The Early Days of CaseIH
The history of Case IH is goes back to the 1902 merger of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company.  Cyrus McCormick founded the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and became famous for his mechanical reaper in 1831.  William Deering founded the Deering Harvester Company.

Some of the first International Harvester’s were the 10-20 and 15-30 tractors.  The Titan 10-20 was powered by an International two-cylinder engine and had two forward speeds.  The 10-20 was rated at 10 draw-bar and twenty belt horsepower.  The Titan 15-30 was unique because it gamed the nickname “Flaming Four” because after dark, other farmers could identify one by the flames shooting out the exhaust.

In 1924, the Farmall tractor was introduced by the McCormick-Deering division of IH.  This was needed to counter Ford Motor Company’s Fordson tractors.  From 1939 to 1952, over 390,000 Farmall H’s were sold helping it become one of the top selling tractor models of all time.  Farmall used new ideas like the Ellwood front-wheel-drive modification for the Farmall M and also during World War II removed rubber and other crucial manufacturing raw materials.  Demonstrator models such as the Cub, Farmall C, and the Super A were produced in order to promote its small line of tractors.

In 1955, International Harvestor introduced the numbered series for their line of tractors.  One of the most advanced, and unique, features of the early numbered series was the IH Electrall.  This idea never caught on with the public, probably because it was too advanced for its time.  It was made by General Electric and could be used as a generator on the farm.

In August 1965, International Harvester again made history by introducing the 1206 Turbo Diesel tractor, which was its first 100+ horsepower tractor.  Five years later, in 1970, IH would try to get sales for the 56 series tractors by introducing the Golden Demonstrator tractor.  However, this was not only used to sell the 56 series, but also get ready for the 66 series.

In the Fall of 1971, the IH 66 series was introduced.  Many improvements were made on the 66 series, especially in the engine department.  The 400 series engine proved to be a hit with customers.  IH also introduced the 1468 V-8 to compete with the Massey Ferguson 1155.

In the winter of 1974, International reached another milestone.  On February 1, 1974, IH announced the making of its 5 millionth tractor.  It was first displayed in Louisville, Kentucky, at the National Farm and Machinery Show.  Many ideas were developed on how to promote the 5 millionth, one of which included making a toy tractor from Ertl.  However, this was going to be too expensive.  Ironically, the toy would eventually be made.  The 5 millionth tractor is today on display at the Montana State Ag Museum.  Thirteen dealers from Montana bought the tractor after it was offered to IH dealers in 1976.

In September 1976 the 86 series was introduced, in 1978 the 84 series was introduced, and in September 1981, International’s last series of tractors, the 50 series, was produced.  Tough economic times hit rural America hard and it also hit IH hard as well.  On May 14, 1985, a 5488 was the final tractor built at the Farmall Plant. Tenneco purchased International Harvester and merged it with J.I. Case to form Case IH.  In 1999, Case IH merged with New Holland to form CNH.