O is for OVERTIME TRACTOR

In 1892, an American, John Froehlick, joined with others to form the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Co.

He built the first gasoline tractor that propelled itself backwards as well as forwards. Tractor experimentation continued and in 1914 the first ‘Waterloo Boy' was introduced, a kerosene burning Model ‘R'.

The tractor on display at the Museum is a Waterloo Boy ‘R' style ‘H' introduced in 1916. It appears to have been imported in a dismantled form by ‘L.J. Martin, London', the owner of the Overtime Tractor Company. It would have then been re-assembled, re-painted and sold on the home market. In recognition of their contribution to the war effort on the home front (1914-18), Overtime tractors were awarded a shield by the British National Food Production Campaign as the ‘Champion Tractor of England and Wales’.

Lackham Museum’s example is still in working order and is credited as being the oldest known Overtime tractor of its type in the UK. In March 1918, Froelich’s company was sold to John Deere for 2,350,000 dollars. This new company was later to become a world leader in tractor design and production.

For further information please refer to:
‘The Field Guide to John Deere Tractors’ by Don Macmillan (published 2002)