Farm Truck History
The history of the farm truck parallels the history of the automobile in the United States. Practically from its inception, modifications were made to the automobile chassis to adapt it to farm use. Later, trucks were produced with their own specifications and are now used for all types of commercial and industrial endeavors.
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Chrysler
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In 1910, Ray Graham, an Indiana farmer, introduced the first four-cylinder tractor in southern Indiana, according to "The Dodge Brothers," by Charles K. Hyde. As an "early promoter of gasoline-powered tractors and light-duty trucks for farm use," Ray, along with his brothers Joseph and Robert, formed Graham Brothers Inc., in 1917 to produce farm tractors and kits that converted standard automobile chassis into light-duty trucks. Later that year, the "Graham Brothers Truck Builder" became available and could be used with almost any car model, according to Hyde. This kit allowed conversions up to three tons and by the end of 1919, the brothers were producing their own 1 1/2-ton capacity truck with Dodge transmissions and engines. In April 1921, the Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers entered into a partnership, according to Hyde, wherein the Dodge Brothers would be the sole service provider for Graham trucks while the Graham Brothers would exclusively use Dodge engines and transmissions in their trucks.
Sales climbed steadily into the 1920s and, by 1926, Graham Brothers was the largest producer of trucks in the world. It was during this time that Dodge bought the company outright and, in 1927, Chrysler bought Dodge. According to the website allpar.com, Graham Brothers trucks weighing in at over a half-ton were still being produced at the company in 1928. After the purchase they were sold under the Dodge name.
Ford
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In 1917, Henry Ford began to produce the one-ton TT chassis, which was not a complete truck, according to "Ford Pickup Trucks," by Steven Statham. The TT chassis was a modified Model T with a frame, steering wheel and tires. The cab and bed were supplied by aftermarket producers. According to Statham, sales grew steadily and by 1919, more than 100,000 had been produced. However, it wasn't until 1925 that the company introduced its first complete pickup when the "Model T Runabout with Pick-Up Body," was introduced along with a closed cab and stake bed for the still-popular TT chassis. In 1928, competition from Chevy spurred the company into building the Model A open cab pickup with AA chassis.
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GMC and Chevy
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General Motors Corp. was formed in 1908 after William C. Durant bought several companies and combined them under the GMC name. Chevrolet, one of the divisions, entered the truck market in 1918 with its half-ton model, the 490 Commercial called the Model T, like its Ford counterpart, according to "Chevrolet Pickup Color History," by Tom Brownell and Mike Mueller. Chevy supplied only the chassis and forward sheet metal and left the acquisition of the body to the buyer. Consequently, at the time, a Chevy truck could be fitted with any type of cargo body, including those made by cabinet makers, a common preference. In 1921, the company entered into agreements with body suppliers to provide "complete" trucks. The options included a farm wagon, which was a covered delivery-type wagon, and a station wagon, which was a farm wagon with seats.
After 1927, General Motors Truck & Coach manufactured trucks from parts sourced from other GM divisions and eventually became known for its heavier trucks, and some of these were sold under the Chevy label.
International Harvester
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International Harvester was formed after five of the largest harvester manufacturers---McCormick Harvesting Machine Co.; Deering Harvester Co.; Milwaukee Harvester Co.; Warder, Bushnell and Glessner Harvesting Co.; and Plano Manufacturing Co.---merged in 1902. In 1907, the company began producing trucks, and farmers bought them from their farm equipment dealers. Known as "corn binders," the International was out-produced only by Chevy and Ford in the years leading up to World War II.
Post-War Truck Production
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After World War II, the United States experienced a period of significant economic growth and this helped truck sales. No longer the conveyance of the farmer or delivery man, trucks became a familiar in the suburbs of post-war America. The war had caused a truck shortage and the annual truck output from 1948 to 1951 was 1,324,000 units, according to "Chevrolet Pickups, 1946-1972" by John Gunnell. While output tapered off a bit in the 1950s, more than 1 million trucks a year were still being manufactured during this time.
Chrysler's Dodge Division was the third largest truck maker from 1946 to 1952, after which they became the fourth largest after International.
Ford trailed Chevy in truck sales after the war, but was No. 1 in 1959, 1970 and 1972. Gunnell reports the difference in sales ranged from more than 100,000 to less than 4,000 trucks.
While Chevy was the leader most years in truck production, its GMC Division did well, coming in third behind Ford in 1945.
Willys Overland produced the wartime Jeep, and afterward, offered a model that was suited for farm work, such as towing farm implements. Its four-wheel drive capability was "expected to be particularly effective on uneven or loose soil," according to a 1945 advertisement.
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