Marx 1929 Light Duty Tractor

Marx 1929 Light Duty Climbing Tractor

Referencing the Greenberg’s Guide to Marx Toys Vol. 2, this tractor is one of the two variations of the 7-1/2” long X 3-3/4” wide & 6” tall tractors. The other is the Army Artillery Tractor #1. This is possibly and probably the first version Marx produced with this lithography though. It was commonly used through the 1930’s and came in variation of red with silver exhaust. This is a smaller tractor than commonly found after 1929 the tractors were larger, 8-1/4” X 3-1/2” X 5-1/2”. 

In 1929 this tractor, entirely different from the American Tractor and advertised in the 1929 Montgomery Ward catalog as being able to climb over obstacles, is listed for $1.49 and is described as “constructed on the same mechanical principles as the steel tanks used during the war. Tractor will climb almost anything that is not at complete right angles with the floor…..all metal parts are aluminum except driver at the wheel. Stop and start lever….about 7-1/2” long X 3-3/4” wide & 6” over driver’s head. Chains that run over wheels are heavy black rubber with suction cups that hold tractor to its course in steep ascents”. The driver wears a wide-brimmed hat. 

Differences between the Montgomery Ward ad and other ads of the time suggest the possibility of further variations. For instance, some ads show the same tractor with a different radiator, no key, and ridges on the hood.

What makes this tractor unique and also proves its early production is the driver. The driver was used by Ferdinand Strauss in one of their tractors as well as on one of their wind up boats produced in the mid to late 1920’s. This driver is mounted on the seat and the hands are pressed into the construction of the tractor. To my knowledge this is the only tractor that Marx manufactured done like this, after 1929 the drivers were made to slide into place and could be pulled out easily.