The Valmet 805 belonged to the Volvo BM Valmet 505–905 series unveiled in 1982, the fruit of Valmet’s takeover of Volvo BM’s tractor business. Its Power Plus version, built from 1989 to 1991, produced 100 hp from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Valmet 805 at a glance
| Maker | Valmet, with Volvo BM components |
|---|---|
| Series | Volvo BM Valmet 505–905 |
| Series years | 1982–1991 |
| Version | 805 and 805 Power Plus |
| Power Plus engine | four-cylinder turbocharged, 4,400 cm³ |
| Power Plus output | 100 hp |
| Power Plus fuel tank | 180 litres |
| Cab and transmission | supplied by Volvo |
| Built at | Suolahti, Finland |
The Valmet 805 has no Wikipedia article of its own; the series history comes from the English Valtra article and the Power Plus specifications from the Finnish list of Valmet tractors.
History of the Valmet 805
In the late 1970s Volvo BM decided to concentrate on construction equipment and sell its tractor and forest machinery business. Valmet was already larger than Volvo BM in the tractor market and signed a letter of intent in November 1978; the final agreement followed on 1 October 1979. Tractor production at Volvo BM’s Eskilstuna factory was discontinued, and the Swedish plant switched to construction equipment.
Work on a new range designated Volvo BM Valmet began in January 1979. Scantrac AB, a joint venture between Volvo BM and Valmet, was responsible for engineering and marketing, as Volvo BM wanted to transfer its sales network and customers to Valmet. The first Volvo BM Valmet models were unveiled in Sweden in May 1982, and Volvo supplied the cabs and transmission components for all 505–905 series tractors between 1982 and 1991.
The 805 was one of the models in that series, alongside the 305, 405, 505, 605, 705, 905, 2005 and 2105. The range gave Valmet a complete line of tractors and helped it become the biggest tractor brand in Northern Europe, having already been market leader in Finland and one of the most popular brands in Brazil. Five years after the launch the range name was shortened to Valmet.
The 805 Power Plus version was built from 1989 to 1991. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine displaced 4,400 cm³ and produced 100 hp, with a 180-litre fuel tank. By then the series was nearing the end of its life, and a new generation of Valmet tractors was already being prepared.
Design and features
- Volvo collaboration: cabs and transmissions supplied by Volvo BM.
- Complete series: the 805 sat in the middle of the 505–905 range.
- Power Plus: 100 hp from a 4,400 cm³ turbocharged four-cylinder.
- Long-range tank: 180 litres in the Power Plus version.
- Nordic market leader: the series helped Valmet lead tractor sales in Northern Europe.
Valmet 805 versions
- Volvo BM Valmet 805 (1982–1987): standard version of the series.
- Valmet 805 (from 1987): the same range under the shortened Valmet name.
- Valmet 805 Power Plus (1989–1991): 100 hp turbocharged version.
The 805 was followed by the Valmet 6100 and the six-cylinder Valmet 8150. More tractors are in the Valmet collection.
Sources
- Valtra, English Wikipedia: Volvo BM takeover, 505–905 series, cabs and transmissions
- Volvo BM Valmet, Finnish Wikipedia: model list and the shortened Valmet name
- Valmet (traktori), Finnish Wikipedia: 805 Power Plus engine, power and years
