John Fowler and Co
From Graces Guide
John Fowler and Co of the the Steam Plough Works in Leeds produced steam Traction Engines and Lorries. See John Fowler for biography
- 1862 (1850?) John Fowler established the business
- 1864 His brother Robert Fowler became a partner in the company
- 1864 John Fowler was killed in a hunting accident aged 38 years
- 1866 The first railway locomotives were made.
- 1886 the name John Fowler and Co (Leeds) Ltd was registered and listed as a manufacturer of steam traction engines
- 1894 Burton-on-Trent Electric light Works. Article and illustration in 'The Engineer'
- 1894 Eight-furrow turnover steam plough. Article in 'The Engineer'
- 1894 June. Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Turnwrest Plough for Steam Cultivation
- 1900 Robert W. Eddison a director of the company died
- 1900 Article and illustration on armoured train made
- 1900 June. Royal Agricultural Show at York. Showed 'Several fine engines'
- 1910 Produced agricultural tractors and machinery
- 1920 New steam ploughing engine rated at 70 hp and 6,000lb on the rope.
- 1924 Built steam powered lorries until 1935 and built 117 in this period
- In 1927 the Gyrotiller was produced, having been designed to work on sugar cane plantations. Its rotary tines could penetrate the soil to a depth of 500 mm. It was successful not only at the sugar estates but also gained interest from contractors. The last Gyrotiller was produced in 1937.
- 1931 Produced their first diesel powered lorry for 6/7ton payloads
- 1935 Ceased production of lorries and railway locomotives. It is estimated that they made between 150-300 of the latter.
- 1937 The last steam engine, a road roller, was produced
- 1947 The company was absorbed in to the T. W. Ward group
- 1974 Company ceased trading
Sources of Information
- British Lorries 1900-1992 by S. W. Stevens-Stratten. Pub. Ian Allen Publishing
- Traction Engine Album by Malcolm Ranieri. Pub 2005
- The Engineer of 29th October 1920 p434
- From 1890 to the Present Day Farm Tractors by Michael Williams published in 2005 by Silverdale Books ISBN 978-1-84509-251-1
- British Steam Locomotive Builders by James W. Lowe. Published in 1975. ISBN 0-905100-816
- The Engineer of 8th June 1894 p508
- The Engineer of 29th June 1894 p563
- The Engineer of 29th June 1894 p562
- The Engineer of 25th May 1900 p536
- The Engineer of 25th May 1900 p562 & 564
- The Engineer of 22nd June 1900 p650