Industry of Machinery and Tractors

First serie of IMT tractors - IMT 533.

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.[4]

In 1959, the factory was reconstructed and production capacities for 4,000 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 - 42,000 tractors and 35,000 machines.[4]

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.[4] In 2008, the Serbian Privatisation Agency launched a tender process for the sale of IMT.[5] In 2012, IMT introduced a new "S" series of tractors.[6] Offer of the new generation of tractors together with purchasing power demanded customisation 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.[7] The company ceased production in August 2015 and went into bankruptcy procedure, with 186 million dollars of accumulated debt.[8]

On 2 April 2018, the company was sold to the Indian manufacturing company TAFE.[8]

The most popular of the IMT tractors were the IMT 533 (with 33 hp) and IMT 539 (39 hp). These tractors become popular in Yugoslavia, because they were reliable, easy to handle, manoeuvrable and capable. Their popularity resulted in the advancement of mechanisation and modernisation in rural areas. A more advanced model was later produced in 1965 under the designation IMT 555. The reliability of these three models comes from the characteristics of the engine. Mainly for the fuel pump developed internally by IMT. These engines were renowned for lasting 20000 working hours before needing an overhaul.

IMT 5200-5500 models were among the ten largest tractors on the world market in the 1980s and 1990s. 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-way adjustable seats, complete safety programs for passengers and drivers, big luggage spaces and air brakes. Additional accessories of 5200-5500 models were: manual A/C, cigarette lighter and ashtray, manual sun or moon roof and radio/cassette recorder.

Other historical models of this company worth mentioning are:[9] 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.

New series of tractors have EC standards. EC stand for European emission standards for engines used in new non-road mobile machinery. IMT products have Stage II and IIIA (model IMT 555.11).[10]

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  IMT 533 Deluxe from 1973 in Gornji Milanovac, Serbia.
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  IMT 539 in Susek, Serbia.
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  IMT 540 de Luxe in Srem, Serbia.
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  IMT 560 De luxe tractor with a sort of "cage" machine cleaning plenty of carrots in river water; Danube riverbank at Banoštor village in Serbia.
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  IMT-577DV tractor of Serbian Air Force 204th Air Brigade at Batajnica Air Base, Serbia.
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  IMT 558 with "Made in Yugoslavia" signature