It takes an expert to appreciate a truly enormous tractor, as select few can realize the work that big tractors can achieve. Drugging, pulling, and plowing fields of all sizes, tractors come in different capacities, with each carrying its own unique selling point.
Our list below includes only the best from each category, with a brief overview of their characteristics, functions, and overall history. Depending on where you are from, you might refer to the largest tractors in the world by different names, such as farm tractors, tugs, or bulldogs, but one thing is certain: the ability of these powerhouses to provide results regardless of factors concerning the ground, weather conditions, or size of the fields.
Short History about the Big Tractors
Barely 1% of the population realizes the need for giant tractors, especially the huge ones. Emerging in the 19th century, the first portable steam engine employed for farming was called the Barn Engine, made by Richard Trevithick. Gasoline engines came into the game almost 100 years later, as a result of the work by two American engineers.
The boom of tractors began in 1916, when numerous companies competed in the production of the most convenient, productive, and cost-effective tractors. John Deere was the man behind one of these companies, remaining relevant still to this date. The same manufacturing company was the first to invent protective equipment that was installed on the tractors to protect the farmers. A large variety of machinery is available today with all of the modern features and benefits.
Different Types of Biggest Tractors
There are various types of tractors in the market today, with each catering to different needs. From earth moving tractors that help with construction sites amongst other things, to small garden tractors, there is a machine for pretty much every need. What about big tractors though?
Row crop tractors and utility tractors are usually the biggest in size, with rotary tillers, carrier tractors, and industrial tractors following. The largest tractors are universally employed for farming purposes, applicable to certain areas. For instance, a huge tractor is not really practical if the fields are not particularly large as well. Additionally, they are almost impossible to fit within normal roadways due to their sheer size so moving them to other areas is difficult.
Common Uses of a Large Tractor
Although we briefly touched upon some of the areas that large tractors can be used, we did not specifically categorize them based on their type.
Utility Tractors are mainly employed for farming, especially when plowing and pulling of heavy items is required. The largest tractors universally fall under this group, with their main purpose being to cater to the largest farmers in the world. The average farmer would never need a piece of machinery with over 200 hp. The largest tractors operate in the range of 600–1100 hp.
To be honest, hardly anyone would need such machinery, as most of the reviewed tractors were designed and eventually produced to claim one of the worldwide titles that are often used to describe them – such as the largest, widest, heaviest, etc. Nevertheless, if a farmer has a large area that he needs to work on, and can also afford one of the biggest tractors in the world, they would be able to complete the workload in a much faster and more efficient fashion. This is especially true if they get their hands on one of the following models:
The World’s Largest Tractor – Big Bud 16V-747
Developed in 1977 in Montana, The Big Bud 747, also known as 16V-747 Big Bud, is a custom-built farm tractor. The tractor boasts an 1100 horsepower engine and is widely recognized as the truly largest farm tractor, which is also how it is referred to in exhibitions. To get a rough idea of how big it really is, Big Bud 747 is two times the size of the majority of large tractors worldwide.
The 747 tractor was created originally by Wilbur Hensler and Ron Harmon, at a cost of $300,000. When the United Tire Company, located in Canada, went bankrupt, the tractor owners ran out of options when it came to acquiring new tires. As a result, the tractor stopped operating in 2009, moving later into a museum. Surprisingly, in 2020 the tractor was purchased and put back into operation at the Williams Brothers Farm in Montana. The specifications and details of the Big Bud 16V-747 include:
- Length – 27 feet (8.2 m)
- Height – 14 feet (or 4.3 m)
- Weight – 95,000 pounds
- Horsepower – 1,100 hp (originally 760)
See full specs here: Big Bud 16V-747
The Single Example Produced – Versatile 1080 Big Roy
Originally designed to cater to huge farms in Australia, the Versatile Model 1080 was built and designed in 1977. The aim of such a big tractor was to do the work on an enormous single block of farmland, which is not common in the US, as it would be best to stay off of the streets. Alongside the Big Bud, and some of the biggest tractors in the world that we will explore below, the Big Roy was designed with a single goal in mind—to claim the title of world’s biggest tractor.
