Early tractors were massive and expensive, and their steel lug wheels gave poor traction and a rough ride while being prohibited on many roads. In 1926, Hoyle Pounds modified a Fordson tractor with zero pressure truck tires on special rims to improve performance on sandy soils in Winter Garden, FL, and a successful business resulted. In 1929, Hessel Roorda equipped Farmell tractors with low pressure rubber tires to pick corn in muddy fields near Rock Valley, IA, and farmers found they performed well in all conditions. In 1932, Allis-Chalmers, urged by Harry Merritt, Tractor Division Manager, supplied a WI farmer with a Model U tractor fitted with Firestone aircraft rubber tires at low pressure, and this system operated unmodified for 8 years. Farm magazine advertisements in 1934 quoted several university reports of as much as 1/3 less fuel and 1/4 more work with low pressure rubber tires compared to steel lugs. No new tractors in 1930 had rubber tires, but by 1940, most did. In 1921, Hessel Roorda first mounted pneumatic tires on a farm tractor.

Photo: Anonymous

Photo: Anonymous

Photo: Anonymous

Rock Valley, Iowa · USA