Australian Acremaster articulated tractors are making a comeback

Australian Laurie Phillips built tractors under the Acremaster Tractor brand from 1975 to 1984 and is now resuming tractor production in 2024. Phillips, now specialized in the production of parts for combine harvesters under the name Phillbourne Manufacturing, reports that many Acremaster users and collectors called him, and this prompted him to become active in the tractor market again. Meanwhile, the machine builder based in Merredin shares the first computer drawings of what the 2024 version of the Acremaster will look like.

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Deutz engine and simplicity

The drawing shows that the new Acremaster will closely resemble the classic Acremaster models in appearance. The builder reports that it will have a Deutz engine, followed by a six-stage powershift transmission. This gearbox will be manually operated and pneumatically powered, and will be divided into three groups: a low group for soil cultivation, a middle group for harvest work, and a high group for transport. Phillips values simplicity and says he wants to build a tractor that is easy to repair if necessary. There will be a series (from 401 to 590 hp) and according to the manufacturer, these will have no electronics.

Laurie Phillips also says he plans to build a diesel-electric drive in the near future. The Australian says that it is still too early to share more information about this.

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Thirty years later

With the return of the Acremaster articulated tractors, a trend is beginning to emerge: the comeback of classic tractor brands. In 2022, there was news about the return of the ACO articulated tractor from South Africa, and last year the first images of the renewed Big Bud articulated tractor were shown. In all three cases, one thing is central: the builders want to distinguish themselves with a tractor that is as simple as possible – especially for the vast regions where there is not always a dealer around the corner.