Neat little slice of life here, this is the era when Henry Ford was trying to make the same splash in the tractor market that he had in cars, even metropolitan dealers were getting shipped unordered tractors they were expected to find customers for.

Concreted wheels were one of the tricks used on "Doodlebug" home-made tractors to eke out a bit more traction, somebody had a side project.

[That's clay, not concrete. - Dave]

I'm fascinated with the floor fixture they have an entire Model T rear axle, torque tube, dogbones, and all, mounted on, lifts as we know them were a few years down the road and this looks like a well thought out method of doing major work without lying on your back for hours.

It seems the building, at T and 14th Streets NW, lives on.

Heavy jackets, collars high, window open for some ventilation. Miserably cold on the hands, especially when you wash a greasy part with gasoline.

It's a dismantled Fordson.

The tractor is a Fordson Model F, manufactured between 1918 and 1928. I agree that they're probably doing a ring job on it; the copper head gasket is lying on the ground, but I don't see the Fordson's head or manifold anywhere. They've removed the steering wheel and fuel tank to gain access to the head bolts.

There is a complete Model T automobile engine and transmission visible behind the tractor's rear wheels.

Notice the Model T rear differential leaning against the wall in the lower left-hand corner: The spaces in between the wooden spokes have been filled with concrete to provide extra weight -- but why?

Great line shafting on the ceiling, and overall just a great photo from 90 years ago!

There is so much going on in this photo it's hard to start. Out of the three men in the back the one in the suit looks like central casting for a typical G man. The other two staring the camera down look like the are about to teach the photographer a lesson he won't forget.

It looks like the 2 partial cars in the foreground were early dirt racers the tires on the middle car seem to be caked in mud. All in all it is a fascinating photo and I am sure as I stare at it much more will be revealed.

Can anyone identify the model of tractor the gents are working on? They have the cylinder head and manifolds off. A ring job perhaps?

That place is filthy!

I don't know how they know where or what anything is in that mess! Someone could trip over the extension sticking out of the tool box, but he wouldn't fall too far before he'd hit something else! OSHA would have a field day what with all the exposed pulleys and drive belts!