Italy’s Foremost Tractor Pioneer

In the 1920s, two farm boys in northern Italy experimenting with high-compression engines explored the possibility of employing this new technology on a tractor. From their investigations, Francesco and Eugenio Cassani went on in 1927 to manufacture one of the earliest diesel tractors in the world — the 40-hp. Cassani 40CV.

Spurred on by that tractor’s success, the brothers continued to experiment with high-speed diesel engines and fuel-injection systems for marine and aviation use. An accomplished engineer, Francesco earned numerous patents on many of his innovations. The Cassanis realized the impact diesels could have on their country. Acting on their instincts, in 1942 the brothers founded the Societa Accomandita Motori Endotermici, better known today by its abbreviation SAME.

While little known in the U.S., SAME’s parent company SDF (SAME Deutz-Fahr) has grown to become one of the major manufacturers of specialized tractors in Europe, with vehicles selling under the SAME, Deutz-Fahr, Hurlimann Gregoire, and Lamborghini brand names.

Air-Cooled Diesels

SAME’s start in tractors involved air-cooled, two-cylinder engines. The Cassanis’ original engine turned out 40 hp., but their first success at mass producing tractors came with a 10-hp. motor. In 1947, SAME produced a three-wheel motor mower, called the 3R10 Universale, which featured a 10-hp. diesel that drove two front wheels. Steering was accomplished with a reversible rear wheel.

A more traditionally configured tractor came the next year in the 20-hp. model 4R20 Universale.

Front-Wheel Drive

Always exploring technological advances, Francesco saw great potential in the work of front-wheel-drive (FWD) systems, particularly in the hill country of Italy. While such a drivetrain offered superior power transfer on steep terrain, the challenge came in smoothing out the FWD’s inherent rough-riding characteristics when it was running down the road. (Tractors in Italy were used as much to transport produce to market as they were to toil the soil.)

To smooth out the ride, Francesco innovated a leaf-spring suspension for the FWD’s front axle. With the improvement in hand, SAME was one of the first companies to introduce FWD to tractors in 1952 on its model DA 25 DT. This time in the expansion of SAME saw the introduction of a wider variety of models. The DA 25 DT (also sold as the model DA 25 minus FWD) utilized a two-cylinder diesel. it was joined by the DA 30 (30 hp.), which also ran with a two-cylinder diesel. A triad of tractor models was then created with the addition of the single-cylinder model DA 12 (12½ hp).

Three Engine Platforms

From the mid-1950s, SAME continued to turn out tractors based on one-, two-, and three-cylinder diesels. For example, the Sametto 120 DT (21 hp.) ran with a single- cylinder engine. Its big brother, the DA 30 (1957 to 1960), operated with a two-cylinder diesel that turned out 34 hp. The Super Cassani operated with a three-cylinder motor.

The company continued to seek out advanced technology to add to its machines. For example, the model 240 (1959 to 1961) featured a three-point hitch rigged with a device that sensed down pressure on the lift arms. That down pressure or draft would be caused by a three-point-mounted tillage implement (most commonly a plow) pulling down in the field.

SAME’s SAC Automatic Control Unit would correct the three-point, providing hydraulic lift to counteract this extra draft, thus ensuring the implement continued at a preset depth. The demand for more horsepower in the 1960s then inspired SAME to expand its engine line with first a four and then five and six-cylinder diesels. The 1970s saw the addition of hydraulic power-assisted steering, synchronized gearboxes, and the use of wet sump-type fuel-injection pumps.

SAME Expands its Line

Success in selling its tractors across Europe and overseas had SAME leadership looking to expand the company in the 1970s. Its first expansion was the acquisition of Lamborghini tractors in 1973 and then the Swiss-made Hurlimann line in 1979.

Company Expands Reach

A downturn in the world farm economy in the 1980s and a sluggish recovery in the 1990s presented SAME with the biggest plum of all. In 1995, the firm acquired Deutz-Fahr. Eight years later, it would come to control Deutz AG and become one of the major independent manufacturers of industrial diesels in the world.

Today, SDF continues to grow, having acquired French manufacturer Gregoire and opening farm machinery factories in India, Russia, and China.