Text Box: Heider D
Tractor Summary

Heider D 1917-1928

HP: 9-16

Heider D

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· Weight: 4100 lbs

· Engine: Waukesha R  4 1/4 x 5 3/4 800rpm    

· Mag: Dixie 46

· Carb: Kingston L3

· Serial Numbers: 

· Nebraska Test :017                                                                                          

With the demand for smaller tractors for smaller farms increasing in the late teens, Rock Island released a smaller version of its popular Heider C. The Heider D featured a 4 1/4 x 5 3/4 Waukesha but was otherwise a scaled down C without canopy or side curtains, although few parts are interchangable. The loss of the curtains may have been practical as well as a cost cutting measure as many farmers removed the side curtains on the C to improve airflow over a hot running engine anyway.

 

I have some question on the engine used in the Heider D. I have confirmation a Waukesha R was used on a Heider D (In fact, all Heider D tags I have so far seen have indicated a model R), and the Nebraska test indicates a 4 1/4 x 5 3/4 1000 RPM Waukesha but not a model. I also have indication a Waukesha N 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 was used in a Heider tractor prior to the Rock Island G. The rating on the N is somewhat suspect as I don’t have solid confirmation off an engine or anything. A Waukesha C.U. has also been indicated as being used in a 9-16 Heider, but again I have no confirmation of this, although I have found indication of a D.U. used on a Heider C chassis. 

 

Like the Heider C, the D was one of the first tractors to be submitted to the new Nebraska Test Lab, Nebraska Test 17 established the D’s actual HP at 11-19. Despite being a smaller tractor then the C, it was heavily advertised as a two plow tractor with Heider’s Plow lift (see the tractor plows section for more on the plow lift) and many of the surviving D’s retain the plow lift, suggesting it was an effective plow tractor. Unlike the Heider C, the D was designed with the plow lift in mind, it also retained most of the design features of the Heider C as well

 

The Heider D remained in Rock Islands inventory from 1917 until ~1928 with few major changes. Although production may have stopped earlier, parts catalogues listed the D until 28 making the D the last to officially bear the Heider name. 

Below: Pat Ertel’s restored D below.