Tractors and threshers as far as the eye can
see. And every one of them manufactured by The Minneapolis
Threshing Machine Co., Hopkins, Minn.
Unlike many of the “upstart” tractor companies that appeared in
the late teens and early 20s, The Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co.
already had a long history of manufacturing agricultural equipment
Minneapolis Threshing’s roots trace back to 1874 and the Fond du
Lac Threshing Machine Co., Fond du Lac, Wis. The driving force
behind the company was John S. McDonald, who moved to Minneapolis
and founded the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. in 1887. In
addition to a line of threshers, the company also sold Huber steam
traction engines, and introduced its own line of traction engines
in the early 1890s.
According to C.H. Wendel’s Encyclopedia of American Farm
Tractors, as early as 1897, McDonald, recognizing the
opportunity in the nascent gasoline tractor business, suggested his
company adopt the tractor designed by Otto Gas Engine Works of
Philadelphia, Pa. McDonald’s suggestion stalled, and two years
later he was forced out of his company.
Another 12 years passed before Minneapolis Threshing introduced
a gasoline tractor under its brand, selling a 20 HP machine
manufactured by Universal Tractor Co., Stillwater, Minn. In late
1912 Minneapolis introduced the first of its own line of tractors,
the 4-cylinder 40-80. This was followed by a host of smaller
tractors, including the 17-30, easily the company’s most successful
offering.
Introduced in 1922, the 17-30 featured a cross-mounted
4-cylinder engine and unit frame, an approach made famous by Case
when it introduced its little 9-18 in 1916.
In 1929, just months before the disastrous collapse of Wall
Street, Minneapolis Threshing merged with Moline Implement Co.,
Moline, Ill., and Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co.,
Minneapolis, Minn., forming the Minneapolis-Moline Co.,
Minneapolis. FC
Farm Collector reproduces some of the most spectacular
advertisements used to promote farm equipment and farm products in
days gone by.
