75 years of tractors: The 1970s

Published: 2025-05-06 19:32:10 ET DE

Published on 05/30/2025 at 02:01

In the 1970s, the demand for more power was still increasing, but comfort was also becoming more important. As the tractor market continued to shrink, manufacturers such as Bührer, Hanomag and Hela decided to cease tractor production. There were also several takeovers in the 1970s. Hürlimann and Lamborghini's tractor division were acquired by Same. Finland's Valmet took over the tractor division of Sweden's Volvo in 1979. Furthermore, Case was acquired by Tenneco, which not much later also bought the British David Brown.

1972: Mb-Trac 65/70

At the 1972 DLG exhibition, Mercedes-Benz presented its Mb-Trac 65/70 system tractor. The tractor was equipped with a 3.8-liter Mercedes four-cylinder engine rated at 48 kW (65 hp).

The tractor had a 16+4-speed transmission and reached a maximum speed of 25 km/h (25 mph). As standard, the tractor was equipped with four-wheel drive and had a platform behind the cab on which implements, such as a sprayer, could be mounted.

Production began in 1973 and was discontinued after 2,714 units in 1975, when the tractor was succeeded by the 700 and 800. The Mb-Trac remained in the Mercedes-Benz program until the company ceased production of it in 1991.

1972: Deutz Intrac 2002

ithin the same 1972 DLG exhibition, Deutz presented the new Intrac 2002 system tractor. The tractor was equipped with a 2.8-liter air-cooled Deutz three-cylinder engine rated at 37.3 kW (51 hp).

The synchronized gearbox had eight forward gears, four reverse gears and a maximum speed of 25 km/h (25 mph). Like the Mb-Trac shown at the same fair, the Deutz Intrac 2002 had a platform behind the cab on which implements could be attached.

However, the construction of the Intrac 2002 differed from that of the Mb-Trac. For example, the tractor came standard with a front hitch and the cab was mounted above the front axle for optimum visibility. Furthermore, the Intrac was available with both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, while the Mb-Trac was only available with four-wheel drive.

Production of the 2002 Intrac began in 1972 and stopped after 1,159 units in 1974, when the tractor was succeeded by the 43.9 kW (60 hp) four-cylinder 2003 Intrac, which was also available with a 40 km/h gearbox. In the same year, the six-cylinder 2005 Intrac was introduced, with an output of 58.6 kW (80 hp). This tractor had a hydrostatic gearbox, but production was discontinued after only 5 units in 1975.

As a successor to the 2005 Intrac, Deutz came out with the 2006 Intrac, which produced 85 kW (116 hp). Only ten units of this were produced. This was followed by the Intrac 2007 with a power output of 102.5 kW (140 hp), but production of the 2007 Intrac was soon discontinued.

In 1978, the Intrac 2004 was introduced as the successor to the Intrac 2003. This tractor had an output of 51.2 kW (70 hp) and was produced until 1989. A biogas-powered prototype was also developed.

In 1986, Deutz-Fahr in cooperation with Mercedes came out with the Intrac 6.60 Turbo, a 110 kW (150 hp) heavy-duty tractor, followed by the 6.05 and Intrac 6.30 in 1987, with power ratings of 72 and 85 kW (98 and 115 hp). The smaller Intrac models were replaced in 1989 by the Intrac 6.30 Turbo with 93 kW (123 hp) output.

In 1991, Mercedes ceased production of the Mb-Trac and withdrew from the partnership, so Deutz-Fahr decided to end production of the Intrac.

1972: John Deere 4430

In 1972, John Deere introduced the New Generation II series. The top model was the 4430 with the new Soundguard cab. The tractor was equipped with a 6.6-liter six-cylinder engine, producing 106.4 kW (145 hp).

As standard, the tractor came with an 8+2 partially synchronized gearbox, but a 16+16 full power shift was optional. New was the Soundguard cab, which featured a curved windshield and a noise level of 85 decibels.

In 1973, hydrostatic four-wheel drive became available as an option for the tractor. In 1976, the improved SG2 cab was introduced, reducing the noise level to 80 decibels.

The 4430 remained in production until 1977 and was replaced by the 4440. In 1981, the smaller models also received the SG2 cab. The last new series with SG2 cab was the 1991 4060 series, which was produced until 1994.

Schilter UT 7200

In 1969, Schilter began developing the UT series of tractors with a low center of gravity. Series production of the UT series did not begin until three years later, in 1972. The first model series included the models UT 3200, UT 5000 and the top model UT 7200. Later, the UT 6500 and UT 6000 were also added to the range.

