Nebraska Tractor
Test History
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The
first tractor test in
Nebraska was held on
March 21, 1920. Since
that time the Nebraska
tractor tests have
become significant not
only for the state of
Nebraska and our Nation
but for the entire world
as well. |
These tests have provided standards for rating tractors as well as initiating needed improvements
on many of them, and have eliminated from the field many inferior designed tractors.
Tractor Test
Beginnings
Sixty-nine different tractor makes and models entered the 1920 tractor tests in Lincoln,
Nebraska. They were tested in accordance with the recently enacted Nebraska State tractor-test law. These tractors
included many makes and models that had appeared on the market during the previous years, as well as new models
appearing for the first time that year. The catalyst for the new law came in 1918; Nebraska farmer W. F. Crozier
from Osceola in Polk County bought a tractor.
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When that
tractor—the Ford B— (not
made by the Henry Ford
Co.) didn’t live up to
its advertised claims,
he and fellow State
Senator Charles Warner
decided to ensure that
all farmers would get a
fair deal when buying
any model of tractor
sold in Nebraska.
The
reason the name Ford was
on the Tractor is of
interest, according to
H. E. Everett of the
Implement and Tractor:
"Henry Ford was known to
be developing a tractor,
although no public
announcement had been
made. Many farmers were
waiting for this tractor
as it was expected to be
a popular-priced unit
which would fill a place
in the tractor field
comparable to that
occupied by the Model T
in the automobile field. |
Test #2 Minneapolis
12-25 by Minneapolis
Threshing Co., Hopkins,
Minn.
(click picture to enlarge)
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"Taking advantage of
this farmer psychology, a group of promoters in Minneapolis, Minnesota
hired a young man by the name of Ford and organized the Ford
Tractor Company. This group was legally entitled to use the Ford
name. Only a few Ford tractors were ever
manufactured.
"You may recall that Henry Ford's first tractor was known as the
Fordson and this was
because name Ford had
been pre-empted by the
Minneapolis outfit. . ."
Under the leadership of W. F. Crozier and Charles Warner, the
Nebraska Tractor Test
Law was passed in 1919
to ensure that tractor
manufacturers met their
advertised claims of
tractor performance.
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At the same time, the legislature established a facility for tractor testing on the campus of the University of Nebraska.
The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory is known around the world as the leader in tractor testing and is the only one of its kind in the United States. The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum is housed in the original Nebraska Tractor Test facility on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
The building was declared an historic landmark by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and dedicated as a museum in 1980.
On May 2, 1998, the museum was officially named to honor Lester F. Larsen, the Chief Engineer for the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory from 1946 to 1975. Mr. Larsen (1908-2000) was instrumental in initiating the collection of historic tractor test equipment, as well as acquiring tractors that illustrate key developments in agricultural machinery over the decades.
The University of Nebraska and Lester F. Larsen have done so much for the agricultural industry. The test records are a vital map of the history of tractor manufactures and industry changes.
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Tractor and Farming
Landmarks in History Nebraska Tractor
Test |
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Allis Chalmers Big and
Small
Allis Chalmers
G and Allis Chalmers HD
19
click on image to enlarge
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Each large tractor is pulling 6 grain binders. Showing the Big Four "30" tractor. Four tractors with 24 grain binders total.
Early 1900s tractor." In the foreground is a field with stacks of grain. A line of tractors and binders stretches across the
image from left to right.
click on image to enlarge
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International Harvester
Company IHC Mogul 10-20 in
. 1917." Side
view of IHC Mogul
tractor being driven in
a field and pulling a
disc.
click on image to enlarge
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Agricultural Engineering
tractor is being
researched for center of
gravity for tip over
testing. A Farmall Cub
by International
Harvester Co. in 1947."
Front three-quarter view
of Farmall tractor being
suspended off the floor
by chains attached at
its front and rear
wheels.
click on image to enlarge
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Each large tractor is pulling 6 grain binders. Showing the Big Four "30" tractor. Four tractors with 24 grain binders total.
Early 1900s tractor." In the foreground is a field with stacks of grain. A line of tractors and binders stretches across the
image from left to right.
click on image to enlarge
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10 bottom plow pulled by
one tractor. Three
tractors and plows
shown. Big 4 "30"
tractor. Gas Traction
Company of Minneapolis,
Minnesota made the Big 4
"30" tractor in the
early 1900s." Rear view
of three tractors and
plows and the plowed
ground behind them. An
automobile is parked
next to the plowed land,
and two men are standing
on the unplowed ground.
Other men are posed
beside the tractors. .
click on image to enlarge
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information from
University of Nebraska |
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JOHN DEERE R |
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After years of testing
John Deere
relaesed its first diesel tractor in 1949. The John Deere R was also the first Deere tractor with a live independent PTO with its own clutch,
and it in turn drove the
hydraulic pump.
It was also the company's first to be offered with an all-steel cab option.
Total production over five and a half years was 21,294.
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John Deere Backhoe |
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By the late 50s,
John Deere
designing and build its own backhoes and loaders. The
John Deere Backhoe
was sold and treated as an attachment. Like John Deere Farm equipment John Deere Construction Equipment was matched with a balanced in power
and stability for a specific tractor.
Deere's first integral backhoe loaders, introduced
in 1971, were the JD310, JD410, JD500C
and JD510.
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CASE VAC |
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CASE VAC 1942-1955
The Case VAC Model
became a well respected small tractor. Their superior design is evidenced by the fact that many are still in service.
Case VAC Tractor |
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Case Tractors
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FARMALL
REGULAR - F20 |
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International Harvester Company built 135,000 regular Farmall tractors between 1923 and 1932,
when the name was changed to "F-20." (The F- 12 was also introduced in 1932 by International Harvester and 132,000 F-12's were built between 1932 and 1938.)
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