32 November 2018 Farm Collector
Foot-operated brakes on these tractors are located on each
axle. On sharp turns, one brake is applied automatically.
Rods run from the brakes forward and the ends extend up-
ward through brackets on the steering-link assembly. When
the steering bar is moved far enough to one side, the rod
is pulled and the brake is actuated on that side. The power
then goes to the other wheel and the Grand Haven becomes
a variation of a zero-turn tractor.
At a May 2018 auction, Sam bought three more Grand
Haven tractors: a Model CC (serial No. 807), Model BC (se-
rial No. 319) and Model AV8 (serial No. 132). The three were
mostly complete, but not in running condition. The knee-
action front suspension and steering components are seized
on the Model CC. The AV8 has a Wisconsin engine. For ease
of moving and storage, Sam uses a forklift to place them in
his barn.
Deciphering tractors’ secrets
Some early Grand Haven tractors were equipped with
Briggs & Stratton engines; others had Wisconsin engines.
How did the company de-
termine which tractor would
have which engine? Accord-
ing to Dave Mitteer, it was just
luck of the draw. Whatever
brand of engine was next on
the storage rack went into the
tractor being assembled.
Model AV8 tractors have a
Ford Model A transmission
connected to a narrowed A
rear end. At some point, Ford
Motor Co. cut off supply of
parts to GHSP. After that,
Grand Haven tractors were
equipped with a 3-speed Clark
transaxle produced in Bu-
chanan, Michigan. That unit was also used on other makes
of small tractors. Sam found a PTO unit from a Massey-Har-
ris Pony and mounted it on the rear of one of his tractors.
The large, half-link drive chains on the early tractors had
42 links. Even if he could locate the hard-to-find chain, Sam
figured it would be an expensive proposition to replace the
worn chains.
After much searching, he found CA620 conveyor chain
would work – almost. The tractor’s upper sprockets were
shot, so he had new ones made at a machine shop. Then,
he found the teeth on the lower sprockets were just a little
too wide and had to have a few thousandths removed on a
lathe. After that modification, the chain worked fine.
With the introduction of the CC models, rear chain guards
were added along with 78-link, #60 drive chains.
Unique connection to designer
Now 75, Sam lives on 40 acres of land his grandfather
bought in 1926. The land was used as a base camp while the
family farmed onions about 3 miles away near Rice Lake.
Sam’s earliest recollection of being on the Grand Haven trac-
tor was when he cultivated the 1/2-acre seed-onion patch. “I
was only about 6 or 7 at the time,” he says. “I could hardly
lift the cultivator and I wasn’t sure if I could pull the rope if
I ever stalled it.”
A chance encounter 30 years later is a unique addition to
Sam’s Grand Haven history. When he was growing celery in
1979-80, he visited Holland Transplanter Co. to buy parts
for the family’s 1930s-era transplanter. The person assist-
ing him at the counter was Ben Poll, the tractor’s designer.
When Ben learned that Sam was using his Grand Haven to
cultivate celery, he launched into a discussion about the
tractor’s development.
Over the years, improvements were made on the Grand
Haven tractors, including moveable control pedals. Vern
Markley, GHSP sales engineer who eventually became com-
pany president, is credited with designing adjustable pedals
for the tractors. The modification was driven by feedback
from customers’ wives, who complained they could not
reach the pedals and they wanted to be able to drive them.The Grand Haven heritage
A Jan. 1, 1948, price sheet listed the retail price for a Mod-
el CC tractor at $595 (about $6,221 today). Several imple-
ments were offered: A 6-row cultivator (less clamps, tool
holders and shovels), $87; snow plow, $45; and fertilizer at-
tachment (complete with tubes), $80.
A full line of attachments was available for Grand Haven
tractors. The offering also included a Model EC3 high-clear-
ance nursery tractor. An undated price sheet lists a Model
CC2 four-wheel tractor and a Model DC2 tricycle-type
tractor, each priced at
$645. A three-wheel
conversion kit was
priced at $15; a combi-
nation belt pulley and
PTO cost $98.50.
“Many exclusive fea-
tures make the Grand
Haven outstanding,”
promotional material
boasted. “Rear engine
mounting permits
clear, unobstructed vi-
sion ahead and below
for better, closer culti-
vation – weight is con-
centrated at the proper
point for better traction. Direct action steering gives quicker
response to the cultivating tools than is obtained by con-
ventional type steering.”
A GHSP team restored a Model BC tractor in 2007 for dis-
play at the plant. The Model BC tractor was also displayed at
the Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven for more
than 10 years, and was featured in the city’s annual Coast
Guard Festival parade. GHSP remains proud of the compa-
ny’s history with the small tractors.
Strategic Services Specialist Cathy Collins has worked at
GHSP for 18 years. When she was hired, the serial numbers
of about 20 tractors were on file. Being inquisitive, with col-
lectors seeking tractor information, her list has expanded
to 102 serial numbers. A total of 83 have been identified
by model; 19 are “orphans,” missing their serial number
plates. The lowest serial number on her list is 132 (it is one
of Sam’s) and the highest is 1,437. She is always ready to add
more to her list. FCFor more information:Sam Scholtens, 4531 E. 120th St.,
Grant, MI 49327; (616) 293-7244; email:
[email protected].Cathy Collins, GHSP, (616) 847-8597; email:
[email protected].Freelance writer Jerry Mattson has written several
articles on both full-size and smaller lawn and
garden tractors. Email him at [email protected].An early ad for a
Grand Haven garden
tractor showing a
front blade being
used as a snowplow.✭GrantMichigan