Tractor Trivia

The Little Giant

 I don’t know if the title makes sense, The “Little” Giant!  When I was in college I took a class called Minnesota Authors. One novel we read was Giants in the Earth by O. E. Rolvaag. We have all probably read or heard the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and remember the Giant.
If you travel to Blue Earth, Minnesota, you’ll see a statue of the Jolly Green Giant.  When my brother Cole was a youngster he liked to watch All-Star Wrestling.  Hulk Hogan was one of his favorites, but as I watched over his shoulder I liked Andre the Giant.  Before he became a Minnesota Viking, Fran Tarkenton played for the New York Giants.  I’ll bet you get it! We are talking about Giants, more specifically, The Little Giant!
Last week I wrote about some Minnesota tractors and thought we could talk about one more. The great state of Minnesota was overflowing with tractor companies in the early 1900’s.  Louis and Lorenz Mayer started a shop in southern Minnesota, in 1876.  They worked on steam engines and machinery and began to experiment with the idea of their own tractor.  In 1911 they assembled their first tractor which they called The Little Giant. One of their advertising slogans stated, “It will make farming so interesting that your boys will rather remain on the farm that leave for the city!”  Proud of their design they jumped in with both feet in 1914, plunging into the tractor industry.
The Mayer brothers believed in their product.  They boasted if any part or workmanship failed,  within a year, it would be replaced free of charge.  The factory was enlarged in 1917 expecting more business and exports anticipating the end of WW I.  In 1919 workers demanded higher pay and were turned down.  Finally the workers “strike” was settled and the Little Giants were made for about 8 more years.
 This Little Giant was never a huge seller and fell into the category of an “Orphan” tractor company.  But to me, it is another interesting chapter in the Minnesota Legacy  of tractor companies!

How about a little tractor trivia!
 1.Where was The Little Giant Factory located?
 A)Minneapolis     B)  St. Paul    C)   Mankato   D)   Waseca
      2.     The Little Giant model B was rated at a ______-______ hp tractor.
 A)10-20     B)  15-27    C)    16-32      D)  20-40
      3.     The model A was rated…..
  A)20-35    B)  15-30    C)  22-32    D)    26-35
      4.      The model A had 3 forward speeds ranging from 1 1/2mph to _______ mph.
  A)3    B)    4     C)    5     D)    6
       5.   In 1915, a new model would set you back $ ____________.
 A)$1000    B)   $1100  C)  $1250    D)  $1999
Answers:  1.  C-Mankato  2.  C. 16-32   3.  D. 26-35   4.  D.  6   5.  C. $1250