Top Ten Classic Four Wheel Drive Tractors - Classic Tractor Fever

There’s been four wheel drive tractors since the start of the industry, but they didn’t catch on until the late 1950’s. At that time, farms were getting bigger and farmers needed large tractors with more horsepower.
Four wheel drive tractors with over 100 horsepower seemed to be the answer. Some of these tractors were great successes while others massive failures. Let’s take you through our top ten classic four wheel drive tractors.
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[@rosstheoliverman]

I love the old articulated tractors! I think they have been sadly overlooked by many collectors over the years. It’s neat to see them still out working. They’re definitely a bargain if you’re looking for some brute horsepower.

[@zarekmontgomery3285]

My brother lives in Clarion, Iowa. We went to visit him and our hotel just happened to be across the road from Heartland Mueseum. We decided to go in there. Best museum I've ever been in. The first admission building had old cars and a 1950s themed hallway. They also had a bunch of old military items.. In the back was all of the old tractors and semis with a room up above for collectible toy tractors. In a separate building is where they kept the big bud with a bunch of different Farmalls. I got to sit inside of the exact big bud on the video before it was put back to work. They had the new wheels sitting out front. Would 100% recommend this to anyone who loves that kind of thing.

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

These tractors truly are classics. I had the honor of getting a private viewing of Big Bud early on on starting my channel. I got to sit on the cab and see it start and run. That is quite an experience standing next to that massive engine while it is running. Thanks for this video. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 👍🏻

[@ericcoffedgp40]

Great compilation of these neat old tractors! I have always been fascinated by these old four wheel drive tractors.

[@bigjoe65459]

Let's not forget 1953 Big 4 with 150 Horsepower, four wheel drive, and 4 wheel steer.

[@rawbacon]

Love the wheels on that Nelson shown at the beginning.

[@rickyjohnson4767]

Awesome video I used to work on a farm in Tennessee 1970's to 1986 mostly I drove 2wheel drive. And 7520 jd & 8630 really like big bud but never drove one

[@mikewasfaret9563]

Big bud 747 now has new tires and is in the field again in Montana.

[@pnwRC.]

FANTASTIC video!

[@deanbarr5740]

I agree with Don McDonald, im no big tech farmer but i love my JD 3025 compact with loader. Would be great to see the evolution of the compacts tractors. 👍👊👊🇺🇸

[@AgricultureKuban]

Thank you for a very interesting story about a tractor, you are making history. And the tractors are very cool, at that time they were advanced tractors.

[@chrisretired5379]

Awesome, informative video! Thank You

[@mingthemerciless6855]

I love Big Bud, awesome!

[@davidcaskey3665]

Love these oldies

[@paulwilliamson1982]

Love this channel!! Greetings from Northern Ireland!!! First comment, Whoo!!!

[@JasperTheJackal]

Yee yee brother

[@markcook7907]

@@JasperTheJackal ⁰00⁰⁰00⁰⁰0⁰⁰000

[@cooperthehunter3781]

The A100 was my favorite but I always loved the case 2 plus twos and steigers.

[@douglasanderson153]

Great Video, thanks.

[@real_cool_stuff]

Awesome tractors!

[@wallyostercamp.9557]

We had 97 with out the front end assist ,was a great puller it had duals and a full vision cab.

[@KubotaBXathome]

Unbelievable monsters, interesting to see!

[@huntercox1859]

I like how most of them had the old 2 stroke Detroit’s in them. They don’t make em like they used too

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

Mechanical fuel injection and supercharged (roots blown) perfect for low speed, high rev operating.

[@ikonseesmrno7300]

Great video! A top ten of the first generation SP forage harvesters would be neat. Wonder if you guys can find a Gehl SP188 operating somewhere to film.

[@TALHA0632]

Beatiful, super video...

[@74beeper97]

Great list

[@KubotaBXathome]

Very cool tractors!

[@Dawsonsrailfanadventures74]

The IH DT466 motor is definitely a very reliable motor

[@outtatime4512]

I really enjoyed that...

[@littlerougue]

Great list I would like to see a top ten list by decade

[@deanbarr5740]

Very interesting

[@indianasunsets5738]

It's a good list.

