45-horsepower Minneapolis steam tractor - GIF

[mklotz]

I have seen one of the beauties at the Northern Illinois Threshing Bee. It is massive. It is my understanding that farmers placed this tractor on the side of a field and used ropes to pull plows. Otherwise, the soil would become too compacted.

The British built what I believe were called ploughing engines to do exactly what you describe. Attached is a photo of a model of one built by the esteemed British model engineer, Cherry Hill. Note the large reel of cable under the boiler. It was this cable that was attached to the plough.