By Sherry Schaefer

Most people think that the flex-fuel vehicle is a product of the last decade. However, the dual fuel system actually began following the turn of the century. Henry Ford produced the first commercial flex-fuel vehicle in 1908 with the model T. However, first use of a flex-fuel system in a tractor should probably go to Hart-Parr with their kerosene and gasoline tractor back in 1905. By the time the 18-36 came around, the tractor was designed to burn THREE fuels, making it a true flex-fuel machine.

Hart-Parr began burning kerosene in 1905 in order to save the farmer money. Economy was key when you were trying to sell an expensive machine to a farmer who previously used power that was born in his pasture with minimal expense.

When the 18-36G was introduced in 1926, it was advertised by Hart-Parr as “the greatest tractor Hart-Parr ever built.” This tractor was the next generation to follow the 16-30. In fact, the 18-36 was very similar to its little brother. The main difference was the growth from a 6 ½” bore engine to a 6 ¾” bore.

The 18-36 originally had two forward speeds and one reverse speed. When the 18-36H was introduced in mid 1927, it incorporated a new 3-speed transmission. This new range of operating speeds turned it into an efficient piece of equipment in the field. The 3-speed transmission offered forward speeds of 2.26, 3.24 and 4.14 MPH.

The engine of the 18-36 was a Hart-Parr design. It consisted of a two-cylinder horizontal cast block. A 6 ¾” bore and 7” stoke gave 501 cubic inches of displacement. Operating at 800 RPMs, the tractor was rated at 18 horsepower on the belt and 36 on the drawbar. However, when it was tested in Nebraska in October 1926, it developed 32 on the drawbar and 43 on the belt.


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