"Topeka Hiway Mower HPS5 with Flail Mower - Estimated Year: Late 60s - Early 70s - Serial #2257 - 121.6 hours * Unit Does Not Run * * 4x4 Stick Shift * 4 Cylinder Flat Head * High/Low Transfer Case * Front & Rear Differential * Has pumps * Willy's running gear
These two Topeka Hiway mowers, built by the American Hoist and Derrick Company, are for sale. The second one shown has an original mower, which is rare to find.
"Serial #2278 - 9772 Miles / 1311.4 Hours * Unit Does Not Run & Does Not have the Mower * * 4x4 Stick Shift * 4 Cylinder Flat Head * High/Low Transfer Case * Front & Rear Differential * Has pumps. * Willy's running gear
Units were designed for off-highway mowing. # Could be used with tractor implements or build a custom 4 wheel unit. # Would also make a good flail mower or a mobile log splitter.
- Serial #2257 - 121.6 hours * Unit Does Not Run * * 4x4 Stick Shift * 4 Cylinder Flat Head * High/Low Transfer Case * Front & Rear Differential * Has pumps
* Willy's running gear Units were designed for off-highway mowing. # Could be used with tractor implements or build a custom 4 wheel unit. # Would also make a good flail mower or a mobile log splitter.
Steve saw the article about Topeka's from yesterday and forwarded this ad. He thought it was a custom rig. This runs and drives.
"4x4 tractor with blade to move the snow that is on it's way. Good for plowing snow or dirt work. 4x4 has all jeep running gear. Has a hydraulic system. Turn key ready $1450. cash or give me a call and we can discuss a trade. Looking for a gas motor golf cart."
Dennis spotted this modified mower. It doesn't run.
"Old cool Topeka County mowing machine. Does not have the mower attachment anymore. Selling for my pops. He used it at his RV repair shop years ago to pull trailers around and then gramps used it for his auto repair shop. Has not run in about 7 years so not sure what it would take to get her going. Has hydrolic ram on the back that lifts a crazy bar and chain set up that gramps used to pull motors from cars with. Also has big tube setup on front had a crank winch on it but not anymore. Think it's a jeep flat head 4 cylinder motor. Jeep front and rear axles not sure the size. Not sure what tranny and transfer case are in it. Was going to use it for yard art but not anymore. It's a cool old unusual little machine. Could probably get it running with not a whole lot on work or just use the parts off on it. Selling for what it's worth in scrap so $600.00 OBO Pops has a title for it somewhere. Thanks for looking. If it doesn't sell in week or 2 it's being put on my trailer and down to the scrap yard so if ya want it let me know. Sorry I don't know more about it but honestly who would. never seen another one like it!"
This is really cool! There are a bunch Dave posted in the past. I need to fix the picture links at some point, if you click on them they will open. Seller references eWillys for search, that's pretty cool. One of my main reasons for pushing this forward!
Collectors item tractor, SMV, no licenses necessary - search eWillys.
Oceana county road commission used it on 31. Mower is missing. Ran fine when parked 25 or so years ago, oil is clean needs carb rebuild, seats and harness. All parts are readily accessible. Top speed around 30mph. Total work horse, Joe DiMaggio lived his, used it as his plow tractor. Most of these have the Hercules engine - this has the Red Seal flat top four. increasing its value. Use it for anywhere everywhere, dualies all the way around with big paddle tires and you’ll just own the dunes or for your kids to pick up chicken at the chicken shack.
Zoom in on the drivers side pictures - you’ll see that the fenders are so heavy that my dad mounted a vice on it. Also you can get the general condition of the springs and suspension.
"This is an older highway mower it's four-wheel-drive with what I believe is Willys undercarriage it has a flat head four-cylinder continental motor need some work"
One source argues that the Topeka Hiway Mowers were built by 'Shorty' Meinhardt, who founded Meinholt Machine and Welding in Topeka Kansas. Shorty's grandson Dean Fechter now runs the business. According to Meinhardt's cousin, the first mower they built rolled over and broke Shorty's back. But, that didn't stop them from building more tractors.
Yet, according to at least one data plate, the Topeka Hiway mower was produced out of Irwindale, California, a product of the American Hoist & Derrick Company. Can anyone clear up the discrepancy between producers of the mower?
I have kept records of all of the people I know who have these mowers and information about the style, age and attachments. So far I have found three distinct styles. The oldest style appears to date to the late 1930s and uses Ford-style sheet metal and running gear. Examples are owned by collectors near Seattle, Wash., and Hartsville, Tenn.
The second style closely follows a CJ Willys/Jeep and uses a Continental 4-cylinder flathead engine, 3- or 4-speed transmission, and Dana 18 transfer case. The mower attachments on these were either a sickle bar or rotary. I think later mowers of this style included a windshield. I have found two examples of the later style Topeka Hi Way mower. One was recently sold by the Montana Highway Dept., and the other is in Lyons, Colo.
Most, if not all, of the mowers were painted yellow. To date, I have recorded the names and addresses of 11 owners in eight states. Just today I added two more contacts. By including my previous letter in your magazine, you have generated many of my contacts. I’d like to receive information from your readers about anyone who has one of these mowers or knows where one might be found. Thank you for producing such a wonderful magazine and assisting me in researching the Topeka Hi Way mower.
Here are some examples of the jeep version of the Topeka Mower:
