Forest Home Farms Antique Tractor Collection
History of Tractors
The first tractors were steam-powered machines that came into use on farms around 1850. In 1892, John Froelich invented and built the first gasoline-powered tractor in Clayton County, Iowa. The first commercially successful tractor in the United States was built by Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr in Charles City, Iowa. They built 15 two-cylinder gasoline tractors, one of which was their 14,000 pound #3 now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Until after 1910, tractors were too large and expensive for most farmers. In 1917, Henry Ford introduced the Fordson, the first mass-produced tractor, which was smaller and more affordable.
Tractors, Horses and Mules
Tractors have revolutionized farming in much of the world. In 1920 in the United States, there were 27 million horses and mules compared to about 250,000 tractors. By 1960, there were 3 million horses and mules and close to 29 million tractors.
Kinds of Tractors
There are two basic kinds of tractors: tractors with rubber or steel wheels and tractors with treads (called crawlers). Our museum has examples of each. Just like cars and trucks, they are powered by internal combustion engines that are either spark-driven (gasoline/kerosene) or direct ignition (diesel). Beyond this, tractors are named for their special purpose such as Row-Crop, Orchard and Industrial.
Tractor Manufacturers
There were several hundred tractor manufacturers in the early years of tractor production. Over time, however, major manufacturers such as John Deere, International Harvester, Ford, Case, Massey- Ferguson and Caterpillar emerged as the dominant suppliers in the world market.
Tractors Vs. Cars
Cars have gas pedals – tractors have hand throttles. Cars shift gears while moving – tractors stop to shift gears. Cars have foot clutches – some tractors have foot clutches, others have a hand lever. Cars can go over 100 mph – top speed on a tractor is maybe 20 mph – mostly they go 3 to 5 miles per hour when working. Tractor engines run at 1,100 to 1,700 rpm, cars run up to 5,000 rpm. Tractors pull huge weight, cars pull relatively little weight.
Tractors In The Forest Home Farms Museum
Following is a picture and description of each of the tractors in our Museum. These are all owned by Forest Home Farms. There are also other tractors not shown here that are on loan by their owners for viewing.
John Deere Model BW 1945
The John Deere Model B was introduced in 1935. It was the most popular of Deere’s two-cylinder line, with more than 300,000 delivered. It was designed to be a smaller, cheaper running mate to the Model A. They both included a hydraulic lift option, adjustable wheel tread and all the various front-end configurations.
This particular tractor was located in Concord, CA. It worked in the Concord, Alamo, Tri-Valley, and Bay- Point areas. It was the last tractor at the Cuneo Ranch in Concord, and the first tractor restored at Forest Home Farms by the City of San Ramon.
No. of Cylinders: 2 Bore: 4.5” Stroke: 5.5” Cubic Inches: 175 Engine Type: Horizontal Overhead Valve Transmission: 6 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 151204
John Deere Model BW 1943
The Model B was the most popular of Deere’s two-cylinder line, with more than 300,000 delivered. It was designed to be a smaller, cheaper running mate to the A-boasting all the features of the A which included a hydraulic lift option, adjustable wheel tread and all the various front end configurations. The BW is a wide front option. It is powered by a two-cylinder, 175 cu. in. engine and a six speed transmission. The engine makes a distinctive sound causing those who heard it to label it the “Poppin’ Johnny”. This is a valuable tractor due to the spoke wheels and the fact that it is one of the first John Deere tractors to have a pressurized cooling system.
No. of Cylinders: 2 Bore: 4.5” Stroke: 5.5” Cubic Inches: 175 Engine Type: Horizontal Overhead Valve Transmission: 6 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 148685
International Harvester Farmall F-20 1937
This tractor was built at the International Harvester plant in Chicago or Rock Island, Illinois in 1937. It is a classic example of an “unstyled” tractor; i.e., the engine, steering, radiator and frame are visible and, unlike later “styled” tractors, this tractor does not have a streamlined hood or radiator cover. A good example of a styled tractor is the Farmall M discussed next in this paper.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.75 Stroke: 5.00 Cubic Inches: 221 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 4 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial Number: 90172
International Harvester McCormick Deering Farmall M 1947
This tractor was affectionately known as the “Big M” because of the size. From our display here at Forest Home Farms one can see the size difference between the Farmall H and Farmall M. The Farmall M was an all-new tractor with attractive Raymond Loewy styling that replaced the Farmall 30 in 1939. Unless seen together, it was difficult to tell the H from the M. The M was longer, taller and more powerful.
