This Massey Harris General Purpose tractor is a good example of the progress during the early years of the changeover from horse farming. Four wheel drive didn't catch on for many years after early examples like this one, and I suspect the the steel wheels were the primary reason.
You could dig a tractor into a hole pretty fast with lugged steel wheels, and burying both ends of this iron beast would be an experience that you would never wish to repeat. Rubber tires were such a great improvement over steel in providing traction that farmers did not clamor for all-wheel drive. Dual wheels came into general use during the 1960's. Articulated all-wheel drives and front wheel assist came along after that. It is common to see six or eight wheels pulling now in row crop country.
I suspect that the more complicated machinery of four wheel drives like this one scared away many potential customers who were just learning how to operate gasoline powered farm equipment. There are universal joints or a CV joints hidden in the front axles, and a farmer who grew up with horses and steam engines would be intimidated by the thought of working on this assembly.
I think one of these would be just great for dragging logs out of the woods. Loggers used to use two wheel drive tractors before skidders became common, and this four wheel drive looks like it would be much better than a conventional tractor.
This Massey Harris General Purpose tractor is a good example of the progress during the early years of the changeover from horse farming. Four wheel drive didn't catch on for many years after early examples like this one, and I suspect the the steel wheels were the primary reason. 
You could dig a tractor into a hole pretty fast with lugged steel wheels, and burying both ends of this iron beast would be an experience that you would never wish to repeat. Rubber tires were such a great improvement over steel in providing traction that farmers did not clamor for all-wheel drive. Dual wheels came into general use during the 1960's. Articulated all-wheel drives and front wheel assist came along after that. It is common to see six or eight wheels pulling now in row crop country.
I suspect that the more complicated machinery of four wheel drives like this one scared away many potential customers who were just learning how to operate gasoline powered farm equipment. There are universal joints or a CV joints hidden in the front axles, and a farmer who grew up with horses and steam engines would be intimidated by the thought of working on this assembly.
I think one of these would be just great for dragging logs out of the woods. Loggers used to use two wheel drive tractors before skidders became common, and this four wheel drive looks like it would be much better than a conventional tractor.
A green Massey Harris? I thought I was going color blind.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know where to find parts for these tractors
ReplyDeleteYou can post want ads in the engine/tractor magazines like Gas Engine Magazine, or join the Smokstak website and place ads there. Get to know other tractor and engine guys and they will help you. It is not easy, but it is worth the effort!
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