Canada's GS&M

Picking up where the article in the newsletter left off...

In 1915 GS&M introduced the 15-25 Ideal tractor, which burned kerosene. These tractors were rugged to a fault and often outpulled their 15-25 rating as is evident by the fact that they could pull a five-bottom plow. The Ideal tractor underwent a bit of a reformation in 1917 when it was reintroduced with more compact, sleek styling.

The last of the GS&M heavyweight tractor models was the 12-24, which came out in 1919. Weighing 6,000 pounds the tractor still was lithe for its day and featured unique twin-exhaust stacks.

The Model 12-24 Beaver, produced from 1918 to 1921, was the first modern-looking tractor in the GS&M line. It utilized the Wisconsin-built 4 1/2x63/4 bore-and-stroke Waukesha engine. A friction-drive transmission provided seven speeds forward and reverse. The belt pulley was also driven through the friction disc, which allowed the same speed selection for belt work.

By 1922 fierce competition in the tractor industry combined with the post-War World I depression forced GS&M out of the tractor business. By the Great Depression of the 1930s it seems the company ceased to exist altogether.