Rock Island

The origins of the Rock Island Plow Company extended back to 1855, beginning with the Buford & Tate enterprise – a firm where Tate notably collaborated with the pioneering John Deere. By the dawn of the 20th century, Rock Island had broadened its product offerings and, in 1916, acquired Heider Tractor. The late 1920s witnessed Rock Island innovating with novel tractor concepts, a period unfortunately shadowed by the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Ultimately, in 1937, the company’s assets were transferred to J.I. Case.