The Literature Rack, Steiger Series III
By Gordy Shultz

 
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1976 Steiger Series III Brochure
Historical Steiger page in 1976 brochure

Early Steiger 4wd

Back cover of the 1976 brochure

Cover of the 1979 Series III Steiger brochure

Tiger III

All new PT model cut away

Back cover page of 1979 brochure.

Safari Cab

Series III 1976 Full Range:  ST-325 Panther, ST-320 Panther, ST-310 Panther, ST-270 Cougar, ST-251 Cougar, ST-250 Cougar, ST-220 Bearcat, ST-210 Wildcat,  RC-210 Wildcat (Row Crop)
 
 

The Series III Steiger became the most popular of all tractors with more models and variations being produced than any other make and also total units sold. In North America, Steiger controlled 30 percent of the market share for big articulated tractors. The new Series III Steigers were introduced in 1976 with 4 basic models: Wildcat III, Bearcat III, Cougar III and Panther III. These models were offered with either Caterpillar or Cummins engines and all had ten speed constant mesh transmissions.

As of 1977, the biggest tractor built by Steiger was the Tiger III, ST-470 powered by a Cummins KTA straight 6 cylinder turbo charged and inner cooled 100,150 cubic inch engine producing 470 HP. The Tiger III ST 450 was powered by a Caterpillar V8 turbo charged inner cooled engine.

A further advancement by Steiger during 1979 was the introduction of the electronically controlled PTO's on the Bearcat III, Cougar III, and the Panther III. These models were given the prefix of PT which denoted the PTO models with the number still denoting engine HP. The PTO power was limited to 125 HP on all 3 models.

Cabs on the series III were called Safari cabs. Naming the cab Safari played right into the theme of Jungle Cat classification of tractors. Spacious cabs with easy to reach controls and excellent visibility allowed the operator to sit back and relax in the air conditioned cab and let the power do the work.

There were many literature publications and promotional items distributed by Steiger dealers during the 1970's and early 1980's on the Steiger series III tractors. In future issues, we will expand on many of the Steiger brochures that are available on the market. This month I would like to look at two of the best Steiger pieces that 4WD collectors may want to add to their collections.

Steiger only made 4 WD's, and most Steiger brochures were only one or two page leaflets. However, in 1976, with the introduction of the series III, Steiger put out a full 23 page brochure on these tractors. This brochure is comparable to sales literature from major companies such as John Deere, International, CASE, White and Alice Chalmers of the period. It features all 9 of the series III models ranging from the big ST-325 Panther down to the row crop RC-210 Wildcat. This full color brochure is a must have for any 4WD fans as it features many pages of Steigers in action.

In 1979, Steiger updated this 23 page brochure to include the Tiger III and the PT models. The key differences between the 1976 and 1979 brochures are their covers. The 1976 brochure features a Cougar ST 270 on the cover and features historical Steiger information on the back inside cover. The 1979 version is almost identical with its content, but features a Panther ST 325 on the cover pulling a 9 bottom IH plow and pages 20 and 21 present the Tiger III and the PT models. The back covers also differ with the 1976 version showing the Steiger factory in the day time and the 1979 version shows the Steiger factory at dusk with the Steiger name lit up and three Steiger tractors parked silhouetted in the sunset. Look to pay $45-$65 for these full size Steiger catalogs.

In the August issue, we will continue our look at Steiger 4wds and explore sales literature featuring the scraper and industrial models. Next month we will look at Massey-Ferguson's transition from conventional combines to rotary in the mid-1980's.

Learn more about Steiger 4wds from the 1958 Steiger #1 to the 1989 Steiger 9180 at http://www.bigtractorpower.com/steiger4wdtractorhistory.htm
 
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