My post of the other day, showing the Farmall H tractor from the Elgin car show, has inspired an email exchange with my brother. He furnishes this picture of another tractor we had, an Allis-Chalmers WD, somewhat advanced compared to the H. Dennis recalls that it was, however, slower than the H in “road gear”.
This dialog also inspired my memories of the contemptible F12 and F20 series of Farmalls. These were produced in the 30s and were quite primitive — the metal steering wheel and seat, combined with lack of good muffler and extreme engine heat, made them very uncomfortable. (And if the front wheels hit a rock or ditch, wrenching them at an angle, the spinning metal steering wheel could literally break your arm or wrist. You learned to never grip the wheel by the spokes, just the outer rim.) I recall having to stand and brace myself against the axle housing to gain the leverage to move the steering wheel a full turn. I believe these tractors were owned by my grandfather and my uncle, but I often drove them. The worst duty was to try to maintain a straight line down corn rows with the frame-mounted cultivator on the beast of a tractor. The ones I knew were blackened and covered with rust, but you can get an idea from this restored example.
And Dennis finds an example that is a bit more representative (although this one is pictured with a muffler!):
