What may be the world's first commercially available amphibious tractor recently came on the market thanks to a Finnish company, Pekeija Ltd.

The company modified a Valtra C150 tractor and a 12-ton trailer made by Junkkari Ltd, Finland.

Pekeija Ltd. proved in extensive testing, that the tractor-trailer prototype is balanced and safe in water. The tractor is fitted with dual wheels. The add-on floats are positioned between the duals. They did not increase the overall width of the unit.

A hydraulically driven 12-in. dia. propeller mounts between the tractor's front wheels. It helps propel the tractor , along with the tires, and is used to steer.

The trailer is also fitted with floats, and, while in water, its capacity is limited to 6 tons.

Pekeija Ltd. says, however, that the unit will be most popular in low water, like that found in the following operations: rice or cranberry production, peat moss harvesting, cleaning operations such as collection of waste oil, and cutting the overgrowth of grass on the bottom of lakes and rivers. Also, farmers who have fields on the other side of a river or any body of water, no longer need to use a bridge, but can just drive through the water.

"Finland has thousands of lakes and, in the wintertime, we make roads on the ice by cleaning the snow to replace ferry connections," says one of the company's designers. "Our innovation will increase safety because if the ice breaks, the tractor will float."

The actual floats are made from steel and rubber. Pekeija Ltd. has also designed floating trucks, cars, snowmobiles, and many other vehicles. Military applications are also an option, since the company's patent includes all vehicles.

"We have made only one tractor and trailer prototype, but these have been tested in extremely difficult situations. The test results were better than we could expect."

One important detail, according to the company, is that the flotation equipment does not change the look of the machine. You can use the machine in a normal manner and drive on the road without any changes when switching from the ground surface to water travel.

Top speed in water is about 9 mph.