Although it seems that modern tractors have been a part of our landscape forever, the truth is, there are still plenty of antique tractors, that can be found everywhere, and you don' need to look in museums, either!

Antique tractors represent a beloved past time of restoration and even of use to the people who enjoy them, and you'll soon see that there are a wide variety of tractors that you can see on a fairly regular basis. You'll find that there are plenty of antique tractors, including those from Farmall, Allis Chalmers, Ford and of course John Deere, that are still in service. If you have ever been curious about antique tractors, there is a lot of good information out there.

When thinking about antique tractors, it is very important to think about the first engine-powered farm tractors, which used steam and were in use during the 1870s. These antique tractors were the agricultural marvels of their day, and they were built in much the same fashion as the small road locomotives. If the engine weighed less than five tons, it could be operated by a single man, though today we often associate tractors with farm work, these tractors were mostly confined to work hauling lumber and for general road hauling.

Antique tractors reached a new height when a gasoline fueled engine was developed in 1887. This important invention led to the invention of the earl gasoline traction engines, which was eventually abbreviated to tractors. 1889 saw the production of six of the first working gasoline traction engines, and these antique tractors started a long and impressive history that continues to this day. The first truly successful gasoline tractor was the Frolich tractor, to which the work horse, the famous John Deere two cylinder tractor can be traced.

Of course, as everyone knows, it doesn't matter how useful a machine is unless you can get your hands on it, and you'll find that these antique tractors were no exception. Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr began the Hart-Parr Gasoline Engine Company of Madison at the end of the 1800's. Later on, the would move to Iowa, where they put together enough cash to make gas traction engines. This lead to them creating the first factory in the United States that was completely given over to the production of the antique tractor. They were also credited with making the word "tractor" so popular.

As you can see, there is a lot of interesting information out there for people who are hoping to learn more about antique tractors.