Tractor Trivia

Battle of the Tractors
 I can remember growing up on a “John Deere”farm and wondering about many others.  I had fond memories of the Model R we had but also had a curiosity about the others.  I remember reading a pamphlet my dad had showing the W-9 and WD9 McCormick tractors  My mind sort of raced wondering which one could pull more….which one would be more fun to drive….I had my idea but I would have loved to know more.
 In my research the W-9 series came out in 1940, whereas Deere’s model R came out in 1949.  The W-9 came with a gas or diesel engine(WD9), both having about 345 cu. Inches.  The R only had a diesel engine with about 415 cu. Inches.  The W-9 tractors had a 36 gallon fuel tank while the R JD has a 22 gallon fuel tank.   The McCormick WD9 weighed in at 6650 pounds while the R JD tipped the scale at around 7500 pounds.  My R tractor has fluid in the tires and weighed almost 9500 pounds for last years Lake Itasca tractor pull!   The WD9 was tested with 46 belt horsepower, the R 48 belt hp.  What a couple of brutes in their day!!
Regardless of which color is your preference, WOW!, these were a couple of GREAT tractors.  So not only in my youth but still today I love to see one of these tractors on display, at a tractor pull, or working in a field somewhere!   I purchased my R John Deere a few years ago and now I am thinking maybe, just maybe I need a WD9 for comparison!
About a year ago I was at an auction sale and bid on a W-9(gas). I finally stopped thinking I would save my money for another John Deere. I think that maybe one more bid I could have brought the W-9 home……Probably should have bid one more time!

How about a little tractor trivia.
1. The W-9 and the R both had the same amount of forward speeds. How many?
2. The R John Deere diesel started with a gas powered “pony” motor.  How did the
             WD9 start?
3.  McCormick made a WDR9.  What did the letter “R” stand for?
4. True or False:  The model R was the first Deere tractor with a “Live PTO”.
5. True or False:  McCormick made an I-9 standing for Industrial.  The I-9 had
                                    Different gear ratio and a foot throttle.
 

Answers:  1. 5 speeds   2.   Started on gas, then switched the same engine to burning Diesel  3. R stood for “Rice” It was equipped with “Rice” tires and wide fenders.   4.   TRUE   5.  TRUE

Eric Mickelson

Green Magazine

RIchard's Publishing

Oklee, MN 56742

218-791-9157