History of Cockshutt Tractors

A Canadian Brand.

Cockshutt tractors were a Canadian brand of agricultural machinery that had a long and prosperous history from 1928 to 1976. They were known for their quality designs, innovation, and independent PTO. Here is a brief overview of their history and achievements.

The Origins of Cockshutt

The company that would become Cockshutt Farm Equipment Limited was founded by James G. Cockshutt in 1877 as the Brantford Plow Works in Brantford, Ontario. He started by making stoves, scufflers, and walking plows. He had a vision of making superior implements for Canadian farmers and he invented new models with more efficient chilled iron mouldboards and shares²⁵.

In 1882, the company was incorporated as the Cockshutt Plow Company and James died shortly after. His brother William Foster Cockshutt took over as president until 1888, when another brother, Frank Cockshutt, became president. In 1910, Henry Cockshutt, the youngest of the brothers, became the leader of the company and secured financing for expansion and acquisitions²³.

The Tractor Era

Cockshutt did not have its own tractor design until the 1940s, so it relied on distributing other brands such as Allis-Chalmers, United, and Oliver. During World War II, Cockshutt's factories were involved in manufacturing aircraft parts, artillery shells, and transport vehicles for the war effort²³.

After the war, Cockshutt launched its first tractor model, the Cockshutt 30, in 1946. It was the first modern production tractor built in Canada and the first to offer an independent PTO. It had a 30-horsepower engine and a vermillion red color with cream white wheels and lettering²³⁵. It was a success among farmers and was followed by other models such as the 20, 40, 50, 60, and 70.

Cockshutt also introduced innovations such as live hydraulics, diesel engines, power steering, and self-propelled combines. It expanded its market across Canada, the US, and overseas. It became one of the largest tractor manufacturers in Canada by the 1950s²³⁵.

The Decline and Demise of Cockshutt

Cockshutt faced increasing competition from other tractor brands in the 1960s and 1970s. It also suffered from financial difficulties, management changes, labor disputes, and market fluctuations. In 1962, it was acquired by White Motor Company of Cleveland, Ohio. White continued to produce tractors under the Cockshutt name until 1975, when it switched to using its own name²³⁵.

In 1976, Cockshutt ceased to exist as a separate entity when White sold its Canadian operations to Canadian Farm Equipment Manufacturers Ltd., a subsidiary of Versatile Manufacturing Ltd. The Brantford plant was closed and the Cockshutt name was retired²³⁵.

The Legacy of Cockshutt

Cockshutt tractors are still remembered and cherished by many farmers and collectors today. They are admired for their quality, performance, style, and history. They are also featured in museums, shows, clubs, and publications dedicated to preserving and celebrating their heritage.

Cockshutt was a proud Canadian company that made a significant contribution to the agricultural industry and the rural communities. It was a pioneer in tractor technology and a leader in tillage tools. It was a part of Canada's history and culture for nearly a century.

Source: 

(1) History - INTERNATIONAL COCKSHUTT CLUB INC.. http://www.cockshutt.com/history.html.

(2) Yesterday's Tractors - History of the Cockshutt Tractor. https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/articles/artint190.htm.

(3) Cockshutt Plow Company - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockshutt_Plow_Company.

(4) Canada's Cockshutt tractors - Successful Farming. https://www.agriculture.com/machinery/ageless-iron/cadas-cockshutt-tracts_565-sl29193.

(5) Cockshutt | Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki | Fandom. https://tractors.fandom.com/wiki/Cockshutt.

Image Attribution: Don O'Brien from Piketon, Ohio, United States, Cockshutt 570 Super (961559127), CC BY 2.0

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