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Farmall began as the name for the first line of tractors produced by International Harvester that was unique for its narrowly spaced front wheels. International Harvester went on to name their entire line of tractors after the Farmall, and Farmall became a household name in the tractor manufacturing sector. Farmall is known by almost all the older generation of farmers who grew up around the Farmall, which replaced horses as the primary work horse in the agriculture industry.
Farmall began with the innovative new design introduced by the first Farmall in 1924. It was considered innovative because of its tricycle design. The narrow front coupled with its exceptionally high ground clearance allowed for more precise and nimble field cultivation. Although International Harvester was afraid that the new tricycle design would not catch on, and even introduced it only in Texas to minimize the risk of embarrassment, the Farmall was a runaway hit and International Harvester soon bought rights to their new design. By 1932, International Harvester introduced a new updated design which they designated F-20. International Harvester continued to add new tractors to the series which became known as the "F series." These included the F-30 in 1931, the F-12 in 1932, and the F-14 in 1938. All Farmall tractors were painted battleship gray until the mid 1930's when the switch to blood red was made.
The F-series tractors survived until 1938. In 1939, International Harvester introduced the "letter series" of tractors, which were designated A, B, BN, C, H, and M. Another smaller tractor, known as the Cub was also introduced. At the time of the introduction of the Letter series, International Harvester's commissioned industrial designer gave the Farmall a new, updated look. The letter series offered a wide range of options and power. The H line was the most popular. The Letter series was updated to the "super" series in 1952, and received many improvements. The Letter series of Farmall tractors was produced until 1954, and was a defining product line in the history of International Harvester.
For 1955 models of International Harvester tractors, the numbered "hundred series" was introduced. Although the hundred series included some new paint and a few new tweaks, they were essentially just overhauled letter series tractors. In July of 1958, International Harvester hosted over 12,000 dealers from greater than 25 countries. International Harvester showed off their new line of "60" series tractors, which included the big, first of their kind six-cylinder 460 and 560 model tractors. Although they seemed to have brought an innovative new line to the market, the excitement over the new line of tractors was short lived. In June of the next year, International Harvester was forced to recall the 460, 560, and 660 tractors because their final drive components had failed repeatedly in production models. This was the beginning of the end of a prosperous three decades for International Harvester.
Sales began to decline, until the year 1974 when Farmall manufactured their 5 millionth tractor. Although International Harvester was the firs tractor manufacturer to accomplish this, by 1975 International Harvester had discontinued the Farmall brand of tractors.
Today, Farmall stands as a relic and witness of an era of rapid growth of America. Farmall antique tractors sit in many fields rusting away as melancholy ruins of a generation. Farmall is synonymous with the sweat and tears that many farmers gave to build the American Agricultural sector. Farmall antique tractors abound, and every single Farmall has a history and story that would captivate the masses for decades to come.
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