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Steiger #1

Take a tour of the first Steiger

April 2001: by Dan Richards

 

Farming  in the Canadian Prairies means large horse power and big iron.  Being in the machinery business the "Steiger #1" has always interested me because it was the start of the number one name in four wheel drive tractors. Lets take a tour of the Steiger Brothers 1958 #1. 
The cab controls were, um, how would you say....sparse? The 238 hp engine is coupled to a 5 speed transmission. There is only one hydraulic coupler. To compare, today's large air seeders can require 5 circuits.
This is the 238 hp six cyl. Detroit engine the Steiger brothers used in their first four wheel drives in 1957 and 1958. Judging by the holes in the hood of this model, some changes were made, and the exhaust and intake were moved. Can you imagine the ringing in your ears after 8 or 10 hours in the drivers seat. Quite a contrast to my dad's 1980 PT225, which was the quietest 4WD on market at the time.
The Steiger #1 is basic big iron. The tractor was arc-welded with a "stick" welder. Notice the weld marks along the articulation and frames.  Wire-feed welders were commonly used in large production shops when this model was built.
The Steiger #1 was basic and solid horse power that built Steiger's staying power in the four wheel drive industry.  In 1999 the Steiger brand celebrated it 30th anniversary.  Over 40,000 Steiger tractors have followed the Steiger #1 from it early days on a Minnesota dairy farm. 
Today the new STX Series from CaseIH carries on the Steiger tradition. The largest Steiger on the market today is the STX 440. It is an industry leader with full 16-speed power shift transmission as standard equipment and estimated engine horse power up to 480 hp. The STX 440 is a far cry from the Steiger #1, with Luxury cab "extras" like a leather seat and trim, CD changer, elevated footrest and many other conveniences. 

 

If you would like to learn more about the Steiger models of the past 30 years visit ToyTractorShow's Steiger section. To see the modern STX Series Line up visit CaseIH's home page. Steiger #1 photo's by Dan Richards and STX 440 pictures by Jim Schroer.

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Published 04/27/2000 © All Rights Reserved 2000, 2001, 2002. 

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