Thousands of facts about American farm tractors and their makers
are put together by C. H. Wendel, of Atkins, Iowa, for his book
which will be a best seller among GEM readers and fellow
collectors.
The book is the ‘Encyclopedia of American Farm
Tractors,’ another Crestline blockbuster for people who search
for -information and pictures about their favorite pieces of
machinery.
All the prominent names among tractors are there, along with
obscure titles of companies or products that never hit the big
time. More than 1,500 photos appear in the 325 pages.
Here are a few sample tidbits: Case engineers built an
experimental gas model in 1892, but it was ahead of its time
because carburetion and ignition had not been perfected and the
idea was dropped; the 30-60 was introduced in 1911.
Mayer Brothers, Mankato, Minnesota began building tractors
exclusively in 1914, their firm was succeeded by the Little Giant
Company.
In 1915, when about 22,000 tractors were built in the United
States-nearly doubling 1914 output-many farmers insisted that the
tractor could never take the place of the horse.
Many restorers and collectors will find this volume invaluable
for telling them about their tractors. Wendel performs an
outstanding service through this carefully researched compilation.
If a treasurer of tractors does not buy the book for himself, he
should certainly receive it for Christmas or his birthday,
whichever comes sooner.
Wendel, the writer, is farm-born. A charter member of Midwest
Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Association, he is also a member
of the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association.
He has carefully studied steam engines, gasoline engines and
tractors for 20 years and has a large gas engine collection. The
encyclopedia was hatched when he met George Damman, Crestline’s
Automotive Director, at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion at Mt.
Pleasant, Iowa in 1976.
Wendel is modest. He says the book ‘can hardly be classed as
more than an overview of the industry,’ but in our opinion it
is a major step forward with detail that will draw applause from
all its readers.
That’s because it brings together in one place a list of all
the hundreds of companies that ever produced tractors commercially
in the United States and Canada, with facts and pictures on every
one he could search out. He brings the book fully up to date with a
section on today’s tractors, with photographs and
descriptions.
Along with this are sections on components such as lubrication,
engines, wheel styles and so on, and on agricultural machinery
designed exclusively for attachment to tractors.
Wendel does not plan to stop with this book. He has further
projects in mind. We look forward to seeing more Wendel books-equal
in caliber to this encyclopedia.
