TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 3/30/2024

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The Empire Tractor Corporation 1946 – 1950

 

The Empire Tractor Corporation was founded by Frank Cohen. During WW2 Mr. Cohen’s companies manufactured and provided military components and materials to the European Allies and the U.S .Government. Following the War needing to use his factories for peace time purposes Cohen came up with the idea of building a farm tractor that could be used to help War devastated European countries plant crops and put food back on the tables.

The Empire Tractor Corporation was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1946.The tractor they built was designed for use as a general purpose two-bottom plow light duty farm tractor. The Empire used rebuilt war surplus Willys, and some Ford, 134 cubic inch four-cylinder engines, Warner Gear T84 four-speed transmissions, Spicer Model 18 transfer case with high & low range, a PTO output with dual levers and the Willys front drive differential. The dual lever PTO drove the rear flat belt pulley and a V belt pulley located behind the levers. A roller chain speed reduction final drive was used along with brakes at each rear wheel.

The tractor came with rear belt pulley, large steel deck area, tool box, gauges, governor, head lights and a rear light. Instruments included a temp gauge, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, starter button, ignition switch and governor notched “T” handle for speed control. The patented straight bar hitch was unique as it pulled from under the center of the tractor making a rear overturn nearly impossible.

The Empire tractor was originally made for export only with no intention of selling in the U.S. or Canadian markets. In exchange for not selling any tractors in these markets and compete with other US tractor companies, Empire was able to purchase war surplus rebuilt engines and components from the U.S. Government at low cost. The Empire was to be sold to the U.S. government for use in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (U.N.R.R.A.) program after World War II (AKA the Marshal Plan) and to other foreign countries.

The first 46 tractors were shipped to South Africa, 4,300 going to Argentina and another 800 going to China, Poland, Greece, Mexico and other countries. About 5,300 tractors were exported by 1948. Production of the Empire had pretty much come to an end by December of 1947 with deliveries being made from the inventory that had accumulated at the factory.

The Argentine government and its agents at this time were reported to be very corrupt and claimed the Empire tractor was not suited for farm work in that country and refused further deliveries to complete the 7,000 tractor order they had.

Based on the refusal of the Argentine government an article in Time Magazine appeared saying the Empire was not well made and should not have been sold.

By 1948 these and other issues left Empire with over 1,200 tractors that they couldn’t sell in the United States and Canada. In October 1948 bankruptcy was filed with receivers being appointed by month’s end. In 1950 the assets of Empire Tractor Corp. were sold with all creditors being satisfied. The 1,294 Empire tractors in inventory at that time were sold through distributors and dealers in the United States and Canada for about $700.00 each.

The Empire Tractor was a well built light duty tractor meant to fill a need in post WW2 Europe in support of the Marshal Plan but the entail agreement to not sell domestically led to the company’s early end.

 

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

Shame they folded up so soon…good looking tractors AND they’re red 

[JoeM 7,873]

Boy does this sound familiar!

or if my kids make me take the ones i have out of their garages.