Mirrors - one of the simplest components on a tractor, yet probably one of the most important. James Cullimore looked for good and bad examples

It's a tough job being a tractor mirror. You have to provide visibility past all manner of trailers and implements, so an easy-to-adjust, extendable mirror is important. It needs to be a good size, too, and capable of withstanding the whacks and thumps of modern farming. Electric adjustment and heating are useful but not vital.

So how did they fare? 

JCB Fastrac 3200

• Size: 5/5
• Robustness: 3/5
• Ease of adjustment: 4/5
• Telescopic: No
• Electric adjustment: No
• Heated: No
• Verdict: Big mirror, but no telescopic adjustment

New Holland T7050

• Size: 4/5
• Robustness: 5/5
• Ease of adjustment: 4/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: No
• Heated: No
• Verdict: So strong, you could hang on to it

Cat Challenger

• Size: 4/5
• Robustness: 5/5
• Ease of adjustment: 4/5
• Telescopic: No
• Electric adjustment: Yes
• Heated: Yes
• Verdict: Solid mirrors for a solid machine, but not telescopic

Massey Ferguson 8400

• Size: 4/5
• Robustness: 3/5
• Ease of adjustment: 4/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: Yes
• Heated: Yes
• Verdict: Good size mirror but not that strong

John Deere 7530

• Size: 5/5
• Robustness: 4/5
• Ease of adjustment: 5/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: Yes
• Heated: Yes
• Verdict: Big, heated mirror from Deere

Valtra T151

• Size: 3/5
• Robustness: 3/5
• Ease of adjustment: 5/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: No
• Heated: No
• Verdict: Adjustment is easy but the bracket flimsy

Fendt 716

• Size: 4/5
• Robustness: 5/5
• Ease of adjustment: 4/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: No
• Heated: Yes
• Verdict: Simple, sturdy and strong

Case MXU135

• Size: 4/5
• Robustness: 5/5
• Ease of adjustment: 4/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: No
• Heated: No
• Verdict: Very robust; good size

Claas Ares 697

• Size: 4/5
• Robustness: 2/5
• Ease of adjustment: 3/5
• Telescopic: Yes
• Electric adjustment: No
• Heated: No
• Verdict: Size OK, but moved against even the smallest of twigs

Conclusion

Strong brackets and arms makes Case and New Holland mirrors fit for battle against the biggest of branches. The size and shape of the JCB, Deere and Claas mirrors gives best visibility, particularly when towing trailers. MF, Valtra, Claas and JCB less robust than the others.