In 1924 International introduced the Farmall tractor. IH was already the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery, but until then it hadn’t achieved much success in the tractor market. The versatile Farmall, however, was a hit. Within five years, 100,000 tractors had been built. The Farmall was lightweight and particularly well suited to row-crop work. Thanks to its portal axles, it had high ground clearance. Its four-cylinder gasoline engine produced 27 horsepower. It came standard with a power take-off, and attachment points for implements were provided at the front, between the axles, and at the rear. A distinctive feature was the steering column, which was carried forward over the hood.

Competitors quickly copied the Farmall’s design, and in 1932 three new models were introduced (F-12, F-20, and F-30), the middle one being roughly the same size as the original. In 1936 the color was changed from blue-gray to red. By then these models usually came equipped with pneumatic tires.

In the summer of 1939 a new series of lettered models was unveiled, featuring a stylized design developed under Raymond Loewy’s leadership. The smallest of the series, Model A, was a four-wheeled offset tractor—meaning the operator sat on the right-hand edge and had a clear view of an implement mounted in the center or of the area ahead alongside the hood. Model B used the same 19-horsepower engine but was three-wheeled, with the operator seated on the centerline. In 1940 a narrow-track BN version became available. An optional “Lift-all” pneumatic draft control, powered by exhaust gases, could be added to both the A and B models.

Models H and M were more closely based on the original Farmall design. Their separate, mid-length frame and high ground clearance made it easier to attach row-crop implements under the tractor. These models were most commonly fitted with dual front wheels. The “Lift-all” draft control was again optional. The transmission now had five gears—one more than the major competitors. The diesel version of the M, called the MD, was IH’s first diesel tractor. It started on gasoline, then switched over to diesel fuel once the engine was warm. The best-selling tractor in the U.S. during this era was the Model H, with 390,000 units produced. The Model M was also popular and was manufactured not only in Chicago but also in England (as the BM) and in Australia (as the AM).

In 1948 the Model B was replaced by the Model C. Its engine speed was raised to 1,650 RPM, the wheelbase was lengthened, the rear wheels were enlarged, and the portal axle design was abandoned.

The naming conventions varied: for example, the Model A was initially called the McCormick-Deering Farmall A, from 1946 the McCormick Farmall A, and as an industrial model simply the International A. The power ratings given here refer to the gasoline versions, which were a few horsepower stronger than their petrol (gasoline) counterparts.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.