Cockshutt 540

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Cockshutt 540
TypeUtility agricultural tractor
Manufacturer Cockshutt Plow Company
Production1958-1962
PropulsionRear wheels
Engine modelContinental F162 2.7L 4-cylinder gasoline
Gross power34 horsepower (25 kW)
PTO power31 horsepower (23 kW) (belt)
Drawbar power26 horsepower (19 kW)
Preceded by Cockshutt 20

The Cockshutt 540 utility tractor was built by the Cockshutt Plow Company, from 1958 to 1962. It was a utility successor to the Cockshutt 20 tractor, capable of operating two or three plows. Following industry trends, the 540 was styled with squared-off lines compared to the streamlined look of previous models.

Description and production

The Cockshutt 540 was the only Cockshutt tractor to be marketed as a utility tractor. In accordance with industry trends of the early 1960s, the 540 was styled with squared-off lines by industrial designer Raymond Loewy. The 540 was powered by a Continental Motors Company 162-cubic-inch (2,650 cc) four-cylinder gasoline engine with a six-speed transmission, sharing the transmission with the larger 550. Although it was a utility tractor, the wheels could be adjusted in a manner similar to row-crop tractors, with power rear wheel adjust an option. A wide adjustable front axle was the only front wheel offering. The 540 came with a three-point hitch, power take-off (PTO) and hydraulics as standard equipment. [1] [2] [3] [4]

About 2,500 Cockshutt 540s were built at Cockshutt's Brantford, Ontario plant from 1958 to 1962. None were produced in 1960 due to excess inventory from previous years. [1] [5] Base price in 1958 was CA$2,667. [6]

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John Deere Model M Row crop tractor

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Oliver 70 Row crop tractor

The Oliver 70 series of row-crop tractors was a series of large agricultural tractors produced from 1935 to 1967 by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. Oliver tractors were know for their powerful engines compared to competitors, and their attention to styling. The Oliver Hart-Parr 70 marked the beginning of a strikingly-styled series of tractors that were produced under both the Oliver and the Cockshutt names. Oliver's emphasis on styling strongly influenced offerings by competing brands such as Farmall and John Deere.

The Oliver 80 series of row-crop tractors was a series of agricultural tractors produced from 1938 to 1963 by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. The 80 series was a development of the Oliver Hart-Parr industrial tractor, for agricultural use. The initial 80 was rated for three 14-inch plows, making it a medium-sized tractor. By the time the Super 88 development was introduced, it was rated for six plow bottoms, making it a heavy tractor.

The Oliver 90 series of row-crop tractors was a series of agricultural tractors produced from 1937 to 1961 by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. Beginning with the Hart-Parr 28–44, the series was the most powerful Oliver tractor offering, capable of heavy plowing. Initial development proceeded on parallel lines, with the 28–44 offered with low and high-compression engine options that became the Oliver 90 and 99, respectively. The lines merged with the Super 99, then diverged again with the 950, 990 and 995 models. The series was produced until 1961.

Oliver Super 55 Utility tractor

The Oliver Super 55 series of utility tractors was developed and produced from 1954 to 1975 by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company to complement the Oliver line of heavy row-crop and standard agricultural tracts. Like row-crop tractors, the wheel track width could be adjusted to conform to crop row spacing, but the front wheels were only offered with a wide track. No narrow front wheel options were offered, making the tractor more stable with front-end loaders.

Oliver Super 44 Utility tractor

The Oliver Super 44 series of utility tractors was developed and produced from 1957 to 1975 by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company to complement the Oliver line of heavy row-crop and standard agricultural tracts. Like row-crop tractors, the wheel track width could be adjusted to conform to crop row spacing, but the front wheels were only offered with a wide track. No narrow front wheel options were offered, making the tractor more stable with front-end loaders. Both the Super 44 and 440 were rated for two plows.

Cockshutt 30 Row crop tractor

The Cockshutt 30 row-crop tractor was the first production tractor to be manufactured in Canada. The Cockshutt Plow Company had previously imported rebranded Oliver and Allis-Chalmers tractors from the United States. The Model 30 marked Cockshutt's emergence as a full-line agricultural manufacturer. The tractors were built in Cockshutt's Brantford, Ontario plant. The Model 30 was noted for its introduction of a live power take-off (PTO), the first such accessory that could be operated whether the tractor was moving or stationary. Through the model's production span it was itself resold in the United States as the CO-OP E3 and the Gambles Farmcrest 30.

Cockshutt 40 Row crop tractor

The Cockshutt 40 row-crop tractor was the second tractor produced by the Cockshutt Plow Company, from 1949 to 1958. Having developed the medium-sized Cockshutt 30, Cockshutt developed the heavier 40, using a six-cylinder engine. The 40 was rated for four plows. It was sold in the United States as the CO-OP E4.

Cockshutt 20 Row crop tractor

The Cockshutt 20 row-crop tractor was the third tractor produced by the Cockshutt Plow Company, from 1951 to 1958. Having developed the medium-sized Cockshutt 30 and the heavier Cockshutt 40, the 20 was a small two-plow tractor for general use. The 20 was sold in the United States as the CO-OP E2.

Cockshutt 50 Row crop tractor

The Cockshutt 50 row-crop tractor was a row-crop tractor produced by the Cockshutt Plow Company, from 1953 to 1957. It was the largest of a series of Canadian-produced tractors that started with the Cockshutt 30, and was based on the Cockshutt 40 with a more powerful engine. The 50 was a large four or five-plow tractor for general use. The 50 was sold in the United States as the CO-OP E5.

The Cockshutt 550 row-crop tractor was built by the Cockshutt Plow Company, from 1958 to 1961. It succeeded the Cockshutt 35 Golden Arrow in the Cockshutt product line, and was capable of pulling two or three plows. The new tractor was restyled in accordance with the trend toward squared-off lines, compared to earlier Cockshutt offerings. Confusingly, the 550 was replaced in 1962 by a different Oliver-built tractor, also branded as the Cockshutt 550.

The Cockshutt 560 row-crop tractor was built by the Cockshutt Plow Company, from 1958 to 1961. It succeeded the Cockshutt 40D4 diesel in the Cockshutt product line, and was capable of pulling four plows. The new tractor was restyled in accordance with the trend toward squared-off lines, compared to earlier Cockshutt offerings.

References

  1. 1 2 Miller, Melissa Carpenter, ed. (1999). Cockshutt: The Complete Story. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. pp. 67–68. ISBN   1-892769-07-7.
  2. "Cockshutt 540". TractorData. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  3. Pripps, Robert N. (2020). The Field Guide to Classic Farm Tractors. Motor Books. p. 192. ISBN   978-0-7603-6844-2.
  4. Swinford, Norm (1999). The Proud Heritage of AGCO Tractors. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. p. 134. ISBN   1-892769-08-5.
  5. Cockshutt 1999. p. 97
  6. Cockshutt 1999. p. 103