Buhler Versatile is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of 4WD tractor production at 1260 Clarence Avenue in Winnipeg. In 1966, the first run of Versatile D100 4WD articulated tractors was built at the factory that still produces Versatile tractors today.
“Those first tractors were pretty basic by today’s standards,” says Chuck Balmer, Sales and Marketing Manager for Buhler Versatile. “But back then they were quite the sight. No one had heard of Versatile tractors before and the word of mouth about the price, power and quality started to spread.” Balmer joined Versatile in 1969 as a Territory Manager.
The D100 featured a 363 cu in. inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, with 100 horsepower at the drawbar. That same year included production of a G100 model as well, powered by a 318 cu in. V8. These early models sold for less than $10,000.
Throughout the past 40 years the factory has changed ownership three times, though the production of the articulated 4WD tractors has continued. Thousands of Versatile-built 4WD’s still work the land across North America and around the world.
“We still focus on quality, value and reliability,” adds Balmer. “The farms are bigger and our 4WD’s are certainly bigger, but we still rely on the core values that made Versatile a success.”
1966 Versatile D100 will be featured at Big Iron Farm Show.
To help kickoff the 40th Anniversary celebrations, Buhler Versatile will feature a restored 1966 Versatile D100 at the Big Iron Farm Show in Fargo, ND from September 12 to 14.
The full line of Buhler Versatile tractors will also be at the show, including the HHT Series (High Horsepower Tractors), first introduced at the Big Iron Farm Show 24 months ago. Now available in 435 horsepower, 485 horsepower or the 535 horsepower, these tractors continue to impress farmers around the world with their size, weight, hydraulic capacity, cab comfort and ease of serviceability.
Buhler Versatile tractors are also on display this week at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, NE and at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, ON. Next week the tractors will be featured at the Buhler booth at the Ohio Farm Science Review near Columbus, OH.
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Buhler Versatile Inc. is a division of Buhler Industries Inc. (TSX: BUI) that designs, manufactures and distributes agricultural equipment. The products are marketed under the Buhler brand name, including the Farm King®, Allied®, Inland® and Versatile® product lines. Buhler Industries Inc. operates ten modern manufacturing and eight distribution centers totaling over 1.6 million square feet of facilities in the United States and Canada and employs more than 800 people. For more information visit www.buhler.com.
Adam Reid
Advertising Manager
Phone: (204) 479-4667
E-mail: areid@buhler.com
Trading symbol: BUI