The tractor industry in the United States

The tractor in its early days was known as a "steam plough", "traction engine", and "trackless locomotive". The name "tractor" did not come into common usage until after 1900. The tractor is fundamentally a prime-mover used for towing purposes. Other uses are made of this machine but it still maintains its important function of towing. A quarter of a century ago tractors were being made on a modest scale in the United States. Several of the early companies of that day founded by pioneers in the industry, are today found producing. tractors that bear the names of "Caterpillar", "Hart-Parr", and "International". During this span of years great changes have taken place in the firms, the tractor, and its uses, Prom a crude vehicle then hardly more than an experiment, has emerged a remarkable machine with many possibilities and uses. The production of tractors has kept pace with its development, and from a small number manufactured in the beginning of the twentieth century, the output has grown to 220,000 in recent years. Although originally designed for use on the farm, the tractor has been developed until today it is adaptable to many different uses. Besides being an agricultural implement, it is found in the field of industry as well, performing a multiplicity of tasks more efficiently than ever before. This has been accomplished by years of costly development and research work and the genius of a host of inventors. Dating back to before the Civil War, a need for satisfactory mechanical power on the farm was generally conceded. Shore was the insistent demand for a machine that would do the work cheaper and better than could be accomplished by animal power. A knowledge of the historical development of the tractor to its present advanced stage is necessary in order to better understand the growth of the industry. A clearer concept of the tractor industry, its problems, and future, may best be secured by considering those producing tractors as a whole, rather than dealing with any particular company.