The Search for the Rarest Farmall Tractor
Farmall tractors have been around since the early 1920s, gearing towards the farming community. With design innovations and an effort to produce efficient, powerful tractors, it's no wonder that a considerable following still exists. However, amongst the vast collection of Farmall tractors worldwide, what is the rarest kind? Let's investigate.
The Farmall BNH
One of the most exclusive models ever produced by the International Harvester Company is the Farmall BNH. Only a few hundred were made from 1959 to 1960, which explains its scarcity. The unique feature of this tractor is its hydrostatic transmission. It was meant to replace horse-drawn equipment and was known for its improved control with field cultivators, which enhanced the precision of tillage work. With its rarity, collectors tend to pay a high price for a well-maintained Farmall BNH tractor.
The Farmall 404 High Crop
An unusual version of the Farmall series is the 404 High Crop. This tractor was made from 1958 to 1963. It was built for use in the southern United States for cotton farming. It has tall wheels and its rear axle has quite an elevation. It was designed to tackle the high rows of cotton plants found in the cotton fields of the South. With only a few thousand ever made, the Farmall 404 High Crop continues to gain recognition for its peculiar design.
The Farmall McCormick 15-30
The Farmall McCormick 15-30 achieved recognition as one of the first tractors to be equipped with rubber tires. From 1921 to 1934, the International Harvester Company created over 60,000 of these models, but few remain today in their original form. The Farmall McCormick 15-30's rarity stems from the fact that most of them were used and damaged over time. This rarity factor and the innovative rubber tires feature make the Farmall McCormick 15-30 one of the most sought-after tractors for collectors today.
Other Rare Farmall Tractors
While the above-mentioned tractors are some of the rarest Farmall models, this doesn't mean that other rare Farmall tractors don't exist. The Farmall Super MDV High Clear produced from 1951 to 1954 stands out with a high clearance design for crop cultivation and a robust four-cylinder diesel engine. Similarly, the Farmall Regular Light Four-Row Crop produced in the mid-1920s holds value for its early design and use of seat springs, a developmental leap from previous models.
Conclusion
Although the Farmall tractor series continues to populate farms worldwide, some models' rarity and scarcity add significant value to their collectors. The BNH, 404 High Crop, and McCormick 15-30 are notable out of the many models that International Harvester Company created. Each model has unique features that fit the agricultural needs of the time and are now conservation treasures for the farming history enthusiasts.
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