TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 3/12/2024

October 27, 2012

The most ingenious name in tractor design you probably never heard of:

Wallis Tractors

The Wallis “Bear” tractor was a bit larger than your average bear, the 16,000-pound tractor rolled onto the western prairielands in 1902 with a 1062 cubic inch gasoline/kerosine engine, three speed enclosed transmission and power assist steering. Later models came with a 1480 cubic inch inline, upright 4-cylinder engine with a 7-1/2-by-9-inch bore and stroke capable of pulling a ten-bottom plow. The mechanical power steering unit is driven off the engine and provides an assist in turning the front wheels by a system of clutches, pulleys, and belts. A lever near the steering wheel is used to engage or disengage the power steering. Only nine Bears were built between 1902 and 1910.

The Wallis Tractor Co., Cleveland, OH, began with H.M. Wallis as the company’s president; he was also a son-in-law of J.I. Case and later became president of the J.I. Case Plow Works, Racine, WI. Wallis saw the fast-growing trend for smaller, more nimble tractors and as a result the Bear was followed in 1913 by the Wallis Cub, the Cub Junior in 1915 and the Model K in 1919. All were produced at the J.I. Case Plow Works in Racine.

Only 660 Cubs were built during its six-year production run but the Cub’s unique patented one piece curved “U” Frame construction was revolutionary. The “U” Frame serves as the engine oil pan and tractor frame attaching to the steering at the front and transmission and final drive at the rear, it is the backbone of the tractor. The elimination of a separate frame allowed the Wallis Cub and its successors to be lighter weight per horse power. Virtually every full-size tractor built today traces its DNA back to the Wallis Cub and its revolutionary “U” Frame.