Rare 1917 Titan tractor keeps working life alive on Bay of Plenty farm

John Couch with his 1917 International Harvester Titan 1020 tractor. Photo / Catherine Fry

A tractor born out of World War I food shortages is still grinding steadily along more than a century later, thanks to the dedication of Bay of Plenty farmer and engineer John Couch.

Couch owns one of just seven International Titan 1020 tractors in New Zealand, a 1917 machine originally shipped from the United States to the United Kingdom in the latter years of the war to help boost food production.

Now 109 years old, the distinctive steel tractor – affectionately known simply as “the Titan” – regularly appears at vintage machinery and agricultural shows, where it continues to demonstrate the engineering ingenuity of its era.

Raised on an arable farm in Hertfordshire, England, Couch trained as an engineer and later ran his own engineering business.

He inherited the Titan at just 8 years old following the death of his father.

At the time, it was the family tractor and was lent out to neighbouring farms until he was old enough to take ownership.

“The Titan has gone everywhere I’ve gone,” Couch said.

“I grew up around it, restored it over many years, and now I just enjoy keeping it running.”

The tractor even made the long journey to New Zealand in 2006, when Couch and his Wellington-born wife, Gayle, emigrated from the UK and settled on a 40.4-ha property near Matatā, where they now breed Red Devon cattle.

Couch said the Titan’s history was closely tied to global events.

Around 3000 machines were sent from International Harvester in the United States to the UK during World War I, when Britain faced severe labour shortages and pressure to increase domestic food production.

“They were distributed around farming communities to replace draught horses,” he said.

“My grandfather’s farm received one to share between several properties.”

At a time when horses powered most farm work, the arrival of a 10‑horsepower, two‑cylinder, kerosene‑driven mechanical alternative was revolutionary.

The Titan features two forward gears – described by Couch as “slow” and “not quite so slow” – a reverse gear, and a top speed of about 3.2km/h.

This particular Titan was one of 3000 shipped to the UK from the USA to boost food production in the later months of WWI. Photo / Catherine Fry

Fuelled by kerosene, which was cheaper during wartime, the tractor is manually started using petrol.

Its largely steel construction includes four solid wheels, with bearings housed in cast‑iron hubs.

Unlike modern machinery, the Titan has no radiator.

The Titan 1020 has a very good belt pulley system to power machines like corn mills and threshing drums. Photo / Catherine Fry

A large cylindrical drum mounted horizontally serves as a water tank, with the engine cooled by evaporation – a full day’s work could use up to 113.5 litres.

“It’s very simple, very robust,” Couch said.

The International Harvester Titan 1020 tractor has a characteristic water tank sitting at the front and has no radiator. Photo / Catherine Fry

“There’s no bonnet, so all the working parts are easily accessible, which makes maintenance straightforward.”

The tractor was eventually bought outright by Couch’s grandfather in the 1920s rather than returned to the government, cementing its place as a family heirloom.

The Titan has four metal wheels. Photo / Catherine Fry

Today, after extensive restoration, the Titan remains fully operational and continues to captivate crowds with both its mechanical presence and its remarkable story.

“It’s one of those machines that reflects a moment in history,” Couch said.

“I’m just its current caretaker.”