ALL ABOUT TRACTORS BY PAUL WALLEM On June 8, after traveling through eastern Iowa and great-looking spring corn, I arrived at the pristine facility of tractor history, John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum. A historical comment appeared inside. September 1916: “We have repeatedly told our bankers that we were not in the tractor business and (we) were not going into it.” – William Butterworth, president of Deere & Company. That changed in March 1918 when Deere bought Waterloo Gasoline Engine Tractor Engine Co. for $2.1 million ($50 million in today’s dollars). The company’s founder, John Froehlich, built his first tractor in 1892. After incorporating in 1893, it became one of the largest engine producers. By 1914, it had become a significant tractor producer because of its lightweight tractor, the Waterloo Boy. Every Waterloo Boy tractor had a 2-cylinder engine. That became the Deere engine until 1960. My time inside this museum was a walkthrough of tractor history, beginning with Waterloo Boy and displaying beautifully restored Deere tractors up to the current models. Each tractor was displayed with a panel explaining its history. The leaping deer trademark has represented this company since 1837 and is greatly visible throughout the building. It is one of the world’s oldest and most recognized corporate symbols. If you get close to Waterloo, take the time to visit this museum. In many ways, it is a history of American farm mechanization. The progress in tractor technology is a lesson in itself. John Deere’s long-time support for FFA is displayed with pride. The museum open April through October daily except Monday. Touch-a-Tractor – a great idea! The 18th annual Touch-a-Tractor event occurred April 12 - 14, hosted by the Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation, in St. Charles, Ill. This annual event provides kids of all ages, both rural and urban, with the chance to touch and sit on older and newer tractors and experience what farm kids always get to do. I’ve interviewed many individuals with farm backgrounds for my IH books and this column. Without exception, they remember their first tractor experience. This event is a great way to introduce kids to the farm world - where their food comes from. Also, the incredible opportunities for ag-related careers are unknown to most non-farm kids, and an event like Touch-A-Tractor might stimulate them as they get older to look at these career possibilities. More details about this can be found on www.kanecfb.com. A source for antique and vintage tractor parts Steiner Tractor Parts is in Lennon, Mich. The Steiner family began producing parts 47 years ago and offered a four-page list. That has now grown to a 768-page catalog available by emailing them at sales@steinertractor.com. One hundred percent of their business is old tractor parts for Avery, AC, Case, Cockshutt, Coop, IH, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Massey Harris, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver and White. The company goal is to match or exceed the quality of the original manufacturer’s part. Their website, www.SteinerTractor.com, offers many repair videos for different brands. 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 & SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See all his books at www.PaulWallem.com. |
