As farmers work the fields in the fall of 2005, there is a wide array of modern machines harvesting and tilling the land. Have you ever thought about the heritage of modern machines? This month’s mini movie looks back at the history of Case IH’s earliest tractors to their modern mega-machines. Case IH traces its tractor history through three brands, J.I. Case, International Harvester and Steiger.
The International Harvester brand built its legacy in tractors starting in 1924 with the introduction of the first row crop tractor called the Farmall. The Farmall was built to replace the horse on farms across the United States. This tractor not only could plow and disk the land, but could also cultivate and harvest row crops. The original Farmall tractor featured in this month’s movie only offered 9.35 drawbar and 18.03-belt horsepower. While the original Farmall looks like a very basic machine today, it was a major advancement in tractor power. This tractor could only pull a few plow bottoms, but it was a lot faster than any horse.
The Farmall line grew in such popularity that by 1939, the Farmall M marked the 500,000th Farmall to be produced. The Farmall M became a legend in itself being produced from 1939 until 1952. The M gave way to tractors such as the MTA and the 400. In 1956, the M design culminated in the Model 450. The 450 shared many of the designs and features of the original M, but in addition it utilized IH’s Fast Hitch system. The 450 is an example of a fine design and the advancements of modern engineering. At 54 horsepower, the Farmall 450 could pull a 4-bottom plow with ease and work the farm that much faster than its predecessors could.
By the 1960’s, the benchmark for tractors became one hundred horsepower. International Harvester’s Farmall 1206 led the way with its new advancements in plowing. This tractor offered a modern operator’s platform with a comfortable seat and large fenders for safety. Introduced in August of 1965, it was capable of pulling a 6-bottom plow and dual wheels were an option to help put all this newfound power to the grind. Never before had farmers had so much power and relaxation as they worked the crops.
By the 1980’s tractors had to be much more than just raw power. They were machines that were able to till one hundred acres a day and the cab made room for the modern farmer/business man to conduct some business. The International Harvester 5488 rated 187 horsepower offered modern convenience and the ability to pull an 8-bottom plow. This tractor was one of the first to offer front wheel assist which gave farmers 4 WD pulling power on a row crop tractor.
The Case IH STX 440 Steiger introduced in the year 2000 is a prime example of a modern tractor built for the farmer of the new millennium. Rated at 440 horsepower, this tractor can pull a 12-bottom plow in the toughest conditions. The Steiger Quadtrac is on of the top tractors on the market today. Its 4 tracks can float over just about anything from deep mud to the frozen tundra. These tracks are important because they reduce compaction of the ground, which leads to stronger and better crops. Inside the STX’s cab, the farmer enjoys a heated leather seat, CD player and many other modern conveniences. In fact, tractors like the STX Steiger can be driven by satellite, which makes for a pretty easy day in the field for the farmer.
The Red Power of the Ages mini movie highlights the advancements of Case IH tractors over the past 90 years from steel wheels to high horsepower tracks. We hope that you enjoy seeing these historic tractors in action down on the model farm.
