Tractor Trivia
December 7, 1941
As I sat on my couch with my computer on my lap, on December 7, 2025, an email arrived on our computer from my father-in-law. It is his weekly message for the family. My ears perked up when I read the paragraph about remembering hearing on the radio about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This is a pretty significant and sobering memory of the history of our country. Our country, all 48 states, was united in a world wide war that changed many people’s lives.
Back in time-On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, at 7:55 a.m. in the Hawaiian Islands, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appeared out of the clouds above on the United States base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II.
My dad was living at 2809, 4th Street SE, in Minneapolis. He remembers listening to the radio as FDR let the American people know that the US was declaring war on Japan. Most of us have probably heard the old news real stating …..”December 7 would be a day that would live in infamy!”
That changed a lot of lives. Many young Americans headed off to war and many lost their lives. The amazing part to me is life on the homefront. When in history have people had to band so closely together. Getting only a ration of supplies, working jobs that were left by those fighting. Many women ran the household doing everything they usually did while working long shifts in factories and other jobs. These pictures of the war in front of the eyes of someone who was not alive then gives a great appreciation to all those who endured hardships to help ensure our freedom here in the United States.
I bet you are thinking, what does this have to do with tractors? As you probably know during this time many factories turned to making products for the war. Because rubber and other supplies were rationed many changes happened to tractor companies.
During World War II Cockshutt's Brantford, Ontario, factory operated as Cockshutt Aircraft Division. They manufactured undercarriages for several types of British bombers. During World War II John Deere produced transmissions and final drive assemblies for M3 and M4 medium tanks. John Deere had over 1,000 military contracts during the war. International Harvester produced many torpedoes during WWII. Farm manufacturing companies came to the plate and maximized production of many war necessities during the war. Tractor production changed also. Many tractors that were produced with rubber tires and starters and lights were reverted to steel wheels, and back to hand starting in order to save supplies for the war effort.
Another war tractor story is the G John Deere. The G was produced from 1937 into 1953. Models produced through 1942 were unstyled, with no sheet metal. Deere stopped production in the fall of 1942 as materials ran short. The GM, with the M standing for “modernized,” rolled off the line in early 1943. Deere added the M to the G which allowed them to ask for and receive permission for a price increase from the government. They could only get permission if they had a new model. Deere soon suspended production of the GM, and it remained out of production for a couple of years. In 1945, GM was reinstated, and production continued into 1947, when Deere dropped the “M” and produced styled G models.
This week as we remember Pearl Harbor Day I suggest we remember the efforts made by farm manufacturing companies to help the war effort. I also want to thank civilians who worked so hard and sacrificed so much during such a hard time in our American History. Of course, the biggest thank you goes to those who sacrificed so much being members of the armed services. As always…...THANK YOU for your service!
How about a little tractor trivia!
1. The Model GM tractor had ____ forward speeds.
4 B) 5 C) 6 D) 8
2. Some GM tractors were made on steel wheels; they had ____ forward speeds.
4 B) 5 C) 6 D) 8
3. The bore and stroke of a GM is _____ X ______.
5 X 7 B) 6 X 8 C) 6 ⅛ X 7 D) 6 ¼ X 6 ¾
4. The model G John Deere was produced from 1937- _______.
1947 B) 1952 C) 1953 D) 1955
5. The price of a model G in 1953 was __________.
$1999 B) $2250 C) $2500 D) $2600
Answers: 1. C. 6 speeds 2. A. 4 speeds, fifth and sixth were removed because they were too fast, although a kit was available to add them back again. 3. C. bore and stroke 6 ⅛ X 7 4. C. 1953 5. D. $2600
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Eric Mickelson
Green Magazine
RIchard's Publishing
Oklee, MN 56742
218-791-9157