Ingersoll Power Equipment

Last updated

Ingersoll Power Equipment is a garden and compact tractor manufacturer located in Portland, Maine. As of 2005, it is under the ownership of Eastman Industries.

Contents

History

Ingersoll Equipment Company, Inc.(no connection to Ingersoll Rand) was formed when Jack Ingersoll purchased the garden tractor division from Case Corporation in late 1983.

Case garden tractors came into existence in 1965, after the purchase of Colt Garden Tractors/Colt Equipment in late 1964. The motive behind the acquisition was a revolutionary patented hydraulic drive system. This heavy duty drive system could easily power a wide range of accessories uncommon to tractor owners at that time. Production began with the 1965 Case 130 and 180. Both were powered with the reliable Kohler K-Series engine with 10 and 12 HP respectively. The 130 Lo Profile model came with 12" rear rims and the High Wheel 180 model came with 16" rear rims. The Colt tractors remained in production through 1965 and 1966 but the decision to stop producing Colts came in the summer of 1966. There were no 1967 Colt tractors made. Other Case models sold between 1965 and 1969 were the 120, 150, 155, 190, and 195. All of these tractors sported the chrome Old Abe badge on the grille and Desert Sunset and Flambeau Red paint used by the Agricultural Division of J.I. Case.

1968 was the last year for the 100 series and 1969 brought on the all new 200 and 400 series. The tractors were completely restyled to emulate the newly introduced 70 Series Ag tractors and had rectangular headlamps and a squared hood. The older 180, 190, and 195's were prone to rear axle shaft breakage as well as front axle breakage under certain circumstances that were on the edge of abuse. The new 200 and 400 Series tractors used a much stronger trans-axle and cast steel front axle as well as a much stronger main frame. The patented hydraulic drive remained but it was improved upon by upping the maximum operating pressure from 1600 PSI to 2150 PSI at the travel valve and 2250 at the rear PTO valve, used to power attachments.

The early 1970s saw the end of the older "elephant ear" style of rear fenders on the Big Wheel tractors in favor of a flat top fender. 1971 saw the debut of the 'Snap-Fast' attachment system that consisted of spring-loaded pins on the front of the tractor. This made it very easy for owners to change front mounted attachments and mower decks without the need of tools or having to lay on the ground. This was done in answer to the frequent complaints regarding the time and work required to remove the mower deck, utility blade or snowcaster. Snap-Fast has been such a successful system that it remains unchanged to this day. 1973 brought the introduction of the 210 Model which was Kohler K powered 10 HP garden tractor with a Peerless 4 speed gear trans-axle instead of the hydraulic drive system used by all the other Case garden tractors. This was priced considerably lower than the hydraulic drive models and was more or less an entry level GT for those wishing to own a Case. A mechanical drive rotary tiller was engineered to work with this one model and an optional sleeve hitch was also available for the mounting of ground engaging attachments. The use of rubber isolator engine mounts was introduced in 1973 to help reduce vibration from the one lung Kohler K engines. For the 1976 production year, the exhaust system was moved under the hood.

1977 signaled the end of Desert Sunset paint and it was the first year Case garden tractors came with Power Red everywhere except for the Power White wheel rims. The use of the Delco-Remy Starter/Generator ended in 1977 on the Kohler powered tractors. From 1978 on, alternators and starter motors were standard issue. Case engineered a 60-inch cutting width mower deck to be introduced for the 1980 model year at the same time the more powerful 448 became available. In order to fit that larger mower deck under the tractor, two inches were added to the frame between the seat base and the dash tower. The 444, 446 and 448 models all sported the longer 48 inch wheelbase while the 200 Lo Pro tractors remained with a 46-inch wheelbase. The new 60-inch deck was not available for the Lo Pro models.

In late 1983, Case sold their garden tractor division to Jack Ingersoll, and the former Outdoor Power Equipment Division of Case in Winneconne, Wisconsin became Ingersoll Tractor Company. Initially, the badging on the tractors remained predominantly CASE during the transition period, but the Ingersoll brand became more and more prevalent during 1985 and 1986. By 1987, the Case name was permanently gone. For the 1984 year only, all of the tractors came with black frames and undercarriages. The hood, fenders and seat pedestal were Power Red. The wheel rims were Power White as were all of the attachments. A white Naugahyde seat was used. The most obvious change Ingersoll made immediately following their purchase was hood "flaring" or "bulging" to the sides.

