Tractor History

In 1868 the first tractors using steam engine powered were introduced. The engines for small road locomotives operated by one man and were used primarily for hauling stuff. The steam locomotives became popular in industrialized countries in the mid 1800's and it also helped to usher in the Industrial Revolution.

Gas tractors followed along the same path as the steam engine and were mounted on skids or wheels with a drive that made it self propelling. Henry Ford is the one who made tractors more modern by building in automobile type steering controls and a transmission with a more powerful engine on a much lighter chassis in the Fordson Tractor.

In 1932, the first tractors were sold for farm use and ran on special low pressure pneumatic tires so they could service a variety of needs.

That was the start of the explosive growth for the tractor not only in farming but other industries as well. Most modern heavy equipment got it's started from the roots of the first tractor.

Today, there numerous makes and models all designed for a variety of different applications. From baling hey to picking cotton, tractors today do just about every job there is to make farming more productive.

The modern farm today could not exist without the used of a tractor.