The Big Book of Steam Tractors: Glory Days of the Invention That Changed Farming Forever

Description

This book tells the story of the amazing transformation of farming brought about by the gigantic steam tractors that hauled agriculture into the modern era, the first Iron Horses. Here is the first-ever thorough history of the steamers packed with more than 400 super-rare photographs and brochures that have taken years to collect. Before the advent of lightweight gasoline engines, steam tractors were met with awe, delight, fear, and enthusiasm at their promise of quicker progress. Even today, county fairs, and tractor shows, these remarkable machines command great respect, and always draw fascinated crowds.This book gives readers and tractor fans a chance to linger over every detail of these marvelous - and now, all too rare-machines. Richly illustrated and meticulously detailed, each entry brings to the fore a steam tractor that in its day transformed the business of farming acre by acre and day by day. Full of rare archive photographs, technical details, specs, information on day-to-day working, cleaning, repair, usage, fuelling, water supplies, this is bound to appeal to the enthusiast and casual reader alike.

Dr. Robert T. Rhode is one of the world's experts on steam-tractor history. He is an English professor at Northern Kentucky University and author of four other books, including The Harvest Story: Recollections of Old-Time Threshermen and Classic American Steamrollers. John Spalding is a columnist with Steam Traction magazine, the steam-tractor buff's "bible." He has the world's largest collection of steam tractor images--some 1,500 rare photographs.

"This is a very nice book. Many, many interesting period photographs, most are from John's collection, make this a good coffee table book but, it's more that a picture book. It covers the history of steam tractors. Manufacturers that I never knew existed, are documented here. Overall, a very good book for anyone interested in steam tractors and early agricultural history and would be a great addition to your library." - Power of the Past Tractor Club