World’s Largest 2-WD Tractor Has A New Home
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More than 40 years ago FARM SHOW introduced its readers to the world’s largest 2-WD tractor, the 350 hp. Upton HT-14/350 (Vol. 4, No. 1). Built in 1978 by Upton Engineering in New South Wales, Australia, it had 30.5 by 33 by 20 ply tires on the rear, a 350 gal. fuel tank that weighed 3 tons empty, a drive axle with 65,000 lb. capacity, and a 1,500 lb. drawbar made from 4 by 6-in. plate steel that hooked to implements with a 3-in. thick pin. For various reasons, only one of the Upton tractors was ever built. That tractor was occasionally seen at farming events, and it drew big crowds.
Australian farmer David Bowden first saw the behemoth Upton in 2000 when he “made a few laps around a field in it.” At the time, he said to himself “someday I’m going to own it.” Several years later he got the opportunity.
Bowden says he saw a tiny newspaper ad in 2004 that said Upton Tractor For Sale. He rang the number and the person answering said “they could only identify it as a big tractor and yes, it’s for sale.” Bowden asked for the serial number and confirmed it was indeed the original. In short order, he learned the Upton had been seized by Australia Federal Police in a drug sting. Bowden says he “scored it for a bargain,” and now it’s not for sale at any price.
When Bowden bought the tractor, it had been stored outside, basically neglected, showing signs of faded paint and rust. After securing an oversized low boy trailer to haul it home, he restored it to like-new condition. Bowden says the tractor was in decent mechanical shape and he was able to restore the cosmetics to near original condition. He brought the tractor to the Mundulla Show in South Australia. Engineer and builder Carl Upton drove the tractor and says it’s amazing to see that something he designed and built when he was 26 is still going strong. He credited its longevity to the outstanding welding fabrication work by one of his employees, noting that not a single crack appears in any of the welds after 42 years. The four-decade-old tractor showed its power at the show, out-pulling a modern 6-WD twin engine 450 hp. tractor and several other large units.
Upton and Bowden agree that the tractor may well outlast much newer machines because of its unique design and lack of modern technology features and equipment.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, David Bowden, Currency Creek, South Australia
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World’s Largest 2-WD Tractor Has A New Home TRACTORS Collectors More than 40 years ago FARM SHOW introduced its readers to the world’s largest 2-WD tractor the 350 hp Upton HT-14/350 Vol 4 No 1 Built in 1978 by Upton Engineering in New South Wales Australia it had 30 5 by 33 by 20 ply tires on the rear a 350 gal fuel tank that weighed 3 tons empty a drive axle with 65 000 lb capacity and a 1 500 lb drawbar made from 4 by 6-in plate steel that hooked to implements with a 3-in thick pin For various reasons only one of the Upton tractors was ever built That tractor was occasionally seen at farming events and it drew big crowds Australian farmer David Bowden first saw the behemoth Upton in 2000 when he “made a few laps around a field in it ” At the time he said to himself “someday I’m going to own it ” Several years later he got the opportunity Bowden says he saw a tiny newspaper ad in 2004 that said Upton Tractor For Sale He rang the number and the person answering said “they could only identify it as a big tractor and yes it’s for sale ” Bowden asked for the serial number and confirmed it was indeed the original In short order he learned the Upton had been seized by Australia Federal Police in a drug sting Bowden says he “scored it for a bargain ” and now it’s not for sale at any price When Bowden bought the tractor it had been stored outside basically neglected showing signs of faded paint and rust After securing an oversized low boy trailer to haul it home he restored it to like-new condition Bowden says the tractor was in decent mechanical shape and he was able to restore the cosmetics to near original condition He brought the tractor to the Mundulla Show in South Australia Engineer and builder Carl Upton drove the tractor and says it’s amazing to see that something he designed and built when he was 26 is still going strong He credited its longevity to the outstanding welding fabrication work by one of his employees noting that not a single crack appears in any of the welds after 42 years The four-decade-old tractor showed its power at the show out-pulling a modern 6-WD twin engine 450 hp tractor and several other large units Upton and Bowden agree that the tractor may well outlast much newer machines because of its unique design and lack of modern technology features and equipment Contact: FARM SHOW Followup David Bowden Currency Creek South Australia
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