100 Years of Farmall
100 YEARS OF LEGACY — ONE THAT REVOLUTIONIZED FARMING.
The Beginning of Farmall
International Harvester engineer Bert R. Benjamin has a vision for a tractor that can do it all. A tractor that can replace horses. A revolutionary design that will change farming forever.
The first prototype is hand-built. By 1930, 200 Farmall® tractors are rolling off the Rock Island, Illinois, production line every day.
FACT OR FICTION
In the 1920s, over one-quarter of the U.S. labor force was farmers.
Fact
27% of the labor force was farmers. Today, it's only 1.6%
The F Series
Innovation is at the heart of every Farmall, and the Farmall F series tractor launches after being designed with a more powerful three-plow tractor for farmers with 200+ acres, along with innovations like a four-speed transmission and gasoline engine.
Another iconic moment comes a few years later when the Farmall goes red — No. 50 Motor Red to be exact. That color continues to be a staple of the Farmall and Case IH brand.
FACT OR FICTION
In 1924, farmers could purchase a shiny, new Farmall tractor for under $1,000.
Fact
A total of 200 Farmall tractors were hand-built in 1924 and sold for $950
THE LETTER SERIES
The introduction of the second-generation Farmall tractor, the famous letter series, includes A and B (small-sized), H (middle-sized) and M (large-sized) tractors and features the new Culti-Vision seating for the A, B and BN models. Culti-Vision is a revelation for farmers, as it changes the way we look at fields by moving the operator’s seat to the side of the tractor for a better view while row cropping.
The letter series’ modern design includes three silver stripes and a three-dimensional nameplate by famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy (creator of the first Air Force One livery and the “Man on Tractor” International Harvester logo). Before the last Farmall H tractor rolls off the line, more than 390,000 are produced, making it one of the most popular row-crop tractor models in history.
FACT OR FICTION
In addition to his revolutionary designs for Farmall, Raymond Loewy designed for NASA.
Fact
Raymond Loewy and his team collaborated with NASA on Skylab, the United States' first temporary space station.
THE SUPER SERIES
The super series begins with the Super A tractor and is followed by the Super C in 1951, the Super M in 1952 and the Super H in 1953.
The super series receives numerous improvements and upgrades, these tractors largely follow the design of the predecessors, and like them, they are at the top of the class and built to last.
The Super C series introduces many of these enhancements, including International Harvester's Fast-Hitch: a quick-connect 2-point hydraulic hitch system, with a line of matching implements.
FACT OR FICTION
The Farmall Super M-TA was named that due to the popularity of the animated Superman series of the 1940s.
Fiction
What made the Farmall Super M-TA so "super" was the industry-first torque amplifier, enabling shifting between two gears on the go or under load.
THE NUMBER SERIES
The number system for Farmall is introduced. Super A and Super C tractors become 200 and 300 series tractors. The new number series line boasts an industry-first two-step powershift, aka the torque amplifier, as well as the industry’s first power take off (PTO).
The Farmall 560 tractor is one of the most popular models sold after its release in the United States, while the Farmall 1206 tractor is the first row crop tractor with over 100 horsepower, making it arguably the world's most powerful and toughest all-purpose tractor of this era.
The Farmall 706 and 806 tractors make their debut in 1963. The 706 boasts a new transmission that has a four-speed main box and a two-speed range box, an optional torque amplifier (TA) that can move between gears without a clutch, power steering, and a hydraulically actuated PTO. With all these upgrades, the 706 is an instant Farmall favorite.
FACT OR FICTION
The 1965 Farmall 1206 Turbo was the first 2WD row crop tractor to exceed 50 horsepower.
Fiction
The Farmall 1206 Turbo was actually the first 2WD tractor to exceed 100 horsepower, an impressive feat of engineering for the time.
THE 5 MILLION MILESTONE
At precisely 9 a.m. February 1, 1974, the 5,000,000th tractor bearing the Farmall nameplate rolls off the production line at the Farmall Works plant in Rock Island, Illinois — the first tractor manufacturer to officially produce past this threshold. That tractor is the Farmall 1066 Turbo.
FACT OR FICTION
The Farmall H is the No. 1 bestselling row crop tractor of all time.
Fact
Over 420,000 Farmall H and Super H tractors were sold between 1939 and 1954.
FARMALL REBORN
After 80 years of firsts, Farmall is once again primed to revolutionize modern farming. This time as a line of compact tractors intended for the needs of smaller farms and residential acreage — continuing the legacy of innovation and versatility into the next century.
THE NUMBER SERIES: REINVENTED
The legacy of unwavering innovation continues with the reintroduction of the Farmall A, B and C series tractors.
Ranging in size, like they did before, these tractors join utility engineering with advanced technology for today's modern farming demands and the needs of a new generation of farmers.
FARMALL TURNS 100
With over 30 models ranging from the compact series to the 100A series and everything in between, the Farmall will always be the go-to tractor for all your needs. Like the very first Farmall, the current series of tractors are designed to be versatile, powerful and productive — everything a farmer could ever need, all in one legendary machine.