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The International Harvester Company was formed by the merger of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company on August 12, 1902. In 1923, IH started a revolution in tractor design with the introduction of the Farmall. The Farmall was the first tricycle style row-crop tractor. Farmall tractors not only plowed, but were capable of precision work such as cultivating. The Farmall name is legendary and associated with historic models like the M. IH used the Farmall name on its tractor line through 1974. The company was always innovating new machinery. IH developed the revolutionary Cylco-Air planter and Axial-Flow single rotor combine in the 1970s. The 2+2 and a front flow air cool tractor line with tri-six shifting were big hits in the 1980s. The IH brand continues on in the hearts of farmers across North America and around the world as Farmall and International tractors continue to work on farms after decades of service.
Today International has been replaced by modern buzz words such as Global. In 1902 International best described the size and scope of IHC product offerings and sales regions. Case IH is a brand of CNH Global, the number one manufacturer of agricultural tractors and combines in the world. With headquarters in the United States, CNH has a network of dealers and distributors that operates in over 160 countries. The proud IH history is well served under the modern CNH Global as it continues to grow and define the future of mechanized farming.
In 2002 Ertl celebrated the IH Centennial by highlighting some of the greatest Farmall tractors of all time. Ertl and CaseIH chose some landmark IH's: The last Farmall the 5488, the first 100 hp Farmall the 1206, the first Torque Amplifier Farmall the Super M-TA and the 1 millionth Farmall the M. 5,000 units of each model were produced. This specially boxed 4 piece set has proved to be quite popular. The 5488, 1206 and 1 millionth M bring around $120 just one year late and the Super M-TA around $70.
Introduced as the "New Number 1" in 1982, the 5488 was a member of the 50 Series of tractors. Among the innovations of this series was a synchronized transmission with 18 forward and 6 reverse speeds. Under the hood of the 5488 was a 466 cubic inch churning out 187 PTO horsepower. All-wheel drive was an available option. Unfortunately, the introduction of this powerful workhorse was not enough to offset the turbulent economy of the early 1980's. In 1984 International Harvester decided to sell its Agricultural equipment line. The 5488 bears the honor of being the last tractor to be produced under the International name. |
100
Years Of IH 5488 Box Lid.
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 100 Years Of IH 5488 "Last Farmall" |
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Unveiled in 1965, the Farmall 1206 introduced two important innovations to the Farmall line - a two wheel-drive tractor with over 100 horsepower and turbocharged power. With most tractors of the era still lingering in the 40 to 70 horse power range, 100 + was thought by many to be too much to incorporate into a manageable tractor design. IH proved this thinking wrong. The Farmall 1206 became a popular model selling over 8,000 units and another being sold in the standard tread International configuration. |
100 Years Of IH 1206 Box Lid. |
 100 Years Of IH Farmall 1206. |
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The Super M-TA marked the beginning of many major advances in tractor technology. The introduction of the torque amplifier (TA) allowed the operator to vary forward speeds by changing the TA lever position with out engaging the clutch. When engaged, the torque amplifier reduced speed 33% and boosted pull power 45%. The independent PTO (IPTO) enabled implements to run at constant speeds regardless of the tractor speed. For the farmer, the Super M-TA with IPTO meant smoother and faster completion of field and transport operations. |
100 Years Of IH Super M-Ta Box Lid. |
 100 Years Of IH Super M-TA. |
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The Farmall M was introduced in 1939 and became the most widely recognized member of the letter series of Farmall's. In 1939 500,000 Farmall tractors had already been produced as the M started rolling of the line. It's combination of sheer power, fuel economy, power options and matched implements made it the perfect all-purpose tractor for the large acreage farmer. The 1,000,000th Farmall to roll-off the assembly line on April 30, 1951 bore the distinction of being the Mighty M. In just 12 years IH built and sold a half million Farmalls. After leaving the Rock Island plant, the landmark M arrived at an IH dealer in Manlius, Illinois and was promptly delivered to its proud new owner and put to work. |
100 Years Of IH 1 millionth M Box Lid.. |
 100 Years Of IH 1 millionth M. |
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TTT
August 2003 Page 16
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