953 nut 55,166 #1 Posted February 27 LITTLE BULL - BIG BULL – BIG FAILURE D. Maurice Hartsough began experimenting with gas tractors as early as 1899. After several unusual attempts he developed a viable tractor and took on financier Patrick J. Lyon as a partner forming the Bull Tractor Company. The Bull Tractor Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, developed its lightweight, 3 wheeled tractor in 1913. Its engine was a twin cylinder 12 hp engine delivering 5 hp at the drawbar. This first model, known as the "Little Bull" sold for just $335 and farmers snapped them up as fast as they could be built, with close to 4,000 sold in the first eight months or so. The Little Bull was joined by the “Big Bull” in 1915. The “Big Bull” featured a 25hp Twin cylinder engine developing 10hp at the draw bar. Both were basically designed for plowing but could also be used for pulling implements. They had a small front wheel, a large cogged Drive wheel and a big rear wheel that was much like a sidecar to keep stable when ploughing. The front wheel and drive wheel would both be in the furrow while plowing and the second rear wheel would be on the landside. These tractors tended to be a bit top heavy and were prone to tip over to the right side. Hartsough patented a propping arm attachment for the right side that would swing out if the tractor leaned too far and keep it from tipping over. Other tractor companies copied the concept of a three wheeled tractor. The Peoria 8-20 tractor and Grain Growers Special 12-24 tractor were very similar to the Bull design. Under its tin work, the Case 10-20 was also quite like the Bull. Bull never had a factory of their own and contracted the building of their tractors to other companies. This caused problems because the subcontractors decided to build tractors under their own name leaving Bull Tractor unable to fill orders so the Bull firm went bankrupt about 1920. Though the Bull Tractor company had gone bankrupt Mr. Hartsough wasn’t out of the tractor business, more on that tomorrow. 3 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,311 #2 Posted February 27 46 minutes ago, 953 nut said: This caused problems because the subcontractors decided to build tractors under their own name leaving Bull Tractor unable to fill orders so the Bull firm went bankrupt about 1920. And that is EXACTLY why the Automotive OEM I worked for would NEVER send the production order for the Housing and Cover to the same injection molding facility. Competition is good, but not when you are competing against YOURSELF!! A mold is only good for so many shots and will wear - it goes out of spec and either needs to be repaired or replaced. We kept track of the mold life, even though it was halfway around the world..... Yes it does look a tad like a Weeble that does fall down...... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
