Classic Farmall Tractors: History, Models, Variations & Specifications 1922-1975 (Tractor Legacy Series) [Hardcover]

Kenneth Updike (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008 | Series: Tractor Legacy Series

From the first tractor built in 1924 to the last Farmall model to roll off the line, this richly illustrated history tells the full story of Farmall tractors and fills in a key chapter of American agricultural  history.

The engaging text by Kenneth Updike, a historian on International Harvester, is accompanied by modern and vintage color photography, as well as black and white images from Farmall’s early days.  Farmer, mechanic, tractor enthusiast:  whatever your interest in this American icon, you will find a captivating account of its manufacture under the beloved Farmall brand.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Whether you have a shed full of Farmalls or a shelf full of miniature versions, this book will provide you with a wealth of information on all of your favorite Farmalls.” - Toy Farmer

 “Engaging text from author Kenneth Updike, a historian on International Harvester, has created a captivating account of the Farmall brand that farmers, mechanics and tractor enthusiasts will appreciate.” - Implement & Tractor Magazine

“This is an impressive work for those who want to learn more about an innovative and beautiful line of machines.” – John Kestner, Farm Industry News

 

“It is small enough to handle easily but still chocked full of vintage photos as well as new photos of restored tractors.” – Brenda Stant, Engineers & Engines

Review

"Engaging text from author Kenneth Updike, a historian on International Harvester, has created a captivating account of the Farmall brand that farmers, mechanics and tractor enthusiasts will appreciate."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; 1st edition (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760331952
• ISBN-13: 978-0760331958
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Transportation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written, few pix, uninformative, January 8, 2012

By 

dave14139 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Farmall Tractors: History, Models, Variations & Specifications 1922-1975 (Tractor Legacy Series) (Hardcover)

Don't bother with this book. I was hoping for a complete anthology of the Farmall line, this book fails to deliver. Gives a lot of history but not enough information on the actual tractors and the attachments that would have been available. Not enough pictures either. Disappointed, may return the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good details, good photos, good book, August 14, 2011

By 

Dean Vinson (Dayton, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Farmall Tractors: History, Models, Variations & Specifications 1922-1975 (Tractor Legacy Series) (Hardcover)

An excellent history of Farmall tractors, from longtime IH guy Ken Updike. Lots of concise technical information about each model tractor, richly illustrated with high-quality vintage color and black and white photos from the factories, farm fields, and dealerships where these tractors were built, tested, and sold. My one gripe concerns coverage of the final-drive problems encountered on the Farmall 460 and 560: The author sets the stage at the start of the chapter by writing "...the drivetrain on the 460 and 560 was maxed out in the Hundred and Fifty Series tractors. Adding more horsepower to this drivetrain could be a recipe for disaster, and it was." But the issue is never mentioned again, except as a side note in a paragraph about the Brass Tacks sales demonstrator program: "IH actually ran the Brass Tacks Demo program twice on the 40 and 60 Series. The first run was in 1958 and 1959. This program was probably terminated early on due to rear axle and final drive issues in the 460s and 560s. Once this was resolved, the program ran again in 1961." Given the damage those failures did to the Farmall reputation just as John Deere was about to introduce the 3010 and 4010, I would have been interested in more technical detail about the problems and the modifications IH put in place to fix them.

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy addition to your Farmall library, March 9, 2009

By 

Brett C. Haney (Jacksonville, ILL.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Classic Farmall Tractors: History, Models, Variations & Specifications 1922-1975 (Tractor Legacy Series) (Hardcover)

This is another great book from IH author and historian Ken Updike. I found the text engaging and informative without being overly dry which is easy to do. There are also lots of pictures and ads, almost all are vintage and many are in color, used throughout. Overall I'd highly recommend this book to anybody interested in IH.