Name/Title
Ford BNO40 Aircraft TugEntry/Object ID
2023.5.1Description
Ford BNO40
Bureau of Naval Ordnance Model 40
In 1941 The Mercury Manufacturing Company of Chicago Illinois designed a small industrial tractor based around a Ford Ferguson tractor driveline. The company was negotiating with Ford to purchase engines and transmissions but decided that the price to produce the vehicle was too high.
Ford-Ferguson believed the design had potential and began looking into building the tractors themselves.
On 20 April 1942, the Ford Patent Department issues a memo cautioning Ford-Ferguson that if they build a tractor based on the Mercury design, they must first get that companies permission.
In November of 1942, Ford-Ferguson purchases the rights to the design from Mercury Manufacturing.
One of the Mercury prototypes was obtained and sent to Willow Run for testing, and the Ford engineers determined it was too light, so they developed a heavier model in February 1943.
The BNO25 weighed 3600 pounds and had a drawbar pull of 2500 pounds.
The documentation states that there was an optional 300-pound weight that could be placed in a box behind the driver’s seat to increase drawbar pull accordingly.
The BNO40 weighed 5700 pounds and had a drawbar pull of 4000 pounds.
The documentation states that optional 300, 600, and 1000-pound weights that could be placed in a box behind the driver’s seat to increase drawbar pull accordingly.
In January 1943, the US Navy awards Ford-Ferguson a contract (NX SA- 21315) to do a “pilot run” of 50 tractors, which have now been given the name “Moto-Tug.”
A few small changes to the design were done at the Navy’s request.
The muffler was replaced with a spark arrestor model for shipboard use.
The traditional steel tractor seat was replaced with a padded seat.
The original Protectoseal fuel filler was replaced with a “universal” gas cap.
Several lube points were added to the real axle.
The rear pintle hook was replaced with a model that could be released by the driver without leaving his seat.
1 February 1943, Ford-Ferguson begins tool up for production, it is complete 60 days later at a cost of $25,000. Purchase orders for the materials to produce the tugs are issued.
8 April 1943, the first Moto-Tug is completed and shipped. The Navy increases the order to 500 units.
The first ten production units are diverted to the Willow Run Bomber Plant.
The Moto-Tug was lower and narrower than the Ford-Ferguson tractor on which it was based. The engine, transmission, center housing and steering were standard 9N Tractor components. The font axle, rear axle housings, wheels, fenders, and bumpers were purchased from outside vendors.
The fenders and bumpers were manufactured from armor plate to withstand the use and abuse these tugs were expected to endure.
The Ford-Ferguson Tractor components were manufactured in Dearborn Michigan and were then sent to a Ford tractor Dealership in Columbus Ohio operated by a Mr. E.E. Schatz. Schatz converted a storage building next to dealership into a production facility where the tugs were assembled. In April of 1943, he was completing ten each day.
All the tugs were delivered painted lusterless gray.
In all the Ford literature, the BNO25 and BNO40 are both referred to as “Moto-Tug” but in an April 1943 press release, they use a more colorful name of “Armored Mule” to describe the tractor.
Unfortunately, the Moto-Tug files in the Benson Ford collection end in June of 1943, so it is unclear if any other contracts were issued beyond the original 500 for the Navy. The documentation indicates that other services were looking at the tug, with a 140 June 1943 memo from “Patterson” to John Thompson in the Public Relations dept. stating that while on a trip to Wright Patterson Air Base, he had discussed the Moto-Tug with Colonel Jim Early of the Air Service Command. Col. Early indicated that the Air Service was not getting enough tugs to meet demand and that he was familiar with the Ford model. He also told the Ford representatives that under the new regulations, all equipment was procured by the Quartermaster Branch and the Air Service was prohibited from setting up its own purchases. The memo states that the “Ferguson Washington Man” should set up a meeting with the Army QM office as soon as possible.
There is no evidence in the Ford records of this meeting taking place or anything beyond the initial contract with the US Navy.Motor Vehicle Type
TractorCataloged By
Chris CausleyAcquisition
Accession
2023.5Source or Donor
Yankee Air MuseumSource (if not Accessioned)
Yankee Air MuseumMake and Manufacture
Manufacturer
Ford Motor CompanyManufacture Place
City
DearbornCountry
Wayne CountyState/Province
Michigan* Untyped Manufacture Place
United StatesManufacture Date
1943 - 1945Motor Vehicle Details
Engine
Details
Ford 9NFuel Type
GasolineEngine Position
Front-EngineBore/Stroke
3.19-inch (81 mm) bore, 3.75-inch (95 mm) strokeHorsepower
23Drivetrain
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel DriveVehicle Numbers
Number Type
Serial NumberNumber
2172Location
Location
Other
Main Gallery NW CornerCategory
ExhibitCondition
Overall Condition
Very Good
