The Oscar Carraro Museum - the evolution of the tractor on display

The Oscar Carraro Museum is a space dedicated to the history of the tractor, an important journey that traces the history of Carraro, from its foundation to the present day.

Named after Oscar Carraro, the brother of Mario Carraro and one of the founders of the Group, the museum was opened in May 2015 at the Rovigo production facility. The exhibition area has been designed for a very specific purpose: we can only look to the future from the perspective of our own past. Indeed, the museum features examples of the models that have been most instrumental to the success of the company over the years.

The Oscar Carraro Museum tractors

The C18 automatic seeder

Moving in chronological order, the first machine we come to is the C18, the first Carraro vehicle to take the shape of a tractor, back in 1957. With a simple, minimalist design and an exposed engine, the first automatic seeder represented a major innovation within the Italian agricultural sector at that time. More than 1,000 units of this model were made, and all were produced according to artisan methods - indeed, a former employee remembers making a camshaft using a file.

The C23 tractor

In addition to the C18 automatic seeder, the Oscar Carraro museum is also home to the C23 model, from 1959. This tractor was used in open field applications, and was produced in two versions: narrow and wide. The C23 also boasted simple lines, almost unchanged from Carraro's first vehicle. The nose of this tractor model also remains the same, but a new colour has been introduced - an elegant flash of sky blue to accompany the iconic fiery red.

The 230 model

Production of the C23 ceased in 1964, when the 230 tractor was presented, the first ever to feature four wheel drive. The idea of distributing the driving force across all four wheels enabled the company to develop a vehicle suitable for any terrain, easily overcoming the obstacle represented by steep slopes. The solid, robust design of the 230, which came in a flaming red colour, features a more appealing nose than the previous models, so much so that it almost marks a turning point for the brand.

The 555 crawler

The great degree of attention focused on technological progress led to the creation of a new vehicle for agriculture just a few years later. The 555 crawler tractor was launched on the market in 1969, and was designed to operate in extreme conditions characterised by limited room for manoeuvre and arduous slopes. The design of the model itself was conceived in order to improve performance in hilly terrain. A lower seat position and a more solid structure helped to increase wheel adhesion, even on the steepest slopes.

The 354 tractor

The 555 crawler with headlights incorporated into the nose boasted some of the first features of the modern tractor, but it was not until the 354 model in 1974 that the tractor as we know it today began to take shape. The cabin was transformed into a covered space, sheltered from the elements, with an improved seat for greater operator comfort.

From 1957 to today: non-stop evolution

At the inauguration of the Oscar Carraro Museum, Oscar's brother Mario Carraro made the following statement:
"It is only the beginning of a museum; who knows - perhaps as it evolves, we will also see examples of John Deere, Massey Ferguson or Claas machines, brands who create their own ranges of specialist tractors here at our Rovigo facility."

Indeed, the Rovigo plant is the production site for a number of major industrial groups. The earliest partnerships date back to 1980, and these have been consolidated over the years, multiplying to offer off-highway solutions designed specifically for vineyards and orchards.

This close focus on a specialised future has led to the creation of Agricube, a range of particularly compact tractors designed to meet a range of key agricultural requirements. This model remains the shining star of our range of machines, thanks to its extreme manoeuvrability, build quality and working comfort.

The Oscar Carraro Museum takes visitors on a journey through the most significant stages of Carraro's growth, celebrating a brand described by Tomaso Carraro as having "its feet firmly grounded in history, but its head in the future." And indeed, the Group is already looking ahead, developing new solutions designed to improve the agricultural sector and creating systems powered by clean energy, such as the innovative hybrid tractor.