Does it exist?

I’m working on a submission for Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine about Shaw Du-all. I know big surprise, right?

The most frustrating thing about research is that information gets lost to history. In the case of Shaw Manufacturing, some but not all material is gone concerning the N model tractors. I’m a member of a Shaw Du-all group on Facebook, The information we share is a tremendous help.

I recently posed a question in the group. I already knew the N model tractor horse power options were a 5 and 8 horse. I also know that some were powered by Wisconsin, but the majority was powered by Briggs & Straton.

Now, this is where the tale takes an interesting turn. According to advertising, there was a third horse power option offered, 2.5. Sources aren’t aware if any were actually built, though. If any were produced, there were very few. The N2 may be nonexistent?

In my opinion, 2.5 horse power would be tiny. A modern garden tiller has more power. I have an N5, and although I’ve never put it to any stress, I would think five horses would be underpowered. Maybe not.

Jerry Rawlings, the fabricator friend that works on my collection, informed me that the drive line of an N5 and an N8 has the capacity to handle 65 horse power. Even the larger units are underpowered.

Edit ~ A very reliable source has told me that if an N2 was ever produced, the tractor unlikely never left the factory.  The theory is supported by the fact that there’s was no pricing for such a tractor. In any case, a 2.5 engine could have been easily replaced during production.