ALL ABOUT TRACTORS

BY PAUL WALLEM 

 A 30-year veteran farm equipment salesman from Northern Illinois described their late May sales, saying that high fertilizer costs and fuel prices, along with a dry spring, are a big concern, as an exceptionally slow machinery market continues.

His large dealership has sold one medium HP tractor so far in 2026, no high HP models.

Used sales to date are well below a typical spring. Strip-till is on the rise to reduce the need for fertilizer. As with tractors, new planter sales are stalled.

This dealership’s service department is typically busy. Along with parts  sales, these departments maintain a dealership at times like this.

The many sounds of a tractor

The variety of sounds from automobile engines is many and varied, from the Model T and Duesenberg straight 8 to V8s and 12 cylinders.

But the engines that spend their life on the farm emit a far greater variety of sounds. Steam-powered tractor engines are unique. Once you hear them, you won’t forget it.

But when Advance Rumely rolled out their 1911 single-cylinder 15-30, it drew crowds when it was started. The sound of 375 RPM, taking so long between firing, forced some to believe the engine had died between strokes. It had a 10-inch bore and 12-foot stroke.

The 2-cylinder Rumely came out later, also 375 RPM. This 26,000-pound tractor consumed as much water as fuel. 

One of the first companies that was organized to produce tractors was Waterloo. Their research began before 1900. Their 1914 tractor mounted a 2-cylinder kerosene engine, with a design that was similar throughout the years after Deere bought Waterloo in 1918. It became a legendary, unique sounding engine.

Although International Harvester’s first engine design was one cylinder, they moved to 4 cylinders. As with many other manufacturers, 4 cylinders have their own distinct sound.

As the years progressed most manufacturers stayed with 4-cylinder designs until 6 cylinder engines grew in popularity. Both had unique sounds, different between companies. When IHC announced the firstbdiesel, an entirely new sound appeared: deep-throated, loud with smoke.

The 100 HP threshold was broken by both Deere and IH. Another big change had arrived with a distinctive sound.

The diesel engine brought an immediate interest in modified horsepower, particularly for pulling contests. At these events nothing had ever been so loud or with so much black smoke.

As 4-wheel-drive models grew in popularity, ever-increasing horsepower again changed the landscape of sound. I recall a 1983 4th of July parade near our dealership in Illinois. I drove our Big Bud 325 HP demonstrator in the parade, and when I opened the throttle, the crowd cheered. Black smoke everywhere.

To this day the distinctive sound of a tractor is different. 

Growth of FFA Middle School Chapters 

Not only high school FFA chapters are growing in number, but middle school chapters are being added to school curriculums. This permits the  younger students to get involved in FFA projects and leadership. Some want to look at their future.

Two years ago, 22 middle school chapters existed just in Illinois. Recently I’m told that number is now up to 50 and growing.

Some colleges are working on courses to help FFA advisers teach this age group. It’s becoming obvious this younger age group like to have projects.

Paul Wallem was raised on an Illinois dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH in domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH & SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See all his books on www:PaulWallem.com. Email comments to pwallem9@gmail.com.