Robert H. and Cyrus M. Avery formed the Avery Planter Company in 1874 in Galesburg, Illinois. In 1884 the Avery brothers line consisted of planters, cultivators, and stalk cutters. During this time they relocated to Peoria, Illinois. The Avery Company had a large line of products, including steam engines which began in 1891. After the passing of R.H. Avery, his brother C.M. Avery moved into the presidency roll of the company. J.B. Bartholomew, a relative of the family, took on the vice-presidency role. In February of 1909 Avery approached the market with a “farm and city” tractor. They wanted to provide a tractor for small farms and acreages. Avery Co. continued to build the massive heavy-weight tractors into the 1920’s when smaller light-weight tractors started to come to the forefront. The last production from the Avery Co. was the Avery Ro-Trak tractor. It was thought this tractor would have done well except for the intervention of World War II.
In 1974 the Avery brothers started a company baring their names. In 1882 they created their three story squarer building by 1883 the company name had been changed to Avery Planter Co. Steam traction engines and grain thresher production began in 1891. With the passing of R.H. Avery in 1892 his brother ascended to presidency and J.B. Bartholomew was made vice-president. a cemetery just north of the plant was purchased in 1902 for future expansion plans. In 1905 C.M. Avery died and J.B. Bartholomew became president, by 1907 the capital stock had increased to $2,500,000. In 1907 the Avery name was changed to Avery Co and products began being distributed worldwide. The company continued to do well until some of the darkest days of the Great Depression in 1931.
Content contributed by:
Model |
Configuration |
Years |
# Produced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 12-25 | Standard-Tread |
1912-1919 |
|
| Model 40-80 | 1913-1920 |
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| Model 8-16 | 1914-1922 |
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| Model 25-50 | Standard-Tread |
1914-1922 |
|
| Motor Cult 5-10 | 1916-1920 |
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| Model 18-36 | Standard-Tread |
1916-1921 |
|
| Model 14-28 | Standard-Tread |
1919-1922 |
|
| Model 12-20 | 1920-1922 |
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| Model 45-64 | 1920-1924 |
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| Model C | 1920-1924 |
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| Model 20-35 | 1923-1927 |
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| Ro-Trak | Row-Crop |
1938-1941 |
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