Biographical note:
Photographer-author Ralph W. Sanders has photographed tractors for more than 40 years. He grew up on an Illinois farm where he had ample opportunity to "exercise" a 1933 Farmall F-12 and 1948 Farmall C, as well as a Farmall H, Farmall MD, and McCormick W-6. He has worked as Illinois field editor for Prairie Farmer; associate editor at Successful Farming; full-time freelance agricultural photographer for Successful Farming, Deere & Co., Massey-Ferguson, Kinze Mfg., Vermeer Mfg., DuPont Ag, Monsanto Ag, and others. Sanders is the author of several books from Voyageur Press, including Vintage Farm Tractors, and photographer for DuPont's long-running Classic Tractors calendar. He lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Bob Feller is a baseball hall of famer and vintage tractor collector.
Main description:
Here is the biggest, best, and most complete history of classic farm tractors. All North American models make their appearance--from John Deere and Farmall to fascinating "orphans" like the Steel Mule, from the late 1800s steamers through the high-powered workhorses of the 1970s.
In addition to hundreds of high-detail large-format photography of tractors and equipment (see below for samples), the volume includes 100 color and black-and-white archival photos, advertising posters, and brochures. The result is an unparalleled look at the icon of American agriculture.
Chapter 1: Muscles to Motors
Chapter 2: Allis-Chalmers
Chapter 3: J.I. Case
Chapter 4: Caterpillar
Chapter 5: John Deere
Chapter 6: Ford
Chapter 7: International Harvester
Chapter 8: Massey-Ferguson
Chapter 9: Minneapolis-Moline
Chapter 10: Oliver Corporation
Chapter 11: Orphans and Others
Review quote:
Omaha World HeraldReading The Farm Tractor is as comfortable as visiting with an old friend. You can start at the beginning, or drop in at any point. Artfully designed, the book is a showcase of Ralph Sanders’ world-class photography…But The Farm Tractor is more than just another pretty face. With more than 40 years’ experience, the author knows his stuff…Carefully researched, beautifully photographed, thoughtfully designed: The book is worthy of a second look.-- Farm Collector, November 2009
