Issue # 3: Feature Tractor

While 2003 was the centennial birthday of the oldest production gas tractor in the country, it is only fitting that issue #3 of Oliver Heritage should FEATURE #3.

Hart-Parr No. 3 was born in Charles City, Iowa in 1903. With a serial number of 1207, the machine was sold to George Mitchell, a Charles City farmer who ran a custom threshing operation, for the sum of $1580.

While most of us are familiar with No. 3 having it’s square cooling tower, this is not how the machine was built. Originally it had a round tower but this didn’t provide adequate cooling of the oil, so the tractor was converted to the redesigned square tower in late 1905. When this machine was built, it was only designed to burn gasoline. In the early 1900’s gas prices were on the rise. Cars were becoming very popular thus creating what some feared would be a gas shortage. So Hart & Parr set out to find a solution to this potential problem by designing a method of burning kerosene. Parts books show that a kerosene burning carburetor was available in 1906. No. 3 was fitted with one of this options in late 1905 at the same time the cooling tower was changed.

No. 3 continued to operate successfully for the Mitchells until about 1924 when it threw a rod. The damage is still visible on top of the crankcase where the broken rod left its mark.

Machines had shrunk in size considerably in that time so Mitchell purchased a smaller machine, which had the same horsepower rating. Old No. 3 was parked in the weeds while the world kept spinning.

It was the mid 1920’s when Hart-Parr’s advertising team decided to locate the oldest existing HP to use as a testament of their longevity. Hart-Parr had always worked closely with Mitchell so they were well aware of that machines existence. Mitchell had even written the company a letter in 1919 boasting of the performance of his machine. Hart-Parr contacted Mitchell and since it was not running any more, the company was able to buy the machine back for scrap price - $72.75. Hart had since left the company so Parr took the task of reviving No. 3. A new rod was put in the engine making it once again an operable machine.

Hart-Parr then began touring No. 3 around the country to fairs and exhibits along with their new line of equipment. This continued for several years. At that time, the Smithsonian stated that when room became available in their museum, they would like to have No. 3 to put on display in Washington DC.

Around 1931 No. 3 was sent to Chicago to the Museum of Science and Technology. Along with it was a shiny new 18-28 Oliver Hart-Parr. Since these machines were going to be inside a nice museum instead of at a dusty fairgrounds, No. 3 was given a face lift. The tractor was completely sandblasted and repainted. Both machines remained in Chicago on display for several years.

In 1948, Oliver was planning a huge centennial celebration in Battle Creek, Michigan. This celebrated 100 years of Nichols and Shepard and was also used to introduce the new fleetline tractors. No. 3 was brought to Battle Creek to sit with the new equipment and be part of the grand celebration.

In 1949, No. 3 was transferred to Cooperstown, NY to be part of a display there. This is the last time that No. 3 ran. The tractor sat outside for quite some time at the entrance to the museum with weeds growing up around it.

In 1960, the Smithsonian Institution had just built their new ag hall. What could be a more fitting display than the oldest gas production tractor in America? The Cooperstown museum was a more primitive display museum and No. 3 didn’t exactly fit into their time line, so when the SI inquired about the machine, Cooperstown was more than happy to “get rid” of it.

Be sure to turn to page 26 of Oliver Heritage's Issue # 3 to read the rest of the story of Hart-Parr No. 3 and other exciting facts and stories about Oliver, Hart-Parr, Cletrac, Cockshutt, and even White!!