What is the Biggest Tractor in the World? A Close Look at the Big Bud 747

The Big Bud 747 is a custom-built farm tractor created in the late 1970s in Havre, Montana. It is one of several Big Bud tractors made at the Northern Manufacturing Company plant. The first two Big Bud tractors, the 250 Series, were built in 1968 and used on the Semenza Farm, a 35,000-acre property near Fort Benton and Chester, Montana.

Big Bud 747 was designed in 1977 by Wilbur Hensler and built for the Rossi Brothers, Elmer and Melvin, cotton farmers in California. They used it for over ten years, mainly for deep ripping, a process that loosens compacted soil up to 20 inches (50 cm) deep.

Later, the tractor was sold to Willowbrook Farms in Indialantic, Florida. They also used the tractor for deep ripping purposes.

As a unique machine, finding replacement parts became increasingly difficult. So in 2009, the owners decided to retire Big Bud 747 from active farm work and display it in museums. The Big Bud 747 was often showcased at events and admired for its massive size as the world’s largest tractor.

Who Owns the Big Bud 747 Now?

In September 2020, Robert and Randy Williams purchased this tractor and brought it to their farm in Chouteau County, Montana. So the Big Bud 747 resumed work on the fields, where it pulled an 80-foot cultivator, covering 1.3 acres per minute.

Big Bud 747 holds the title of the world’s largest tractor, a claim recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Its impressive dimensions and features include:

• Engine Power: 1,100 hp (820 kW)
• Induction: 2 turbochargers, 2 superchargers
• Starter: 24 volts
• Forward speeds: 6
• Reverse speeds: 1
• Height: 14 feet (4.3 m)
• Fender Width: 13 feet 4 inches (4 m)
• Dual Width: 25 feet 6 inches (7.8 m)
• Frame Length: 27 feet (8.2 m) or 28 feet 6 inches (8.7 m) with the drawbar
• Wheelbase: 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 m)
• Tire Diameter: 8 feet (2.4 m)
• Tire Width: 39.6 inches (1 m)
• Weight: 95,000 pounds (4309 kg)
• Diesel Fuel Capacity: 1,000 gallons (3785 liters)
• Hydraulic Reservoir: 150 gallons (56 liters)

Notably, the Big Bud 747 weight with a full tank is 100,000 pounds (45359 kg), and its ballasted weight is 135,000 pounds (61235 kg).

This tractor has undergone several changes since its creation—one of the most significant updates involved replacing its original tires.

When the United Tire Company of Canada closed in 2000, finding replacements for the original 8-foot-tall tires became impossible. In July 2020, the tractor was fitted with smaller Goodyear LSW1400/30R46 tires, which are slightly under 7 feet taller than the originals. The Williams Brothers provided new rims to fit these tires, increasing the tractor’s overall width to more than 25 feet.

Other modifications include upgrades to the engine power. Initially, the Big Bud 747 horsepower was 760. Then it was increased to 900 hp by its second owner and later to 1,100 hp in 2011, thanks to new injectors installed by the Williams Brothers.

Interesting facts about the biggest tractor are the following:

• The Big Bud 747 price was around $300,000 in the 1970s. Today, as a rare exhibition piece, its value is estimated to be 3 to 6 times higher
• The tire lugs originally measured 7,87 inches in height have worn down to less than 2 inches over the years
• Some people wonder how many Big Buds were made. But only one Big Bud 747 was ever built, making it a unique machine
• Its name was inspired by the Boeing 747, the largest airplane at the time
• When the tractor was moved to Clarion, Iowa, a special exhibition building called the “Big Red Shed” was constructed to house it

Let’s take a look at another nine largest tractors in the world, ranked by engine power and weight. Most of them are custom-made, but John Deere, Fendt, and MeriCrusher are available for purchase.

John Deere 10X 890, also known as “Copy Cat”, is the third largest tractor in the world. It was created by two enthusiasts from the USA, Ashton Lewis and Bobby White.

Ashton, the owner, asked Bobby to help turn a 1990 John Deere 8960 into a powerful machine, inspired by another tractor rebuilt by Bill Dietrich. The original tractor cost $141,736, and the rebuild involved replacing the engine and extending parts like the hood and frame.

In fourth place is the Rite 750 Earthquake tractor, built by Dave and John Curtis of Rite Tractors. This model is one of the largest agricultural tractors with a total of 38 produced since 1973. The “750” in its name refers to its initial horsepower.

Later, it was upgraded with an 850-horsepower Detroit Diesel engine and earned the nickname Earthquake because of its impressive performance.

This tractor was built in 1994 by Alph and Koos Coetzer in South Africa and then sold to one of the largest farms in the country. When first launched, it was considered the most powerful tractor ever made in small production numbers.

This was thanks to its V12 ADE biturbo Mercedes engine, which produced 820 hp and worked with a Twin Disc powershift transmission. This setup allowed it to perform well on tough African fields.

The ACO series was used on farms in South Africa for over 30 years, but unfortunately, with the closing of the ACO factory, these tractors are no longer supported.

This tractor is known for its unique design and ability to work in conditions where regular tractors struggle. It has a powerful engine with 768 hp and a strong mechanical power take-off, allowing it to work efficiently in the field while using less fuel.

The MT-700 features a hydrostatic drive that lets you adjust the speed from 0 to 18 km/h. Its lift arms are independently controlled, which helps with leveling while working.

This large farm tractor was produced from 1987 to 1990. It is powered by a massive diesel engine that produces up to 740 hp. The Big Bud 740 weighs almost 75,000 pounds and has a fuel tank that holds 2,650 liters.

Its four-wheel drive and strong build make it perfect for tough terrains, and it has been popular among farmers worldwide.

The Rite 707 was built in Great Falls, Montana, by Dave and John Curtis of Rite by Curtis. The brothers initially sold Wagner tractors for industrial use but were inspired to create a farm tractor when a customer requested a 425 hp machine. Using their experience with Wagner’s issues, they designed a new transmission and worked with a local engineering company to help them build the tractor.

Their Rite 707 tractor was known for having the first automatic, infinitely variable speed mechanical transmission. It features a powerful 700-hp Detroit Diesel engine.

The biggest tractors in the world express the spirit of innovation and progress in the agricultural sector. With their high power, they perform farming tasks more efficiently and quickly, saving time and money.

Whether you have a tractor or other farm equipment, such as a combine harvester, seeder, sprayer, or baler, reach out to Atlantic Project Cargo. We offer safe and timely door-to-door delivery and cost-effective solutions.