Versatile (company)
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agricultural machinery |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Peter Pakosh, Roy Robinson |
| Headquarters | 1260 Clarence Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Products | Tractors, Tillage Implements |
| Parent | Basak Traktor |
Versatile is a Canadian agricultural machinery manufacturer. The company was founded in 1963[1][2] by Peter Pakosh and Roy Robinson in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. At one time it had 70% of the 4WD tractor market.
History
Versatile was the first company to mass-produce articulated four-wheel-drive tractors, starting in 1966 with the D100 and G100 four-wheel drives. Those ground-breaking tractors were primitive by modern standards, with a 6-cylinder diesel or 8-cylinder gas engine producing 100 horsepower. 1966 models sold for less than CA$10,000.
Daniel Pakosh also developed the first bi-directional tractor in the world. The Versatile 150 launched in 1977.
The Versatile brand, known historically for four-wheel drive tractors, has expanded to include front-wheel assist tractors after acquiring the rights to a few of New Hollands tractors during the CNH merger, self-propelled sprayers, precision seeding & tillage equipment, and combines. In its earlier days (1970s to 1980s), the company made iconic tractors colored red, yellow, and black. The tractors were also known for their flat, boxy appearance, and hardly any curvature as seen on modern tractors. An example of this, the Versatile 856, is to the left.
Four-wheel drive demand increased significantly, with Versatile becoming one of the leaders in four-wheel-drive development and production. By the late 1970s, the Versatile lineup included tractors ranging from 220 to 330 horsepower. With the 1980s came an expanded line of four-wheel-drive tractors that stretched to 470 horsepower in the Versatile 1150. They entered the race to build the largest tractor in the world with "Big Roy", named after one of the founders, in 1977. Roy produced 600 HP on the draw bar.
In 1987, Ford-New Holland bought Versatile.[3] Ford New Holland quickly started assimilating the Versatile range of tractors, the decals were replaced with the Ford name and Versatile name was reduced in size and placed below the model number. Additionally, the iconic Versatile colors were replaced with the blue and white of the Ford tractors. Throughout Versatile's time under Ford-New Holland, various changes and updates were made to the line. Two of the most notable changes were the transition from the flat square sheetmetal, to a more rounded and modernized design, and the addition of a powershift transmission.
In 1991, Fiat Geotech purchased Ford New Holland to create New Holland.[4] Then in 1999, New Holland merged with Case Corporation to create CNH Global. As part of this merger, Versatile had to be sold, as the Case Corporation had the Steiger brand since 1986.[2] Versatile was sold to Buhler Industries Incorporated, returning the iconic red to the tractors, but replacing yellow with white.
On November 1, 2007, Combine manufacturer Rostselmash Inc. acquired 80% of the common shares of Versatile and it was announced that the Versatile brand name will again be the sole name associated with the tractor division.[5]
In 2016, Versatile expanded its tractor range by adding the DeltaTrack system of four tracks replacement of the wheels on their Articulated tractors. In 2017 Versatile returned to its iconic color scheme of red, yellow, and black.[6]
In August 2022, Versatile announced plans for a hydrogen powered tractor, using a 15L Cummins engine.[7]
In early 2024, it was announced that RostSelMash had sold all shares of Versatile (Buhler Industries) to Turkish-based Basak Traktor. [8]
Models
4 Wheel Drives (Articulated)
| Model | Gross HP Rating | Year(s) Manufactured | Engine Make and Displacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 | 100 HP | 1966 | Ford 5.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| G100 | 100 HP | 1966 | Chrysler 5.2L - 8 Cylinder Gasoline |
| 118 | 118 HP | 1967-1971 | Cummins 5.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 125 | 125 HP | 1967-1968 | Ford 6.4L - 8 Cylinder Gasoline |
| 145 | 145 HP | 1967-1971 | Cummins 7.7L - 8 Cylinder |
| 700 | 210 HP | 1972-1977 | Cummins 9.1L - 8 Cylinder |
| 750 | 220 HP | 1976-1977 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 756 | 190 HP | 1986 | Cummins 8.3L - 6 Cylinder |
| 900 | 300 HP | 1972-1977 | Cummins 14.8L - 8 Cylinder |
| 300 | 155 HP | 1973 | Cummins 6.2L - 6 Cylinder |
| 800 | 235 HP | 1973-1977 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 825 | 250 HP | 1977 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 846 | 230 HP | 1988-1993 | Cummins 10.0L 6-cyl diesel |
| 850 | 250 HP | 1973-1977 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 500 | 192 HP | 1977-1979 | Cummins 8.3L - 8 Cylinder |
| 950 | 350 HP | 1977-1982 | Cummins 14.8L - 8 Cylinder |
| 1080 (Big Roy) | 600 HP | 1977 | Cummins 18.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 835 | 230 HP | 1978-1984 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 855 | 250 HP | 1978-1983 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 875 | 280 HP | 1978-1984 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 555 | 210 HP | 1979-1984 | Cummins 9.1L - 8 Cylinder |
| 895 | 310 HP | 1980-1984 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 1150 | 470 HP | 1981-1985 | Cummins 18.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 1156 | 470 HP | 1986-1991 | Cummins 18.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 945 | 335 HP | 1983-1984 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 946 | 325 HP | 1987-1993 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 955 | 350 HP | 1983-1984 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 975 | 360 HP | 1983-1984 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 836 | 210 HP | 1985-1986 | Cummins 10.0L 6-cyl diesel |
