Was There Really A Person Named 'David Bradley'?

Yes, he was born on November 8th, 1811 in Groton, New York. He was an early settler of the city of Chicago, and developed a plow called “The Garden City Clipper” that became somewhat famous and helped open the great prairies. He founded several companies, but the most famous was “The David Bradley Manufacturing Co.”, which made all sorts of agricultural equipment in the late 1800’s. David Bradley died in 1899 at the age of 88.

What Is The Connection To Sears?

In 1910 Sears, Roebuck and Co. purchased the David Bradley Manufacturing Co. As part of Sears, Bradley made all sorts of goods, including war materials. Sears ultimately used the ‘Bradley’ trademark on all agricultural items sold in the catalog, irrespective of the source of manufacture. Sears sold Bradley in 1962 as part of an anti-trust deal with the federal government.

What Is The Connection To Roper?

In 1966 The George D. Roper Corp. purchased David Bradley as part of the buy out of the Newark Ohio Company. Roper went on to produce lawn and garden equipment for Sears until the late ‘80s, when Roper sold it’s outdoor equipment division to American Yard Products.

What Did David Bradley Make?

Traditionally, all sorts of agricultural items including wagons, rakes, binders, planters, etc. In the 20th century, the company added lawn and garden equipment, or items for the ‘sun down’ (small) farmer. In the end, Bradley made chain saws, furniture, barbecue grills and other items for sale through Sears.

Is David Bradley Equipment Collectable?

Yes, because Bradley is so well known (due to the connection with Sears) nearly all Bradley items are presently collectable. Among the most popular are walk-behind tractors (and attachments), Handiman WT and RT tractors, Graham Bradley farm tractors, Tri-Tracs, and ‘Suburban’ riding tractors.

Can I Still Get Parts?

Yes and No. For pre-war equipment, the answer is pretty much no. For the popular post war equipment, some parts are still available through Sears. Items like hoods and steering wheels are long gone, but smaller items that were re-used by Bradley Engineers for more current equipment may still be available. Check out the Sears parts site at http://www3.sears.com/ for exploded views of some equipment and possible parts availability.

How Can I Get In Touch With Others Interested In Bradley Equipment?

See the resources page from the panel on the left of your screen.

Is There Anything Left Of The David Bradley Plant?

Yes, the old Bradley plant is located in Bradley IL. (near Kankakee). Although a large portion of the plant was destroyed by fire in 1986, and several smaller buildings have since been demolished, the warehouse built by Sears in 1912 still stands. Printed in large letters across the top are the words “David Bradley Farm Imp”. Today the building is used as a small business incubator.

I Want To Restore My Red and Green DB Walking Tractor, Can I Get The Right Paint?

It is generally agreed among collectors that International red is a good approximation to DB red. The green is suitably made by mixing equal parts of JD green and JD yellow.

I Found a DB Walking Tractor With A Big Engine, No Hood, and One Axle Is Bigger Around Then The Other, What Is It?

It is a late model walking tractor with the internal differential. Near the end of production DB tractors began using larger engines, and the rear-end was redesigned to include a lockable differential. These tractors perform much better then the ‘clickers’ with external wheel ratchets, and are preferred by operators.

What Is A Tri-Trac?

The Tri-Trac was an unusual three wheeled tractor made by Bradley in the mid-to-late ‘50s. A variety of attachments were made for it, however the Tri-Trac experienced little success. Perhaps the price (about $500 in ‘54), or it’s relatively low power (6 HP Wisconsin) was the cause, but most likely the public did not like the three wheel concept. 1957 was the end of the line for the Tri-Trac.

I Have Heard Something About A Device Called A Speed Changer, What Is That?

By the mid ‘50s a number of competing walking tractors offered actual multi-speed transmissions. The Bradley walkbehind, true to its low cost nature, did not offer a transmission, but instead opted for a variable pitch pulley arrangement that mounted on an arm midway between the engine and the clutch pulley. Separate belts ran from the variable pulley forward to the engine, and from the variable pulley back to the clutch. A handlebar mounted lever placed slight pressure on the arm holding the variable pulley. Pushing forward forced one belt up in the pulley while the other went down. Backward pressure caused the opposite effect. The result of moving the belts in or out was a change in ratio. The speed changer can vary the ground speed between 1 3/4 MPH and 4 MPH (1 3/4 MPH is still too fast). Speed changers were offered as options and as standard equipment of some tractors.

Did Bradley Walking Tractors Ever Use Continental Engines?

Yes, in the early 1950's the supply of Briggs and Stratton engines was uncertain, so some regular and ‘Super Power’ tractors got Continentals. According the catalog it depended on ‘which was available’ at the time. In 1955, Bradley released a tractor called the ‘Super 3’, it made exclusive use of the Continental engine, and is easily the finest of the ‘non-locking differential’ tractors. Bradley Continentals are relatively rare, and are prized by collectors.

I Saw An Old Chain Saw With The Bradley Name On It, What Is That?

Sometime in the later ‘50s Bradley began to manufacture chainsaws. Many models were made, but the best were the ‘360’ saws. They could cut in any position (a real feature in the ‘50s). There were also options for the chain saws, such as a post hole digger, snow thrower, etc. At one point Bradley was a leader in chainsaw production.

Where Are Good Places To Find Bradley Equipment?

Sears operated special ‘Farm Stores’ in many towns through out the US. While Bradley equipment can show up anywhere, it is typical that areas around these old farm stores seem to have an abundance of equipment.

I Would Like To Use Some Of My Walkbehind Attachments, Do They Work Well?

It depends, considering that the tractors ranged in HP from about 1 to 6 HP, some attachments require more power than many of the tractors can deliver. In addition, some attachments, like the snow plow, really require reverse to work well. Over all however most perform adequately. A bigger issue is safety. Vintage lawn and garden equipment does not conform to modern safety standards, so extra caution should always be used.

I Bought An Old Bradley With a Hood, But The Engine Is Missing, Can I Replace It With Any Briggs 8?

Not Easily, the Bradley version of the Briggs engine had a special air cleaner snorkel, that got the air cleaner up and over the carburetor. With out this piece, the air cleaner on any engine you might find will contact the vent ribs in the hood when closed.

A Guy Told Me That Walking Tractors With Continentals Had Special Gas Tanks, Is That True?

It appears that the gas tanks used on all Continental powered tractors had a series of concentric circles pressed into the round end pieces of the tank. Briggs tractors had flat ends. Collectors have recently found that some tractors with 'Continental' gas tanks actually came with Briggs engines however.

What Should I expect To Pay For Bradley Equipment?

In central Pennsylvania, these are approximate going rates for tractors with the following attributes: original engine, original (Allstate) tires in decent shape, runs, not too rusty or dented, all parts there.

Walkbehind $150 (more with attachments). Suburban rider $250-$300. Tri-Trac $1800 or more. Graham-Bradley Tractor $3000-$5000. Handiman RT $2000-$3000

I Have Additional Questions, Could You Answer Them?

There is now a huge body of collectors on the web. See the 'resources' link in the panel on the left of your screen for ways to join this group.