Case 150 HP Steam Tractor: Rise, Fall, and Legacy
The J.I. Case 150 HP steam tractor—a name that evokes images of immense power and ambition—represents a fascinating chapter in agricultural history. This colossal machine, weighing 37 tons and stretching over 25 feet long, briefly held the title of the world's most powerful traction engine in the early 1900s. Its 180 psi steam pressure and three-ton coal capacity were truly awe-inspiring, leading to spectacular early demonstrations. But despite its remarkable capabilities, the Case 150 HP was a resounding commercial failure, with only nine units ever produced between 1905 and 1907....