The end of World War II ushered in the golden age of tractor production, as improvements in hydraulics, engines, transmissions, and metallurgy, all fostered by the war, were applied to tractor design. Fueled by an overwhelming demand for horsepower from returning veterans, the country experienced a surge in tractor manufacturing and sales not seen before or since. Tractor production hit an all-time high in 1948 with over 750,000 units built. By April of 1950, over 3.6 million tractors were at work on the nation’s farms, the most ever recorded in U.S. history.

This booming market caused numerous nonagricultural firms to jump into the business, accounting for tractor brands like Corbitt, Earthmaster, Empire, Friday, Gibson, Haas, Intercontinental, and Lehr’s Big Boy. It was also at this time that a number of European tractor manufacturers tried to break into the North American market. One of the earliest European tractors to be tested at the famed Nebraska Tractor Test was the French-built Someca Model DA 50. Porsche (Germany), Volvo (Sweden), David Brown and Nuffield (both of England) also tested tractors in the 1950s.

Inevitably, as demand dampened, the vast majority of the then 137 companies making tractors at this time found their way out of the tractor business. By 1955, only a handful of firms remained, among them names familiar to us today, such as Allis-Chalmers, Caterpillar, Cockshutt, Ford, International Harvester, Case, John Deere, Massey-Ferguson, Minneapolis-Moline, and Oliver.

Dave Mowitz, Successful Farming's machinery editor, selected very special tractors for the anniversary calendar.

This 2011 Ageless Iron Calendar features 12 timeless beauties restored to perfection. This over sized calendar measures 9" x 12".

Buy the 2011 Ageless Iron Calendar