The Fascinating Development of the Tractor

It’s hard to imagine a farm without a tractor these days, even though they were developed barely a century ago. Tractors came onto the agricultural scene fairly late, but they’ve completely transformed the way we tend to our farmlands and cultivate crops. If you’re curious, read on to learn more about the development of the tractor, your most useful piece of farm equipment.

Steam, Then Gas

The first attempt at a tractor was a result of the development of steam power. A few steam-engine powered plows were made during the latter part of the 19th century that did help with work, but also had an unfortunate propensity for exploding at random.

Enter gasoline, the new fuel. Iowa inventor John Froelich saw the potential of new gasoline-powered engines in the 1880s and built a gas-engine powered plowing machine that he used to harvest wheat. The machine had both forward and reverse gears, and used a traction engine.

Two Engineering Students

The term “tractor” came from “traction engine,” and it was first applied by Wisconsin engineering students Charles Hart and Charles Parr, who created the first commercially successful tractor in 1901 at their Hart-Parr Gasoline Engine Company. 

Soon after this, other companies sprang up to create tractors, and farm equipment manufacturers leapt onto the new technology. In the 1920s, agricultural titan John Deere even got involved, and Indian company Mahindra became a massive tractor manufacturer during the 1950s.

Today, of course, we have endless types of tractors to choose from by a multitude of brands. If you’re in the market for a new tractor, drop by our Eastman, GA, dealership location to view our selection of new and used tractors and other great farm equipment for sale. We can also help you with financing options. Eastman Equipment Company serves the Georgia cities of Warner Robins and Dublin.