The Versatile Model 1080 was designed and built in 1977. There is some suggestion that the design was aimed at the Australian market as Australia possesses many large farms with all acreage in one block. A very large tractor in Australia would pose fewer problems than it would in North America where large farms have their land base in a number of scattered blocks. This means farm machinery must move on roads. Large tractors and their associated machinery pose significant problems in road transport.

There is also suggestion that tractor manufacturers were engaged in a battle for bragging rights for the largest and most powerful tractor. In 1977, Steiger Tractor was experimenting with their Panther Twin ST650 of 650 horsepower and Big Bud was bringing out the Big Bud 747 tractor with 760 horsepower. Versatile’s Model 1080 was their entry in this competition.

Whatever the reason behind the Model 1080, Versatile’s President and General Manager, Roy Robinson, decided the company needed a high-horsepower tractor and issued orders that the Model 1080 was to be designed and built. What emerged from the designers drafting table was a four-axle tractor powered by a Cummins KTA-1150 diesel engine that generated 600 horsepower. The four axles mounted a total of eight 30.5 X 32 tires. The 1080 reversed conventional four-wheel-drive tractor design as its engine was located at the rear. A modern, spacious cab was located ahead of the engine compartment with a 550 gallon fuel tank located ahead of the cab. The cab was accessed from either side through sliding doors and ladders that slide into the body of the tractor when not in use. Vision to the rear of the tractor from the cab was very limited as the engine compartment was tall. To provide a view to the rear, a closed-circuit television system was installed with a dustproof, 120-degree camera pointing down at the drawbar and a 9-inch monitor installed in the dash where the operator could easily view it. In 1977, this was definitely cutting edge technology!

The tractor had a six-speed manual transmission that provided speeds between 3.7 to 13.2 mph. Twelve 60-watt lights provided illumination for night field operations. Engine cooling was provided by two radiators of 85-quart capacity with two mechanically driven fans of 28″ diameter drawing air through the radiators. The tractor was over 30 feet long, 11 feet high, and weighed over 30 tonnes when ballasted for field operations.

The tractor articulated between the second and third axle. The articulation joint, as well as allowing movement from side to side which was necessary for steering, also allowed for vertical movement of ±10 degrees. This movement was necessary to allow the tires to remain in contact with the ground as the tractor moved over uneven ground. The tractor steered 40 degrees to one side or the other.

The four-axle design, however innovative, was the tractor’s downfall. While it allowed enough rubber on the ground to use the engine horsepower while allowing the tractor to remain fairly narrow, the result was that all four tires on either side ran in the same track and caused severe soil compaction within this track. Versatile’s Model 1150, which appeared after the Model 1080 and had 475 horsepower, reverted to the standard four-wheel drive tractor design. The 1150 either used very wide tires installed as duals on all axles, or mounted triple tires on all axles. Today’s four-wheel-drive tractors are approaching 600 horsepower and either use triple tires “all the way around” or use the newly emerged rubber track design.

A closer inspection of the 1080 tractor shows that it was still very much a work in progress. A view of the tractor’s underside reveals many design alterations tjat were made during its short working life, as the frame bears many weld marks where pieces were cut out and later welded back in. While the camera allows for some vision to the rear, the view is still limited. As well, vision to the front is not great as the design of the cab floor, the hood, and fenders result in the operator not being able to see the ground within 20 feet of the tractor’s front end.

The Model 1080 never entered production and the tractor at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum remains the single example ever built. The tractor was donated to the Museum in the 1980s along with other pieces from Versatile.

Where did the nickname “Big Roy” come from? Roy Robinson, the President and General Manager of Versatile, instructed the engineers to design and build the Model 1080. Robertson stood 6 foot, 4 inches and was a larger-than-life character with a standard attire of cowboy boots and Stetson hat. It was a natural, therefore, to name the Model 1080 “Big Roy”.

Versatile Model 1080 “Big Roy” four axle, eight-wheel-drive tractor

The image above is a promotional photo of Big Roy taken after the Versatile Company returned the tractor to its “as built” condition during the winter of 2015/2016. The Versatile Company approached the Manitoba Agricultural Museum with an offer to restore the tractor and the Museum agreed. In the fall of 2015, Versatile transported the tractor to its Winnipeg plant where the tractor was originally built. Over the following winter, the tractor was disassembled and various components were repaired. It was reassembled and the tractor was repainted to the factory paint scheme that it had originally possessed. The Manitoba Agricultural Museum deeply appreciates the effort, work and dedication Versatile and its employees displayed in returning Big Roy to pristine condition. Big Roy—a true Manitoba treasure!

See also: Restoring Big Roy