Traditionally, farmers relied on work horses, and themselves, to provide power for seasonal activities such as planting, cultivating and harvesting. Horse breeding programs were tailored to select those qualities that enhanced the horse’s function as a source of power. But horses were not without limitations. They had to be housed, cared for and fed no matter whether they were working or not. A portion of all farmers’ acreages had to be set aside to grow food for their power source and when bringing more acreage under cultivation, they had to increase the size of their herds as well as hire more labourers to care for them.

Despite their size and strength, horses were not well suited to tasks requiring great amounts of pulling power, such as sod breaking, or the belt power required for threshing machines. In the late 1800s farmers began to use steam engines to undertake this work, but this mechanical power source also had drawbacks. A ready supply of fuel, such as wood or coal, had to be available alongside the engine, and skilled operators were required.