Today, June 29, 2018, we celebrate the 79th Birthday of the world premier of the new Ford-Ferguson 9N Tractor. Harry Ferguson came to Dearborn, MI to demonstrate his new 3-point hydraulic system with draft control to Henry Ford & Crew on his estate Fair Lane, in November, 1938. Ferguson brought a 1936 Ferguson-Brown Type A tractor, s/n 722, dubbed the Black Tractor, and a few crude implements. Upon observing what the Ferguson system could do, Henry exclaimed, "..That's It!!!...". The two men made the famous 'handshake agreement' and design teams consisting of Ford and Ferguson engineers began work the next day in Dearborn. A short 7 months later, the new 9N was ready to show the world. This feat, from concept to production, was a marvel of engineering, even for its time, and has never been repeated since. Prior to the advent of micro-processors, CAD-CAM, and composite materials, it would take on average 5 years to bring a new model from design to full production. Today, virtually every tractor built uses some form of the 3-PT hydraulic lift system Ferguson & Co. developed.

JUNE 29, 1939, HENRY FORD DEMONSTRATES THE NEW 9N TRACTOR:

Tim Daley(MI)