Bill Critchlow of Melita, Manitoba, paired up two 1948 Ford 8N's to make a double tractor.
Bill removed the front ends and built a new longer front axle by cutting the ends from the existing axles and attaching them to the ends of an axle from a third tractor. He put supports under the two engines, positioned about a foot apart, and added a center pivot point for the new axle halfway between them.
To merge the rear ends, he cut both axles and axle housings in the same place (but on opposite sides) so he left both differentials and transmissions intact. He then welded the remaining axles and housings from each tractor together.
He rebuilt the steering so both steering wheels work. And he connected the rear brake cables to the brake pedals on both tractors so one person can drive them both.
This gave him two 8N's sitting side by side on a single set of front and rear axles. "There are two of nearly everything - two seats, two steering wheels, two transmissions, two clutches, two clutch pedals, and two throttles," he says. Of course, with the engines there are also two batteries, two generators and two starters. And at the back, there are two PTO's and two 3-point hitches.
To take advantage of the two 3-point hitches, Bill built a double plow by mounting two old 14 in. two bottom plows side by side. "With both engines running and both transmissions engaged, it has plenty of power to pull both plows" he says.
Bill sold the double 8N at an auction and it went overseas, possibly to Wales.
