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A History and Memories of International Harvester Canada 1903-1985

About the book

This fascinating book chronicles the history of a great Canadian company and the part they played in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of trucks, construction and agricultural equipment in Canada. In addition to a comprehensive history of the company, you’ll experience personal stories from key people who helped shape International Harvester Canada into the major market force it was between 1903 and 1985 before it morphed into Case IH.

Extremely rare Hamilton Works guard badge. Note the Beaver at the top (one of Canada’s national emblems).

After 67 years of operation, the Grey Iron Foundry did its last pour in 1970. This is a maple leaf made from the grey iron to commemorate that event.

Set of four bronze-coloured drink coasters and bottle opener. Came in a 7 inch x 9 inch box. Made by Century Products, Quebec.

This crawler tractor is serial number 501 which means that it was the FIRST production tractor of the T-4, T-5, TD-5 Series to be built at Hamilton Plant. It was sold in 1958 and had several owners until 2000 when the then “derelict unit” was purchased and restored to original new condition by the Richards family and it is now part of the Richards family IH collection in Barrie,Ontario.

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About the Authors

Brian Kirkpatrick

Brian was born, raised and educated in Southern Manitoba. As a child and youth, Brian enjoyed farm life, particularly working with horses and tractors. The love of farm machinery led him a 40 year career in the Farm and Construction Equipment business with International Harvester and Case IH. He began working for International Harvester in 1959, and his career included Sales, Marketing and Human Resources in several Canadian Cities as well as Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; and Racine, Wisconsin.

Along the way, Brian developed a keen interested in history, and became an avid collector of IH trucks, tractors, and the 82 series of Cub Cadets.

Larry Smith

Larry was born and raised on a farm near Mount Hope, Ontario, that has been in his family for over a century. Early in his career, Larry worked at International Harvester’s Hamilton District Office, and in 1962 he left the company to join O’Neil’s Farm Equipment in Binbrook. In 1971, he and his wife bought the dealership. Throughout the years, he developed a keen interest in antiques, which evolved into a wide variety of International Harvester collectibles: memorabilia, manuals, literature, promotional materials, refrigeration, Cub Cadets, tractors, and trucks.

Warren Brewer

Warren was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He joined International Harvester in 1960 as a collector for the Motor Truck Branch. In 1963, he became involved in the Credit Department, which evolved into the International Harvester Credit Corporation, and this became his career focus. Through the years, Warren spent time in the Payline Construction Equipment business as a Manager of a company-owned retail dealership. He also developed several operational and training materials for IHCC.