The Lasting Impact of The General GG Tractor

Introduction

Cooperation in manufacturing between companies is fairly common in the farm machinery industry. A prime example is the collaboration between B.F. Avery, an implement-only maker, and Cleveland Tractor, a manufacturer of crawlers. Their partnership led to the creation of the rubber-tired tractor known as the General GG, an event that marked a turning point in tractor history.

The General GG: A Game Changer

The General GG was significant for several reasons:

• It was sold under five different brands: B.F. Avery, Cletrac, Massey-Harris, Farmer Co-op, and Wards.
• It played an essential role in launching B.F. Avery into the tractor market.
• It laid the groundwork for a vital small tractor line for Minneapolis-Moline.

Despite its widespread influence, The General wasn’t particularly advanced in terms of technology. Unlike other tractors with innovations, such as Ferguson’s iconic three-point hitch, The General was essentially a solid, affordable machine. Its success might have been the result of perfect timing and circumstances in the agricultural landscape.

Original Design

The roots of The General lie in a design created by B.F. Avery’s engineers. Unfortunately, much of the company’s production history was lost following its acquisition, obscuring specific development details. It is evident, however, that B.F. Avery sought assistance from Cleveland Tractor, known for its innovative Cletrac crawlers. This partnership played a crucial role in shaping the final version of The General GG.

The tractor featured a simple yet effective channel-iron frame that housed a Hercules model IXA-3, four-cylinder engine, producing nearly 20 brake horsepower during testing in Nebraska in 1939. This engine was paired with a three-speed transmission, achieving a top speed of 6 mph. With 9×24-inch rear tires and a single 16-inch front tire, the 3,115-pound machine was rated to pull a single-bottom plow.

Considering its initial list price of $595, The General was an accessible first tractor for farmers transitioning from traditional animal power to mechanical horsepower.

Crawler Version

To capture additional market potential, Cleveland Tractor also developed a tracked version of the GG, known as the model HG. This crawler was essentially the same as The General GG, except for its tracks. B.F. Avery also sold this model in selected regions.

The distribution channels between Cleveland and B.F. Avery were complex. B.F. Avery managed the sales and maintained control over dealers. They even established agreements with firms like Montgomery Ward & Company in 1939, granting sales rights for both Avery implements and The General in regions not covered by B.F. Avery’s dealerships. This resulted in the creation of Wards Twin Row versions of the GG and allowed for a two-year collaboration with Massey-Harris in Canada starting in 1940.

Model A’s New Features

In the early 1940s, B.F. Avery management recognized the importance of establishing their brand in a competitive market. As a result, they decided to develop the tractor further and, in 1942, renamed it the model A. This updated version featured a larger engine and improvements such as the innovative Tru-Draft hydraulic system, which enhanced the tractor’s traction by transferring the weight of implements directly to the machine’s center.

By 1946, B.F. Avery expanded its tractor line with the addition of models V and R. However, the post-World War II economic boom eventually slowed down, leading to B.F. Avery’s merger with Minneapolis-Moline in 1951. Nevertheless, the legacy of The General persisted, influencing future models produced by Minnie-Mo, specifically the BF and BG models built in the early 1950s.

Conclusion

The General GG remains a notable example of how collaboration and timing can significantly impact the agricultural machinery industry. While not the most technologically advanced tractor of its time, its widespread distribution and relevance in establishing important brands underscore its importance in tractor history.

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