2012 Big 4 Tractor

The Emerson-Brantingham Big 4 Tractor
Brought to you by The Monticello Community Foundation 
and Don & Deb Bain

Come see this important piece of local farming history at the Four States Ag Expo on display in booth 95 in the Main Pavillion!

The mechanized revolution that forever changed farming in American began in the 1850's with the development of new and exciting machines that made the back breaking work of farming easier.  J.H. Manny, Cyrus McCormick, and the others competed with one another to develop the best machines.  J.H. Manny & Company was formed in 1854 and soon became the largest manufacturer of reapers in the world.  During the same year, Ralph Emerson, cousin of the author Ralph Waldo Emerson, joined the firm and the company continued to grow. 

When Charles S. Brantingham joined the business the company became know as Emerson-Brantingham.  Ahead of it's time, Emerson and Brantingham envisioned a global business and began to expand, buying other companies, including Geiser Manufacturing, Obsborn Company, Pontiac Buggy Company, Newton Wagon Works and their last acquisition in 1912 was the Gas Traction Company of Minneapolis, MN.  Gas Traction made the Big 4 Tractor.

The Gas Traction Company was formed in 1908.  They used the engine designed by D.M. Hartsough who started designing the Big 4 in 1904 with a massive four-cylinder engine.

Emerson-Brantingham promoted the Big 4 line of tractors at fairs and exhibitions in the US and Canada.

Monticello's Big 4 Tractor is one of a small number in existence today.  The name of Emerson-Brantingham and Gas Traction company is cast in the rear motor mount, indicating the tractor was built in 1912.

The Big 4 was originally designed for road work.  The San Juan Arid Farm Company purchased the tractor in 1912 for between $4,000-$5,000 to clear 3,200 hundred acres of dry farmland at Piute Knoll and Piute Springs east of Monticello.  Members of the Arid Farm Company included Hanson Bayles, Walter C. Lymon, William J. Nix, D. John Emil Gammeter, and Robert K. Havlicek.  Many descendants of these men still live and farm in the Four Corners area.

The Big 4 was shipped by rail from Minneapolis to Dolores, Colorado.  It was "walked" or driven 60 miles from the railhead to Monticello (at a top speed of 3 MPH!).  Robert Havlicek was hired to operate the Big 4 and William (Bill) Young was hired to haul gasoline to the field.  The gas cost between 17 and 25 cents per gallon and was purchased in Durango, Colorado, shippped by rail to Dolores, and hauled to Monticello by gas wagon in six 50 gallon barrels together with needed oil and grease.  Bill Young made the 110 mile round trip once a week to keep the Big 4 running.

The tractor was used successfully by the San Juan Arid Farm Company from 1912-1915.  In 1916 dry weather forced the failure of the company.  Dryland farming relies on snow pack and rain fall to water the crop.  In dry years, dryland farmers suffer.

By 1925 all but Emil Gammeter had left the Arid Farm Company.  The tractor was still operable between 1944 and 1946 and used on various farms in the area.

Joe Fury purchased the tractor during that period and used it for two years to clear oak brush.  The Big 4 was eventually sold to Bill Barry for $100 in the late 1950's.  In the early 1960's Wes McDonald became interested in the tractor and urged its purchase by the Monticello Chamber of Commerce.  In July, 1962 the tractor came to Monticello for a purchase price of $1,600.  Wes McDonald drove the tractor in the July Pioneer Day parade that year and it was then placed in the Monticello City Park as a valuable piece of heritage in the farming community.

Unfortunately, the Big 4 was left open to the elements in summer heat and winter snow since 1962.
The Big 4 is an important piece of this area's farming history and it is the goal of the Monticello Community Foundation and a group of dedicated tractor enthusiasts to restore and maintain the Big 4.  The Foundation is also raising funds to build a suitable home for it and other antique tractors and farm implements which will be located at the Frontier Museum on Main Street in Monticello, Utah.

Donations are Gratefully Accepted:
The Monticello Community Foundation
P.O. Box 601
Monticello, UT  84536
(Please indicate the donation is for the Big 4)



.