Built in 1961, this little tractor was powered by a small gas turbine engine built by Solar Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of International Harvester and a major supplier of turbine powerplants. They experiemented with a turbine engine in a tractor with hydro transmission. Only 2 where made. This is the only one left. Its on display in Penfield IL

This type of turbine engine was used in "Auxiliary Power Units" onboard jet aircraft to power the air conditioning and other systems while on the ground, plus supplying power to start the main jet engines. The turbine produces a maximum 85 horsepower operating at a constant 57,000 rpm., requiring considerable gear reduction before connecting to the hydrostatic transmission. The entire powerplant and gear reduction unit weighed in at 90 pounds. Hydraulic motors connected to each rear wheel completed the driveline, eliminating the traditional differential and gear arrangements.


Larry Jones, Curator Emeritus from the Smithsonian, and Darius Harms of the I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club inspect the HT-341 tractor after the hood was removed for the first time in 40 years. The black boxes under the cowl are wooden mockups of batteries that would have been there when the tractor was in operable condition.
Photo by Rich Porter.
Wished they kept up with that turbine line....all the tractors now could have been turbine.