History of the Midwest Dynamometer

 This machine is one of eight original machines built between 1918 and 1922 at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University.)  Professor E.V. Collins conducted research with the dynamometer to learn the draft requirements of various implements and analyze what a good farm team could be expected to pull on a daily basis.  It was originally built on a model A Ford truck, then in 1940 was mounted on a 1937 Ford 1 1/2 ton truck, as it is today.  This machine was operated in Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin until 1971 by Clifford Buffington of Colo, IA.

After the death of Clifford Buffington, the machine was sold to a private individual in Wisconsin.  Bryan Davis of Grinnell (shown above at the Poweshiek Co. Fair in Grinnell, IA), and Virgil Buffington of Jamesport, MO (Clifford's son) purchased the machine in 2009 with the desire to bring dynamometer pulling back to the Midwest.

This machine is one of only four originals still in operation; with the others being in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, all of which are very strong in horse pulling participation.  The National Championship is held in Michigan every year.