Evolution of Tractors

By WesleyG
  • First Tractor

    First Tractor
    John Froelich introduced the first gas powered tractor to the farming industry. Froelich is from Iowa.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    A Holt steam traction engine was used in the construction of the San Francisco cable car system.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    Henry Ford produced his first gasoline powered tractor model, in collaboration with chief engineer Joseph Galamb. Ford called his design the “automobile plow” which means tractor.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    The Bull Tractor Company introduced the first tractor manufactured for small farmers. Standard features included a single “bull” wheel, a two-cylinder 12 hp engine, and a cone clutch instead of a transmission gearbox.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    The Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company produced the first Waterloo Boy Tractor, also called the Model R single-speed tractor. Sales slowly climbed to 118 tractors within a year.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    The Farmall tractor, a light-duty, all-purpose, row-crop tractor advertised to “farm all,” was produced by International Harvester. According to The Big Book of Farmall Tractors, the Farmall revolutionized power farming in the U.S.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    John Deere was able to survive the Great Depression by focusing on product development; Model A and Model B tractors remained the most popular Deere models in company history, produced until 1952. Caterpillar Inc. also experienced growth through the Great Depression.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    Four-wheel-drive tractors were introduced within the decade. Caterpillar expanded to manufacture in Brazil, which continues to the present day.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    GPS was installed into modern tractors. GPS allows you to drive straighter more efficient lines.
  • Progression of Tractors

    Progression of Tractors
    Case invents fully autonomous tractor.