He Built Replica Of The "First" IH Farmall

Replica of the first IH Farmall TRACTORS Antiques 17-2-19 Tractor collector Harry Lee owns more than 50 unusual antique tractors but there's never any question which one of his collection is the rarest. Two years ago he built a replica of what many say was the first Farmall ever - the 1922 "Bombshell" which was originally built by engineer Bert Benjamin as a prototype. Benjamin's machine represented a turning point in the development of row crop tractors because at the time IH was trying to arrive at a basic tractor design. It already had a motorized cultivator on the market and was experimenting with a reversible tractor that could handle a variety of field tasks. When Benjamin put together his tractor, other engineers recognized the versatility and easy handling of the machine and it rapidly became the model for the Farmall, which was introduced in 1924. Benjamin's prototype was destroyed but a photograph survived and Harry Lee used it as a blueprint to construct a full-size replica in the winter of 1990-91. The original prototype was apparently thrown together rapidly. Channeliron frame rails were simply bolted together and other components appear to have been hastily assembled. What tractor engineers liked about the tractor was that it had differential brakes and high axle clearance required for row crop work, plus it was powerful, light and simple. Lee faithfully copied the tractor in every detail. All four wheels were hand-built as were many other components on the home¡built tractor, which runs like a new machine. Lee takes it to antique tractor shows around the country. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Harry Lee, P.O. Box 119, Elnora, Ind. 47529 (ph 812 692-5216).

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