Grainswest - Tech 2023

Tech 2023 Grains West 50 AGAINST GRAIN THE B ig Bud 747 is a giant, 1,100-horsepower tractor built by the Northern Manufacturing Company in Havre, Montana, in 1977. The tractor's massive Canadian con- nection is that is was outfitted with eight-foot-tall tires manufactured by the now-defunct United Tire of On- tario. Pulling cultivators in California and Florida, it became something of a celebrity farm implement. Following a stint as a museum piece in Clarion, In- diana’s Heartland Museum, the Arnold Schwarzenegger of tractors now works on the Williams Brothers Farm near Big Sandy, Montana. Additional 550 Big Bud tractors were manufactured in the 1980s. Havre’s Big Equipment Company, the succes- sor of its original manufacturer, in association with Rome Plow Company, has resumed production. In March, Big Bud’s reissue was celebrated with a launch at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG farm show in Las Vegas. Sheer muscle and field coverage remain selling features, but it now also offers a workaround to embedded software that limits the ability of farm- ers to access and repair big-brand tractors. “You the farmer can access any part of the tractor yourself or have any mechanic fix it,” said Ron Harmon, owner of Big Equipment. “We’re not trying to control the parts service business.” The company manufac- tures, customizes and repairs Big Bud tractors in the 300 to 700 horsepower range. With the rise of no-till, these tractors now typically pull big air drills. Return of the legendary Big Bud tractor Though it's a large machine, it's pro- duction run is small. Big Equipment will manufacture just eight new tractors this year, but Harmon hopes to triple production annually. The Big Bud re-re- lease has generated much buzz, and he is confident farmers across North America will purchase the tractor. The current version retains most of its original boxy, no-frills appear- ance, with a more aerodynamic cab. Its parts, including axles, engine and transmission, are heavy duty, widely available components used in mining and construction and generic autos- teer systems can be installed. “They’re an infinitely rebuildable, upgradable tractor. You can keep it running for many, many years,” said Harmon.