Tractor Summary

· Weight: 5740?

· Engine: DKR 4 3/4 x 6 1/4

· Mag: Dixie 46C

· Carb: Stromberg M3

· Serial numbers:  400xxx

   

Canadian Special 1930

In 1930, facing declining sales, Rock Island introduced a new F variant for the Canadian market. The key features of the Canadian Special were an upgraded front axle and a Waukesha DKR. Although the front axle addressed a critical weak point, it was not a design that carried over onto later models, and the overall run proved to be short lived.

There seems to be little information on the Canadian special, So far I have found no advertising or paper information on the Canadian Special. I am sure it is out there, but it has so far proven elusive. Much of what I now know is based on information provided by Steve Welker about his grandfather Ben Crabb’s Canadian Special 400004. Unlike Dick Bockwoldt’s 400007, Ben’s 004 is shown as 18-35hp.

Interestingly, in Dick Bockwoldts Sept 99 Antique Power article, The Canadian Special was presented as having a serial number starting in S. I can only guess at this point that that was second hand information obtained before he came into possession of 007.

 

Although it has been reported that the Canadian Specials coloring was red instead of the standard gray and red, this does not seem to be the case. Indeed, the only two verified red Rock Islands I know of are both standard F’s discussed on the Waterloo page. Ben Crabb’s Canadian Special is painted in an off green color grandson Steve and I both suspect is based off a Waterloo advertisement for the F which shows the color as pale green instead of grey. At this point it appears that was a misprint on the part of Waterloo in copying the Rock Island ad, but may have stemmed from early F’s being painted green.

 

See the F section for more info.

See the Waterloo section for more info

HP 18 - 35 rerated to 22-45

Dick Bockwoldt’s Canadian Special 400007

Copy write 2011, 2012, 2013 not for republication or sale without express written consent. All images are the property of their respective owners and are not to be reused without their express permission. 

Ben Crabb’s Canadian Special, Photo’s by grandson Steve Welker.

Two video’s of a Canadian Special in action at 2012 Iams Harvest Fest in Trotwood, Ohio by ChuckE

Photos of Canadian special at Trotwood Ohio’s Iams festival (click on pictures for offsite links to full size photos)