How a Swiss Farm Kid Birthed a Technological Giant, One Hand-Built Tractor at a Time

The story of the Hürlimann tractor sounds more like a classic all-American inventor’s tale. Rather, it involves a Swiss farm boy who saw the need for a tractor that could readily work the rugged land of his native Switzerland.

What is astounding about Hürlimann is that this rather small manufacturer became such a giant when it came to introducing technological advances to tractors.

Began as a Mechanic

After leaving the farm, Hans Hürlimann took to mechanical training as a mechanic with a factory located in Wil, Switzerland. Eventually, he advanced to become that firm’s sales manager, which provided Hürlimann with invaluable marketing expertise.

The self-enterprising Hürlimann recognized the need for a tractor that would fit Swiss farmers’ needs and believed he could not only design such a tractor but also convince producers to buy it. In 1929, he started hand-building a gas-powered single-cylinder tractor equipped with a sickle mower. All told, 416 of those model 1K8s would be built, putting Hürlimann in the tractor business.

The next year, Hürlimann set about improving on the model 1K8 and introduced the more powerful model 1K10. That same year, he named his firm Maison Hürlimann. Demand for his tractors continued to grow to the point that Hürlimann built his own factory in 1937 in Wil, Switzerland.

First Direct-Injection Diesel Engine

That same year, he received a patent for the invention of a front axle that featured a wide steering angle that resulted in shorter turns. This tractor, the model 4DT45, also featured a four-cylinder direct-injection diesel. Bear in mind that the first direct-injection diesel wouldn’t be introduced on an Allis-Chalmers tractor for another 26 years.

Hürlimann’s innovativeness would come in handy when, in 1940, he adapted his diesel engines to operate on coal gas. Diesel fuel supplies were being restricted as a result of fuel consumption pressure put on Europe during World War II.

That same year, Hürlimann introduced rear wheels on his tractor models that featured a pressure spring suspension system. This system was designed to compensate for the lack of inflatable tires (another victim of war needs).

Enters the Export Market

After the war, Hürlimann started looking beyond Switzerland and set about producing a 70-hp. tractor, the model D-600, which was exported. A large portion of those tractors ended up going to Argentina, a country where the Hürlimann brand still enjoys some popularity today.

By the end of the 1950s, the Hürlimann organization would introduce its D series tractors, which included its most popular model, the D-90. At a time when many tractor manufacturers were obtaining major components from other manufacturers,

Hürlimann continued to build the engine, clutch, gearbox gears, axle, and hydraulics at its own plant.

Hand-Builds Each Tractor

During this time, Hürlimann also continued its practice of individually building each tractor, as opposed to having them manufactured in assembly-line style. This reinforced the concept among tractor’s buyers that Hürlimann tractors were a high-quality machine.

In 1966, Hürlimann was one of the first tractor factories in Europe to also manufacture high-capacity horsepower tractors by introducing a 95-hp. machine that operated with a four-cylinder engine.

That tractor model also featured the first hydraulically driven PTO in agriculture.

Front-Wheel Drive

Innovation continued to reign supreme at Hürlimann when, in 1968, the firm introduced a synchronized mechanical transmission that offered up to 18 gear changes.

These tractors also were equipped with the Hürlimann ZF front-wheel-drive axle. In 1972, the firm would be the first diesel tractor built in Europe to employ a turbo-charger.

Ahead of the times and very likely too early for what the market- place demanded, Hürlimann introduced in 1976 the model T14000, which offered the then unique continuously variable transmission (CVT). This marks the first use of a CVT transmission in tractors. Today, the CVT is a common option purchased on higher-horsepower tractors.

Market Dictates a Consolidation

Demand for tractors worldwide started to take a nosedive in the late 1970s, which put pressure on Hürlimann’s survival in the future. So in 1979, the Hürlimann organization agreed to be purchased by the Italian firm SAME.

Rather than discontinue the highly regarded Hürlimann name, SAME incorporated that brand into a new corporate name of SAME-Lamborghini-Hürlimann company. With the 1995 acquisition of Deutz-Fahr, that organization was renamed SAME Deutz-Fahr.

The Hürlimann brand of tractors continued to be produced and sold throughout Europe, however. Altogether, over 300 different Hürlimann models have been sold during the brand’s 88-year history.