The top model, the UT 7200, featured a 3.9-liter Perkins four-cylinder engine rated at 52.8 kW (72 hp). The tractor's gearbox had 24 forward and 12 reverse gears, achieving a speed of 26 mph.

The tractor came standard with a front PTO. Instead of a front hitch, the tractor was equipped with a front loader, which could also serve as a front hitch if necessary. Furthermore, the tractor also came standard with four-wheel steering.

The most striking feature of the tractor's construction was that it had four equally sized wheels and a short wheelbase. The weight of the tractor was 2,250 kg.

Production of the UT 7200 was discontinued in 1977 after 59 units. It was to be succeeded by the UT 7202, but only one prototype of this remained.

In 1980, after a total of 881 units including prototypes, production of the UT series was discontinued. Production of the smaller Wiesel series, which had been in the program since 1976, was not discontinued until 1991.

1975: Scaffold Big Jack

While Doe ceased production of tandem tractors in the early 1970s, American Steiger was busy testing the Big Jack tricycle tractor in 1975. The tractor was based on three Steiger Cougar tractors and featured three Caterpillar 3306 engines with a combined power output of 550.5 kW (750 hp).

The tractor was equipped with three clutches and three transmissions, each of which had to be operated separately. Furthermore, the tractor frames could independently oscillate up to 15 degrees.

It remained a prototype, because first, there were no large enough implements, and second, operating the transmissions separately posed problems.

A year later, Steiger presented a 477.1 kW (650 hp) tandem tractor called the Panther PT650, but it too did not get beyond the prototype stage.

1975: Valmet 1502

In 1975, Valmet presented its 1502 six-wheeled tractor. The tractor featured a turbocharged 6.8-liter Valmet six-cylinder engine, which produced an output of only 100 kW (135 hp).

The gearbox was a synchronized 16+4-speed transmission with a maximum speed of 30 km/h. In the first version of the tractor, only the rear tandem axle was driven, but in 1979 the front axle was also powered.

Notable was the construction of the tractor, which looked more like a forestry machine than an ordinary tractor. It came standard with a skid frame.

The tractor went into series production in 1975, but sold poorly: the price was high and the turning radius was 14.6 meters. Therefore, Valmet discontinued production in 1980.

1977: Versatile 1080 Big Roy

In 1977, Canadian tractor manufacturer Versatile presented the 1080 Big Roy with eight driven wheels, named after its 1.93-meter-long director Roy Robinson. The tractor was equipped with two six-cylinder Cummins engines with a combined capacity of 19 liters and a total power output of 444 kW (600 hp).

The tractor had a 6+1 gearbox and achieved a maximum speed of 21 mph. The monster had a total length of no less than 10 meters and weighed 26,141 kg.

Because the second engine was placed behind the cab and obstructed the view to the rear, the tractor was equipped with a reversing camera. During demonstrations, however, the first problems came to light: no implements large enough for the tractor were available, and the tires were damaged during articulation.

Therefore, the manufacturer decided to stop development and Versatile developed the 350.4 kW (470 hp) powerful Versatile 1150, which entered the market in 1981. The 1080 Big Roy eventually found its new home at the Manitoba Agricultural Machinery Museum in Brandon.

1978: Trantor Series I

HST Developments of Stockport, England, began developing tractors intended for transportation work around the farm in the 1970s, and presented the Trantor Series I in 1978. The tractor featured a 58 kW (78 hp) Perkins four-cylinder engine and a synchronized 10+2-speed gearbox, which could reach speeds of up to 96.5 km/h (96.5 mph).

In addition, the tractor was equipped with hydropneumatic brakes and air brakes for the trailer. The construction of the tractor was very similar to that of an ordinary tractor, but stood out because of its sprung front axle, smaller rear wheels and wide cab.

In 1983, the Series I was succeeded by the Series II, with a 59.6 kW (80 hp) Leyland engine. The cab was shortened at the rear, making room for a loading platform.

Later, in 1985, the company came out with the Trantor Hauler, which was equipped with a 93.9 kW (126 hp) Perkins six-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive.

Production of Trantor tractors ceased in the late 1980s, but was resumed in 2004 by Indian manufacturer HMT, which had stopped tractor production several years earlier.

1977: Big Bud 16V-747

In 1977, American articulated tractor manufacturer Big Bud built a tractor for pulling deep cultivators at the request of Rossi Farms in California. Originally equipped with a 24.1-liter Detroit V16 engine rated at 570 kW (760 hp), the tractor was later upgraded to 640 kW (860 hp), then to 720 kW (960 hp), and today has an output of 807.2 kW (1,100 hp). This still makes the tractor the most powerful ever built.

