In 1974, seven Steiner brothers started Steiner Turf and Agricultural Products, so it’s a relative newcomer to the turf and/or lawn care industry. This unique early-1980s Steiner ST-18 Turfmaster 4×4 with dump box is posted here on Facebook Marketplace in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $2,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the top turf tip!
About a month ago, we saw a similar era Steiner tractor here on Barn Finds, but it was a three-wheel model that had a swiveling seat so you could operate it either forward or backward. Steiner sure made some cool little tractors! I would have an easy time hoarding, I mean collecting unique garden tractors, if I had done a better job managing my money over the decades. This one has a 60-inch mower deck, and there was also a 48-inch deck available.
This model has a dump box, which is always handy. I believe this is hydraulic-operated, but I’m not positive. This ad for a Steiner Turfmaster says that the dump box is operated by hydraulics as standard equipment, so I’m guessing this one is as well. This l’il rig has power steering that’s connected to the articulating system. This one would have been bright red, so it appears to have faded a bit over the years.
There is hardly any information on these tractors at all, but then I ran across this gentleman’s YouTube video, and it just about brought tears to my eyes. It’s like discovering a hidden treasure; the amount of information he has uncovered and laid out here is absolutely mind-blowing! Truly the stuff of legend for those of us who are into the details of the models, and model changes and details throughout the years, etc. Very, very well done, sir. Now, if I could somehow talk him into doing a comprehensive history and details of all minibikes ever made, I’d be set for life.
Here’s the box tipped up. This would be a handy little tractor for lawn work, dumping soil and mulch, hauling cut-up wood, or almost anything like that. And, of course, mowing. You can see the mower on the front, and there would also be a blade, a snowblower, etc., and the ST-18 was made between 1980 and 1982. Here are some specs and other info on TractorData.com.
The seller doesn’t show a photo of the engine, and in their listing, they say it has a 20-horsepower Onan engine. The ST-18 has a 694-cc 18-horsepower Briggs & Stratton twin-cylinder engine. The ST-20 has a 20-horsepower Onan, so I’m not sure exactly which one it is, if this is an ST-20 with an Onan or an ST-18 with a Briggs. The transmission is a dual-range hydrostatic unit, and having 4WD has to be a benefit for mowing on uneven terrain. Whatever engine or model it is, this is one super cool garden and/or lawn tractor. Are any of you into vintage lawn tractors and other related equipment? Any ideas on exactly what model this is?
And….. Its already sold. Maybe Scotty snagged it and added it to his stash after all? I think 2 grand for a running and driving and complete tractor like this sounds pretty fair. Apparently so did someone else. I’m curious about the Onan, Briggs engine question myself.
They repowered the tractor with the 20hp onan after the b&s 18hp wore out.
Too cool, I worked on a greens crew for a number of yrs at a couple golf courses. When we purchased a 3wd Jacobsen triplex greens mower, it sure made climbing wet slippery hills around the property alot easier.
So, apparently an articulated tractor is not a tractor that speaks very clearly?
No mention of the seven Steiner brides.
Great comment Larry , humor is good medicine
Well, it’s an unusual combination, Technically with the mower, it’s a 6×4, no? I don’t recall many grass cutters with a dump box, which is hydraulic, you can see the ram and the pump. Seems like a lot of machine for a mower. 60″ is a BIG mower, that’s 5 feet, and takes a lot of power. I don’t know, I’d have to think that FWA Bolens tractor would be more useful. This would be great for big areas, but a little clumsy in tight situations.. I suppose whoever bought it will find that out.
It has a 48″ deck available too.
I worked for a mower shop and they brought one by for us to demo.
Overbuilt and expensive. Too much machine for yards, but great for golf courses in the mountains according to the sales rep.
Even had double wheel kit for each single so 8 wheels. That looked cool.
I remember years ago when the local golf courses used a bunch of Yazoo mowers. You sat on top of the rear (steer) wheel and went from there. Like everything else there would’ve been a learning curve to operating one. Of course I found myself comparing it to the Sunbeam 18 inch electric, or the Lawnboy 20 inch…
All about hours in the seat geo, you’re dead on with that.