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The Gilpin Sulky Plow
The Gilpin sulky (riding) plow was the most important product in Deere's line in the years immediately following the Civil War. Developed and patented in 1875, it was an almost instantaneous success because of its practical design and excellent construction. By the late 1870's, it was one of the largest-selling sulky plows in the country.
The Gilpin sulky plow was named for its inventor, Gilpin Moore, Deere's superintendent of iron works, and a creative genius. By the time Moore retired in the 1890's, he held 31 patents in his own name, and shared four others.
The Gilpin often proved itself in competition against other plows throughout the Midwest. In 1878, Charles Deere decided to enter the Gilpin and Deere's gang plow in the Paris Exhibition in Petit-Bourg, France. The international exposure proved to be a major boost in the reputation of both the plows and Deere.
In 1881 the Gilpin was slightly modified by the addition of a "power lift", a device that allowed the operator to easily manually lift the plow blade out of the ground after one revolution of the wheel. The Gilpin continued to be manufactured in this form for the rest of the 19th century and in limited amounts until after World War I.
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