First farm tractor in Newark Valley

In an article dated from 1915, and likely from the Tioga County Herald, William McCullough of East Newark Valley was the first farmer in this town to take the plunge. He was using it on a daily basis to haul lime to his farm. 

It was quoted in the Herald, “The machine has attracted considerable attention among farmers and its operation will be watched with interest.” 

The article went on to explain more, as follows.

Many farmers in western New York have bought tractors but in the more hilly sections the practicality is still met with much skepticism.

McCullough has been hauling three tons or more of lime and has been able to traverse the hills without incident or stoppage. Hauling this amount with a team of horses would be a much slower process although on level ground a team can maneuver at a faster pace. McCullough plans on using his tractor for plowing but wet ground is more challenging.

The tractor can also be used for silo filling and running a feed mill. It is rated at 8 h. p. as a tractor and 16 h. p. in stationary mode. Its cost is $600 and runs on kerosene. A good team of draft hoses cost about the same and a tractor does not cost anything when it is sitting idle.

The article ended with this quote, “This is one of the coming problems for the farmer to solve – whether these tractors are practical among our hills and cheaper, all things considered, than horses. The price of horses is going up and up and the cost of horse-flesh is no inconsiderable item in the cost of farming.”