Established in Greenwich, Ohio, in 1921 as the Central Tractor Company, the business rebranded to Centaur Tractor Company in 1928. This name change was inspired by the Centaur brand used for their 6-10 sulky-style tractor. In 1934, Centaur sought a patent for their "Klear View" design, which eliminated most obstructions beneath the operator, allowing for better visibility of the ground underneath the tractor. Based on this innovative design, Centaur started producing KV series tractors in 1935. However, by 1940, the company faced significant financial challenges and was sold to Le Roi, which had been supplying engines for Centaur tractors.