Tractor Test and Power Museum, The Lester F. Larsen

 

Nebraska Tractor Tests

Date of this Version

January 1920

Abstract

All tractors tested at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory were certified by their manufacturers as being stock model machines, conforming to specifications filed with the application for test. No special or high-test fuels were used except as recommended by the manufacturer as necessary.

All results within the official tractor test report were actually attained in tests and are without correction or allowances for friction, temperature, altitude, etc. The results were initially accomplished with the tractor in charge of skilled operators employed by the University.

Unless otherwise noted, each tractor was apparently in good condition at the end of the testing and there was no evidence of undue wear or of any weakness that might require early repairs. Throughout the entire test, an accurate record was kept of all repairs and adjustments necessary on the tractor and the same has been incorporated in this official report.

Advertising literature, blueprints, and manuals were submitted with the tractor test application by the tractor manufacturer. This literature was reviewed for any claims that seemed unreasonable or excessive on points not comparable with the results of the test. These particular claims were quoted on this official test report and steps were taken by the firms to correct such statements in the new literature.

This official tractor test report pdf document is a scan copy of what was issued soon after the testing was completed. Copies of the report at the time of testing were available to the public at 5 cents per report from the Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Lincoln, Nebraska.

This digital document and its related files are made available to the public as resources allow through the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum. This museum, established in 1998, is located on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus and appropriately housed within the walls of the historic 1920 Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory.

This building was where the first Nebraska Tractor Test was started on March 31st, 1920. It has been designated as a Historic Landmark of Agricultural Engineering by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. The pioneer tests became worldwide standards.

The Tractor Test Museum and the Tractor Test Laboratory are open to the public. Group tours can be arranged through the museum by calling 402-472-8380 or visiting http://tractormuseum.unl.edu. To support the preservation of this world history, please contact the museum or visit http://www.tractortestfriends.com.

WaterlooBoyHistory.pdf (585 kB)
History of Waterloo Boy, author unknown

WaterlooBoyAdvertisingBrochure9pages.pdf (1379 kB)
Advertising brochure of Waterloo History

WaterlooBoyAdvertisingBrochure34pages.pdf (6847 kB)
Advertising brochure for the Waterloo Tractor.

WaterlooBoyManual.pdf (4309 kB)
Manual of operating instructions and parts list.

WaterlooBoyImageSpecialTestCorrespondence.pdf (106 kB)
Letter of correspondence referencing special test on Waterloo Boy in 1967

waterlooboy001.jpg (829 kB)
Image proof of Waterloo Boy

WaterlooBoyImage002.jpg (761 kB)
Image proof of Waterloo Boy Tractor

WaterlooBoyImage003.jpg (728 kB)
Image of Waterloo Boy Tractor

WaterlooBoyImage004.jpg (636 kB)
Waterloo Boy performing field work.

WaterlooBoyImage005.jpg (1148 kB)
Waterloo Boy tractor in field

WaterlooBoyImage006.jpg (939 kB)
Waterloo Boy tractor involved with special test in 1967.

WaterlooBoyImage007.jpg (828 kB)
Waterloo Boy tractor involved with special test in 1967.

waterlooImage008.jpg (894 kB)
Waterloo Boy tractor involved with special test in 1967.

waterlooImage009.jpg (1157 kB)
Waterloo Boy tractor involved with special test in 1967.

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