A Lens to Change (Disruption): Racine's Case 1200

A child and granchild of entrepreneurs/farmers and those who have worked in and around agriculture, the tools, economics and stories of the business have long interested me.

When traveling and as time permits, we often try to find interesting places nearby. Past agriculture related stops include the Kinze Innovation Center, Museo SAME, the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum and the Case IH experience center.

The creation and production of ever larger (and more expensive) tractors is an interesting way to note changes in farms, from size and practices to outputs.

The Case 1200, a four wheel drive "crab steer" fixed frame tractor, introduced in 1966 and produced in Racine, Wisconsin offers the interested reader a great place to observe aspects of our farming industry, particularly changes over time.





Promotional Filmstrip

This handy USDA chart helps understand the (r)evolution in US farm population and practices.



In tune with our times, that is 2025, I created prompts and engaged in Case 1200 "conversations" (several did not complete their assignments!) with: Explore those conversations by tapping on the links.

I would enjoy updating this post with comments and source materials from those with much deeper knowledge than I possess.

Timeline





Deeper Dive



Explore the Kinze Innovation Center, Museo SAME, the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum and the Case IH experience center with a few taps and immersive scenes in the amuz app.



Approaching America 250, the Case IH Experience center includes a "Spirit of 76" tractor, celebrating our nation's bicentennial in 1976.