Options for the M included a Lift-All hydraulic implement lift. Dual narrow front wheels, or an adjustable wide front end were also options. High-crop versions were available with either wide fronts or a single front wheel.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.875” Stroke: 5.25” Cubic Inches: 246 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 144570
International Harvester McCormick Farmall H 1951
This Farmall H is very similar to the other Farmall H in our museum. You will notice as you view these tractors that they appear to be identical. The only difference is that International Harvester dropped the “Deering” name from the mode designation. In 1902, the Deering Harvester Co. had merged with McCormick Harvesting Machine Company to form the International Harvester Company in Chicago, Illinois. The firm immediately became the largest farm equipment manufacturer in the world. The name McCormick-Deering was used from 1902 until the Deering name was dropped in 1950.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.375” Stroke: 4.25” Cubic Inches: 152 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. FBH356403X1
International Harvester McCormick Deering Farmall H 1946
In the late 1930’s, industrial design became an important tool in capturing larger market shares. And with industrial design came streamlining. The square, cluttered radiator area of the tractor now became smooth and round. Flowing lines were also bestowed on a number of other parts, such as the hood and fenders. International Harvester asked Raymond Loewy to bring styling to its tractors in the 1930’s to clean up design and appearances of the machinery, dealerships, and even the corporate logo. The Farmall F Series was replaced over a two-year span by new A, B, H and M models. International Harvester , from 1939 to 1953, sold 390,000 Farmall H’s. The Raymond Loewy styled Farmalls were strikingly beautiful and still look modern today. The Farmall H featured a four-cylinder, 152 cubic inch with a five-speed transmission. Fifth speed was a transport gear with a full throttle speed that approached 20 mph.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.375” Stroke: 4.25” Cubic Inches: 152 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. FHB228852
International Harvester Farmall Super AV 1948
The Farmall Super AV was built by International Harvester from 1948 to 1954 in Chicago, Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky. The high-clearance Super AV was the same as the Farmall Super A except for larger front and rear wheels and longer front axle extensions to give it about 6 inches additional ground clearance for working sugar cane and other tall crops. It has a 4-cylinder gasoline engine, 4-speed transmission, electric starting and lights, touch-control hydraulics and adjustable front axle.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.0” Stroke: 4.0” Cubic Inches: 113 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 4 forward, 1 reverse Serial No. 255979
International Harvester Farmall Cub 1953
The Farmall Cub is the smallest tractor in the International Harvester line, capable of pulling one 12-inch bottom plow. Production began in 1947 and continued relatively unchanged until 1964. This little tractor was aimed at the needs of the small-acreage farmer - farms of 40 crop acres or less and truck gardens, or for larger farms that needed an extra tractor. All models were mechanically similar, with a 4 cylinder in-line water cooled L -head engine, a 3 speed transmission, separate left and right wheel brakes and foot operated clutch. This tractor has a relatively rare one-arm front loader.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 2.625” Stroke” 2.75” Cubic Inches: 60 Engine Type: L-Head Flathead Transmission: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 167867
Oliver 80 1937
The Oliver Model 80 was manufactured from 1937 to 1948 at the Oliver factory in Charles City, Iowa. A Model 80 similar to this was used here at Forest Home Farms.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 4.25” Stroke: 5.25” Cubic Inches: 298 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 112336KDC46
Oliver 70 Row Crop 1946
The Oliver 70 was part of the “Fleetline Series” which also included the Oliver 60 and old style Oliver 88. In the late 1930’s farm machinery manufacturers began an effort to make their tractors look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The “New Look” was referred to as “Styled” while the older tractors were “Unstyled”. The Oliver 70 was manufactured from 1937 to 1948. The row crop configuration could have either dual or single front wheels and even had an adjustable front end option. The Oliver 70 was offered in standard, orchard and industrial configurations. The 70 featured a Continental Six Cylinder, 200 cu. In. engine. With the optional 6 speed transmission these tractors are capable of traveling 13 mph on the road.
