Pioneer Village Features Early Farm Tractors

In 1937, Rock Island Plow Co. was purchased by J.I. Case Co. and tractor production ceased.

Staude Mak-A-Tractor
Not every farmer could afford a tractor during the early part of the 20th century. However, automobiles were becoming quite common for family transportation. The obvious answer for a number of companies, including Pullford and KnickerBocker Form-a-Tractor, was to build a kit that transformed a Model T into a tractor.

One of those companies was E.G. Staude Mfg., St. Paul, Minn., which introduced the Staude Mak-a-Tractor, priced at $178 ($2,175 in today’s terms). Designed to fit Fords, Chevrolets and Overlands, the kit included a new cooling system with a special radiator and water pump, a heavy frame that clamped to the Ford chassis, a new axle and differential, and a pair of 8-inch-wide drive wheels with removable mud lugs.

Form-a-Tractor promotional materials claimed that once the kit was installed, conversion from car to tractor and vice versa could be done in as little as 15 minutes. Staude also claimed that a car equipped with its system could do the work of four horses and provide the belt power of an 8 hp gas engine. FC 

For more information: Pioneer Village, 138 E. US Hwy. 6, Minden, NE 68959; (308) 832-2750 or (800) 445-4447; online at www.pioneervillage.com.
Tharran Gaines is the author of five books on antique tractor restoration and writes a variety of materials for AGCO Corp. He is also a contributing editor to AGCO Advantage and Massey Ferguson Farm Life magazines for AGCO. E-mail him at gainescomm@yahoo.com; online at www.gainescommunications.com.