Industry of Machinery and Tractors

The IMT factory was founded in 1947 as the Central Foundry. In 1949, a new
company, the Metal Institute, was formed by amalgamating the Central Foundry
and four other local companies. The Metal Institute became the Industry of
Machinery and Tractors (IMT) in 1954. The following year, research was
conducted on different types of tractors and the Massey Ferguson licence was
chosen.[3]

In 1959, the factory was reconstructed and production capacities for 4000
tractors a year were built. The factory started production of a tractor of their own
design in 1964. In 1988, IMT recorded its largest annual production in history 42000 tractors and 35000 machines.[3]

Between 1990 and 2000, changing economic circumstances led to significant

changes in production. A long-term co-operation was established with the Perkins
company, and the first engines complying to the EU 2000/25/EC standards were
built in 2005.[3] In 2008, the Serbian Privatisation Agency launched a tender
process for the sale of IMT.[4] In 2012, IMT introduced a new "S" series of
tractors.[5] Offer of the new generation of tractors together with purchasing
power demanded custumisation of tractor accessory. Mostly new models have
join of traditional and modern look, thanks to the Belgrade professional schools,
Faculties of Design and IMT design studio.

In July 2013, IMT exported tractors in Kazakhstan, ex-Yugoslavia markets, Ecuador

and African market. The model which has been exported in Kazakhstan was
labelled "Baikonur" (derives from Baikonur Cosmodrome) and it was models 539,
549, 555.11.[6]

Popular products[edit]
Most popular type of IMT tractors was IMT 533 (with 35 hp) and IMT 539 (40 hp).
These tractors become popular in Yugoslavia, because they were easy for
maintenance, easy to handle, manoeuvrable, rotatable. Popularity is resulted by
spreading of mechanisation and (that time) modern technology on rural parts of
country. Later model was produced in 1965. It was IMT 555. Reliable of these
three types is in characteristics of the engine. These engine could stand for 4,000
working hours to the general repair.

IMT 5200-5360 models were among the ten bigest tractors on the world market
in 80's and 90's. These series were contemporary for that period. Characteristics

of these series were: 500 hp, V12 diesel FAP and Mercedes-Benz engine, 4WD,
4X4 chasis, synchro gearbox shifter (16 forward and 4 reverse),16 t (35,274 lb),
hydrostatic power steering, dual clutch, 3 seats adjustable, complete safety
programs for passengers and driver, big space for smaller items and air brakes.
Additional accessories of 5200-5360 models were: manual A/C, cigarette lighter
and ashtray, manual sun or moon roof and car radio/cassette recorder.

Other historical models worth to mention of this company are:[7] 528,530-539P,

542-549 (standard and Deluxe versions), 550-558, 560-569, 570-579, 585-589,
590-597, 5100, 5135-5136, 5170, 5210, 5220, 5270 and 5500.