Possibly a 22-40 or an 18-36, this Hart Parr is more likely to be an 18-36. With a bore and stroke of 6.75x7.00 inches this tractor's two cylinder gasoline engine has a displacement of 501 ci (8.2 Litres), producing a tested 43 horsepower at the belt, quite a bit more than the claimed 36. The 18-36 was build from 1926 to 1930, about an average lifespan for Hart Parr tractors. Not very fast in getting from A to B, the 18-36 had 2 forward speeds and 1 in reverse.
The engine layout may look familiar to many, as it is something that John Deere used in their "A" and "D" models for many years - two cylinders lying horizontally, with the crankshaft transverse to the direction of travel. One difference is that the John Deere cylinders were ahead of the crankshaft while here they are behind it.
Hart-Parr was founded in 1901 by Charles Hart and Charles Parr, both engineering students at the University of Wisconsin. Hart and Parr are two of the early pioneers of gasoline tractor design. Hart-Parr was the first American manufacturer to put gasoline tractors into production in 1903, and can make a claim to being the first in the world (the English Ivel firm also began production that year). In 1929, Hart-Parr merged with Oliver Chilled Plow to form the Oliver company.
From Tractor Data
The Homesteader Museum is one of the most interesting museums we have visited. The director was there and she was so helpful and answered all of our inquiries. This is a free admission museum that is made possible by a benefactor. The museum will celebrate their 50th birthday in 2018.
There are numerous large displays divided by categories, such as household appliances, dentist and doctor offices, set as they were when operating, a photography and printing office, a post office, vintage clothing and haberdashery - the list just goes on.
They also have several outdoor displays housed in original buildings, one of which is the Bever Homestead, an original 1911 homestead house; also outside is a CB&Q Caboose and a large collection old farm equipment and tractors.