I also put this same discussion over on the �Ford Tractors Discussion Board� as well, just so that everyone knows.I was just curious about some things that I�d typed down in the past and was wondering if anyone could clarify if some of my theories were correct or close to being correct. Also, I had a few questions. The first Ford square balers (Dearborn models: 14-XX or 14-XXX {i.e. 14-49 or 14-292}) were available in 1956 (Or was it 1952?). These balers were built by the �LONG Manufacturing Company, Inc� of Tarboro North Carolina. They were built by another company because it was much cheaper that way instead of �Ford� paying people to make the machines to make the balers themselves. LONG continued manufacturing for Ford to introduce Ford�s newer-designed 150, 250, & 350 square baler models. In August, 1962 (when the �Ford Tractors Division� was mandated by Corporate to join the �Ford Motor Company�-wide paint scheme and slogan of �Ford Blue Stands For Quality�), LONG produced an even newer design of square balers for Ford; models: 520 (a redesigned 150, repainted from Dearborn red to Ford blue and white), 530 (a redesigned 250, repainted from Dearborn red to Ford blue ), and 540 (a redesigned 350, repainted from Dearborn red to Ford blue). They were the first blue square balers Ford produced.
At this point in time, LONG, seeking to cure their financial troubles (partially caused by Ford), started producing its own baler, model 680, to compete with Ford�s model 530 square baler. The LONG 680 and Ford 530 were the exact same baler- only painted a different color, sold for less, and called a different brand and model. The �Ford Tractors Division� wasn�t pleased with this decision on account LONG was able to sell their 680 cheaper than Ford was able to sell their 530 because LONG didn�t have to deal with sales tax when a 680 was sold in contrary to Ford- because LONG made them for Ford. So the �Ford Tractors Division�, angry with LONG�s back-stabbing decision, demanded LONG to stop production of their 680 or Ford would look elsewhere for all of their (Ford�s) square balers to be manufactured. In 1964, after two years of being in the market, LONG�s 680 square baler was discontinued and the good life continued... for Ford. For LONG, after discontinuing their 680 square baler, continued to face their financial troubles with �no light at the end of the tonal�. So LONG had no choice but to sell Ford the design rights of their (Ford�s) balers in order for LONG to receive the extra money to (slightly) help out their financial troubles. This was kind of misleading on LONG�s �part� on account Ford demanded LONG to stop production of their own baler, or Ford would look elsewhere for all of their square balers to be manufactured- which they were forced to do anyway. Is it that AVCO-(I know that there�s an �AGCO� but I think that �AVCO� is suppose to be there- even though I�ve never heard of it before.)-New Idea, Located in Coldwater, Ohio, built square balers for Ford, from 1972 to 1978? Was there anything else that New Idea manufactured for Ford? Another person told me that late Ford square balers were manufactured by Gehl. However, I do know that Gehl manufactured Ford�s round balers, forage harvesters, and mower conditioners. Was there anything else that Gehl manufactured for Ford? Another person told me that both the Ford 532 and 542 square balers were produced form 1969-1981. I thought that it was from 1972-1978? So if some of the information above is correct, who manufactured Ford�s square balers from 1964-1971? Gehl? Was the �LONG Manufacturing Company, Inc of Tarboro North Carolina� the same �Long agribusiness� in affiliation with Farmtrac? Any information about �LONG Manufacturing Company� and �Long Agribusiness- purchased by Escort Ltd. Group of India� (if Long and LONG are two different companies {?}) would be appreciated. Was there anything else that LONG manufactured for Ford? Thanks in advance everyone. Jason
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