Regardless of size, make or model, there's no denying
there is something of a buzz attached to buying a brand new
tractor.
The smell of new paint backed up with the comforting knowledge
that no one, but no one, has used or abused your chosen machine.
And, just to add an extra sparkle to the occasion, there is the
reassurance of a manufacturer's warranty should it be needed. It
all adds up to a feel-good factor which, in these days of toil and
cost cutting can be hard to beat.
And if the budget dictates a ceiling of about £15,000 there's
now a useful selection of sub-100hp "value" tractors available that
could actually leave the canny buyer with money left over in the
pocket.
So where do you look and what do you consider? Our shortlist of
six favourites could hold the keys to your next new budget
tractor.
Tafe
Tractors UK of
Sturminster Newton, Devon, is the importer of Indian-made Tafe
tractors, which are based on early MFs following collaboration with
Massey Ferguson UK in 1961 to build models based on the popular 35
and 45 tractors.
The Tafe 35 model is available in standard and Classic
specifications - the latter mirrors the original Fergie 35's design
with a curved bonnet, while the standard model with square profile
bodywork comes with four-wheel drive.
Power is supplied from a 37hp diesel engine driving an 8 x 2
mechanical gearbox and both models can lift 1100kg on the
three-point linkage which also comes with draft control, position
control and response settings.
For those searching for more power there is the 45 model, which
brings 47hp to the mix, while a turbocharged 47 model packs in
67hp. Both can be specified as two- or four-wheel drive tractors,
and all but the Classic 35 can be fitted with a safety cab in place
of the roll-bar.
A manual steering system based on the recirculating ball design
is fitted to the Classic 35, but other models benefit from power
steering systems. Prices start at £8600 for the Classic 35, rising
to £11,200 for the turbocharged 47 model.
Tractors UK also offers a front-end loader that offers a 3m lift
height and a 750kg lift capacity.
Belarus
Browns of
Liversedge imports Belarus tractors into the UK, although only
three from the six model portfolio reside below the 100hp
threshold.
These include the 35hp B320 compact tractor, and the 90hp
B900.3/B920.3 - the latter being a four-wheel drive derivative of
the B900.3.
Both the 900-series tractors share many components, including a
4.7-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged 90hp diesel engine, dual
speed pto system, 3800kg lift capacity, oil immersed brakes and
14x4 synchromesh transmission. And both weigh close to 4t.
There is a £2000 price difference between the models - £12,800
buys the B900.3 and £14,800 buys the B920.3.
But those looking to shave even more off the budget can choose
from two lower-specification B900.3 versions - £12,000 buys a
variant with a non-synchromesh transmission and a Russian seat, but
keeps its oil-immersed brakes, while saving another £500 means
customers can opt for the same specification but with dry brakes in
place of the oil-immersed items.
The standard kit-list includes an on-board air compressor, three
spool valves plus front and rear work lights.
Options that can be added to the Belarus models include a
reverse shuttle synchromesh gearbox, air or hydraulic trailer
braking system, creeper gearbox and air conditioning.
Zetor
Perhaps not quite as cheap-and-cheerful as they once were, the
Zetor tractor range now
has the Proxima, Proxima Plus and Forterra models that create a
modern portfolio that has brought the Czech maker into the 21st
century.
With a limited budget in mind, the 68hp Proxima 6241 two-wheel
drive and 6441 four-wheel drive models gain subtle changes from
previous models, including grey-painted wheels that replace a
former cream paint scheme, plus galvanised side steps and lenses
that make the indicators and headlights much brighter, says the
firm.
The four-cylinder, 4.1-litre turbocharged Zetor 7205 engine
meets Tier III emissions regulations and creates a 36% torque rise,
says the firm. Drive passes through a cerametallic clutch into a
fully synchronised transmission with 10 forward and two reverse
gears.
An optional 12x12 shuttle gearbox can be specified, and road
speeds can be 30kph for the 6241 and 30 or 40kph for the 6441,
depending on transmission choices.
Zetor buyers also get a category II three-point linkage with
two-speed pto, ground speed pto and an optional 1000rpm front pto
system.
The 3t tractors are also available as cabless versions with
prices of £14,200 and £14,900 respectively - although those who
prefer a little more in terms of creature comforts could stretch
the budget by another £1800 to add a heated and glazed environment
in which to sit.
Tong Yang Moolsan
Korean manufacturer Tong Yang Moolsan (TYM) produces a range of
tractors that spans the 23-70hp sector.
Essentially a range of compact machines aimed at the equestrian
and groundcare market, there is potential for the larger models
that Kings Lynn, Norfolk-based
TYM
International brings to the UK, to find their way into farming
applications.
The largest cabless tractor, the TYM 450, packs a 45hp Kubota
four-cylinder diesel engine under its bonnet and drives all four
wheels through a 16x16 synchro shuttle transmission and mechanical
front-wheel drive system.
