Copy write 2011, not for republication or sale without express written consent. All images are the property of their respective owners and are not to be reused without their express permission. 

Above left: Various postcards and advertising showed the Rock Island Plow Co. as it developed. This dates from a circa 1910 catalog, but the same photo is also seen on a postcard dated 1908.

Above Right: an expansion added in 1911 shown in this photo as having just been laid.

Below: A view from 1911 from the river.

Above: Rock Island Plow Co. early 1920’s Below: Branch offices circa 1924

The Rock Island Plow Co.

Founded in 1855 as Buford & Tate, The Rock Island Plow Company was one of the many companies including Farmall and John Deere that made the Quad Cities area the hub of ag innovation and production at the end of the 19th century and well into the 20th century. Many of these early innovators worked for more then one of these local companies and their history’s are intertwined. The history of the early years of the Rock Island Plow Co. are especially entwined with John Deere, and the serious student of Deere’s life and early company will find many interesting details here I think. Many famous people from the Rock Island area were involved in the company, and many names may be familiar. 

This page is dedicated to the history and products of Buford & Tate, The Rock Island Plow Co. and Heider Tractor Co. In it, you will find information on these companies and their products, their history and their connections including major sections on Rock Island Tractors and Heider Tractors. There is also a compilation of print articles and some useful links. Some information may be contradictory or incomplete. Unfortunately, many of the records no longer exist; and most of the people directly associated with the Rock Island Plow Co. even in its later years are no longer with us. I have also noticed a number of the printed articles and books contain some verifiable misinformation which can hopefully be addressed.

I make no promises this is 100% accurate, and if you have information that corrects something here, please let me know. I would be happy to have any additional information and photo’s any one would care to provide.

 

A special acknowledgement needs to be made to the following people who have helped make this possible:

 

Steve Barr

Jeff J. Marshall - JacobHaishMfg.org

David Parfitt - Steel-Wheels.net

Randy Kvill - Reynolds-Alberta Museum

Rick Mannen

 

The staff and authors referenced so heavily for this project at Antique Power especially Pat Ertel and R.E.Hoffman

 

Special thanks to:

Dick Bockwoldt - A pioneer of Rock Island tractor Collecting and the source behind many of the articles referenced for this project.

This site is still under heavy construction, check back for  updates.

This site is still under heavy construction, check back for updates.

Please Help!

I am not going to ask for cash donations or anything, but I really could use help. The help I am looking for is information. IE; I need ads, brochures and manuals. If your not interesting in selling, I really appreciate scans or photographs. If your willing, I will happily pay postage both ways to scan a manual. While I have a few manuals, some are reproductions I cannot distribute. Those that I can, will eventually be available on here. I especially need late model information. I am also looking desperately for ads and photo’s, again especially late model as it has proven harder to obtain.  Credit will be given for any contributions.

Recent Updates

1 Year Update: Thank you to for the kind comments on the site. I know there’s still problems, but I am slowly working them out. The site has grown far larger then I expected, doubling from just over 20 pages to almost 50 in the past year. I have also added a great deal of literature to my collection, and in doing so and talking to folks, many details have come into focus.  A number of sections still have a lot of work required, but all principal sections are now online to some degree.

In the coming year expect the site to continue to grow and some other things to happen. I have been asked about the possibility of a book by a few people. While it is not off the table, it is a long term consideration.