1988 marked the end of the 200 and 400 Series and 1989 was the debut of the 3000 and 4000 Series that replaced the former 200 and 400 Series respectively. While these look nearly identical to 200 and 400 models, the engines were turned the opposite direction in the frame. Gone was the former hand-engaged front PTO in favor of an electric clutch. Doing this required the use of right-hand discharge mowing decks (earlier models were left-hand), opposite spinning snowcasters, and a relocation of the hydraulic oil cooler. Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Ingersoll continued tweaking and refining their tractors. In the early 1990s, Ingersoll produced several All Hydraulic tractors known as the 3100 and 4100 Series that did away with the V-belt that formerly drove the mower decks and snow casters on other models. They even offered a Perkins diesel engine on two of the models. Power steering was standard on all of the AH Series tractors. The AH Series tractors had implements designed specifically for them, due to the higher GPM of the hydraulic system. The writing was on the wall for the tried and true Onan twin cylinder engine because it could no longer meet the new emissions standards imposed by the EPA. Ingersoll then switched to the Vanguard OHV twin from Briggs & Stratton. The Kohler K engine had been replaced by the Kohler M (Magnum) engine several years back but it too was unable to conform to the stringent emissions rules.

At some point during the mid-1990s, Jack Ingersoll sold his company to the German consortium Rothenberger Group. Rothenberger's did little to promote the Ingersoll brand during their ownership, and the company began to slide slowly into oblivion. By the end of 2004, it was all over and Ingersoll filed for Chapter 128 of the Wisconsin Statutes that govern bankruptcy. On April 15, 2005, Eastman Industries purchased only the assets and name of Ingersoll Tractor and began their plan to move the company to a new facility in Portland, Maine. Production of just the 4000 Series was resumed. The 7000, 6000, 5000 and 3000 Series were initially shelved. Gone too were all of the lawn tractors Ingersoll once produced. The owner of Eastman suffered a skiing accident that left him a quadriplegic. In addition to that, the US economy was reeling over the cost of multiple wars, the collapse of Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, the imminent bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler and major problems in the banking sector. Unemployment soared and many citizens lost everything they owned. Add to this the large number of Zero-Turn Radius mowers that began to flood the commercial market initially and then filtered down to the residential market. Today, Ingersoll produces only a handful of tractors each year. They brought the 3000 Series back in 2010, but no marketing has taken place to promote it. [1]

Related Research Articles

Tractor Engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort

A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or construction. Most commonly, the term is used to describe a farm vehicle that provides the power and traction to mechanize agricultural tasks, especially tillage, but nowadays a great variety of tasks. Agricultural implements may be towed behind or mounted on the tractor, and the tractor may also provide a source of power if the implement is mechanised.

Lawn mower A grass cutting device. Machine that uses one or more rotating blades to cut a lawn to an even height

A lawn mower is a machine utilizing one or more revolving blades to cut a grass surface to an even height. The height of the cut grass may be fixed by the design of the mower, but generally is adjustable by the operator, typically by a single master lever, or by a lever or nut and bolt on each of the machine's wheels. The blades may be powered by manual force, with wheels mechanically connected to the cutting blades so that when the mower is pushed forward, the blades spin or the machine may have a battery-powered or plug-in electric motor. The most common self-contained power source for lawn mowers is a small internal combustion engine. Smaller mowers often lack any form of propulsion, requiring human power to move over a surface; "walk-behind" mowers are self-propelled, requiring a human only to walk behind and guide them. Larger lawn mowers are usually either self-propelled "walk-behind" types or more often, are "ride-on" mowers, equipped so the operator can ride on the mower and control it. A robotic lawn mower is designed to operate either entirely on its own or less commonly by an operator by remote control.

Cub Cadet is an American company that produces outdoor power equipment and services, including utility vehicles, handheld and chore products as well as snow throwers.

International Harvester American manufacturing company

The International Harvester Company was an American manufacturer of agricultural equipment, automobiles, commercial trucks, lawn and garden products, household equipment, and more. It was formed from the 1902 merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company and three smaller manufactures: Milwaukee; Plano; and Warder, Bushnell, and Glessner. In the 1980s all divisions were sold off except for International Trucks, which changed its parent company name to Navistar International. Its brands included McCormick, Deering, and later McCormick-Deering, as well as International. Along with the Farmall and Cub Cadet tractors, International was also known for the Scout and Travelall vehicle nameplates. Given its monumental importance to the building of rural communities the brand continues to have a massive cult following. The International Harvester legacy non-profits host some of the largest agriculture related events in the United States.

Dodge Power Wagon Motor vehicle

The Dodge Power Wagon is a four wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1980 by Dodge. The Power Wagon name was revived for the 2005 model year as a four-wheel drive version of the Dodge Ram 2500. As a nameplate, "Power Wagon" continues as a four-wheel drive version of 3/4 ton Ram Trucks 2500 model.

Ferguson-Brown Company Defunct British agricultural machinery company

The Ferguson-Brown Company was a British agricultural machinery company formed by Harry Ferguson in partnership with David Brown.

Ford N-series tractor Motor vehicle

The Ford N-series tractors were a line of farm tractors produced by Ford between 1939 and 1952, spanning the 9N, 2N, and 8N models.

