INDEPENDENCE – February 10, 2010 – Today staff at Heartland Acres announced that “Big Bud 16V – 747”, the world’s largest tractor, will be coming to their museum this spring.
Arriving in April, Big Bud has representatives of Heartland Acres expecting big things for visitors who come to the agriculture museum. “All of us who have worked to get “Big Bud” to come to Independence are very excited”, stated Heartland Acres Board member Craig Johnson. “This is a great opportunity to bring more visitors to Independence and Northeast Iowa.”
Built in Havre, Montana in 1977, “Big Bud” was 1 of over 500 “Big Bud” brand tractors that were built by Ron Harmon and the crew of the Northern Manufacturing Company. “Big Bud” is the only 16V-747 model that was produced and was specifically designed to produce higher horsepower to deep-plow cotton fields for the Rossi Brothers near Bakersfield, California. The tractor was built to produce 760 horsepower using a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine but has operated at 980 horsepower. “Big Bud” measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 14 feet tall and weighs over 130,000 pounds.
“Big Bud” will be making its way to Iowa for the first time in history and with tractor enthusiasts located throughout the Midwest an increase of tourists to Independence is almost certain. “Big Bud is known globally so this is not only an exciting opportunity for our area, but for the entire Midwest”, commented Events Manager Mike McGill. “We have already reached out to the state tourism office as well as over twenty other organizations that we partner with in ag tourism to help us as we plan for Big Bud’s arrival.”
Visitor’s to Heartland Acres will be able to see “Big Bud 16V-747” from April 12th until July 31st; making it the longest stop at any site in its tour history. “Big Bud” can be viewed in “The Machine Shed” along with many other vintage tractors with paid admission to the museum.
For more information about “Big Bud’s” visit to Heartland Acres, stay connected to the website: www.heartlandacresusa.com.
