ALL ABOUT TRACTORS

BY PAUL WALLEM 

 The word “autonomous” is still not clearly understood, particularly by us in older generations. Yet, it has become a significant factor in agriculture. Younger generations will instantly describe it as “driverless” or hands-free.

Yet if we ask those still in their youth to describe a “party line,” they have no idea what we’re talking about. 

Each generation experiences big changes. Yet a young farmer recently compared his new-tech combine controls as “simpler than the old combine.” He said a quiet ride replaces the levers, jolting shifters, and noise in the cab and just pushing buttons. Innovative engineering has also vastly improved the performance of today’s combines. 

Each new generation will experience changes. The biggest change, however, is the familiarity with technology among the younger generations who grew up with it. The rest will just

have to suck it up and learn!

THE COMPELLING FIELD OF AGRICULTURE

The College of Agriculture (ACES) at the University of Illinois has its highest enrollment in 50 years, and other agricultural colleges are also experiencing substantial enrollment increases.

I received my degree at the U of I in the College of Agriculture, majoring in ag mechanization. That led to my career with International Harvester Company. I met recently with Bob Easter, former Dean of the College of Agriculture ( and later President of the U of I). He indicated that a large factor in recent enrollment is the great increase in ag machinery technology and the need for specialists at the manufacturer and dealer group levels. 

Much credit should go to FFA programs throughout the country. With an enrollment of one million, students are being informed of the many and variable ag careers. Most members are now from non-farm backgrounds, yet membership is expanding, particularly the number of young women.

McCORMICK TRACTOR BRAND

Readers have expressed curiosity regarding the background of McCormick tractors on the market throughout the country.

This is an agricultural machinery company founded in 2000 when CaseIH divested assets to gain European approval to merge with New Holland AG. Their tractors were built at Doncaster Works, UK, which has a long history of producing tractors for CaseIH and International Harvester Company ( I visited this plant while export manager for IH).

In December 2006, new owner ARGO SpA closed the Doncaster plant and moved production to Fabbrica, Italy, where McCormick tractors are now built.

Independent McCormick tractor dealers are located throughout the United States. Tractor horsepower ranges from 24 to 310. For more information go to mccormick.it/us.

100 YEARS OF FARMALL   -    1924 - 2024

The 1920 engineering department at IH was a beehive of activity. They had been ordered to build an all-purpose tractor that could navigate row crops. None currently existed.

It was no overnight task—it took three years. The name “Farmall” came out of this effort. Production began in 1924. IH built 200 that year and 838 in 1925. The total production of the Regular and F-20 totaled 148,000. Most sold between $895 and $1000. They were painted grey until 1933, when red became the color. That never changed. 

This was the first tractor to be named Farmall. Versions were available for distillate and kerosene fuels; gasoline was not an option except to start the engine until later years. This was the first-row crop tractor. Production ended in 1939. 

The name Farmall now appears on certain models of CaseIH tractors.

OPEN STATION TRACTORS

It’s 13 degrees in Illinois when I wrote this column. If you use a tractor without a cab for clearing snow or dairying, consider a heat houser this winter. Max Armstrong suggests a source: Burch Manufacturing in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, still makes them for a wide variety of tractors. 

Paul Wallem was raised on an Illinois dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH in domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH and SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See all his books on www.PaulWallem.com. Email comments to pwallem@aol.com.