| 856 | 240 HP | 1985 | Cummins 10.0L 6-cyl diesel |
| 876 | 280 HP | 1985-1993 | Cummins 10.0L 6-cyl diesel |
| 936 | 310 HP | 1985-1988 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 956 | 335 HP | 1985 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 976 | 360 HP | 1985-1993 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2240 | 240 HP | 2002-2003 | Cummins 8.3L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2270 | 270 HP | 2002-2003 | Cummins 10.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2310 | 310 HP | 2002-2003 | Cummins 10.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2360 | 360 HP | 2002-2008 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2425 | 425 HP | 2002-2008 | Cummins 14.0L - 6 Cylinder |
| 305 | 305 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 10.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 340 | 340 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 10.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 375 | 375 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 10.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 400 | 400 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 10.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 435 | 435 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 485 | 485 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 535 | 535 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 575 | 575 HP | 2008-2011 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 350 | 350 HP | 2012-2017 | Cummins 11.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 375 | 375 HP | 2012-2017 | Cummins 11.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 400 | 400 HP | 2012-2017 | Cummins 11.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 450 | 450 HP | 2012-2017 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 450DT | 450 HP DeltaTrack | 2013-2017 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 500 | 500 HP | 2012-2017 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 500DT | 500 HP DeltaTrack | 2013-2017 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 550 | 550 HP | 2012-2017 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 550DT | 550 HP DeltaTrack | 2013-2017 | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 405 | 400 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 11.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 430 | 430 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 11.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 460 | 460 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 11.8L - 6 Cylinder |
| 530 | 530 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 530DT | 530 HP DeltaTrack | 2018-Present | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 580 | 580 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 580DT | 580 HP DeltaTrack | 2018-Present | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 620 | 616 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 620DT | 616 HP DeltaTrack | 2018-Present | Cummins 14.9L - 6 Cylinder |
Bi-Directional Tractors
| Model | Gross HP Rating | Year(s) Manufactured | Engine Make and Displacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | 84 HP | 1982-1983 | Waukesha 3.6L - 4 Cylinder |
| 150 | 71 HP | 1977-1981 | Perkins 3.9L - 4 Cylinder |
| 256 | 101 HP | 1984-1985 | Cummins 3.9L - 4 Cylinder |
| 276 | 117 HP | 1985-1990 | Cummins 3.9L - 4 Cylinder |
| 9030 | 116 HP | 1990-1997 | Ford 4.4L - 4 Cylinder |
MFWD Tractors
| Model | Gross HP Rating | Year(s) Manufactured | Engine Make and Displacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2145 | 195 HP | 2000-2008 | Ford 7.5L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2160 | 225 HP | 2000-2008 | Ford 7.5L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2180 | 260 HP | 2000-2008 | Ford 7.5L - 6 Cylinder |
| 2210 | 275 HP | 2000-2008 | Ford 7.5L - 6 Cylinder |
| 190 | 190 HP | 2010-2014 | Cummins 6.7L - 6 Cylinder |
| 220 | 220 HP | 2010-2014 | Cummins 6.7L - 6 Cylinder |
| 250 | 250 HP | 2009-2014 | Cummins 8.3L - 6 Cylinder |
| 280 | 280 HP | 2009-2014 | Cummins 8.3L - 6 Cylinder |
| 305 | 305 HP | 2012-2014 | Cummins 8.3L - 6 Cylinder |
| 260 | 260 HP | 2014-2017 | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 290 | 290 HP | 2014-2017 | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 310 | 310 HP | 2014-2017 | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 265 | 265 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 295 | 295 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 315 | 315 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 335 | 335 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 365 | 365 HP | 2018-Present | Cummins 8.9L - 6 Cylinder |
| 175 Nemesis | 175 HP | 2020-Present | Cummins 6.7L - 6 Cylinder |
| 195 Nemesis | 195 HP | 2020-Present | Cummins 6.7L - 6 Cylinder |
| 210 Nemesis | 210 HP | 2020-Present | Cummins 6.7L - 6 Cylinder |
References
- ^ "Peter Pakosh & Roy Robinson (Versatile)". CME. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
- ^ a b "Versatile's rich history in tractors". Successful Farming. 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
- ^ "Versatile's rich history in tractors". Successful Farming. 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ Ap (1990-12-21). "COMPANY NEWS; Ford-Fiat Venture". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
- ^ "Buhler Resurrects Versatile Tractor Brand". Farm Progress. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
- ^ "Versatile launches retro tractor paint in Missouri". Farm Progress. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ "Cummins and Versatile partner to bring 15L hydrogen engines to ag market". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
- ^ https://world-agritech.com/2024/01/10/buhler-shares-to-basak-traktor/ [bare URL]
- Versatile Tractors (A Farmer Boy's Dream), by Jarrod Pakosh, published by Japonica Press, ISBN 1-55046-416-7
External links
