Before Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry with the Model T, he harbored a deeper mission rooted in his childhood experiences.
Growing up on his family’s farm in Michigan, Ford witnessed firsthand the grueling nature of agricultural work. This early exposure sparked an ambition that would later transform American farming.
While Ford Motor Company’s car legacy is widely celebrated, its profound impact on agriculture remains a lesser-known chapter of industrial history. For over seven decades, Ford’s tractor division pioneered innovations that changed farming forever, from the experimental “Automobile plow” to the Fordson series.
This vision would eventually lead to one of the most successful tractor lines, fundamentally changing American agriculture before its sale to Fiat in 1991.
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The Early Days of Ford Tractors
In 1907, Ford built his first experimental tractor, dubbed the “Automobile plow,” using leftover automobile parts, including a Model B engine and planetary transmission. The breakthrough came in 1917 with the Fordson tractor, developed during World War I when Britain desperately needed agricultural machinery.
The Fordson revolutionized tractor design by being lightweight and affordable, making mechanized farming accessible to average farmers. By the 1920s, Fordsons dominated the market, accounting for 75% of all tractors built in the United States. (ref)
Innovation & Market Dominance
The 1939 introduction of the Ford-Ferguson Model 9N marked a revolutionary advancement in tractor technology. This innovative machine featured Ferguson’s three-point hitch system, which solved previous problems like tractors flipping over when plows hit obstacles.
The 9N was designed to be safe, quiet, and easy to operate, selling for $585 with rubber tires, power take-off, Ferguson hydraulics, an electric starter, a generator, and a battery. The partnership proved incredibly successful.
The Golden Years
The 1950s represented the pinnacle of Ford’s tractor business. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1953 with the introduction of the Golden Jubilee model NAA tractor.
In 1955, Ford expanded its lineup with the new 600 and 800 series tractors, designed specifically for row-crop operations.
By mid-decade, Ford, along with Case and International Harvester, controlled 55% of the tractor market. (ref) The company continued to innovate, introducing factory-installed LP gas engines in 1957 and launching its most powerful tractor yet, the Ford 6000, in 1961.
The Final Chapter
Despite its strong market position, Ford’s tractor division underwent significant changes in the 1980s. The company expanded through strategic acquisitions, including Sperry-New Holland and Versatile.
However, in a move to consolidate its core automotive business, Ford sold its entire tractor operation to Fiat in 1991. This decision marked the end of an era in agricultural machinery that had spanned over seven decades.
Legacy in Modern Agriculture
Though Ford tractors no longer roll off production lines under the Blue Oval badge, their influence persists in modern agriculture. New Holland tractors, now part of CNH Industrial, still carry Ford’s signature blue as a reminder of this agricultural legacy.
The innovative spirit of Henry Ford’s original vision continues to influence farm equipment design and manufacturing. The principles of innovation, accessibility, and efficiency that Ford brought to tractor manufacturing remain fundamental to the industry today.
Ford’s mission to eliminate farming “drudgery” led to innovations that forever changed agriculture. While Ford may have exited the tractor business, its impact on farming efficiency and accessibility remains indelible in the history of agricultural mechanization.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.