biggeestinworld.jpg Largest tractor in the world. Big Bud 16V747 built in 1977 Powerd by a v-16 Detroit Diesel. Origionally thought to put out 700+ hp on the drawbar, but at the time of manufacture there was no mechanical method to prove its true hp. At the time of rebuilding it in the late 1990's, it was discoved that it actually put out 900 some horses. The 747 designation remained because in 1977 the Boeing 747 was the largest airplane built. Kind of a tribute. Big Bud was based in Havre Montana and made some of the largest agricultural tractors in the world. Some were exported to Austraila, South Africa, and Iran. Nearly every tractor made was custom built. Of course they had some off the rack models but nearly everyone was made to custom order. The origional tractors started in the upper 200 horse range with 300 not being uncommon. During the company's heydays of the 1970's agriculture boom tractors having horsepower of 350 to 500 with a 400+hp being common. During that time was when the 16v747 was manufactured. The slowing economy and farm crisis sent the company to bankruptcy. The plant stood idle for several years until new owners took the reigns in the late 80's. For a short time they produced a new line of tractors with a new design. But the economics of building and selling such a nich market tractor caused the company to abandon new manufacture. Currently Big Bud specializes in rebuilds, parts, and sales of used tractors.