Books by Jonathan Whitlam
Explore our curated list of farming and tractor history books.
International Harvester Tractors
In this comprehensive and readable book, tractor expert Jonathan Whitlam tells the story of the development of International Harvester from its North American roots in the 1900s. The book covers developments from the early combustion-engine machines to the merger with Case in 1985 and ownership by Fiat in 1999. The story of International Harvester is inextricably tied up with developments in farming. While the giant tractors such as the Titans and Moguls could take on large-scale agriculture, smaller tractors were developed for more modest farms. The development of the famous all-purpose Farmall tractor in 1920 not only set a new benchmark in tractor design, it also completed the revolution in mechanisation of agriculture in the United States. From 1949 some International Harvester tractors were built in Britain and the book goes on to reveal the importance of European developments, including German designs in the 1980s and 1990s after the amalgamation with Case. Accompanied by a rich selection of colour photographs, this fascinating book is a complete account of both the UK and European as well as American IH tractors.
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John Deere Tractors
John Deere is one of the world's leading tractor companies and this fascinating book brings together the full account of production in both the United States and in Europe. Using modern photography and a largely chronological account of tractor development, the author provides an excellent overview of the evolution of John Deere tractors over the decades. Starting with the early two-cylinder tractors developed in the USA and moving through the creation of multi-cylinder engines after the takeover of the Lanz business in Germany, the book covers the 40 and 50 series of the late 1980s and the innovations in the 1990s when John Deere effectively re-invented the tractor with their full-frame designs. Bringing the reader right up to date with the latest designs that bristle with technological sophistication and covering the evolution of John Deere tractor development, this book will be an essential read for both John Deere enthusiasts and all those interested in the history of tractors, old and new.
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John Deere Tractors
John Deere is one of the world’s leading tractor companies and this fascinating book brings together the full account of production in both the United States and in Europe. Using modern photography and a largely chronological account of tractor development, the author provides an excellent overview of the evolution of John Deere tractors over the decades. Starting with the early two-cylinder tractors developed in the USA and moving through the creation of multi-cylinder engines after the takeover of the Lanz business in Germany, the book covers the 40 and 50 series of the late 1980s and the innovations in the 1990s when John Deere effectively re-invented the tractor with their full-frame designs. Bringing the reader right up to date with the latest designs that bristle with technological sophistication and covering the evolution of John Deere tractor development, this book will be an essential read for both John Deere enthusiasts and all those interested in the history of tractors, old and new.
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Tractors From John Deere to Lamborghini
<p>Tractors provides a vivid pictorial exploration of tractors through the ages, beginning with John Froelich’s invention – produced locally by the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company – through the first mass-produced models, Henry Ford’s Fordson and the Massey-Ferguson MF35, up to the latest driverless tractor, the John Deere 8R 410, which allows farmers to plot exact paths using a GPS-configured app. In between the book shows many of the world’s best-known models in action, including the New Holland Agriculture, Fendt, Valtra and Lamborghini. The evolution of the tractor in the late 19th century with the development of the Froelich tractor in Iowa in 1892 revolutionized farming, providing farmers with the means to combine the power of the internal combustion engine with the latest farming methods. Farming was never the same again. In the 1940s, hydraulic systems were developed to make tractors more valuable and comfortable, adjustable seats and headlights were installed, and the modern tractor became a reality. Illustrated with 180 photographs, Tractors is a pictorial celebration of these essential machines through the ages.</p>
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