The Samson company began producing the "Sieve Grip" tractors in Stockton, California. Available in two models, the three-wheeled tractor was very low (for orchard use), and the steel wheels were open between the treads. After Ford began making tractors, General Motors decided to get into the business. In 1919, GM purchased Samson, and moved operations to Janesville, Wisconsin (consolidating with the Janesville Machine Company operations, that GM also purchased). The factory made both Samson tractors and two sizes of Samson trucks.
The Sieve Grip tractors were too expensive to compete with Ford, so the line was replaced with the Samson M. The M was very affordable, and sold well. A larger model A was planned, but the company diverted resources to Iron Horse cultivator. The cultivator was poorly designed, and the competition was fierce. Soon GM was losing money, and decided to end production of the entire Samson line. In 1922, GM converted the factory into a Chevrolet assembly line.
