[ccguy]

After reading Oscar Will’s book “The 50 Years of Cub Cadet”, I am mystified why more information wasn’t provided regarding the BIGGEST, EARTH SHAKING change to the most dominant player in the entire agricultural equipment sector of the American market – which I’d like to understand. I am aware that the economy was awful in the late 70’s, with high loan rates, farm prices were down with increasing consolidation taking place resulting in equipment sales plummeting. But they were also plummeting for Deere, Massey Ferguson, Allis Chambers, Gleaner, White, Case, Sperry New Holland, etc. I know IH had a recall problem with the 460, 560, and 660 tractors – and lost some market share – but they were still the MASSIVE, dominant, diversified, conglomerate powerhouse as ever - always three step ahead of everyone else. So why, even if IH had revenue issues, why would they sell the foundation, The Soul, of the entire corporation (Ag Division) when they could have sold off other lines of business such as their Consumer Division, Construction Equipment Division and/or their Truck/Diesel Engine Division? Why?

My grandfather who farmed 1+ sections in Leoti, Kansas (pop. -2000) from the 50’s-70’s (wheat/corn/milo) only used IH Farmall equipment. As a 12 year old kid in the early 70’s, I can still remember the joy, looking at his Ag magazines, gazing with delight at IH ads featuring a BIG RED 666 Turbo with HUGE wheels and a white enclosed cab– with the tagline on the bottom:

International Harvester. We help you feed the world.

ccguy

1994-1440
1976-#4