[@nolandavis9040]

We all knew Big Bud was gonna be on top. It’s just a given

[@2148aa]

I got to see it before it left Heartland Museum in Clarion, Iowa September, 2020 with new rims and tires on. The skinny was the 2 cycle Detroit diesel engine was a fuel hog even for the massive horse power. It is a show piece more then practical.

[@nellsonstout7001]

Bryan Wilkins maybe now, but as the video explains, it was built for a purpose and it served it well. It’s got over 10,000 hours if that says anything

[@ericcoffedgp40]

I have a suggestion for top ten tractors, how about top ten garden tractors!

[@georgedavidson7986]

Cub Cadet vs JD

[@ericcoffedgp40]

@@georgedavidson7986 That would be interesting!

[@jimgoodwin6294]

@@georgedavidson7986 Loved the CC.....

[@davelydon1982]

I love this youtube channel

[@hansjacob8298]

Great video

[@wylieisnothere5062]

but now the big bud 747 is back working the fields because they just got her a new set of shoes, the titan tire lsw 1400. they are the worlds largest ag tires, its really great to see a true legend back working the fields

[@Saskatchewan_IH_Farmer]

Top 10 Canadian Built tractors/farm equipment would be something I’d love to see as a Saskatchewan farmer. And would be good for everyone to see there was a lot more Canadian farm equipment manufacturers then ppl like to admit. Or the top 10 most desired/rarest collector tractors Or the top 10 steam traction engines. I know my #1 on all 3 of those lists.

[@douglasanderson153]

Wow, Big Bud is huge

[@wyattbrewster3676]

Greetings from new castle indiana. Keep em coming. A cool video idea would be about some steam tractors, and other farm implements in that time period.

[@hunterjacobs2178]

Greetings from decatur indiana.

[@glenndickson7627]

Good video

[@martingardener90]

Another greeting from Northern Ireland! But wait - No County 1884? Oh come on!

[@darcybowyer5743]

No mention of any County tractors! This is a crime!

[@martingardener90]

@@darcybowyer5743 No Muir-Hill, Matbro, Roadless, Bray, Northrop, Kirovets or Dutra!

[@philhawley1219]

I had a 1174 forestry with 2 8ton winches ,2.5ton crane and a dozer blade .A beast!

[@martingardener90]

@@philhawley1219 Sounds like the tractor equivelent to a Swiss Army knife!

[@philhawley1219]

@@martingardener90 It was. Push, pull or lift anything within reason.

[@thevox1075]

Versatile 145.

[@paulhudson8321]

The international 4300 would be a nice collectors tractor very few built. Very powerful tractor and not a bad price.

[@ricknelson7824]

I had 2 of the 4300 IHC and they were way ahead in some ways, but hotter than heck in the cab.

[@donmacdonald7758]

How about the evolution of the compact tractor.

[@donmacdonald7758]

@Derrick Woods If it s not made in Canada I don t Care.

[@ronwhittaker6317]

can't beat a big bud

[@shortlandsAgri944]

Very insightful. Please look into the ACO tractors build in South Africa. Went up to 612kw

[@CheeseMiser]

No

[@apes4life]

Big Bud 747 is again working the fields in MT.

[@krislorrainepeterson7940]

Looks like a 3-71 in the Stieger

[@nellsonstout7001]

It is. There’s 3 of that model (105.) ive seen one and it had a 3-71 as well

[@larrylawson5172]

Yep

[@claytonhaffner384]

I wonder where my Grandpa's JD 8020 went. It had its plow and everything.

[@greg9403]

What about the Ford County four wheel drive. I could work the fields really early with that tractor.

[@martingardener90]

My favourite was the County 1124 or maybe a Roadless 120!

[@CheeseMiser]

I wouldn't count front wheel drives, only those that are 4wd and articulated

[@Buck1954]

There are Big-Buds still in use on Welker Farms in Montana.

[@lynwessel2471]

And quite a few others still in use.The Big Equipment Co in Havre MT (the guy who owned the Big Bud Co) refurbishes and updates them and resells them .

