An Interesting Collection of Cultivators

By Staff
Published on August 1, 1990
1 / 3
1919 Parrett.
1919 Parrett.
2 / 3
1913 Heider.
1913 Heider.
3 / 3
1919 Avery.
1919 Avery.

600 Copperline Road Mount Vernon, Indiana 47620

I’d like to share with you three fine old motor cultivators
Kenneth Durell of Mount Vernon has in his collection.

The first is a 1913 (or approximately) Heider Motor Cultivator
made by Rock Island Plow Company. It was one of the first used
after horses and, being mechanical, it was faster and less laboring
than horses. They were also easier to guide. These were popular
from about 1912 to 1925.

The second is a 1919 Parrett Motor Cultivator. This was marketed
under Wilson and Parrett name and was made by Parrett Motor
Company, Chicago. Its extra width (over nine feet) made cultivating
more difficult. It has a flip around front wheel that some say
would follow the rows better but if you didn’t watch your
hands, put it in reverse, it could cause a lot of pain.

The third, a 1919 Avery Motor Cultivator, has length but is only
about six feet, eight inches wide and is easier operating than the
Parrett. With its medium tread and bigger size, it pulls more. It
too has a flip around front wheel.

All three of these motor cultivators were popular around 1920
but put to good use, most only lasted about seven years.

Between Kenneth Durell and his son, Claude, they own 41 antique
tractors.

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