August is Harvest Month (UPDATE: Deering Auto Mower)

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Henry Ford is often credited for having ‘invented’ the tractor. Not true, as his first Fordson appeared on the market in 1917, but he does deserve credit for making them readily available. Agricultures machines were already in use at the end of the nineteenth century. This picture of this beauty was found by Nico Claerhout from Belgium in a book dated 1901. It’s called ‘handbook for the stock market – practical information for financiers; capitalists; persons of independent means; industrialists and traders. Obviously even back then a tractor was a good investment. As the caption with the photo reads: “automobile for agricultural purpose”, we can clearly count this one as a pre-war car :-0 But who can identify it? Tell us!

Update by Luke Chennell: "The photograph in question is undoubtedly a Deering Auto Mower, a product that some would consider the first of the venerable International Harvester line of tractors. The Auto Mower was developed around 1894, but never really found a big market. Deering & Co. used the knowledge gained from it for further forays into the gas tractor business, and made quite a go of it later. The best connection that I know of to pre-war cars is that IHC of course built highwheelers, trucks, and many other motorized conveyances. I have to say - Great Photo! There are a few photos of Deering Auto Mowers around, but I don't think I've ever seen any that so clearly show the attachments. Nice find."

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