All About Tractor

By Paul Wallem 

 Have you seen the Big Bud 16V-747 at Half Century of Progress Rantoul? The world’s largest tractor is coming back into production.

Big Equipment Co. built 500 Big Buds between the mid-70s and mid-80s. (During that period, the author’s dealerships stocked and attempted to sell a 325 HP model and a 450 HP size. Both were too big for our areas at the time). Now Big Equipment Co. and Rome Industries will start producing the 747 again, with a Cat 18-liter engine. Horsepower will be between 640 and 760, but can be custom built to larger horsepower. In contrast to most tractors of today, there will be no computers on board. Just raw horsepower. If you farm a lot of acres, this is for you. Attached photo indicates new model coming.

The many uses of a tractor

The Google definition of “tractor” reads like this: powerful motor vehicle with large rear wheels used chiefly for hauling equipment and trailers.

Britannica Encyclopedia says it is a large vehicle that has two large back wheels and two smaller wheels and that is used to pull farm equipment.

Today’s tractors have progressed well past these definitions. So far, I’ve discovered well past 50 various uses, and I’m sure there are many more.

In the early 1870s, the first steam tractor engine was invented. They were a safety hazard, in constant danger of exploding. They also had great difficulty moving around obstacles.

In 1892, John Froehlich invented the first gas-powered tractor, using a one-cylinder engine.

Since then, tractors have been serving society in endless ways. Here are some:

- Farming and ranching – power for tillage, cultivating, haying, PTO operations including silo filling and elevator. Also irrigation pumps, feed distribution, brush removal, fertilizer application, manure loading & hauling, snow removal, land clearing. truck farm operations.

- Orchard and winery – cultivating, fruit picking & hauling, spraying & dusting.

- Entertainment –tractor rides, pulling contests, parades.

- Civil engineering – backhoe operations, snow removal, bridge & road construction, bulldozing, road grading.

- Highway – mowing roadsides & ditches.

- Landscaping – residential & commercial ground maintenance, golf course construction.

- Docks – towing sea containers, baggage & luggage containers.

- Loggins – tree removal & replacement, land clearing.

- Emergencies – re-opening roads following natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires, snow.

- And now, autonomous operations – in every aspect of tractor use, driverless tractors are growing in numbers. In California, many orchards are operating entirely with autonomous tractors. Even older tractors are being retro-fitted with that software, in the face of labor shortages. Since the early 1900s tractors have been a major tool in the worldwide society.

Like the attached photo, some small tractors take on big loads.

Letters from readers

Following the release of my 2019 book THE BREAKUP of IH, I was privileged to receive some interesting hand-written letters along with book orders or after they read the book.  Here are some of the comments that I enjoyed and saved:

A retired Wisconsin farmer sent a four-page letter describing his Dad’s three-horse team, the family F-20 and the dealer that provided parts. At one point in the letter, he said, “I am happy you made the book. It helped me understand what went wrong with IH. My Dad was my best friend. He died from a horse kick at 28 years old. How sad. Well thanks for the book. I am happy not farming anymore. Too old. Getting old is not much fun.”

There was a lot of complete honesty in these letters, along with memories of childhood on the farm and sadness from loss of parents. The breakup of International Harvester was criticized by some, and others felt the merger saved the future of red paint. One Illinois farmer started his letter this way:

“Dear Mr. Wallem or Whoever: I read your book and liked some parts but disagreed with other parts.” He went on to say, “Another thing. 1939 to 1984 I think pictures of that period would have been awesome.” So, after his comments along with others, I wrote SUCCESSES AND INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH, and it is still being sold.

Here’s another good comment from an Oregon farmer. “I didn’t see anywhere in your book that said the 50AW baler was a dud. My Dad had more broken bales with it than any other baler he had. My brother and I had to pick up all the broken ones.”

Last is this paragraph written by a 75-year-old retired farmer: “I am sending you a check for your book. IH has always been my SECOND favorite tractor. Tractors have got too big. You can still buy smaller tractors that all look alike except for the paint. They appear to be all plastic and pipes. My favorite was always Oliver.”

Paul Wallem was raised on a dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH on 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 more of his books on his website PaulWallem.com. Send comments to pwallem@aol.com.