The History of Tractors in Agriculture

The history of agriculture started thousands of years ago when humans transitioned from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle to farming communities. Ancient farming practices relied on basic farming tools like axes and digging sticks to cultivate the land. One of the first developments to revolutionize agriculture was irrigation and crop rotation. Around 5500 B.C.E., farmers developed simple irrigation systems that channeled water from streams to their fields, making it possible to cultivate land that would otherwise be unsuitable for agriculture. Fertilizers and crop rotation techniques also emerged during the same period. 

Agriculture developed gradually until the 1800s when the Industrial Revolution brought steam power to agriculture. The first mass-produced tractors would soon emerge to change the landscaping of the agricultural industry.

Learn more about the history of tractors and its effect on agriculture. 

How Does a Tractor Work? 

Tractors are simple open-design vehicles with two large rear wheels and two smaller front wheels on an axle that sits below a cab seat. Most tractors have a two-wheel drive, with the larger rear wheels driving the tractor and the two front wheels steering the vehicle. 

A powerful combustion engine drives the wheels of a tractor. Direct engines or diesel and spark-ignition engines power these machines. Modern tractors use a power take-off (PTO) system or PTO shaft that provides rotary power. The PTO accessory allows the tractor to operate drawn or stationary machinery for different essential farming practices. 

Tractors are valuable machines that can pull or push agricultural machinery and trailers for plowing, planting, tilling, harrowing, disking and other similar farming tasks.

When Did the Tractor Originate?

The timeline of tractor developments is an innovative journey that transformed agriculture. From heavy steam-powered machines to innovative diesel engines, the history of tractors started in the early 1900s when steam engines on wheels were used to drive mechanical farm equipment on a belt. Before this, draft animals and farming tools were the only options. 

Because farmers would need to keep acres of field for animal feed and acres more to home the animals, draft animals were an expensive, labor-intensive farming practice. 

The Evolution of the Tractor

The tractor is one of the most recognized mechanical developments in modern agriculture. Tractors became a replacement for both human effort and draft animals, fundamentally changing the way farms work. The development altered the industry and eventually freed up workforces that would soon contribute to manufacturing and service industries.

Early Tractor Developments

In the early 1900s, the invention of the first steam-powered tractor marked a period of innovation in agricultural history. Before this point, horses and oxen were the driving force in plowing fields and performing other strenuous tasks, as mentioned. The invention of steam power offered farmers an efficient alternative. However, even though steam-powered tractors provided an alternative to draft animals, the size, mechanical complexity and risk of explosion rendered these tractors unusable for most farms. Most farmers were skeptical of the dangers and were also very expensive machines, making steam power inaccessible.

In 1849, a British engineer, Robert Ransome, revolutionized the farming industry with a patent for the first portable steam engine for agriculture, The Forty Niner. This portable engine was available in three versions— four, 10, ten and 30 horsepower. Farmers could cover larger fields in less time. Even so, these heavy steam-powered tractors required substantial manpower to operate.

It wasn't until the end of the 1800s that inventors pursued a more practical solution. In the early 1900s, the transition from steam-powered tractors to internal combustion engine tractors began.

The Birth of John Deere and Fordson Tractors

The period between 1920 and 1940 is known as the Golden Age of Tractors because the most influential tractor developments emerged in this time frame, shaping these machines into what they are today. During this time, the key manufacturers, John Deere and Fordson, brought the most iconic tractor models to life. 

The Fordson Model F Tractor

The founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford, identified the need for tractors in agriculture and developed the first mass-produced tractor, the Fordson Model F tractor, in 1917, during World War I. This tractor offered efficiency to farms, transforming agriculture. 

The machine used a Hercules, 4,1-litre, four-cylinder engine capable of producing 20 horsepower. The engine was designed to start on petrol and switch to a cheaper kerosene fuel when the engine warms up. These tractors have a three-speed transmission, with a reverse gear and a top speed of about 6 mph. 

The Fordson Model F tractor design bolts the engine block to the rear axle to provide a robust structure without a heavy chassis frame, which reduces manufacturing costs and time. While the rear wheels were available in spoked and clear fabricated steel, the front wheels were available in a 10-spoke fabricated steel design. Later on, tractor wheels were available in a more affordable cast iron version. 

These tractors were suitable for mass production, opening the market for affordable tractors. Because the average farmer could now afford a tractor, Henry Ford managed to relieve some of the burden of heavy labor in farming. 

The John Deere Model D Tractor

During the same period, John Deere, a pioneer in the agriculture industry, introduced the John Deere Model D tractor. This tractor would soon become the most successful tractor model throughout history. The tractor was innovative in several ways, from its two-cylinder engine to its robust design, setting John Deere's reputation as a pioneer in stone. 

The Model D tractor's improved two-cylinder engine could produce about 27 horsepower. With a more powerful engine, this tractor could reach slightly higher speeds of seven mph. While this tractor remained in production for three decades, John Deere continued to develop the model to improve features. 

The 1936 John Deere Orchid tractor is one of the rare models, with only 50 models ever built. In 1958, the Model 730 tractor was introduced. This model offered an impressive 59 horsepower as John Deere's largest row-crop tractor at the time. By 1972, John Deere's second-generation tractors emerged to feature new innovations and more potent 150 horsepower engine capacity. 

Soon, more manufacturers would enter the market to expand the range of accessible tractors. As more tractor-manufacturing companies emerged, tractor prices would plummet, making these innovative machines even more affordable.

Other Iconic Vintage Tractors

There's quite a long list of other vintage tractors. While many offer slight variations of the same features, the Farmall M tractor series and the Allis-Chalmers Model WC tractor are among the more popular machines of the time. 