Hydrostatic power steering and wet disc brakes are part of the
standard specification, as are a category I/II linkage, two-speed
pto and two spool valves. Lift capacity of the 1800kg TYM450 is
1300kg at the lift arms.
At the top of the range, the larger TYM700 complete with glazed
cab delivers 70hp from its John Deere three-cylinder turbo diesel
engine.
Despite its power, this tractor remains relatively compact and
measures 4m in length, 1.95m in width and 2.6m to the top of the
cab. Tipping the scales at just 3020kg and shod on 11.2x24 front
tyres and 16.9x30 at the rear.
And TYM is one of the few manufacturers that offers an extensive
warranty - in this instance, it can extend to five years.
YTO
Spalding-based Rabtrak is the UK distributor for
a range of Chinese built YTO tractors that spans 18-90hp.
Built at the First tractor works by Yuito (YTO) - which is
reputed to be the oldest and largest machinery maker in China and
produces 750 small tractors a day - these models are considered to
be mechanically straightforward, and could appeal to those with a
penchant for levers and mechanical linkages.
The 18-20hp models benefit from a 16-speed transmission,
independent brakes, cold start, hydraulic three-point linkage, 540
rpm PTO and on-board air compressor. Larger YTO 300/304 - the "4"
denotes four-wheel drive - are said to be ideal yard scraper
models, while the YTO 400/404 are comparable in size to an MF35 and
feature power steering, two speed PTO, 8-speed dual range gearbox
plus three-point linkage and differential lock. Expect to pay
around £6500 for such a tractor.
At the top end of the range are the 80hp and 90hp YTO 800/804
and 900/904 - both versions are based on Fiat Agri tractor designs
with an Italian chassis and components used throughout, except for
the engine. The four-cylinder turbocharged engine is Chinese
manufactured, but based on a British design, says Rabtrak's Richard
Birkett.
Even these models remain free of electronic gadgets and on-board
computers, and for £16,900, the YTO 904 comes with a glazed cab,
air conditioning, pickup hitch and front mudguards as standard.
Siromer
Perhaps the ultimate in low-cost tractor purchases could be
found in the Chinese-manufactured Siromer
stable.
The agricultural equivalent of a do-it-yourself kitchen, these
part-built compact tractors are effectively a flat-packed
collection of components in a crate, and are distributed in the UK
through Siromer Tractors of Pilling, near Preston.
Currently, the three-model range peaks at a heady 30hp in the
guise of the £5250 model 304, though a 40hp model is expected to
arrive soon. The three-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine drives
through a multi-plate clutch into a transmission offering six
forward and two reverse gears.
At the business end, a dual-speed pto and category I linkage
with 850kgs lift capacity offers the ability to handle most yard
scrapers.
Building the tractor is a 10-step construction process that
starts with unpacking the crate. After bolting on the wheels, the
roll bar, mudguards and seat belt anchor points are installed,
followed by the addition of the front weight frame and battery.
Then the rear three-point linkage needs to be fitted, along with
the rear lights before lubricants, coolant and fuel is added, and
the tractor finally brought to life.
Siromer says any of its tractors can be supplied fully
assembled, if required.
Other makes in the wings
You only have to go to one of the big continental machinery
shows to realise that there are all sorts of makes out there who
have their sights set on exports. And some of the those would like
to sell in the UK, if they could find an importer.
- Poland's biggest tractor maker Pronar, but sells
most of its 3000 a year output to its domestic market plus Russian
and east European farmers (and a few to Eire). Starting to target
west European markets (including the UK) with tractors that mix
home-grown components with western technology. 8140 packs a 265hp
Deutz engine.
- Turkish parts and castings manufacturer Erkunt plans to export
its simple-tech tractors to western European markets under the
Armatrac brand name.
- Perkins engines, ZF transmissions and Carraro axles are fitted
and the model range currently starts at 60hp and includes 70hp,
80hp and 90hp models.
- Chinese maker Foton Lovol sells 60hp and 82hp cabbed models as
well as 25 and 40hp tractors. Power is provided by Perkins-designed
engines produced under licence.
- Russian tractors aren't seen much in the EU, but two Terrion
models (177hp and 265hp) are due to go on sale in Germany next
year. They are made in a separate facility in the
Kirowetz factory in St Petersburg but the design is
done by Berlin firm ATM United Technologies.
- Most of the Terrion output will go to the 100,000 a year
Russian market, but there's also expected to be demand in Europe
for a straightforward machine with western technology but minimal
electronics that will compete with wstern makes.
- This Farmer-branded tractor on sale in Eire is
Polish built and currently available in two sizes, the 92hp F-9058
and the 105hp F-10244 C1. The smaller unit is powered by a John
Deere engine and uses a 12 x 12 transmission
- LimbLuxs Slovenian-built tractor was being
brought in by TractaMotors, Co. Cavan, Eire. Looking a bit like a
Deutz-Fahr, it's currently offered as an 85hp model with plans for
95hp and 125hp variants. Powered by a Perkins engine, it has a 24 x
24 40kph transmission and 3.2t lift capacity.