Big Bud DLC – Farming Simulator 17 Dev Blog – LS2017
Hey there farmers,
We’ve got a BIG dev blog today, as we introduce the vehicles and equipment you’ll have access to in the Big Bud DLC pack, coming May 9 for PC/Mac, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One!
In the Big Bud DLC, you’ll drive the Big Bud 747 (the World’s Largest Farm Tractor!), the Big Bud 450, and some of the most enormous pieces of farming equipment ever made. These will give you the chance to work your fields in a whole new way, feeling the satisfaction of driving the colossal Big Bud tractors!
In total, this official expansion contains:
· The Big Bud 747 tractor
· Its smaller brother, the Big Bud 450
· 12 dedicated pieces of equipment to work your fields, with a working width up to 25 meters
Read on for more information about these real-life beasts of farming!
Big Bud 747
The Big Bud 747 is legendary, well-known as the World’s Largest Farm Tractor. This colossal vehicle was built in 1977 – so its arrival to Farming Simulator 17 comes just in time for its 40th birthday!
Northern Manufacturing custom-built the 747 for the Rossi Brothers, who were looking for something powerful enough to rip 10,000 acres of soil before planting within a 45-60 day window – there is only one Big Bud 747 in the world!
The Big Bud 747’s Detroit Diesel twin engine originally generated 760 hp. This was later tuned up to 960 hp with an even higher total potential of 1100 hp.! This huge tractor is no longer in service, and is now in happy retirement on display at the Heartland Museum in Iowa.
Some of our team here at GIANTS Software made the journey to the United States to meticulously measure the exact details of the Big Bud 747 so that its in-game version will look as authentic as possible. This gave us the chance to see it in person, as well as record the authentic engine sounds that are used in-game!
Weight:
· 95,000 lb (38,636 kg) estimated shipping weight
· 130,000 lb (49,895 kg) ballasted weight
Dimensions:
· Wheelbase: 16 feet, 3 inches (4.95 meters)
· Height (top of cab): 14 feet (4.27 meters)
· Length (frame): 27 feet (8.23 meters)
· Length (end of drawbar): 28 feet, 6 inches (8.69 meters)
· Width (over fenders): 13 feet, 4 inches (4.06 meters)
· Width (over duals): 20 feet, 10 inches (6.35 meters)
Big Bud 450
The Big Bud 450 is just one of Northern Manufacturing’s various non-unique Big Bud models, and we like to call it the ‘little’ brother of the 747!
Unlike the retired Big Bud 747, there is estimated to be over 500 other Big Bud tractors still in use around the world!
Despite being smaller in size than the 747, the Big Bud 450 is still huge by most standards! It offers 500 hp, making it one of the most powerful tractors to feature in our game.
World Record Tools
To make use of the sheer power of the Big Bud, this DLC contains some suitably massive tools. Two of them are even official world record holders!
In 2014, the Brochard EV2200-120WR was granted the Guiness World Record for manure spreading – no doubt helped by its capacity of 70,000L! The world record was achieved by spreading 4217 tonnes over 221.80 hectares within 24 hours.
This DLC pack also features the Grégoire-Besson SPSL9 plow. This is close in design to a modified world record breaking plow, which was used to plow 172 acres (70 hectares) in 24 hours. In-game, you’ll have the choice of buying the SPSL9 with universal or slatted mouldboards.
Note that the Big Buds don’t have the three-point-hitch which is used to attach the Grégoire-Besson SPSL9 to a tractor. Because of this, you’ll need to make use of the Grégoire-Besson Trailed Lifter, which is also included in the pack if you want to use it with one of them.
Sowing Machines & Planters
The Seed Hawk XL Toolbar 84FT is a gigantic seeding system with 25.6m working width. To use it on your farm, you’ll need to combine it with the Seed Hawk 980 Air Cart, which holds the seeds and fertilizer.
The Hatzenbichler Terminator TH18, though smaller than the 84FT, is still very large with a 18.0m working width. This will need to be used with the Hatzenbichler TH1400, which again holds fertilizer and seeds.
The Great Plains YP-2425A planter has a working width of 18.2m, which is huge for a planter! It doesn’t need an extra tank, and can plant the single-grain seeds corn, sunflowers and sugar beets. Unlike many planters, it’s also able to sow wheat, barley, canola, soy beans and oil radish – making it a very versatile tool!
Cultivators
The 18.2m Bednar Swifter SM 18000 and the 24m Flexi-Coil ST820 give the Big Bud tractors something to work with.
The Agrisem Cultiplow Platinum 8m has a working width of 8m. This might not sound like too much, but it’s a subsoiler which eliminates the need for ploughing – because of this, you’ll save precious time and extra equipment!
In-game, this means it sets the plough state for added yield, which normal cultivators don’t do.
Brent Avalanche 1596
With this large auger wagon you efficiently keep your harvesters running while bringing your goods to a trailer next to the field.
The Brent Avalanche 1596 is available in green or red, with the choice between a standard version with wheels or crawler tracks.
Thanks for checking out the latest dev blog – stay tuned for more updates in the future!
The Big Bud DLC pack will be available from May 9 2017, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC/Mac. It will also be made available at physical retail for PC!