Allis-Chalmers, a manufacturer or machinery for various industries, manufactured the Model WC tractor between 1933 and 1948 as a low-cost, well-powered tractor with pneumatic rubber tires. These tires improved tractor efficiency, setting a new design standard for tractors. 

In 1939, International Harvester produced the Farmall M tractor, which was the largest row crop tractor of its time. This machine's engine included six gears, including a reverse gear. Later, in 1953, the Farmall H tractor emerged as an all-purpose row crop tractor. The Farmall line of tractors featured a series of new innovations that are still seen in tractors today. 

The Modernization of Tractors

Several important technological developments would soon take place that would modernize tractors to make these machines more efficient and even more versatile. Diesel-powered tractors were one such innovation. Diesel tractors offered better fuel efficiency, more power and a longer engine life span.

The large metal wheels of early tractors were prone to damage from banging on dirt roads. They also reduced horsepower potential by dragging down the tractor engine and increasing fuel consumption. While attempts to replace heavy steel tractor wheels date back to the 1800s, it wasn't until 1918 that solid rubber tires went into production for tractors. With this, tractors became more fuel-efficient. 

Hydraulic systems were another industry-shaping advancement that made tractors more versatile. With fluid power, tractors could operate a variety of tractor attachments, making tasks like plowing and tilling far more manageable. Another development that played a crucial role in modernizing the tractor is power take-offs. PTOs enable tractors to transfer power to different accessories like mowers, loaders and balers. This new versatility made tractors invaluable to modern farmers.

New Tractor Innovations

The agricultural industry continues to develop innovative technologies to improve farming operations. Engineering ingenuity continues to drive change in the farming sector, from GPS systems and data analytics to advanced sensors that offer optimal precision in agriculture. These new tractor technologies are laying the groundwork for the rise of smart farming. 

Electric Tractors

Electric tractors offer the farming sector an opportunity to reduce emissions and lend a hand in environmental conservation efforts. As with electric cars, these tractors are powered by electric motors that run on battery power. This innovation aligns with the growing need for sustainability in agriculture. Electric tractors can contribute to a cleaner environment, and they have lower operating costs and produce far less noise pollution.

Electric vehicles have fewer working parts than diesel and gasoline engines, which translates into less maintenance and repair costs as well. These tractors use simplified systems that replace conventional exhaust and transmission systems.

GPS and Analytics

With advanced GPS and data analytics, tractors have enhanced capabilities and can now use real-time data to improve planting, fertilizing and harvesting processes. The enhanced precision offers the benefit of reduced wastage and optimized consistent crop yields. 

Tractors can stick to precise paths to minimize overlapping and the potential for gaps when planting and harvesting crops. With sub-inch accuracy, overall farming efficiency improves. These modern systems can also adjust the application of seeds and fertilizers to suit varying field conditions.

Autonomous Tractors

It's no secret that automation is shaping every modern industry as we enter the fourth industrial revolution. With this, increasingly innovative and intelligent machines are freeing up the need for manual human labor. 

Autonomous farm tractors are self-driving machines that can perform several duties without a driver sitting in the cab seat. These tractors can measure their position and speed and also calculate the distance between obstacles in the field to detect objects, humans and animals. Self-driving tractors can be fully autonomous, but remote operation is also possible, enabling a single operator to oversee a fleet of tractors in the area. 

Self-driving, battery-operated tractors offer increased efficiency, reduce labor needs and improve precision farming. 

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

The integration of robotics and AI in agriculture continues to transform the industry's landscape. With technologies like robotic arms that can pick fruit with precision, farming efficiency continues to improve significantly. AI-powered tractors can identify weeds and reduce the need for herbicides, while data-driven decision-making is possible with AI analytics integrated into sensors and cameras. Tractors can make real-time decisions to improve crop management without the need for human intervention. 

The evolution of tractors continues to improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability in agriculture. As we usher in the era of smart farming, we can expect incredible technological innovations to continue transforming the industry. These developments would not be possible without innovations from iconic pioneers. 

Where to See Iconic Historical Tractors

If you'd like to learn more about the history of tractors and how tractors changed farming, viewing vintage tractors and farming equipment is a great idea. You'll be able to admire the ingenuity that helped build these incredible machines. 

The Volo Museum displays some of history's most iconic vintage tractors, including the iconic Fordson and John Deere models. The display also includes rarer models like Porsche tractors. Beyond mechanical tractors, the Volo Museum also displays ride-on and hand tractors that played a vital role in historic farming practices. 

As the oldest collector car dealer around, we have over four generations of experience and a selection of revolutionary vehicles. Our attractions include over 33 unique exhibitions, including historic tractors. You can bring your whole family to learn more about agriculture and vintage tractors at the Volo Museum in Illinois. 

Plan a Trip to the Volo Museum 

In 1960, the Grams family purchased the century-old non-operational dairy farm and converted the neglected space into a resale shop. The Grams brothers would find and restore old cars for the local farmers. Over the decades, the resale shop has grown to a 75-acre attraction and a leader in collector car sales. Today, the museum sees half a million visitors annually.

The Volo Museum is home to over 10,000 iconic artifacts that you won't be able to find anywhere else in the world. We have iconic vehicles from movies and TV shows, an entire military museum, an enormous dinosaur animatronics park and even a crime and punishment museum.

Volo Museums is committed to setting a high standard in entertainment and collector car sales. With the entertainment division VoloFun, we continuously bring new attractions like the Titanic Museum, Party Barn and Jurassic Gardens to create a family-centric destination that caters to all age groups and interests.

Explore our exhibits to plan your visit to the Volo Museum or contact us online.