variety of cars. Happy Tractor made the shortlist, and had a good run with the other cars. He handled the rough ground very well, remaining upright through the turns despite the tall stance. Speed-wise he was a match for the Hornets and Holiday Buggies being driven by other attendees, and proved to be quite capable of wading through the long grass that stymied others.

I really must make an effort to use him more - he is a real laugh to drive!

[AndyjcClod]

I am sorry to say but.... I don't like it, but saying that I do appriciate the hard work you have put in on it though and I know people will love it as well.

I think like you said its a Marmite thing you even love it or hate it.

I can say I love Marmite but hate the Farm King.

PS: Don't tell anyone buy I dont like the Wild Willy either!!! Silly awful looking thing!

[JennyMo]

I thought fans of the Farm King might be interested in this - while I was in the USA I bought a few Wild Willy driver L-parts sets, specifically the one advertised as the "WR02 driver figure (full body)", rather than the 'half' driver set that comes with the VW Samba of course...

And the instructions show him as a direct fit/replacement for the Farm King driver:

I would have thought this would have been a better option in the first place? - of course what we really need is a Willy in jeans and a check shirt... now where is Toykid?!

Jx