For 2008, we have decided to feature the little known, but much sought after products of the A.D. Baker company, from Swanton, Ohio. Baker was a major player in the Steam Engine business, with his patented “Baker Valve” being included in 90% of the operating locomotives in the U.S. during his era. He knew Steam, loved it, and made money in it, starting in 1884. However, the younger generations of his family could see the writing on the wall in the early part of the 20th century and knew that the Steam Traction Engine was not going to be the long term answer to the needs of the average farmer of the day. The industry trend was very much in the direction of gas powered, smaller sized units, being produced by many of their competitors. Knowing how hard it is to teach an “old dog new tricks”, they sent the old man, (Abner D. Baker) away on an extended trip, and by the time he returned, the factory had been tooled up for production of Baker gas tractors. Already in place was the equipment line-up, including threshers and other implements.

The A.D. Baker family business had a well deserved reputation for quality products, good design, and straight-forward honesty in dealing with their customers and their dealers. They made every effort to carry that tradition forward with them into the production of gas powered farm tractors. They chose engines from such industry giants as Stearns, Leroi, and Wisconsin, and used transmissions built by Foote Bros. Heavy frame components were manufactured by Baker and final assembly was provided in the Ohio factory. The result was a dependable, powerful, quality machine, which, in keeping with Baker traditions would produce horsepower well in excess of advertised specs.

Timing is everything, they say, and sadly the Baker tractor hit the market during a period of explosive evolution in that industry. While Baker produced large, heavy, steel wheeled tractors in the 4-6 plow range, great for running a thresher or a sawmill, the big demand by the numbers was for a 2-3 plow, lighter, rubber tired tractor, to replace the team of horses that was still at work on countless thousands of small farms the Nation over.

History just got a little ahead of old Abner, or he a little behind, and the grand experiment was only to last a few years, with a total production run of just a little over 300 tractors, essentially coming to an end in the early 1930’s. The rugged Baker Tractor was to become one of the dozens of mechanical footnotes to the grand history of the farm tractor in America.

Since one of our prominent MMOGTA members is also the proud owner of what is probably the largest collection of Baker Tractors, parts, and knowledge, it was decided that 2008 was the year to showcase all of that history, and Oakley MI was the place. A.D. Baker was justifiably proud of his products, his legacy, and the loyalty of his customers, so we think he’d be equally proud to see his nameplate as the centerpiece of our Featured Brand corner in 2008. We, as members of the Mid Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association, are proud to welcome you to our 34th Annual Show in Oakley MI, on August 15th-17th, 2008

Click here to see the NEW 2008

SHOW BOOK

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