However, it was still drawn by a team of horses as the generated steam power was used to power other machinery. Later, in 1869, his manufacturing company expanded its horizons and built the first steam-powered tractor. His initial success was attributed to the thresher he built to separate the straw from grain, and his thresher design can still be seen today in the B275 and B414 models. Jerome Case founded Racine Threshing Machine Works in 1842, the predecessor to Case I.H. By the early 1990s, Deere tractors were wholly redesigned and manufactured as the 70 series. In the early 1980s, John Deere introduced upgraded models with PowerShift transmissions and front-wheel drive. The Iron Horse series of tractors by John Deere varied in power between 90-hp and 180-hp. The Sound Idea tractors continued production until the late 1970s when the Iron Horse series were manufactured.

In 1972, John Deere introduced the ‘Sound Idea’ tractors, which, while similar to the previous generator, they included redesigned sheet metal and had an optional integrated operator’s cab. They were also more comfortable to operate and had the added bonus of being easier to service. However, both the four- and six-cylinder models added more power. Before this, John Deere focused on two-cylinder tractors. The company later introduced both four-cylinder tractors and six-cylinder tractors in the 1960s. In the 1960s, John Deere introduced the larger 105 model. It was then followed by the 40, 45, and 95. In 1947, the first self-propelled combine was produced by John Deere, the 55 model. Iron and wooden plows require frequent cleaning as the soil would stick to these materials, while dirt would slide away from the smooth-sided steel plow fashioned by John Deere.

Before the production of this plow constructed using a Scottish steel saw blade sold by Deere & Company, most farmers would use iron or wooden plows. Deere & Company was founded in 1836 when John Deere started selling small farm tools, including the self-scouring steel plow.

A short history of tractors