Roths Industries, Inc. (1945–1960) was a manufacturer of small garden tractors and other agricultural equipment founded by Herbert C. Roths in Alma, Michigan. The company manufactured Garden King Walking Tractors, BesRo Riding Tractors, and Till Ro Stalk Cutters.
History Herbert Carl Roths was born in Edna, Iowa in 1902 and died in St. Louis, Michigan in 1978.both Herbert and his wife are at the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa, USA . At the time of his first patent Herbert Roths was a resident of Alpena, Michigan and the company was in the early stages of startup. With the submission of the second patent, the late Roths had settled into Alma, in Gratiot County, Michigan.
The first patent (D146,947) was applied for by Herbert C. Roths on August 24, 1945 for the design of an ornamental tractor. This patent was awarded on June 17, 1947. At the time of the second patent (D157,432), Herbert C. Roths was an assignor to Roths Industries Inc., Alma, Michigan. The patent was applied for on December 19, 1946 and awarded on February 21, 1950. The second patent was a garden tractor design which would later become the Roths Garden King walking tractor. The first production Garden King walking tractors were sold in late 1945. Over the next few years variations built from the Garden King's parts would become available. The Roths Model-G and BesRo would borrow many production parts from the Garden King, one of which being the transmission. The company was still producing the Terrier Tractor, Country Boy and Little Jeff riding tractors as late as 1960. Herbert Roths had two patents issued in 1970 and 1973 for a transplanting loader and transplanting machine.
Products
Model W - Garden King The Roths Garden King-Model W is a self-propelled two-wheel tractor which was introduced sometime around 1945. The number of units produced remains unknown. According to a March 15, 1949 part list, the 6 H.P. standard Garden King walking tractor and reverse drive with 6x12 tires had a domestic shipping weight of 504 pounds (229 kg), a net weight of 420 lb (191 kg), and a list price of $375.00. Later in 1954 this tractor was listed as $345.00. These tractors may have been sold or licensed to a distributing company in 1946/1947, by the name of General Implement. General Implement sold the Garden King labeled as the GI garden tractor. This may have been a marketing strategy of Roths Industries to reach out to the national agricultural market.
Type: Two Wheel Walking Tractor with Steeromatic Control. Operator always has control over the cultivator. Engine: Wisconsin AB Engine, 3 H.P. Transmission: Steeromatic Draft Control, Differential Slip, Forward/Reverse, Automotive type differential carried on four Timken bearings Final Drive: Worm and worm gear and differential operating in a bath of oil. On each side of differential housing is chain reduction to final drive axle, each operating in a bath of oil. Speed: From 3⁄4 to 3 miles per hour (1.2–4.8 km/h), speeds variable by throttle control Cultivating Clearance: 14 inches (36 cm) through center of tractor Wheel Tread Width: Adjustable from 20 to 32 inches (51–81 cm) on tread centers Wheels/Tires [1946 to 1947]: Cast Iron Split Rim with 6.00-9 Firestone or Goodyear Industrial Rib 4-Ply Tires Wheels/Tires [late-1946 to 1947]: Cast Iron Split Rim with 4.50-12 Goodyear Studded Tread 4-Ply Tires Wheels/Tires [1948 to End]: Cast Iron Split Rim with 6.00-12 Armstrong Garden Tractor Lug Tires Shipping Weight: 560 lb (254 kg) with cultivators Colors: Green and Yellow In 1949, the Model "W" and "WKS" were made available.
Model W: Wisconsin AB Engine, 3 H.P. Model WKS: Wisconsin AKS Engine, 5 H.P. Attachments include: 36-inch (91 cm) Toolbar Cultivator, 6 Blade Disc (Six 12-inch (30 cm) Blades) Draw Bar Type, 8 Blade Disc (Eight 12-inch (30 cm) Blades) Draw Bar Type, 6 Blade Disc (Six 15-to-16-inch (38–41 cm) Blades) Draw Bar Type, 8 Blade Disc (Eight 15-to-16-inch (38–41 cm) inch Blades) Draw Bar Type, 14 Tooth Expanding Type Harrow (tool), 8-inch (20 cm) Moldboard Plow with rolling coulter, 48-inch (122 cm) Snow Blade, the Columbia III planter with Fertilizer, 36-inch (91 cm) (Special Order) or 40-inch (102 cm) Sickle Bar Mower, Cultipacker and Cane or Vineyard Cultivator.
Model G The Garden King Model W was introduced as a high crop walkbehind garden tractor but sometime in 1947 or 1948 the tractor was also available in a lower stance version. This new design came equipped with a new type ratchet differential drive based on the original Model W differential. By 1950 the tractor had become known as the Model G. To steer this type of tractor, the operator did not have to overcome the power in the drive wheels because of the differential design. When the clutch is disengaged the tractor can be easily moved in forward or backward motion. According to a 1950 magazine advertisement, the Model-G walking tractor had a list price of $175.00.
Type: Two Wheel Walking Tractor Engine: Kohler Model K90R (in 1954). 1 ½ to 2 H.P. or 2 ½ to 3 H.P. Transmission: Ratchet Type Differential, Forward/Reverse, Ratchet type differential carries on two Timken bearings Drive: An all gear driven unit using Timken bearings on differential and power input shaft of worm Speeds: 1 to 3 miles per hour (1.6–4.8 km/h) Cultivating Clearance: 9 inches (23 cm) through center of tractor Wheel Tread Width: Adjustment 16 to 30 inches (41–76 cm) at center Wheels/Tires: Cast Iron Split Rim with 6.00-12 Garden Tractor Lug Tires Weight: 385 lbs. Colors: Green and Yellow
Model T – Terrier The Terrier Model T was introduced around 1953-1954. According to a 1954 Red Tractor Book data sheet, the Model T walking tractor had a list price of $175.00.
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