Valtra's 50th anniversary

The very first Valmet tractors were manufactured fifty years ago and, from a very modest beginning we are proud to have grown into an internationally recognised brand. Valtra’s pedigree is based on hard work and perseverance plus a degree of originality and audacity, a combination which has resulted in our global recognition as the fifth largest tractor manufacturer in the world. The following paragraphs are just a few highlights from our history.

The 1950s: from carburettors to diesels The Valmet 15A was introduced at a time when small tractors were replacing horses as the principal means of power on the farm. Diminutive by today’s standards, the 15A weighed only 780 kg and was powered by a 15 horsepower, 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine manufactured by the Linnavuori engine factory.

Sales got off to a good, profitable start and September 1954 saw the delivery of the 2,000th Valmet tractor. Just as today, users continually requested more power and the Valmet 20 was introduced in May 1955. Also powered by a petrol engine, now producing 22 horsepower, this new model could be fitted with a revolutionary new development, a hydraulic lift linkage. However, it rapidly became clear that farmers were in need of a medium-heavy diesel tractor and Mr Gustaf av Wrede, Director General of Valmet Oy, instigated the development of what was later known as the Valmet 33. This tractor, designed at the Tourula factories in Jyväskylä under the leadership of Olavi Sipilä, M.Sc. (Eng.), who had also contributed to the design of the smaller Valmet tractors, was again powered by an engine from the Linnavuori factory. The impressive diesel powered Valmet 33 was launched at the Helsinki Messuhalli fair in November 1956.

Valmet commenced exporting tractors in 1958, with 1,250 machines going to Brazil and a further 250 to China.

The 1960s: a factory in Brazil Exports to Brazil started promisingly but almost immediately, the Brazilian government decided to commence domestic tractor production. Competitive bids were invited from all tractor manufacturers and of the ten applicants six, including Valmet, ultimately commenced production. Incidentally, the proposals presented by Valmet were considered the best in their class.

In 1960 Valmet established a factory in the town of Mogi das Cruzes, near São Paulo and the first 40 horsepower Valmet 360D tractors were completed in December of that year. Initially Valmet did not receive a permit to use its own diesel engines, as a result early tractors were fitted with MWM power units.

Back in Finland contractors were demanding tractors with yet more power. Valmet responded in 1964 by launching its largest tractor so far: the 864 fitted with an American power transmission. In the same year Valmet also introduced a pivot steered forestry tractor. Mostly constructed from Valmet 361D farm tractor components this was the predecessor of today’s comprehensive range of Valmet forestry machines. Owing to a shortage of factory capacity in the Tourula factories, forest machinery manufacturing was transferred to Tampere.

Olavi Sipilä also transferred to Tampere along with forestry machinery manufacturing, and Rauno Bergius was assigned product development manager at the Tourula unit. His first design was the Valmet 565, featuring a synchronised transmission.

The next issue to be addressed was the tractor cab. A protective frame was to become an obligatory feature and this was also used to attach cladding for weather protection. Introduced in 1967 the Valmet 900 represented a new line of thinking: it was the first tractor with an integrated safety cab as standard. This development introduced a considerable consideration for the comfort, as well as safety, of the driver. For example, the gear levers of the synchronised 8F/2R transmission were now located more comfortably on the driver’s right side. Tractors with cabs required higher assembly areas than were available in the Tourula plant and it was recognised that a new factory would be required. Initially this was to be located near Jyväskylä, however an appropriate alternative location was found 45 km away on the present site at Suolahti where production commenced in September 1969.

The 1970s: towards the era of ergonomics In 1969 Valmet introduced the turbocharged, 115 horsepower, four-wheel drive 1100. Ergonomic features were further developed and in 1971 the company introduced the Valmet 502, which, at that time, claimed to have the quietest cab in the world. The range of ergonomic tractors was complemented with the introduction of the 702 (75 hp) and 1102 (115 hp).

In 1973 Valmet became market leader in Finland.

