Versatile
Tractors - The Next Generation: Models 118,
125 and 145
After the successful introduction of the Versatile Four-Wheel Drive Tractor with the 100 Model, Pakosh and Robinson immediately set about designing and building the next generation of the Versatile tractor. A tractor, which while not significantly different from the 100 Model in design, was by far, superior and considerably more robustly built than its predecessor.
If the introduction of the 100 Model was described as successful, the introduction of the new series for 1967 must certainly have exceeded expectations. Case and IHC were the other major players in the four-wheel-drive market. IHC had introduced 4-wheel drive to their line in 1961 with the 4300 Model and in 1966 introduced the 4100 Model while Case had introduced their 1200 Model in 1964. Both of these tractors sold only modest numbers and do not appear to have achieved sales gains from year to year. In 1967 Versatile outsold the total of Case and IHC combined by nearly 2 times and were unable to supply the demand. By the end of 1967 Versatile had a waiting list for every tractor that came off the assembly line. Versatile had now achieved leadership in four-wheel-drive agricultural tractors; a position it was to occupy for most of the next decade.
Model 118
The new tractors for 1967 were the Models 125 and 118 and the 145. All of these tractors shared a common platform and received their model designations based on the estimated maximum horsepower delivered to the drawbar. All components were identical except the engine and related accessories. By basic design they were also almost identical to the 100 Model. The 125 Model was powered by a 391 cu.in. Ford Industrial (truck) gasoline engine and delivered an estimated 125 HP to the drawbar. The 118 was powered by a 352 cu.in. Cummins diesel V6 delivering 118 HP to the drawbar and the 145 with a conservatively rated 145 HP at the drawbar was powered by the 470 cu.in Cummins diesel V8.
With these new models came the Versatile designed and built 9-speed forward, 3 speed reverse, transmission. Into the lower part of the new transmission Versatile also incorporated the 4-wheel drive splitter box. Very much in keeping with Versatile’s objective of simplicity, durability and ease of repair in that this entire unit could be removed without disturbing the engine or any other major component of the tractor. This new transmission was pressure lubricated and lubricant was cooled by using the transmission as a reservoir for the power steering system from which the oil was returned to the transmission through an oil cooler and filter.
In the first year of production these models used Clark axles and planetaries. During the first year of production Versatile developed their own axles using Eaton differential carriers and Versatile designed and built planetaries. These new heavier axles and planetaries were introduced to each of the three models at progressive dates with the D145 receiving the updated axles first. The new Versatile planetaries were built considerably larger than the Clark planetaries and in the resale market these tractors with the large planetaries were very much preferred. For those who may need the information the large planetaries were introduced at the following serial numbers: D145- 6101, G125- 2101, D118- 4501.
With this new generation of tractors came three options not offered on the 100 Model. The most popular of these was the totally enclosed operator platform or “factory cab”. 1000 RPM live PTO and 3-Point Hitch were also made available. Within a short time almost all tractors left the factory with a factory installed cab; however PTO and 3-Pt.Hitch proved to be less popular and it is difficult today to find one of these tractors so equipped.
Versatile now had a very well built tractor; built for durability and built to handle the task at hand. To some extent it is a little surprising that Versatile bothered to build a gasoline powered 4-wheel drive as I don’t know of any 2-wheel drive tractor of 125 drawbar horsepower being produced at that time with a gasoline engine. The 125 did prove to be the least popular of the three new tractors and was only produced in 1967 and 1968, but with gasoline prices still not prohibitive managed to sell several hundred units. The favored choice was the Cummins diesels. The 118 initially sold well but as time progressed and the demand for even higher horsepower tractors developed the 145 became the tractor of choice.
The Del Gates family of Mohall, ND with their 1968 D118 Versatile. Click here to read about Del's Quest.
Today, 30 to 35 years later there are still many of these Versatile 145’s doing a full days work. No doubt engines and drivelines have been rebuilt more than once, but it does demonstrate the reliability and durability of this tractor. In fact with many 145’s the original engine was replaced with a larger Cummins engine when the original 470 became tired, with quite satisfactory results. A testament to the durability of the tractor.
From a collectors point of view I would think that the 125 and 118 are the more interesting as there were fewer of these produced and particularly with the 125, few came from the factory with a cab as did many of the 118’s. On the other hand, in the future it will be the 145 remembered by many as that stalwart old four-wheel drive. Also remembered by many to be a real screamer as there wasn’t too much sound suppression in those old cabs.