Dive into the history of farming on the prairies and how the big 4WD articulated tractors came into being. Discover details on the origins of the Big Bud tractors from the early beginnings in 1969 to present day. The history of Big Bud tractors holds great interest and fascination: They're still some of the world's largest agricultural tractors at work today! Authored by Peter D. Simpson Softbound paperback book, 146 pages After the 1862 Homestead Act, settlers farmed the plains with horses, then tractors. In the 1950s, the Wagner brothers built the first modern 4WD articulated tractor. After Wagner shut down, Montana’s Dave and Jack Curtis created the Rite tractor in 1973. Around the same time, dealer Wilbur Hensler and Bud Nelson built the first Big Bud. By 1978, Big Bud produced the 16V-747—the world’s largest farm tractor. Weighing 52 tons and now pushing 900 hp, it remains the most powerful to this day.