In 1975 Valmet introduced the six-wheel 1502 (136 hp) tractor. This was not produced in large numbers but it did provide inspiration for a number of other products, including a 3.3 litre engine, developed from half the 6.6 litre power unit. This in turn led to a series of engines with a displacement of 1.1 litres per cylinder.

In 1978 Valmet introduced the sturdy four-wheel drive 702-4 and 702S-4, featuring a propeller shaft located within the tractor frame. As a result the ground clearance was a massive 47cm (18.5inches).

The "Valtra" name had been registered back in 1963, and in 1970 it was used to brand a range of implements engineered specifically for operation with Valmet tractors. The Valtra range included back-hoes, front loaders, timber cranes and other special machinery including rough terrain forklifts.

The 1980s: the Volvo contract Following negotiations with Valmet, Volvo BM made a strategic decision to cease manufacturing tractors and farm machinery. However, the company wished to remain a component supplier to reduce the impact on employment in Eskilstuna, Sweden. The tractor operations of Volvo BM were transferred to a company called Scantrac 50% of which was owned by Valmet. The design of a new range of tractors designated Volvo BM Valmet had already commenced by the time contracts were signed in September 1979. Valmet was later to become the outright owner of Scantrac.

In May 1982 Valmet introduced the red 04 models from 49 to 67 horsepower. Later, in June 1982 a completely new 05 line of 65–95 horsepower was produced. The new line combined the durability and high quality of Volvo BM tractors with the more advanced, modern, operating characteristics of Valmet tractors. Production of the new line commenced in Brazil in the mid-1980s and continues today.

It was in 1983 that Volvo BM Valmet tractors became market leaders not just in Finland and Sweden but throughout the Nordic countries.

In 1986 Valmet and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG signed a letter of intent to co-operate on the design and manufacture of a range of engines and a series of tractors from 90 to 140 hp. The project commenced positively but in 1989, the Deutsche Bank, owners of Deutz, and Steyr’s owners – Kreditanstalt – required Deutz and Steyr to instigate a co-operative venture causing Valmet to withdrew. Based on knowledge gained from working with Steyr, Valmet proceeded to develop the Mezzo and Mega ranges.

The 1990s: the conquering of Europe Co-operation with Steyr had produced a number of advanced features and sales of 4-cylinder Mezzo tractors introduced in 1991, and later 6-cylinder Mega models, grew rapidly throughout continental Europe and the British isles.

1991 and ‘92 were depressing for the world tractor industry. At Valmet our Brazilian tractor operations and the diesel engine factory located at Nokia, Finland, were merged with our European tractor operations. Throughout this period the Suolahti factory was developing a customer order system and moving towards ISO 9001 quality accreditation. A sales office was also established in each of Valmet’s major export countries in order to foster close contact with customers.

In 1993 Valmet became the first tractor manufacturer in the world to obtain an ISO 9001. In ’99 the company also received the Finnish quality award. During this turbulent decade ownership changed twice: Valmet Oy wished to concentrate on paper manufacturing machinery and general factory automation. As a result, in 1994 Sisu acquired the tractor division. In 1997 Valmet, as a division of Sisu, became part of the Partek Group. It is internationally acknowledged that other Partek companies, including Kalmar container handling machines and Hiab truck cranes, are world leaders in their sector.

The new millennium A glimpse of what new millennium offers was seen at the Agritechnica exhibition in Hanover during 1999. The introduction of the S series will spearhead future development, incorporating increasingly high levels of information technology. The celebration of Valtra"s 50th anniversary commenced in January 2001. This includes the inauguration of the new customer service centre at Suolahti and a special exhibition has been set up at the Paviljonki, in Jyväskylä. Here historic Valmet tractors will be displayed alongside other early Finnish tractors, such as the Kullervo from 1920.

From the beginning of 2001 all our tractors will bear the company marque "Valtra". Valtra tractors have a rich and fascinating history. Valtra intends to remain a specialist tractor manufacturer, focusing on developing new products, services and customer care. To date 480,000 Valmet and Valtra tractors have been manufactured. When Volvo production from Sweden is added the total number of tractors is in excess of 750,000.