The concept around this huge tractor was the Cummins KTA-1150 engine that could power up to 600 hp in a four axle tractor. Accessible from both sides and with a tank that could hold up to 550 gallons, a camera and a TV system had to be installed to allow vision from all sides of the tractor. For those wondering about the origins of the name Big Roy, it refers to the President and GM of Versatile, who directed the engineers to build the 1080 model. It comes with the following specifics:
- Length – 30.5 feet (9.3 m)
- Height – 11 feet (3.3 m)
- Weight – 54,450 pounds
- Horsepower – 1,080 hp
See full specs here: Versatile 1080 Big Roy tractor
One of the Biggest Tractors in the World Currently in Use – Case IH Steiger Quadtrac 620
With a maximum 682 hp and an approximate weight of 48,500 pounds, the Case IH Steiger/Quadtrac 600 comes in third amongst the largest tractors in the world. With a GPS system and further digitization utilities, the tractor is the perfect agricultural tool. As the designers behind this tractor claim, drivers of Case IH Steiger/Quadtrac 600 are more reminiscent of supervisors than actual workers with such advanced machinery tools at hand.
The tractor comes in several configurations, with the most popular ones being the HD Wheeled, the HD Wheeled Scraper, and the Quadtrac. The current model was only manufactured in 2017, positioning Case IH Steiger/Quadtrac 600 as one of the few modern large tractors today. A quick overview of the tractor specifications:
- Length – 23.5 feet (7.16 m)
- Height – 12.6 feet (3.866 m)
- Weight – 60,145 pounds
- Horsepower – 620 to 682 hp
See full specs here: CaseIH Steiger 620 Quadtrac tractor
The Largest Tractor Produced on an Ongoing Basis – AGCO Challenger MT975
The MT975 model is the largest amongst the Challenger tractors, developed with a primary aim to serve the North American and Eastern European market. It has a maximum horsepower of 600, while it can operate normally with 27 metric tons of weight. It is considered to be the biggest and strongest tractor ever produced.
To wrap your head around its size, it takes 20 minutes to fill the fuel tank. It is able to maintain a steady ride even when passing across uneven terrains. Due to the massive size of the MT97B AGCO Challenger tractor, it has to operate on dual wheels, with a total width of 5.1m—too large for most roads. A quick overview of its specifications:
- Length – 10.9 feet (3.33 m)
- Weight – 47,500 pounds
- Horsepower – 600 hp
The Biggest John Deere Tractor in the World – John Deere 9620RX
Operating with a humongous Cummins QSX15 engine, the John Deere 9620RX model operates at 620 hp, but can reach up to 670 hp at full force. It can hold up to 400 gallons of fuel, with dual points available for faster filling. The huge tractor comes with 18 forward and 6 reverse gears, offering a balanced consumption of fuel, if operated according to the requirements.
Besides having a powerful engine and being an overall great piece of machinery, John Deere utilizes three-cab seating. When compared to the other large tractors that we reviewed above, the John Deere is by far the quietest, with easy controls and electronic tools all in one place. The back of the tractor can lift up to 10 metric tons and comes with a rear PTO if you customize your tractor order. A quick overview of the 9620RX John Deere specifications:
- Length – 25 feet (7.63 m)
- Height – 10.2 feet (3.12 m)
- Weight – 54,000 pounds
- Horsepower – 620 hp
See full specs here: John Deere 9620RX tractor specs
Final Thoughts
Throughout this piece we have attempted to map out the evolution of tractors, the uses and benefits of owning a large tractor, as well as a brief overview of the largest tractors in the world. There is no question that each of the reviewed giant tractors has left its mark on the history of farming.
They impress on all fronts, with power ranging from 600–1100 hp, weighing between 40,000 and 60,000 pounds, with a height exceeding 10 feet and a length of 30 feet on average. It can be difficult to comprehend these figures, which is why the largest tractors in the world still manage to impress us, even 300 years after the first tractor appeared.
FAQs
Which is the heaviest tractor in the world?
This piece has focused on reviewing the 5 biggest tractors in the world, with the Big Bud 747 weighting the most at 95,000 pounds.
How much fuel does the world’s largest tractor take?
Although there are no complete details on the fuel capacity of all the biggest tractors today, as an example, the Versatile 1080 Big Roy can hold up to 550 gallons of fuel.
Are huge tractors expensive?
As one could easily guess, the world’s biggest tractors are extremely expensive. The reason is not just their massive size and horsepower, but also the amount of work they can produce with a single operator. For instance, the Big Bud 747 costs $300,000.
Is John Deere the biggest tractor in 2021?
No. The John Deere 9620 model is the largest tractor produced by the manufacturer, but it is far from the largest amongst all other farm tractors in this category. For example, it is more than 3 feet shorter in both length and width than the Big Bud, with almost half its horsepower.
