When it came to turn of the century farming, practicality was king. Everything done was done for a reason, even the colors chosen for farm equipment. Many folks are familiar with the bright red color of tractors manufactured in the 1930s, but most people are not aware that even the color red was specifically chosen for a reason.
Up until about 1936, most tractors were painted a deep blue-grey which some have compared to “Battleship Grey.” However, in 1936, a decision was made to change the color of one of the top manufactured tractors in America, The McCormick- Deering Farmall. The Farmall tractor had been setting the standard in tractor production for decades, and now the brand would once again begin a trend that many other manufacturers would follow. It was decided that the Farmall tractor would be changed from blue-grey to a distinctive red color labeled “Farmall Red.”
There were two reasons behind the decision. First of all, it was believed that the bright red would be
more visible to people working near the tractors out in the field and thus increase safety. The second reason, the folks at Farmall wanted their tractors to be distinctive from other brands. Since all tractors of this era were painted about the same color, you could not easily tell what brand of tractor your neighbor might be using. But with the introduction of “Farmall Red,” everyone knew exactly what you were using. The idea caught on, and other tractor companies began painting their equipment in distinctive colors as a means of subtle advertising. Thus we have Allis-Chalmers orange and John Deere green.
At Majic Paints we understand that just like decades ago, colors are important to folks. We offer a wide variety of enamel paints for your truck, tractor, & implement needs. Check out our wide selection of colors for your farm equipment.
Thomas Eaton says
On a large dairy farm in southwestern NY in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s we had numerous Farmall Tractors. Smallest a Super C, two M’s and a Super M. The last Model purchased new was a 360. They were all great tractors. The Super M and the 360 front axles were wide versus the earlier M’s being bicycle. The Super C was wide axle. Our dairy had both farming with multiple fields, to include a large milking barn with out barns both near and far to include equipment storage barns. The main facility also featured a large milk processing plant. In addition to raising young cattle and milking cattle, etc., the production plant included the processing of milk, skim milk, heavy cream, light cream, cottage cheese, ice cream, seasonal eggnog, butter. We also offered some non dairy products. All in a large broad valley of the area. In addition to our owned properties, we leased properties all for the for growing hay, oats, corn, sorgum. We were a well know enterprise with dairy delivery routes along with Dairy Stores. OUT FARMALL TRACTORS WERE IMMACULATE. ALWAYS CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED. ALWAYS FRESHLY PAINTED AND DECALED. All the buildings including all barns were is white along with the dairy plant.
We milked 200-250 head of cattle consistently and always had calving occurring. We also purchased milk from two additional large farms and a number of small farms for processing.
Out multiple tractors, as I indicated, were always immaculate, along with the many crop items such as an IH hay baler, a grain combine, corn silage chopper, corn picker for dried corn to mix with oat grain. The corn silage was stored in a 20′ diameter by 79′ tall silo for silage feeding (with auto-unloader) (along with other storage areas). It was a large enterprise operated by brothers with divisions of: field responsibilities, processing responsibilities, dairy routes (4) responsibilities, on-sight sales, and a very popular dairy store at a far location. More than you needed! A As I earlier stated the TRACTORS WERE ALWAYS BRIGHT FARMALL RED and freshly DECALED!! Regards, Tom Eaton