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Blue Steigers: Then and Now

Part II

December  2001

By Jason Hasert

Ford entered the big tractor market in July of 1977. Sixty Upper Midwest region Ford Dealers took part in the Ford FW debut in Dearborn Michigan. Ford Tractor Operations unveiled four Steiger-built tractors ranging from 210 to 335 horse power.  The 4wd market was the fastest expanding segment in the agricultural equipment market. Ford Motor executives felt it was essential for their dealers to stay competitive in the high horse power market. In 1970 sales of Ford tractors over 140 hp  represented 1% of the market.  By 1976 high horsepower tractors new sales market share rose to 18%. Ford expected by entering the 4wd market they could increase high horsepower sales to 35% by 1985. The FW series enhanced Ford's image as the company entered the 1980's. The FW name was given to the tractors to denote four wheel drive.
 The FW series were produced by Steiger Tractor Inc. based in Fargo, North Dakota.  The Ford FW series resembled their Steiger cousins with a few differences between the two lines. The popular FW-60 and the other FW tractors were all built using the Steiger PT tractor. The Steiger Series III PT tractors were also available as a Bearcat, Cougar,  Panther and Industrial models.  Steiger tractors used inline 6 cylinder Cummins engines.  All the FW's were powered by V-8 Cummins diesel engines.  The horse power range included the FW-20 at 210 hp, FW-30 at 265 hp, FW-40 at 295 hp and FW-60 at 335 hp.  Each model had direct fuel injection. The 210 hp FW-20 came with 555 cubic inches of displacement and the larger three models shared a 903-CID block. The FW-60 also came equipped with a turbocharger. The FW's cab had 41 square feet of tinted glass, air-conditioning, roll-over protection, front/rear windshield wipers, AM-FM radio, 8-track player, telescoping steering wheel, swivel seat with moveable armrests, self-cleaning air filter and re-moveable tool box.

 The standard transmission on the FW's has ten speeds forward and two reverse. An optional two-speed transfer case provided 20 forward speeds and four reverse. The Ford 4wds were equipped with a "decelerator" pedal which enabled the operator to throttle down at the end of the field with out taking their hands of steering wheel or hydraulic controls. Other options included two independent hydrostatic power takeoffs, no-spin differential lock on the front and back axles, quick attach, windshield washer and horn. 
Production of the FW-40 ceased in in 1980 followed by the other three models in 1982. This was not the end of the FW's. The FW-60 was revamped in 1984 and introduced to the United Kingdom market in 1984. In 1985 the UK FW-60 was altered updated and production ceased in 1986. The UK market FW-60's were similar to the Steiger Panther IV. The front grille only has two square headlights where the North American FW-60 has four round headlights and has similar the Panther III.  The UK Fw-60's also found their way to the South African market. The FW-60 pictured to the right is used by a farm in South Africa.
One of the changes made to the 1985 FW-60 was the addition of an automatic 10 forward speed and 2 reverse speed transmission.  The Ford FW series remains a popular high horsepower tractor in the UK market today. Many of the American FW-30 and FW-60 models have been imported to the UK and rebuilt for a second farm life.
To the right are several Australian FW-25 and 35 models. These FW's are more of what one might have expected a Ford 4wd to look like had Ford built their articulated tractors in house. These tractors have a similar look to the row crop Ford TW series. In 1986 the Waltanna Company of Victoria,  Australia began producing FW's for the  Australian market. Ford made an agreement with James Nagorcka and his company (Waltanna of Victoria, Australia) to build a 4wd for the   Australian market. The FW Waltanna series included the FW-25 was a 163 hp and based from the TW-25. The 195 hp FW-35 shares a Ford engine and components with the TW-35.  The FW-35 had 16 forward and 4 reverse constant mesh transmission with dual powershift. The line was expanded to include 5 models from 280-400HP, the FW280, FW310, FW335, FW375, and the FW400. The FW280 was powered by a Caterpillar 3306 engine. The rest were powered by Caterpillar 3406B engines. These tractors were only produced from 1986-1987 or 1988. In 1987 Ford/New Holland started a joint venture with Versatile in Canada and the FORD Versatile tractors were shipped to Australia. You can learn more about the Waltanna FW's in Peter Simpon's book Ultimate Tractor Power Volume 1.

Blue Steigers returned to the field with the introduction of the New Holland TJ series. The 1980's and 1990's lead to a series of mergers with Case International taking over the Steiger line in 1987, Fiat spinning off its Hesston/FiatAgri line to purchase  Ford New Holland in 1990.  On May 15th 1999 Fiat purchased 70% of CaseIH and formed CNH Global. Today CNH is building common platform equipment and again

 

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