Farmall M Trojan Road Grader

[C. Amick]

I know where there is one or two of them here in the western part of Virginia that are probably for sale.

 

[Ed yt]

The Farmall M Trojan Utility Speed Patrol represents a fascinating chapter in mid-century industrial history, where agricultural power was adapted for the post-WWII American infrastructure boom.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the Contractors Machinery Co., Inc. (based in Batavia, New York) produced the "Trojan" line of equipment. Their "Speed Patrol" graders were not standalone machines built from the ground up; instead, they were engineered as integrated attachments for established tractor powerhouses—most notably the International Harvester Farmall M.

The Anatomy of the Machine​

The Farmall M was the ideal "donor" tractor because of its massive production volume and reliable 4-cylinder overhead-valve engine. To create the Speed Patrol, the tractor was essentially stripped of its front wheels and integrated into a specialized grader frame.

• The Powerplant: It utilized the standard Farmall M engine, providing roughly 33–36 drawbar horsepower.
• The Chassis: The tractor’s rear axle and transmission powered the unit, while the Trojan frame extended forward to a specialized front axle, with the grader blade (moldboard) positioned mid-ship.
• Mechanical Controls: Unlike modern hydraulic graders, early Trojan units often relied on a series of manual levers and gear-driven linkages to raise, lower, and angle the blade.

Industrial Significance​

The "Utility" designation was key. While massive graders from Caterpillar or Galion were used for building new highways, the Trojan Speed Patrol was designed for:

• Township Maintenance: Smoothing gravel roads and clearing ditches.
• Snow Removal: Equipped with a front V-plow, they were staples for municipal winter fleets.
• Versatility: It offered a lower-cost alternative for small municipalities that didn't need a heavy-duty construction grader but required more precision than a simple drag behind a tractor.

Evolution and Legacy​

By the early 1950s, the design evolved to include the Super M power units, and eventually, the Trojan company moved toward larger, integrated wheel loaders (later becoming part of the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co.).
Today, these machines are highly prized by collectors of "oddball" IHC history. They are often seen at antique power shows as a testament to the era’s "dual-purpose" engineering, where a tractor could be a plow horse one day and a road builder the next.

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Technical Specifications (Typical)​

Feature	Specification
Engine	International Harvester 248 cu. in. 4-cylinder
Blade Length	Typically 10 feet
Weight	Approx. 8,000–10,000 lbs (depending on ballast)
Speeds	5 forward, 1 reverse
Manufacturer	Contractors Machinery Co. (Batavia, NY)

 

[docmirror]

Nice find Ed, thanks for offering up whatever info can be found. Not sure about the 'highly prized' by collectors, but at least a few of us weird folks like them.

The one near me is quite rough. Beyond 'patina' into grunge but it seems to be running a bit.