[@jhomrich89]

Update, the big bud got new tires and rims made for it and is back in service 😁

[@jimgoodwin6294]

Back in the day, hitching 2 tractors together in tandem became a common practice in the US, UK & Australia. The UK took this one stage further and produced the Doe Triple D. Based on 2 x Fordson Major Tractors..... Massey Ferguson 1200 deserves a mention as a downsized US model for the UK & Europe....

[@codyzellmer1998]

I love how many of these had Detroit Diesel engines

[@apes4life]

2 strokers to boot!

[@eastpointer1304]

i think the massey harris gp30 built in the early 30s during thedepression should make the list anyone agree with me

[@iantheodd1667]

Yeah

[@Saskatchewan_IH_Farmer]

I never thought of that until you mentioned it. It was definitely ahead of its time. I’ve only seen 1 personally but it sure was a conversation starter at "STEAM ERA" in Milton Ontario

[@CheeseMiser]

Not a 4wd. Its not articulated

[@martingardener90]

@@CheeseMiser Being articulated doesn't make it 4wd ther are many rigid frame 4wd's with two or four wheel steering and in the case of the County Fourdrive - skidsteer.

[@CheeseMiser]

@@martingardener90 the rigid frame ones are called fwd, front wheel drive or front wheel assist. Some skidsteers have tracks and let alone that, dont always have power to all four wheels. The true 4wd tractors are the articulated ones

[@martingardener90]

What about 3 wheel drive tractors? I nominate the Glasgow for No1 !

[@felixparvais970]

We got a versatile 145

[@MrGlenferd]

My friend has 2 big Massy 4 wheel drives. They have those cat 3208 engines. Why no mention of them? Also Versatile built a massive tractor called big Roy which resides in the museum at Austin Manitoba.

[@robertpsieving4401]

I enjoyed that but would have included JD 7020 & 7520. Also the County tractors imported for Ford

[@benleussink6577]

That is something I noticed. John Deere 8010 is basically the Wagner therefore not really authentic since Wagner is also featured. JD 7020 was the first authentic JD four wheel drive to my knowledge.

[@user-jp7rk1uf2n]

International had a 4100 first. The engine in the A4T 1400 was 504 cubes not 405.

[@loganabrahamson2317]

The 747 bud is running again

[@william2498]

Almost had a brain aneurysm when that 2+2 came up .... good god! I still have nightmares about trying to use that POS! Wasn't powerful enough for big tractor jobs.... but was too damn big to use as a utility tractor.

[@Romans--bo7br]

Great Video... Thanks. One Correction, at the 11:58 you state that the first Steiger (shown in video) is powered by a - quote, "Detroit 6 cylinder 238 hp diesel engine".... I'm not seeing a 6 cylinder Detroit there, in the video. I'm seeing a 3-71N Detroit Diesel.... (3 cyl. 71ci. per cylinder... 2 cycle), Not a 6-71N. As for the Big Bud, it's been back home (in Big Sandy, MT.) since last year summer (2020)... with brand new wheel rims (wider)and spacers, and new tires - Goodyear LSW 1400/30R46 (largest AG Tire in the world) courtesy of (re: Donated) Titan Tire in Des Moines,IA. It's been all freshened up and working the ranch and running as good or better, than ever... "singing" happily at 1,100hp.... 17V92TA.

[@nellsonstout7001]

Correct. Lloyd Pierce was confused. He thought this was the first commercial Steiger and it’s not. It’s stage second Steiger made, and the Steiger brothers built it for themselves. The tractor AFTER that one is the first commercial Steiger, and the real number one does have a 6 cylinder

[@tomtbi]

How about a top 10 from each decade?

[@catwithabat7163]

I hope to god I see Steiger on here

[@TurboChecker12]

You forgot the russian made beasts like T-150 and of course the K-700 & K-700A

[@melchristian8876]

👋👋👍👍

[@BStrick1993]

So many detroit diesels!

[@xxkrazykrewxxl6254]

The ih 4300 and john deere 8020 look very similar

[@davidbarnsley8486]

Welker farms has the big bud so you can watch it being used all the time 👍👍

[@nellsonstout7001]

no they don’t and they have said that multiple times. They have big buds, NOT the 747.