Torque in the 960 hp configuration is 3,390 Nm, which is lower than the 4,234 Nm of the John Deere 9RX 830, which delivers a maximum output of 672 kW (913 hp).

To provide the tractor with sufficient fuel during a long working day, it is equipped with a 3,745-liter fuel tank. The gearbox is a powershift transmission with six forward gears and one reverse. The load-sensing hydraulic pump has an output of 227 liters per minute.

The empty weight of the tractor is 43,092 kg, and with ballast it rises to 58,968 kg. The tractor was delivered on twin wheels and was equipped with 35R38 tires. The length of the tractor is 868 centimeters and the width is 635 centimeters.

The tractor cost about $300,000 at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that works out to more than $1.5 million (about 1.31 million euros).

1977: Upton HT-14/350

ance the second half of the 1970s, heavy tractors with only rear-wheel drive quietly disappeared from the European market. However, in several markets, such as the United States, Canada and Australia, such tractors were still available.

In 1977, Australian tractor manufacturer Upton built the HT-14/350, the heaviest rear-wheel-drive tractor at the time, as well as the heaviest standard-wheel tractor for a long time. The tractor was equipped with a 14-liter Cummins six-cylinder engine rated at 261 kW (350 hp). The gearbox was a powershift transmission with 14 forward and 4 reverse gears.

The tractor had no PTO and no PTO, but it was equipped with a hydraulic pump with an output of 182 liters per minute. Most notable was the tractor's construction, with the cab placed in front of the rear axle-a feature of the tractors Upton had built since 1964.

The rear wheels were from a scraper and featured imposing 33.5R33 tires. The empty weight of the tractor was 18,361 kg and the maximum weight was 23,133 kg, which even today is a lot for a tractor in this power class. By comparison, the 2005 Fendt 936 Vario, rated at 360 hp, weighed only 10,360 kg.

Only one example of the HT-14/350 was built, but eight of its smaller brother, the MT-855 (rated at 300 hp), were produced.

In 1981, Upton decided to stop producing tractors because of increasing competition. The company then turned to manufacturing and importing sprinkler systems-an activity it continues to this day.

1978: Massey Ferguson 4880

In 1978, Massey Ferguson introduced its new articulated tractors: the 4840 and the 4880. The top model, the 4880, was equipped with a turbocharged 14.9-liter Cummins V8 engine and produced 202 kW (273 hp).

The transmission was a semi-powershift with 18 forward and six reverse gears, and achieved a top speed of 32 mph. New was the tractor's standard electronic linkage, which collected information and used it for automatic linkage adjustment. This made operation more precise and faster.

Fendt introduced the optional Turbomatik E electronic linkage on its Favorit 600 LSA series in the same year.

1978: International 3388

In 1978, International launched the 3388 and 3588 2+2 articulated tractors, which were soon nicknamed Snoopy. The top model, the 3588, was equipped with a 7.6-liter six-cylinder engine rated at 129.9 kW (177 hp). The gearbox was a 16+8 powershift transmission, capable of reaching a speed of 33 mph.

A striking feature of the design was that, unlike normal articulated tractors, the cab was on the rear part of the chassis, while the engine was placed in front of the front axle.

A year later, the 3788 was added to the program, with a power output of 146.8 kW (200 hp). The second generation followed in 1981, consisting of the 6388, 6588 and 6788, with power ratings of 117.1, 132 and 149.1 kW (157, 177 and 200 hp), respectively.

This series was built until 1984. International already had successors ready in the form of the 7288 and 7488, with power ratings of 154.1 and 183.5 kW (210 and 235 hp), but after the takeover by Tenneco they decided to end production of the 2+2 concept. One more prototype was built: a Magnum 7140 on the 2+2 principle.

Valmet later adopted the 2+2 concept with the X Series, intended for forestry and municipal work. This tractor was succeeded by the XM, which remained on the market until 2007.

1978: Schlüter Profi-Trac 5000 TVL

In 1978, Schlüter built the Profitrac 5000 TVL, a tractor developed on the basis of the Profi-Trac 3500 TVL. The tractor was equipped with a 20.9-liter MAN V12 engine with an output of 368 kW (500 hp).

The gearbox was a ZF 8+4 transmission specially developed for this tractor, which allowed a speed of 30 km/h to be achieved.

Although the tractor had no PTO, it was equipped with a hitch with a lifting capacity of 7,300 kg. The empty weight was 18,000 kg and increased to 22,000 kg with ballast.

Yugoslavia showed interest in the tractor at the time and had commitments for orders, but these never materialized. As a result, the tractor did not go into series production.