Defunct Tractor Manufacturers

Creamer · Feb 16, 2016

Industrial Toys said:
The Hoyt Clagwell was based in Fargo, as I recall. Oliver would climb the pole, call them, and actually get blood on the other end of the line. Those were the days!

Many manufacturers were bought out or amalgamated. That is not really defunct as in going out of business.

I will NEVER, EVER understand the Ford to NH name change.

Agreed! And the fact that NH does not have a common color theme - of course who would paint a tractor lemon yellow?

oldpilgrim · Feb 16, 2016

Creamer said:
Agreed! And the fact that NH does not have a common color theme - of course who would paint a tractor lemon yellow?

JD maybe ? Caterpillar? JCB? Yanmar?

Streetcar · Feb 17, 2016

When ford corporation got out of the tractor business. One side changed names similar to international getting out of tractor business, except in that case the truck side changed names

jeff9366 · Feb 17, 2016

Industrial Toys said:
I will NEVER, EVER understand the Ford to NH name change.

Not good for FORD to explain, everyday, that while the FORD name was on a tractor, FORD has nothing to do with it. Remember FORD once had to produced tractors internationally under the Fordson brand. Someone copyrighted the Ford name for tractors before Ford/Detroit did.

If NEW HOLLAND is manufacturing the iron, the NEW HOLLAND name needs to be promoted.

DeutzFahr85 · Mar 23, 2016

Certainly a misleading thread title... The Same Duetz-Fahr brand is not only up and running but also the 4th largest tractor manufacturer in the world i believe!

joefromga · Mar 23, 2016

Lamborghini still makes tractors so I guess they're not part of this list.

Industrial Toys · Mar 23, 2016

As far as Ford goes, they could have called it the "FORD Tractor Company" or any such variant. It's clear, that NH the buyer, thought their name more important.

I have had many suppliers over the years. Many got bought out and now there is less competition. One huge company bought out a smaller one, but the smaller company name was prominent. Then I realized one day, the name was gone and reverted back to the buying giant. One less supplier to pit off (for price and service) against the other. No more local and personalized service. No one to hold accountable for anything!

PILOON · Mar 23, 2016

However how many were real manufacturers?
Willing to bet the majority were re branded tractors.
Today MTD, (owned by Toro) even makes Deere 'big box' tractors.
Fact is MTD makes much more labeled 'tractors' than we generally are aware of, at least the consumer.

DT86 · Mar 23, 2016

PILOON said:
Today MTD, (owned by Toro) even makes Deere 'big box' tractors.

You sure about that?

Industrial Toys · Mar 23, 2016

I would wonder about that as well. But is a Big Box Riding Lawn Mower, a "Tractor"? JDs chain saws are made by Stihl, are they not? So I might imagine that their various consumer offerings could be made by some rather unlikely bedfellows as well.

Creamer · Mar 23, 2016

joefromga said:
Lamborghini still makes tractors so I guess they're not part of this list. View attachment 462036

Do you suppose the aerodynamic hood is needed?

joefromga · Mar 23, 2016

I don't know but they sure look badass.

DT86 · Mar 24, 2016

Industrial Toys said:
I would wonder about that as well. But is a Big Box Riding Lawn Mower, a "Tractor"? JDs chain saws are made by Stihl, are they not? So I might imagine that their various consumer offerings could be made by some rather unlikely bedfellows as well.

Deere builds the 100 series in Greenville Tn.

Don't know about the saws other than I haven't seen a new one in a long while.

Streetcar · Mar 24, 2016

Industrial Toys said:
As far as Ford goes, they could have called it the "FORD Tractor Company" or any such variant. It's clear, that NH the buyer, thought their name more important.

I have had many suppliers over the years. Many got bought out and now there is less competition. One huge company bought out a smaller one, but the smaller company name was prominent. Then I realized one day, the name was gone and reverted back to the buying giant. One less supplier to pit off (for price and service) against the other. No more local and personalized service. No one to hold accountable for anything!

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

Code54 · Mar 24, 2016

joefromga said:
I don't know but they sure look badass.

Your not kidding!!!! That is sharp!

KennyG · Mar 24, 2016

PILOON said:
However how many were real manufacturers?
Willing to bet the majority were re branded tractors.
Today MTD, (owned by Toro) even makes Deere 'big box' tractors.
Fact is MTD makes much more labeled 'tractors' than we generally are aware of, at least the consumer.

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.

DeutzFahr85 · Dec 28, 2016

Creamer said:
Do you suppose the aerodynamic hood is needed?

This is actually the purpose of a slope nose, along with a short nose, for higher driver visibility. SDF has been doing it for years.

They are beautiful tractors though. Especially the new 9 series from Deutz Fahr.

Creamer · Dec 28, 2016

I know - its the Lamborghini nose!

Sawyer Rob · Dec 29, 2016

I didn't see Menards on that list...

yeaaa, Menards sold a Menards tractor, but like many things Menards does, it was just to take advantage of a closed tractor plant. They used the companys left over parts to build some tractors under Menards brand.

SR