L.L. Tractor Museum Collections

The Collections

The Tractors
The museum displays over 40 historic tractors (inside and outside) that trace the developments in power, safety, and innovation. Descriptions for each tractor aid the visitor on self-guided tours.

Some of the tractors in the museum include:

1909 Ford B Tractor - This tractor's poor performance led to the Nebraska Tractor Test Law.
Waterloo Boy - The first tractor to successfully complete the test in 1920.
Heider - Shows the development of friction drive tractors in the early 1900's.
1918 Moline Universal D - An advanced tractor for the time, it featured a generator, battery, starter, lights, articulated steering and a mounted plow or cultivator!
Allis Chalmers WC - First tractor tested on rubber tires, it was 25% more efficient in the drawbar tests than other tractors of that time.
Fordson - "F" model, manufactured by the Henry Ford Co., had a fully enclosed engine-transmission-differential and was mass produced. One of the least efficient tractors ever tested, it outsold all competitors.

See the tractors on parade at the Nebraska State Fair every summer; fun for young and old alike.

Distinguished Guest
The Auto Wagon Model A, manufactured by International Harvester Company, Chicago, USA, in 1910, is a self-propelled wagon and general purpose vehicle. Power is provided by a two cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled engine. The standard equipment on the vehicle includes flare boards, fenders, two gas headlights, and two oil lamps. The Auto Wagon is proven to be an early model because of the right-hand drive; it was not until 1915 that the left-hand drive was introduced.

The “new” vehicle is an excellent addition to the Larsen Museum collection of early tractors, agricultural machinery and hand tools. It is on long-term loan from Elton Lyles of Omaha, Nebraska.

Wagon Model A

The earliest pickup truck? Come see for yourself. Known as the first true utility vehicle, this wagon is equipped with a removable back seat which reveals a large pickup box.

The Tools
The L.W. Chase, Chauncey W. Smith and E.A. Olsen Collections of pioneer hand tools, planters, cultivators, horse-drawn plows, sod cutter, haying tools and household implements are some of the very unique items, such as this plow plane made in 1870. It is part of the hand tool collection.

The Equipment
View historical tractor performance testing equipment including this early tractor dynamometer. An archive of old tractor tests is also on the premises.