The Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. of Hopkins, Minnesota, like many other early American tractor builders, started out building steam traction engines for the prairies of the Midwest and Canada. In 1910, however, they began selling the 20 hp "Universal" tractor built by the Universal Tractor Co. of Stillwater, Minnesota. The next step was to enlist tractor designer Walter McVicker, which resulted in the "Minneapolis Farm Motor" built by the Northwest Thresher Co., also of Stillwater, Minnesota. This tractor grew into the Minneapolis 25-50 in 1912, and was soon joined by the larger 40-80 model (subsequently re-rated as a 35-70). The company's first small tractor was the Model 15, announced in 1915, and soon to be re-rated as a 12-25. A radical new lightweight tractor design was introduced in 1922 in the shape of the Minneapolis 17-30 Type A and B, which featured a bonnet and forward-facing radiator; this model was followed by the 27-44 and 39-57 of similar design in the late 1920s. In 1929, the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. became part of the Minneapolis-Moline Power Implement Co.

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