The RUMELY OILPULL TRACTOR
An Historic Landmark
of Agricultural Engineering
The Rumely Companies, which operated in La Porte, Indiana, from 1853 to 1931,
produced a variety of equipment including threshers and steam engines, which
helped to change the nature of American and world agriculture.
The revolutionary OilPull Tractor, which was introduced in 1910, used a unique
carburetion system developed by John Secor, the Company's Chief Engineer. The
OilPull tractor efficiently converted a low cost petroleum product to
mechanical power, greatly reducing the need for animal and steam power on
American farms.
Dr. Edward Rumely, grandson of founder Meinrad Rumely, continued the company's
emphasis on agricultural mechanization and forecast its dramatic impact on farm
productivity and efficiency. Many Rumely engineering accomplishments were
carried forward by the Allis-Chalmers Company after it acquired the Rumely
Company in 1931."
DEDICATED BY THE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS
2003