Defunct Tractor Manufacturers

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I think in the old days (until 20 or 30 years ago) most were real. Some used available engines like Continental and CAT but only a few were rebranded (like Ford and Ferguson). the lawn mower business is even more chaotic. My understanding is that MTD also directly makes Cub Cadet, Yardman, Huskee, Troy Bilt and others. They make lawn tractors for Deere, Husqvarna, Toro and many others but to the purchaser's spec, so they are not exactly the same as an MTD. We all know there are a limited number of engines, transaxles, spindles, etc used in small tractors, so many of the parts are interchangeable even if they weren't built by the same company.

Toro is interesting. My understanding is they are still an independent company and make their own snowblowers, etc. but they contract out the lawn tractors because they really have no history in that area.

husquvarna is the old roper line with American yard products label now. They also are subcontracting out to build.

 

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Ford motor company , the former builder of ford tractors, bought new holland. Later the agricultural line was sold to the owner of Case. The merged company was called case new holland. I assume ford did not sell the name

Being a Case New Holland dealer and originally a IH New Holland dealer the Ford did buy New Holland! Then They wanted to sell, Case was owned by Tennaco and Ford wanted to unload and Fiat bought New Holland and then Case to run it for Fiat, it is all managed through CNH in Racine.