Big Bud!

[Harold Zebart]

Great perspective on the size of the Big Bud 747 - The world's largest tractor. In this tractor parade it makes the other classic farm tractors look like toys. Built in 1977 in Havre, Montana. 760 horsepower with a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine. Measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 14 feet tall. Tires were specially made by United Tire Company of Canada and are 8 feet in diameter. When the 1,000 gallon fuel tank is full the tractor weighs in at 130,000 lbs!

 

[Ted in NE-OH]

I don't think I could afford to fill the gas tank. LOL
 

[johndeerefan]

I have a picture of me sitting in the wheel. It is definitely worth the time to look it over.

It does have a very large fuel tank.
 

[ShadetreeRet]

Just what I need to tend my garden! Thanks for the post. As you said, that REALLY puts things in perspective! I don't remember seeing those specs. either.
 

[ShadetreeRet]

I just did a Google search on Big Bud, according to Wackypedia it cost $300,000. to build then. Wonder what that would figure out to today? Said it also has a 150 gallon hydraulic oil tank. It has had about tree different owners. No wonder the retired it, with those capacities, no one could afford to operate it today!
 

[Olen (TN)]

CPI inflation calculator says 1,140,490.10
 

[Mike (WA)]

At least as of a couple of years ago, they were still farming with it. Brothers in Montana that farm about a zillion acres. It chisel plows an acre a minute. And IIRC, fuel consumption per acre is about the same as smaller units. They had it on an episode of Classic Tractor Fever on RFD TV, showed it in action. The owner didn't indicate any plan to retire it- all parts are readily rebuildable, and as he said "What would we replace it with?"
 

[Mike (WA)]

I just googled it, and it appears they have retired it- they have it on display at various museums.
 

[MF Poor]

I saw an interview with the Williams Bros. where they stated they're now no tilling wheat instead of conventional tillage. So Big Bud is on the porch enjoying retirement. But when they used it, in spite of huge fuel tank, and high gallons per hour fuel useage, it was still VERY efficient in terms of acres per gallon of diesel used.
 

[Mark-Ia]

Big Bud at Heartland Acres in Independence Iowa. Aug 2012


 

[Mark-Ia]

One more pic.
 

[Fred from MO]

Holy Cow!! That is huge!! Im with the feller that said he couldnt afford to fill the gas tank. I would have to take out a loan at that gas station. But at todays percent increase in gas if you could lock a 30 year rate in on gas today it would probably be a good deal!!!!
 

[Mark-Ia]

One more, don't know what happened to the other. Retired friend of mine.

 

[BANDITFARMER]

Many years ago BTO here in SW Ohio had a Big Bud and got it stuck in the mud. Many people turned out to see them pull it out. There were 3 D9 Cats 1 D8 Cat and 4 Cat track hoes out there digging and tring to pull it out. 3 days later and many broken chains and cables later they got Big Bud out, And left one ungodly whole to fill in! It was truely something to see. Bandit
 

[rabbit]

This tractor has gained status around here second only to the ETD!