Tractor History
International Harvester Motor Cultivator: Pioneering the Path to the Farmall Regular
The International Motor Cultivator is an unusually designed tractor built by the International Harvester Company meant to be a versatile lightweight tractor that could replace the horse for most field work.
Work on the International Harvester Motor Cultivator started in 1915. Documents show a patent was submitted on October 23, 1916, and production commenced in 1917. By the end of production in 1919, approximately 300 units had been manufactured.
DESIGN
Power is provided by a rear-mounted LeRoy 4-cylinder engine rated at 12 horsepower. The main drive wheel sits behind the operator making it rear wheel steer. Additional steering of the cultivator is created by steering with your feet left or right. The tractor has one speed forward and one speed reverse with a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour. The tractor weighs in at 2,200 pounds.
FAILURE
The International Harvester Motor Cultivator was a failed venture for the company, but its failure led the engineers back to the drawing board to design the Farmall Regular. The Farmall emerged as International Harvester’s flagship tractor, boasting unparalleled success and profitability with production numbers exceeding 130,000 units between 1924 and 1932.
The International Motor Cultivator could be described as widow-maker. The rear wheel drive, top heavy design was prone to tip over on steep or unleveled ground.
The tractors were supposedly recalled by International Harvester, but it appears that not all were, as a handful of examples still exist.
About International Harvester
International Harvester was a prominent American manufacturer of agricultural machinery, construction equipment, trucks, and household appliances. Founded in 1902 through the merger of several companies, including the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company, International Harvester played a vital role in shaping the agricultural and industrial landscape of the United States.
The company became known for its innovative farm equipment, such as tractors, combines, and plows, contributing significantly to the mechanization of agriculture. International Harvester also ventured into the production of trucks and construction equipment, solidifying its presence in various sectors.
International Harvester went through significant changes over the years and ultimately evolved into a different entity. In 1985, International Harvester, facing financial difficulties and seeking to focus on its more profitable segments, sold the agricultural and construction equipment divisions to Tenneco Inc. In 1986, International Harvester rebranded the remaining portion of the company, primarily consisting of the truck and engine manufacturing divisions, as Navistar International Corporation.
Navistar continued to be a major player in the production of trucks, buses, and engines, while the agricultural and construction equipment divisions were no longer under the International Harvester umbrella. Over the subsequent years, Navistar faced various challenges, including financial struggles and legal issues related to engine technologies. In the early 2020s, Navistar agreed to be acquired by TRATON SE, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, marking another chapter in the company’s history.
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