Cushman Stake Kar

 

This 1946 Stake Kar was the last vehicle purchased for the museum by founder, Virgil Schwanke, before his passing. Restoration was completed and it was placed on display in the museum for the 2024 season. It was also on display at the 2024 Atwater Threshing Show, and was part of the vehicle parade at the show.

The Cushman scooter company was started in 1903 by Everett and Clinton Cushman. Cushman produced engines for farm equipment, pumps, lawn mowers, and boats. The four-stroke Husky engine production started in 1922. One interesting farm use of the Husky engine was to power the mechanism on grain binders rather than depending on power from the binder wheels powering the mechanism. This greatly reduced the strain on the horses pulling the binder, allowing more acres to be done in a work day.

Many of the Cushman scooters were a step-through design similar to the Stake Kar or other three-wheel models. Cushman manufactured scooters begging with the Astro-Glide in 1936, and continuing through 1955. Later years Cushman manufactured industrial vehicles like golf carts, and a number of other industrial vehicles.

Cushman became a division of Outboard Marine Corporation in 1962, with the Cushman Division being purchased by Ransomes in 1989, and Textron being purchasing Ransomes in 1998. Textron continues to produce personnel transport and other utility vehicles under the Cushman name.