Events and Activities : Big Bud in the Neighborhood

Big Bud in the field, covering over an acre a minute!

Big Bud, "The World's Largest Farm Tractor" arrived in Independence at the Heartland Acres Agribition Center, in more than one piece, but he's there!

Because of his size, the tires, Big Bud's tires were hauled in on a flat bed trailer, and then Big Bud is reassembled at the site.

Built in 1977, out in Havre, Montana, the tractor measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide and 14 feet tall. The tires themselves are 8 feet in diameter. It carries a 1,000 gallon fuel tank that when it's full makes the tractor tip the scales at over 100,000 pounds.

The tractor was designed for the Rossi Brothers, of Bakersfield, California who used it on their cotton farm for deep ripping. They owned Big Bud for 11 years.

After leaving the cotton farm, Big Bud moved to Indiantic, Florida to the Willowbrook Farms where they also used the tractor for deep ripping. Willowbrook Farms then retired Big Bud.

Back in 1997 Big Bud went back home to Montana, a few miles from his birthplace. The Williams Brothers of Big Sandy, Montana bought the tractor and brought it to their farm located in Chouteau County. The tractor was then used for cultivation purposes, and pulled an 80 foot cultivator.

The tractor covers more than one acre per minute, and goes up to 8 mph.

The tractor is all original...except for it's new coat of paint!

So if you are a farmer, know a farmer, just love tractors, or want to see something you may not have the chance to see again...take a spin to see Big Bud! He will be at a special Antiques and Collectible Show and Tractor show there in Independence that will be held on May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Admission is $5 each.

P.S. Don't forget the camera!