Explore every episode of the podcast For the Love of Tractors

This episode tells the story of International Harvester’s 2+2 tractors as an engineering and market experiment: a four-wheel-drive row-crop machine that tried to merge two worlds—classic row-crop visibility and maneuverability with the traction and flotation of powered front wheels. That core idea is repeatedly documented in period marketing/advertising artifacts preserved in archives, and it is echoed in later technical histories and community experience.

Primary and archival sources

• Wisconsin Historical Society catalog record for an IH 2+2 brochure spread (“Introducing a Bold New Design in Row Crop Tractors” appears as brochure title metadata) and access conditions for images. 
• Wisconsin Historical Society advertising proof record (dated Feb 1979) showing how the 2+2 was framed as a “row-crop break-thru” dealer-driven pitch; includes publication/context notes. 

• University of Nebraska–Lincoln Digital Commons metadata page: Test 1319 (International 3388 and 6388 Diesel 16-Speed) with date and test-procedure abstract. 
• Digital Commons metadata page: Test 1320 (International 3588 and 6588 Diesel 16-Speed) with date and test-procedure abstract. 
• Digital Commons metadata page: Test 1377 (International 3788 and 6788 Diesel 12-Speed) with date and test-procedure abstract. 
• Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory “Test Reports” hub page (institutional pointer to publications/test access). 

• TractorData.com model pages for production totals, serial-number breakpoints/locations, and key configuration fields (engine/transmission/hydraulics/PTO). 

• Binder Books listings for IH operator manuals and parts catalogs commonly used in restorations (example: operator manual BB-1096188; parts catalog TC-190). 
• Jensales reprint PDFs and listings (note their disclaimer that the digitized manuals are reprints not authorized by IH). 
• Messicks online parts diagrams for models such as the 6388 (useful for parts identification even when sourcing elsewhere). 
• Abilene Machine catalog references showing 2+2 coverage across multiple models (aftermarket support signal). 

• Agriculture.com long-form historical summary emphasizing IH promotional claims, design differences, and timeline framing; also discusses the Case IH transition and market context. 
• Red Power Magazine forum threads with scanned brochures and owner commentary. 
• Yesterday's Tractors Forums for recurring mechanical-issue themes: hinge-point wear, hose/electrical routing issues, and consequences of over-powering/over-dualing. 
• Diesel World technical narrative for a consolidated “shop-floor” explanation of architecture, weak points, and operator experience (secondary, but detailed). 
• John Deere is referenced in reception stories as the comparison benchmark in user anecdotes and later market context discussions. 

Nebraska Tractor Test sourcesSpecifications, serials, and compiled production countsManuals and parts ecosystem for restorersReputable narratives and community evidence

In this episode of the For the Love of Tractors Podcast we talk with Doug Simon of Ertl. We talk about how he got started displaying, and how he got a job with Ertl.

I discuss some recent Farm Toy Shows and talk about some upcoming episodes.

For the Love of Tractors: Episode 10 - Kyle Nunemaker of Punky KN's Animations

We are talking 3d design, 3d printing, construction models, farm toys, and more.  This is a great podcast if you are interested in getting started with 3d design or 3d printing. 

We take a look at new toys from Ertl and Spec Cast.  The Allis Chalmers 7045 is our tractor of the week. 

FOR THE LOVE OF TRACTORS MERCH! https://teespring.com/stores/for-the-love-of-tractors

The For the Love of Tractors website www.fortheloveoftractors.com  

Parts, videos, kits, and finished products, as well as tips, tricks, and photos. 

Check out our Shapeways store for parts and kits!

www.shapeways.com/shops/ftlot

We are on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/fortheloveoftractors/

and Instagram

fortheloveoftractors

Check out the worlds first farm toy podcast!  https://anchor.fm/ftlot

Also check out our friends at B and B farm toys.

https://www.bandbfarmtoys.com/

For the Love of Tractors: 3d printing.  One of the questions I get the most is should I get a 3d printer?  I tell my journey in 3d printing and try and answer the question the best I can. 

In this episode we talk about the John Deere Wagner WA 14 and WA 17.  We talk about Ertl's upcoming Prestige Select series of Wagners and how they may effect current custom prices. 

www.fortheloveoftractors.com

We talk about the International 1466, New toys from ertl and spec cast.

FOR THE LOVE OF TRACTORS MERCH! https://teespring.com/stores/for-the-love-of-tractors

The For the Love of Tractors website www.fortheloveoftractors.com  

Parts, videos, kits, and finished products, as well as tips, tricks, and photos. 

Check out our Shapeways store for parts and kits!

www.shapeways.com/shops/ftlot

We are on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/fortheloveoftractors/

and Instagram

fortheloveoftractors

Check out the worlds first farm toy podcast!  https://anchor.fm/ftlot

Also check out our friends at B and B farm toys.

https://www.bandbfarmtoys.com/

I talk to Andrew O'Leary about farm toy displas, and I also report on the Janesville, WI show. 

FOR THE LOVE OF TRACTORS MERCH! https://teespring.com/stores/for-the-love-of-tractors

The For the Love of Tractors website www.fortheloveoftractors.com  

Parts, videos, kits, and finished products, as well as tips, tricks, and photos. 

Check out our Shapeways store for parts and kits!

www.shapeways.com/shops/ftlot

We are on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/fortheloveoftractors/

and Instagram

fortheloveoftractors

Check out the worlds first farm toy podcast!  https://anchor.fm/ftlot

Also check out our friends at B and B farm toys.

https://www.bandbfarmtoys.com/

For the Love of Tractors Episode 5:  Prestige and the John Deere 4020

On today's podcast I talk about the Prestige series from Ertl and the John Deere 4020 is our tractor of the week. 

FOR THE LOVE OF TRACTORS MERCH! https://teespring.com/stores/for-the-love-of-tractors

The For the Love of Tractors website www.fortheloveoftractors.com  

Parts, videos, kits, and finished products, as well as tips, tricks, and photos. 

Check out our Shapeways store for parts and kits!

www.shapeways.com/shops/ftlot

We are on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/fortheloveoftractors/

and Instagram

fortheloveoftractors

Check out the worlds first farm toy podcast!  https://anchor.fm/ftlot

Also check out our friends at B and B farm toys.

https://www.bandbfarmtoys.com/

In this episode I talk about upcoming farm shows, and what to expect in the covid era.  I also talk about what to expect if it is your first show.  

Later in the episode I discuss the John Deere WA17, 1/64 Wagners and how crazy the market is on 1/16 Wagners.  

The For the Love of Tractors website www.fortheloveoftractors.com  

Parts, videos, kits, and finished products, as well as tips, tricks, and photos. 

Check out our Shapeways store for parts and kits!

www.shapeways.com/shops/ftlot

We are on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/fortheloveoftractors/

and Instagram

fortheloveoftractors

In this episode I talk about the new Big Bud 747 LSW edition, Case IH Trident Sprayers, and the new Ford TW35 from Spec Cast.  The tractor of the week is the Challenger MT 975E and I discuss upcoming farm shows. 

Please check us out at www.fortheloveoftractors.com and all of our social media outlets. 

We take a look at some up coming farm toy shows.  Talk about new Allis Chalmers toys, and our tractor of the week is the Allis Chalmers D21.