Tractor Teeter-Totter and history of the Farmall F-12

Wade Wiley on his original Farmall F-12 competing in the teeter totter contest at the South Plains Antique Tractor show.

Wade’s father-in-law found the F-12 in Lamar, Colorado in 1991 and Wade acquired it upon his passing. 

The F-12 was International Harvester’s answer for a low cost, all purpose tractor smaller than the F-20. Designed to compete with Ford Motor Company’s Fordson, it weighed 1,700 pounds less and was a foot shorter than the F-20. The large 54 inch diameter rear wheels provided good clearance without the need for F-20’s drop gears. The F-12 was equipped with three forward gears, one reverse and came standard with a narrow front end. Wide front or single wheel were also options. In 1934, IH’s small 4 cylinder ohv engine replaced the original Waukesha L-head 4 cylinder. It was advertised as a one plow tractor with 10hp at the drawbar. The F-12 was very popular with small farmers and over 123,000 total units were sold during the  1932-1938 production run. It was replaced by the F-14.

Bill Adams of Lubock, Texas

2020 Catalog Photo Contest Winner