The Valmet 500 was the smallest model of the so-called 00-series, the tractors that followed the Valmet 565. Introduced for 1968, it was a 49 hp three-cylinder machine that differed from its predecessor mainly in colour, brakes and final drive.
Valmet 500 at a glance
| Maker | Valmet, Tourula and Suolahti, Finland |
|---|---|
| Production | 1968–1971 |
| Family | 00-series (with 700, 900 and 1100) |
| Engine | three-cylinder diesel, 2,685 cm³ |
| Power | 49 hp |
| Brakes | disc brakes instead of drums, plus a handbrake |
| Final drive | 15% higher ratio than the 565 |
| Fuel tank | 40 litres |
| Colour | yellow instead of red |
| Cab | optional at first, compulsory after midsummer 1969 |
Based on the Finnish Wikipedia article on the Valmet 500 and the Finnish list of Valmet tractors.
History of the Valmet 500
The Valmet 500 followed the Valmet 565 and was the smallest member of the new 00-series. Technically and structurally it closely resembled the late examples of the 565 Mk 2, so the changes were concentrated in details rather than in a new chassis.
The most visible change was colour: the red of the 565 gave way to yellow, and the rear mudguards became more box-like. Underneath, the drum brakes were replaced by discs, a handbrake was added, the engine gained 2 hp and the final drive ratio was raised by 15 per cent.
The first 500-series tractors were delivered without cabs. After the “cab law” came into force at midsummer 1969, cabs became compulsory on these models too. Individual Valmet 500 tractors can differ from one another not only in the cab but also in the position of the tank filler, the steering and the clutch, depending on when the tractor was built and which options were ordered from the factory.
The rest of the 00-series consisted of the Valmet 700, 900 and 1100, which were outwardly different and more powerful tractors. Contemporary advertising called them “väkevä, väkevämpi ja väkevästä väkevin” — strong, stronger and strongest.
Design and features
- Compact 00-series model: the smallest tractor of the new family.
- Disc brakes: a step up from the drum brakes of the 565.
- Higher final drive: 15 per cent more than the 565.
- Yellow livery: the easiest way to tell a 500 from its red predecessor.
- Factory variations: early and late tractors differ in cab, steering and clutch details.
Valmet 500 versions
- Valmet 500 (1968–1969): early cabless tractors.
- Valmet 500 (1969–1971): tractors with the compulsory cab.
- 00-series siblings: Valmet 700, 900 and 1100.
The 500 replaced the Valmet 565 and was itself replaced by the Valmet 502. More tractors are in the Valmet collection.
Sources
- Valmet 500, Finnish Wikipedia: development, brakes, colour, cab law
- Valmet (traktori), Finnish Wikipedia: engine, power, production years
- Valtra, English Wikipedia: company history and the move to Suolahti
