Old Long Tractor

 I saw this derelict tractor on the same lot as the Henry J car of my last post.

One of the things that makes researching these drawings so fun for me is that no matter what the subject is, there's usually someone out there who has done an obsessively detailed history of that thing. I've found mind-numblingly in-depth sites on New York streetlamps, 19th-century wood stove manufacturers, early-20th-century hat manufacturers, 19th century gambling kings, and everything else. You never know what rabbit hole you're going to find.

For example, this tractor came from Long Manufacturing, based in Tarboro, N.C., which was established in 1948. It's a model 550, built in the 1970s. During this period, Long outsourced manufacture of its tractors to Universal Tractor Barsov of Romania.  

The history of the Long Manufacturing Company is not that interesting, but nonetheless has inspired some guy to post a FIVE part history of the firm and its tractors, providing not just the information above, but also such fascinating details as:

"The hydraulic system of the 550 used the same size of pump as the smaller tractors, and resulted in a lift of 2660 lbs, the same as the smaller units. Owing to its larger size and weight, power steering was standard equipment on the 550. Also steering related, the front axle was the same basic telescopic unit as used on the 350 & 445 tractors, but, due to different front wheels, resulted in a front track adjustment of 52 to 79 inches in 8 increments, on 7.50X16 tires. Rear adjustment was the same 47 1/4 tp 74."

Process pix:

REFERENCE:

Super detailed history of Long tractors at Import Tractor Parts