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Tractor Treasures: This Farmall F-14 started on kerosene.

May 6, 2021

1 Min Read
International Harvester Farmall F-14 tractor
DEPRESSION-ERA TRACTOR: International Harvester sold the Farmall F-14 tractor in the late 1930s. This tractor had a belt pulley, but it was removed at some point during its life. Tom J. Bechman

The Farmall F-14 tractor pictured here originally belonged to Calvin Kraus in Hancock County, Iowa. His family eventually donated it to the Hancock County Agricultural Museum, an outstanding collection of old-time farm equipment located near Britt in north-central Iowa.

Actually, the steel wheels shown on this tractor were loaned to the museum to display the tractor. They belong to Terry Johnson, another Iowan.

Historians with the museum say the F-14 produced 14.8 hp when tested on rubber in tractor tests. That was just enough to pull a two-bottom plow. However, that’s only if the moldboards were 12 inches. As tractors developed, plow moldboard bottoms became larger, with 14-, 16- and 18-inch moldboards being most common during the heyday of the moldboard plow. Historians note that the F-14 on steel had slightly less horsepower than when equipped with rubber tires.

Tractordata.com confirms that International built the F-14 to replace the F-12. The F-14 was offered in 1938 and 1939. When the F Series was discontinued, it was replaced by the Farmall B.

Note that the tractor has a small, round fuel tank protruding from the hood above the main tank. According to museum historians, this tractor ran on kerosene. The 1-gallon small tank on top was for gasoline, used to start the tractor.

If you would rather see tractors from Indiana featured here, send us a photo of your favorite tractor, preferably with you in the picture. Or if you have an older truck that you are proud of, send a photo of that. Large-format, horizontal digital photos work best. Send the picture and a short explanation to: [email protected]. If you have a color print photo, you can mail it to P.O. Box 247, Franklin, IN 46131.

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