The History of Case IH

Hello! Today I will Be writing about the history of the Case IH tractor brand!

Case IH

Case IH has been in business for over 175 years know and there is a lot of history behind them.

Case

Before Case IH existed there was only Case. The colors of the original tractor was orange and white lucky I have a case model tractor that I use for forage harvesting.

Mine is not in the best condition but I have had it for quite a while. Here is some history of the founder of Case.

Case’s Founder

Jerome Increase Case (1819–1891) was born to a Williamstown, New York farming family. As a young child, Case read about a machine that could cut wheat without people needing to use their hands. He developed an interest in agriculture at that point.Case took small, hand-powered threshing machines to Wisconsin in 1842, where he improved the design and established a company to manufacture them. In 1843, Case moved the business to Racine, Wisconsin, in order to have better access to water power, and opened the Racine Threshing Machine Works. In 1863, Case partnered with three of his top employees, Massena Erskine, Robert Baker and Stephen Bull. Case was also involved in politics and horse racing. Over time, the company grew.

International Harvester

Before I talk about how these two brands merged I have to tell you all how International Harvester started. I also have a IH which is short for International Harvester.

The International Harvester Company (often abbreviated by IHC or IH, or shortened to International) was an American manufacturer formed from the 1902 merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company. The business lines of the company included agricultural equipment, automobiles, commercial trucks, lawn and garden products, household equipment, and other entities. Along with the Farmall and Cub Cadet tractors, International is also known for the Scout and Travelall vehicle nameplates. Following years of financial and economic decline, International began selling its separate equipment divisions, starting with the sale of the construction division to Dresser Industries in 1982. In November 1984 IH finalized a deal with Tenneco to sell the farm equipment division to its subsidiary, J.I Case. Henceforth IH became a truck and engine manufacturer, reorganized as Navistar International in 1986. Throughout its existence International Harvester was headquartered in Chicago, Illinois (and Navistar remained through 2000).

Then Case and International merged. On November 23, 1984, the deal was finalized. Almost three months later, during February 1985, the transaction was completed.

Then Ford came who made tractors. After New Holland came next Ford bought New Holland and let go the Ford brand. then Case IH bought New Holland. Next Ford decided to make tractors again and they called them Ford Versatile. And I have one.