Gravely, of Brillion, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer of powered lawn and garden implements which it describes as "walk-behind, zero turn and outfront mowers". It started as a manufacturer of "walk-behind" or two-wheel tractors.

M939 series 5-ton 6x6 truck 5-ton 6x6 trucks

The M939 Truck is a 5-ton 6×6 U.S. military heavy truck. The basic cargo versions were designed to transport a 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) cargo load over all terrain in all weather. Designed in the late 1970s to replace the M39 and M809 series of trucks, it has been in service ever since. The M939 evolved into its own family of cargo trucks, dump trucks, semi-tractors, vans, wreckers, and bare chassis/cabs for specialty bodies. 44,590 in all were produced.

Mack R series Motor vehicle

The Mack R series was a line of Class 8 heavy-duty trucks introduced in the early 1960s by Mack Trucks. It replaced the very successful Mack B series models. R Model production ran for 40 years until the RD model was discontinued in 2004 and the RB and Mack D series DM models were discontinued in 2005. The first R models introduced were powered by Mack Thermodyne diesel and gasoline engines. In 1973 the R cab was given a makeover to include a deeper rear wall for more room and a new dashboard design.

Two-wheel tractor

Two-wheel tractor or walking tractor are generic terms understood in the US and in parts of Europe to represent a single-axle tractor, which is a tractor with one axle, self-powered and self-propelled, which can pull and power various farm implements such as a trailer, cultivator or harrow, a plough, or various seeders and harvesters. The operator usually walks behind it or rides the implement being towed. Similar terms are mistakenly applied to the household rotary tiller or power tiller; although these may be wheeled and/or self-propelled, they are not tailored for towing implements. A two-wheeled tractor specializes in pulling any of numerous types of implements, whereas rotary tillers specialize in soil tillage with their dedicated digging tools. This article concerns two-wheeled tractors as distinguished from such tillers.

Wheel Horse

Wheel Horse was a manufacturer of outdoor and garden power equipment, including lawn and garden tractors. The company's headquarters were in South Bend, Indiana, USA.

International Transtar Truck range

The International TranStar, is a range of Class 8 trucks produced by Navistar International for North America. Produced nearly exclusively as a semitractor, the product range is focused towards local delivery and regional shipping.

Roths Industries, Inc. (1945–1960) was a manufacturer of small garden tractors and other agricultural equipment founded by Herbert C. Roths in Alma, Michigan. The company manufactured Garden King Walking Tractors, BesRo Riding Tractors, and Till Ro Stalk Cutters.

Atco (British mower company)

Atco Limited was a British mower company which traded as "Atco Ltd" from 1981 to 1990, making lawn mowers and garden tools. It sold a range of lawn mowers including lawn and garden tractors.

Speedex Tractors were a line of small garden tractors produced in various factories in Ohio between 1935 and 2000.

Jacobsen Manufacturing has produced lawn mowers and light-duty tractors in the United States from the early 1920s until around 2020. They were located in Racine, Wisconsin from 1921 to 2001, when they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2017, Jacobsen moved from Charlotte to Augusta, Georgia. In 2020, it was announced they would relocate from Augusta, Georgia to their sister factory of Ransomes-Jacobsen in Ipswich, England, UK. They are currently owned by Textron since acquisition in 1975.

Porsche-Diesel 218

The Porsche-Diesel Standard 218, also known as N 218, is the third generation of the two-cylinder Standard tractor series, manufactured by Porsche-Diesel Motorenbau GmbH in Friedrichshafen am Bodensee. The Standard 218 was produced in four different variations. It succeeded its predecessor, the Porsche-Diesel 208 in 1957. In total, the Porsche plant produced more than 12,000 Standard 218 tractors from 1957 to 1963.

Fortschritt ZT 300

ZT 300 is a series of 20 kN agricultural tractors, produced from 1 September 1967 to 1984 by the VEB Traktorenwerk Schönebeck. It succeeded the RS14 Famulus series, and unlike the Famulus, the ZT 300 series was sold under the brand name Fortschritt. ZT 300 refers both to the initial ZT 300 model, and the ZT 300 series. In total, 72,382 units of the ZT 300 series were made. The model with the highest production figure was the ZT 303, which was introduced in 1972. It features an automatic all-wheel-drive system; in the early 1980s, it cost 81.000 Mark. Starting in 1983, the ZT 300 series was succeeded by the ZT 320.

The Mack Anthem is a series of heavy duty trucks built by Mack Trucks. It has a long low-drag hood and fenders. It is designed as a highway semi-tractor with good fuel economy. Introduced in 2018, it remains in production in 2020.

References

  1. "case-ingersoll-tractors.com - case ingersoll tractors Resources and Information". ww1.case-ingersoll-tractors.com.