TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 4/4/2024

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The short history of the LONG TRACTOR

 

Founded by William “Bill” R. Long, the Long Manufacturing Co. of Tarboro, North Carolina, began building its first tractor in 1948. Known as the Long Model A, the tractor was loosely based on the popular Farmall H. It was Powered by a Continental F140 flathead engine, delivering about 34 belt horsepower and coupled to a Timken rear end and transmission. The tractor had limited commercial success, Long Manufacturing would only build and sell a small amount of the Long Model A, some say as few as 500 were sold before it turned to importing Nuffield tractors under the Long brand. Long began turning to additional manufacturers to further expand its Long-branded import offerings, leading to the introduction of the Long 350, 445 and 550 tractors, as well as the Long 900 and 1100, among others.

         

One of Long’s most successful imported tractors from 1967 to 1969 was the British built Nuffield Universal tractor produced by The British Motor Corporation Limited.

The company underwent various changes in ownership throughout the decades that followed, while also pushing forward with manufacturing and importing various farm implements in addition to its imported tractors. In spit of proving its brand alone was strong enough to survive for more than a half century the Long brand came to an end in the 2008 recession when the company was forced to file bankruptcy along with thousands of other companies.

The Long tractors that were produced in North Carolina have earned their place among the hearts of collectors because of their rarity.