Fordson Tractors 1917 to 1950.

Apart from a fairly unsuccessful attempt at tractor design in 1907 it was to be in 1915 that Henry Ford would again turn his attention to tractor production.  Using the Ford Mass-Production principles a team were given the task of creating a tractor which would dominate the tractor market.

By 1917 a successful prototype had evolved, it was also apparent that due to the attrition of the Great War to both men and horses that Great Britain was in desperate need of such a machine.  Initial production of the Fordson F commenced in October 1917 with all output solely for the British Government.  

The Fordson Model F was without doubt the most influential and commercially important design in tractor history, it's impact still dominates conventional tractor design.  Three quarters of a million units of the Model F were sold from 1917 to 1928, more than any other tractor before or since.

Ford production methods allowed the tractor to be sold for as little as the equivalent of £75 in the USA.  Many makers who had enjoyed success because of the huge demand for tractors caused by World War One either had to adopt Ford methods, or as many did cease tractor production.  Only firms that were well managed, financially sound and capable of producing a competitive product with ruthless economy and price cutting would survive the Ford onslaught.