From Washing Machines To Tractors, The Story Of New Holland Tractors On Farms
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010New Holland tractors trace their linage back to 1895 where Abram Zimmerman purchased a one horse barn on the outskirts of New Holland, PA. From those humble beginnings the company has grown and through several mergers has become a world leader in the manufacture of tractors and other farm equipment.
Zimmerman’s early work was to invent a gasoline engine that would not crack during freezing weather. His engines found use in various ways on the farm from crushing rocks to running washing machines and churning butter. The gasoline engine allowed many farm households to enjoy modern conveniences before rural electrification. It became a name that was trusted for farm equipment.
The depression of the 1930s was a difficult time for New Holland. The farmers that had been their customers did not have the money for such luxury items and sales dropped. The financial outlook for the company became very bleak until the development of the first automatic hay baler that also tied the bales of hay. Some historians say that this development alone saved the company from extinction.
In 1947, the company was taken over by the Sperry Corporation and became Sperry New Holland. In 1964, the company purchased a large share of a Belgium company known for their combines.