In early 1800s, portable engines were first farm engines that were powered. These were steam engines using wheels that helped in driving mechanical farm machinery using a flexible belt. From these, the first traction engines developed around 1850. They were readily adopted for use in agriculture.

This word “tractor” is an agent noun of a Latin word trahere which literally means “to pull”. It was 1901 that the use of term “tractor” as used and it replaced the term that was used until then: traction engine (1859).

The tractor can be used to tow or mount agricultural implements and additionally it may also be a source of power for a mechanized implement – perhaps a plough for example.

Portable engines were the first farm implements that were powered in the early 1800s. These were steam engines that made use of wheels and were used to drive the mechanical farm machines using a flexible belt. Then in about 1850, these were modernized to give the first traction engines and of course they were readily adopted for use in agriculture.

Ploughing engines powered by steam were the first tractors that were used. These were utilized in pairs on each side of the field for hauling a back-and-forth plough using wire cabling. In places where the soil conditions were favorable – often in the US, the use of a steam tractor was made for direct haul-ploughing. But ploughing engines were used in the United Kingdom and other places for cable-haul ploughing.

Before the much more reliable internal combustion engine was invented and popularly introduced in mid-1850′s, agricultural engines powered by steam were used well into the 20th century. The internal combustion engine was indeed around pre- 19th century but it was not until the commercialization of drilling for petroleum did it gain popularity.

Now its time to have a look at the great range of used farm tractors for sale which also includes a range of farmall tractors for sale.