Versatile Bi-Directional Tractor History

Into the future - from the past:

How the Versatile bi-directional tractor was born. The idea, development, and evolution of a futuristic tractor that seemed like it was from out of this world.

Jump to : Versatile Bi-Directional Tractor Manuals

The Versatile 150, 160, 256 & 276, Ford 276 II & 9030 and the New Holland 9030E are "Bidirectional" tractors in which the operator console rotates 180-degrees to allow the tractor to be operated in either direction.

These bi-directional tractors were manufactured by Versatile, Ford New Holland and then just New Holland as the companies ownership changed and evolved over the years from 1977 thru 1998.

Versatile Bi-Directional Tractor Evolution

In the late 1960s, Peter Pakosh and brother-in-law Roy Robinson (co-founders of Versatile), along with Peter's brother Daniel Pakosh (a design engineer), toyed with the idea of mounting a loader on the rear of a farm tractor with an operator’s station including center console, seat, steering and gauges that would swivel rotating 180° to the rear. This led to Daniel designing and developing the world's first bi-directional tractor - and in 1977 the Model 150 rolled off the assembly line in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, location of Versatile and later the Ford New Holland plant.

The Versatile 150 71hp bi-directional tractor was an instant success, and in 1982 it was superseded by the 84hp model 160. This was followed by the new redesigned Versatile 256 series being introduced for the 1983/1984 season. The 256 included PTOs, three-point linkages and hydraulic outlets on either end. The Model 276 followed a year later in 1985, and with 100+ horsepower, it could easily operate a range of PTO powered equipment.

The Ford Tractor Company acquired the Sperry New Holland Company in 1986, and Versatile in 1987, at which time a new company called Ford New Holland was created. With this ownership change the 276 was superseded by the 276 II wearing a new blue and white paint scheme and re-powered with a ford engine. In 1990 the 276 II was superseded by the Ford New Holland 9030 version of the same series.

In 1991 Fiat acquired 80% of Ford New Holland and in 1993 the remaining shares (20%) changing its name to New Holland. Under the agreement, New Holland was allowed to use the oval Ford logo until May 1995 and the block-lettered Ford logo on several products until May 2001. In 1998 the last version in the series - the "New Holland 9030E" was introduced, which would later be replaced by a new series - the TV140, then TV145, and most recent beginning in 2008 - the TV6070

Versatile = Facebook History | Museum Artifacts | Pakosh Family History
Versatile = Forum Topic - 150, 160, 256, 276, 276 II, 9030, 9030E Tractors

Tractor Technical Data

Model Tech Data	Workshop Manuals	Horsepower	Production
150	Model 150 Manuals	71 hp	1977 - 1981
150 Series 2	Model 150-2 Manuals	71 hp	1980
160	Model 160 Manuals	84 hp	1982 - 1983
256	Model 256 Manuals	101 hp	1984 - 1985
276	Model 276 Manuals	116 hp	1985 - 1987
276 II	Model 276 II Manuals	116 hp	1988 - 1990
9030	Model 9030 Manuals	116 hp	1991 - 1997
9030E	Model 9030E Manuals	116 hp	1997 - 1998

New Holland Versatile 9030E tractor

Versatile 150 160 256 276 276II 9030 9030E Bi-Directional Tractors