953 nut 55,220 #1 Posted May 12 Today’s letter is “J” just a journey to past joys John Blue Tractor I am familiar with the John Blue company from my days managing a hydroponic greenhouse company. They manufacture some of the best fertigation pump systems on the face of the earth. Liquid fertilizer is injected into the irrigation flow with extreme accuracy. You can imagine my surprise when I found that they had once been a tractor manufacturer too. A legacy of quality and craftsmanship began in 1886 when John Blue Sr. established his business in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He constructed and repairer farm machinery while inventing several time and labor-saving tools, including the first cotton stalk cutter, an iron cotton seed planter and a fertilizer distributor. After Blue's death in 1935, his son John Jr. continued to run the company. A fire in 1945 destroyed the shop and foundry leading to the decision to relocate to a large foundry in Huntsville, AL. Laurinburg was home, but Huntsville offered better access to raw materials and greater distribution routes for finished products. In 1952, John Blue Jr. submitted his first patent from Huntsville Alabama for the first metering pump system for the application of fertilizer. The 1950’s were a time of great innovation, and more than 20 patents were submitted over the next decade. John Blue Company became an important part of Huntsville’s economy employing 700 to 800 people at its peak. John Blue made pumps for agricultural and industrial operations, fertilizer spreaders, sprayers, cotton wagons, and metering devices for Anhydrous Ammonia. Following John Blue’s untimely death in an automobile accident the family sold the business to an investment group, (STV) Subscription Television Incorporated. STV had been displaced from the cable TV business by new legislation but was seeking other investments. Hollywood “A” List celebrities like Jerry Lewis and Frank Sinatra were investors in STV. Meanwhile a young Texas Tech engineering student named Wesley Cagle was using an Allis Chalmers G tractor while working on a nursery crop research program. Cagle went on to become vice-president of engineering at The John Blue Company in 1968. His memories of working with the “G” had led him to consider building a similar small tractor. Working with Allis Chalmers wasn’t going as he had hoped so the decision was made to build the tractor in house. Only 200 of the John Blue G-1000 tractors were built. A rear mounted International Harvester UC-60 engine (offering nearly twice the power of the AC G tractor) coupled to a Borg Warner three speed transmission with a high/ low selector. Weighing only 1,850 pounds and providing a clear view of the ground engaging tools the G-1000 was equipped with a hydraulic mid-mount tool bar. Ergonomic improvements were made to allow easier operator entry and exit than the “G” had offered. During 1974-76 John Blue only produced 200 Blue G-1000 tractors. Priced at nearly $ 5,000 (about $ 29,000 in 2024 dollars) the John Blue G-1000 was not a huge success. John Blue Company has gone through several ownership change over the years but is still in business focusing on agricultural pumps and fertilizer application methods. 7 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,319 #2 Posted May 12 3 hours ago, 953 nut said: has gone through several ownership change over the years but is still in business Put a price on that, folks! Not often heard anymore.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
