Museum Specializes In Hart-Parr Tractors
In 1903, Hart-Parr began manufacturing what became known as the first successful farm tractor powered by an internal combustion engine. By the 1920s, they had built a strong export division and began casting the destination country name into their tractor’s radiators.
A shortcoming of the early Hart-Parrs was brands like I.H. used three forward speeds while they only had two. In 1927, Hart-Parr introduced their first 3-speed model, sending a few to New Zealand labeled as “Specials.”
The New Zealand Specials began with the 12-24 designation but carried over into the 18-36 and 28-50 models. Differences between the U.S. and New Zealand versions were the front axles, the rear spokes, and the wheel band thickness. The 12-24H featured upgraded pistons designed for higher compression. It was also a 3-fuel machine that could burn kerosene, distillate or gasoline. It would start on gasoline before switching to one of the other options once warm. An interesting component of the U.S. tractors was a winch drive perfect for oil field work, usually mounted under the fuel tank.
The Manitoba Agricultural Museum is home to numerous Hart-Parr tractors, many in running condition.
“Most of these tractors are paired with volunteer adopters who take care of them and run them at shows and reunions,” says Alex Campbell, museum volunteer. “All the Hart-Parr models were good, simple tractors that the average farmer could repair without having detailed knowledge.”
Campbell says a valuable component of Hart-Parr’s reputation on the prairies was a widespread dealership network of parts and services.
“This network was crucial for their longevity,” Campbell says. “Manufacturers without parts and service outlets suffered and quickly became unserviceable. The parts and service network was the main reason Oliver bought Hart-Parr in 1929.”
Campbell invites anyone interested in learning more about these unique and “Special” tractors to stop at the Museum for a friendly visit.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Manitoba Agricultural Museum, P.O. Box 10, Austin, Manitoba, Canada R0H 0C0 (ph 204-637-2354; info@mbagmuseum.ca; www.mbagmuseum.ca).
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Museum Specializes In Hart-Parr Tractors TRACTORS Antiques In 1903 Hart-Parr began manufacturing what became known as the first successful farm tractor powered by an internal combustion engine By the 1920s they had built a strong export division and began casting the destination country name into their tractor’s radiators A shortcoming of the early Hart-Parrs was brands like I H used three forward speeds while they only had two In 1927 Hart-Parr introduced their first 3-speed model sending a few to New Zealand labeled as “Specials ” The New Zealand Specials began with the 12-24 designation but carried over into the 18-36 and 28-50 models Differences between the U S and New Zealand versions were the front axles the rear spokes and the wheel band thickness The 12-24H featured upgraded pistons designed for higher compression It was also a 3-fuel machine that could burn kerosene distillate or gasoline It would start on gasoline before switching to one of the other options once warm An interesting component of the U S tractors was a winch drive perfect for oil field work usually mounted under the fuel tank The Manitoba Agricultural Museum is home to numerous Hart-Parr tractors many in running condition “Most of these tractors are paired with volunteer adopters who take care of them and run them at shows and reunions ” says Alex Campbell museum volunteer “All the Hart-Parr models were good simple tractors that the average farmer could repair without having detailed knowledge ” Campbell says a valuable component of Hart-Parr’s reputation on the prairies was a widespread dealership network of parts and services “This network was crucial for their longevity ” Campbell says “Manufacturers without parts and service outlets suffered and quickly became unserviceable The parts and service network was the main reason Oliver bought Hart-Parr in 1929 ” Campbell invites anyone interested in learning more about these unique and “Special” tractors to stop at the Museum for a friendly visit Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Manitoba Agricultural Museum P O Box 10 Austin Manitoba Canada R0H 0C0 ph 204-637-2354; info@mbagmuseum ca; www mbagmuseum ca
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