Some words about Tractors

[RedMF40]

I'm reading the book "Tractor Wars."

Written by a historian for John Deere, it gives a close-up look at the early jockeying for position between JD and the company that would become IH. Of course, there were a lot of other players in those early times and they either survived in some form or another or were absorbed by the larger entities. Now for the words. "Tractor" came into use primarily thanks to the Hart-Parr company. Another term that had been used for a tractor-like machine was "agricultural motor," if I'm remembering right. I've just started the book, enjoying it but it goes into details and history that I probably won't remember. Anyone already read it?

Here's a visual just for something to look at.

 

[Wdj]

Read a few years ago. Good read.

 

[Not db4600]

I'm reading the book "Tractor Wars."View attachment 101136 Written by a historian for John Deere, it gives a close-up look at the early jockeying for position between JD and the company that would become IH. Of course, there were a lot of other players in those early times and they either survived in some form or another or were absorbed by the larger entities. Now for the words. "Tractor" came into use primarily thanks to the Hart-Parr company. Another term that had been used for a tractor-like machine was "agricultural motor," if I'm remembering right. I've just started the book, enjoying it but it goes into details and history that I probably won't remember. Anyone already read it?

Here's a visual just for something to look at.

I wonder if this was the platform for the Iowa PBS documentary. The Wallstreet Journal review speaks favorably of the book. At 288 pages it should be able to cover a good amount of information.
While I found the PBS documentary enjoyable I felt like an hour was not enough and much information was missed.
Keep in mind this is done with JD interest and skews that way.

 

[RedMF40]

I wonder if this was the platform for the Iowa PBS documentary. The Wallstreet Journal review speaks favorably of the book. At 288 pages it should be able to cover a good amount of information.
While I found the PBS documentary enjoyable I felt like an hour was not enough and much information was missed.
Keep in mind this is done with JD interest and skews that way.

I’ve read some of “A Corporate Tragedy” by Barbara Walsh. It helps fill in some info about IH and its early people that Tractor Wars couldn’t really treat as the book would become too cumbersome.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

I'm reading the book "Tractor Wars."View attachment 101136 Written by a historian for John Deere, it gives a close-up look at the early jockeying for position between JD and the company that would become IH. Of course, there were a lot of other players in those early times and they either survived in some form or another or were absorbed by the larger entities. Now for the words. "Tractor" came into use primarily thanks to the Hart-Parr company. Another term that had been used for a tractor-like machine was "agricultural motor," if I'm remembering right. I've just started the book, enjoying it but it goes into details and history that I probably won't remember. Anyone already read it?

Here's a visual just for something to look at.

The Auto Mower in that pic now resides over at Stonefield Village, on the other side of the state from me. I got to see it at the Red Power Roundup over in Madison. Great to see, although it is sans tin where it says "Auto-Mower".

Mike

 

[J Wendt]

Even back then they through away the safety features.

 

[RedMF40]

The Auto Mower in that pic now resides over at Stonefield Village, on the other side of the state from me. I got to see it at the Red Power Roundup over in Madison. Great to see, although it is sans tin where it says "Auto-Mower".

Mike

Do you remember how it works? Reel mower? Sickle blade? Something else?

 

[Brendon-KS]

I’ve read some of “A Corporate Tragedy” by Barbara Walsh. It helps fill in some info about IH and its early people that Tractor Wars couldn’t really treat as the book would become too cumbersome.

That's a very good book as well. Kinda sad if you're an IH fan (like myself!), though. Numerous corporate blunders combined with the timing of unfortunate external events lead to disaster.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

Do you remember how it works? Reel mower? Sickle blade? Something else?

It runs a short, maybe 4' sickle bar & is powered by (what looks like) a Famous vertical engine. It's quite the setup.

A Little Reading on Pg. 11....

Mike

 

[Non-farmer]

Hah, love the hat, Mike

 

[Mcrafty1]

That's a very good book as well. Kinda sad if you're an IH fan (like myself!), though. Numerous corporate blunders combined with the timing of unfortunate external events lead to disaster.

As did Allis Chalmers, I always liked AC equipment and thought it to be at par with any of the other major brands being produced in the era of AC. Stuff happens and we adapt.

 

[ss55]

I'm reading the book "Tractor Wars."View attachment 101136 Written by a historian for John Deere, it gives a close-up look at the early jockeying for position between JD and the company that would become IH. Of course, there were a lot of other players in those early times and they either survived in some form or another or were absorbed by the larger entities. Now for the words. "Tractor" came into use primarily thanks to the Hart-Parr company. Another term that had been used for a tractor-like machine was "agricultural motor," if I'm remembering right. I've just started the book, enjoying it but it goes into details and history that I probably won't remember. Anyone already read it?

Here's a visual just for something to look at.

Iowa Public Television did a one hour documentary of that book. It is a good story.

Tractor Wars

www.iowapbs.org

 

[RedMF40]

Iowa Public Television did a one hour documentary of that book. It is a good story.

Tractor Wars

www.iowapbs.org

Thanks. The video is no longer available but they provide a transcript of the show which is pretty interesting. Like watching it with subtitles but no images.