No. of Cylinders: 6 Bore: 3.13” Stroke: 4.38” Cubic Inches: 200 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 6 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 2547678
Massey-Ferguson Model 50 1959
This is the gasoline version of the 1959 Model 50, it was also offered with an optional 4 cylinder L/P gas engine or a 3 cylinder diesel engine. It has a three-point hydraulic hitch and is the only tractor in the Forest Home Farms collection with power steering. The Model 50 was manufactured from 1957 to 1964.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.31” Stroke: 3.87” Cubic Inches: 134 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: Dual Range (Low-High) Total 6 Forward, 2 Reverse Serial No. 527463
Ford Model 8N 1950
The Ford 8N was the last model produced of the "N" series tractors that were first introduced in 1939. This all-purpose tractor for use on small farms, included a revolutionary hitch system for pull-behind farm implements such as discs, harrows, and plows. The hydraulic lift arms enabled the operator to back up to an implement and attach all three points with simple pins, then use the hydraulic arms to pick the implement up and ride out to the field where the implement was lowered hydraulically to the soil with the push of a lever. Previously, changing implements involved the help of family or friends.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.19” Stroke: 3.75” Cubic Inches: 120 Engine Type: Vertical Flathead Transmission: 4 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. FDD714
Ford Model 850 1956
The Ford Model 850 was manufactured from 1954 to 1957 in Highland Park, Michigan. This tractor was donated to Forest Home Farms by the City of Concord and funds for restoration were provided by the Lilja Corporation. Included with this tractor is a hydraulic front shovel.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.90” Stroke: 3.60” Cubic Inches: 172 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 50715
Allis Chalmers 1952 Model CA
The Allis-Chalmers CA was manufactured from 1950 to 1958 in West Allis, Wisconsin. This tractor was donated by Podva Ranch in Danville, CA. to Forest Home Farms in 2013.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.375” Stroke: 3.50” Cubic Inches: 125.2 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 4 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial Number: 17659
International Harvester TD-6 1943
In 1930, International Harvester began producing crawler tractors. The line was given the name TracTracTor and various models were offered during the 1930’s. The “D” indicated that tractor was a diesel. In 1939 a new series of TracTracTors was introduced. Styled in a more streamlined fashion by the industrial designer Raymond Loewy, the tractors featured new engines, transmissions and main frames as well as numerous mechanical, electrical and hydraulic improvements. The T-6 and TD-6 were built from 1939 to 1956. The TD-6 was equipped with a four-cylinder diesel engine with a 6-speed transmission. The TracTracTors featured a gas starting diesel engine design originally developed by The Waukesha Engine Co. It allowed the operator to convert the diesel engine to a gasoline engine by shifting a lever. This system allowed the operator to easily start the engine by hand, and when it had been thoroughly warmed up, the lever was shifted back to the diesel position and the engine then ran as a diesel.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.875” Stroke: 5.25” Cubic Inches: 248 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. TDBK19543T14A
Caterpillar Model Twenty 1932-1934
This Model Twenty Caterpillar is known as the flathead since it was manufactured incorporating a 220 cubic inch side-valve four cylinder gasoline “L Head” type engine design. The Twenty was the result of a 1932 re-rating of the larger version of the Caterpillar Fifteen which was also known as the “Big” Fifteen. There also a “Small” Fifteen. The Big Fifteen was produced from 1932 to 1934 and was one of the first Caterpillars to be painted Highway Yellow.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.75” Stroke: 5.00” Cubic Inches: 220 Engine Type: Side-Valve L-Head Flathead Transmission: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 8C 18
Caterpillar Model Twenty-Two 1934-1939
Introduced in 1934, the Twenty-Two was the most popular of the small Cats, with some 15,000 sold by 1939. It featured a 251 cubic inch, overhead-valve, four cylinder engine.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 4.0” Stroke: 5.0” Cubic Inches: 251 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse’ Serial No. 2F-8453SP
Caterpillar D2 1938
This tractor was owned by the Boone Farm and used for many years in daily farm work. To start this crawler, a pull rope is used to start a built-in two-cylinder “pony” gasoline engine. The pony engine then turns the larger four-cylinder diesel until it starts . Once the diesel starts the pony engine is shut off.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 3.75” Stroke: 5.00” Cubic Inches: 221 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Diesel Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial Number: 5J2060sp
Caterpillar Sixty circa 1926
The Caterpillar Sixty was manufactured from 1925 to 1931 at the San Leandro, California Caterpillar factory. This is by far the largest tractor owned by Forest Home Farms. It weighs 20,000 lbs. and, as noted below, has an engine displacement of 1,128 cubic inches. The steel tracks are 18 inches wide.
No. of Cylinders: 4 Bore: 6.50” Stroke: 8.50” Cubic Inches: 1,128 Engine Type: Vertical Overhead Valve Transmission: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse Serial No. 3970