[@bennybean4500]

You guys have the wrong facts the 8020 was not a failure it just didn’t sale because it was so expensive.

[@nellsonstout7001]

I disagree. The fact that the 8020s were recalled 8010s makes them a failure, AND then not selling did too

[@damienodonohue1327]

Correct, given that it was a Clark truck transmission, and not fitted with a transmission oil cooler which led to the over heating/clutch problems, plus pricing most would agree with you!

[@peterdrachmann9010]

What abort smal compact traktor as Holder They are something in the otter end of the traktor world

[@alexmellis6606]

Top 10 muscle Tractors

[@scotpickens5890]

John Deere sound guard cabs on 4×4's

[@clooperman3745]

If the Versatile D100/G100 had 4 forward gears with a 4 speed transfer box shouldn't that give it 16 forward gears not 12 as mentioned!

[@ohioplowboyhawk6738]

Are you drunk Wagner at #10?

[@TheAgrotechnik]

12:10 - as Steiger CEO say- Better Red than dead.

[@leegray4999]

They missed a few four wheel drives on this list , ford , muirhill , are just two and there where a few made in Europe as well !

[@Zero01k]

No Massey Ferguson 4wds?

[@christ2381]

What about all the European and Russian 4x4 tractors?

[@the_retag]

Mb-trac and Kirovets

[@christ2381]

@@the_retag and Hürlimann

[@simongilbert2704]

the stiger has a 3 pot motor not a 6

[@adriangospodaru9733]

Where is Kirovets ?

[@apes4life]

Dammit, now I'm going to waste the next hour watching Kirovet videos!

[@sm340v8]

Steiger #1 appears to have a 3-cylinder Detroit engine, not a 6-cylinder.

[@nellsonstout7001]

Correct. Lloyd Pierce was confused. He thought this was the first commercial Steiger and it’s not. It’s stage second Steiger made, and the Steiger brothers built it for themselves. The tractor AFTER that one is the first commercial Steiger, and the real number one does have a 6 cylinder

[@davidbeard1115]

Massey- Harris GP

[@redneckpyromania6965]

Big bud got moved back to montana

[@benleussink6577]

This is actually only top nine list since the JD 8010 is actually a Wagner since JD wasn't paying attention and had nothing to offer the market at the time.

[@lynwessel2471]

The 8010 was manufactured by John Deere. The later WA -14 and WA-17 were the ones bulit for John Deere by Wagner prior the the 7020 and 7520.

[@thomasschulte9125]

Why would you include the John Deere 8010 and the IH 4300 when by all accounts, including your statements in this video, that they were failures? I thoughht this was a TOP Ten video.

[@outbacknomad9939]

Muirhill

[@Denchik__Souzniy]

Russian tractor k 701 k744

[@jimsteele7108]

No Massey?

[@brandontegan9665]

Right!?

[@everythingtractors9332]

HOW DO I RESTORE HORSEPOWER????

[@charlesuplifted5216]

Rebuild and tune up on engion

[@patrickthompson2471]

Where’s the Woods & Copeland

[@stephenr6427]

Welker farms on KZbin have big bud tractors

[@noahderkatch4029]

until the electric tractors start making there way into the ag market I don't think the 747 will be topped in power

[@Jolly56Roger]

K 700 Russian just watch the tractor pulling!

[@chavellahudgins1271]

Play farming simulator 19 and 17 and use big bud

[@stevehaller6332]

You forget Massey Ferguson tractors

[@thesteelrodent1796]

hardly a TOP ten when half the tractors were a failure. Also the Big Bud 747 may technically be a tractor, but it was built purely for ripping and not for ordinary farm work, thus it doesn't belong with all the others.

[@Colt-tf6xf]

Ford had one too, just sayin....

[@davidstruck8319]

Ford four wheel drives were built by Steiger until they bought Versatile.

[@Colt-tf6xf]

@@davidstruck8319 thanks I didn't know that, I remember seeing pictures of them many years ago and all I really remember about them was they were blue 🤨

[@marcwetter1192]

What is about the German MAN Tractors

[@martingardener90]

Or Schluter?

[@marcwetter1192]

@@martingardener90 yes

[@jhitt79]

Who says “do 100 horsepower?”