Burning fuel to haul unnecessary weight around does nothing to reduce cost per hectare energy costs, so it is little wonder that manufacturers of two mid- to upper-range newcomers make much of their favourable power-to-weight ratio.

With 175hp available for draft work, the Massey Ferguson 7618 that joined the MF 7600-Series earlier this year and the John Deere 6170M have decent power output for a variety of field tasks from ploughing to min-till cultivation and sowing.

In addition, power output is backed up by plenty of torque to keep things rolling when the engine becomes particularly challenged.

The Deere machine, which is part of the 6M Series replacing the 6030 Premium line-up, has a touch more twist effort from its 6.8-litre diesel than does the MF 7618’s 8.4-litre six-pot.

But the latter can deploy its “power management” function to generate up to 200hp and 13.5% more torque to drive pto-powered implements, compensate for demanding hydraulic applications and help maintain speed during road transport duties.

Strip these tractors to their bare essentials and there is not a lot of weight for these high-performance engines to haul about. The MF machine tips the scales at just 6,300kg, according to the manufacturer’s figures; the Deere is not a lot heavier at 7,105kg with Triple Link Suspension installed on the front axle and the biggest diameter tyres available – 600/65R28 and 710/70R38.

Yet both tractors can pile on the pounds when extra mass is needed to help those tyres grip by adding ballast – the 6170M can go to 11,300kg gross vehicle weight, although 8,100kg will be more typical, while the 7618 can be loaded to 11,500kg GVW.

Both tractors can be had with a choice of transmissions: the John Deere machine’s base spec is the 16×16 PowrQuad Plus with 40kph top speed. Upgrading to AutoQuad Plus adds four more speeds (20×20) and brings auto shifting between the four powershift steps for added convenience and productivity.

The Ecoshift version of this transmission allows the tractor to run at its 40kph peak with fewer revs on the clock, resulting in a gain in fuel economy and a little less noise.

The MF’s Dyna-6 ECO transmission can do the same, trimming the revs from 2,100rpm to just 1,800rpm once into its stride; go for the 50kph version and that velocity is achieved at 1,950rpm.

AutoDrive intelligent shifting between the six powershift steps is standard with 40kph gearing, optional on the higher speed version – and then there is the further option of having Dyna-VT stepless drive instead, again in 40kph or 50kph formats.

Deere users need to go to the more sophisticated 6150R at 165/175hp or the 6170R with 187/207hp for that facility.

John Deere 6M-Series

The 6M line-up comprises five models from 121-158hp that replace corresponding tractors in the 6030- Series, with the addition of the 175hp 6170M extending the range upwards in both size and power.

The newcomers share the look of the 6R line-up, but retain a simpler overall specification and also the current six-post cab. It does feature a new instrument panel with added features, though, including a transponder key immobiliser to complement the CESAR Datatag registration.

Additional semi-powershift transmissions are available, with 20×20 AutoQuad Plus giving four-speed powershift auto changes for the first time and the EcoShift version allowing cruising speeds to be reached at lower revs.

Linkage lift capacity is up 10% or so and a factory-fitted front linkage and pto option has been introduced.

The 135hp and 145hp six-cylinder models of the current range are replaced by four-cylinder machines of 136hp and 147hp – a lighter, smaller solution at this power level with high torque outputs low down in the rev range helping performance.

Massey Ferguson 7600-Series

The 7600-Series is progressively merging the previously separate semi-powershift 6400 Dyna-6 and stepless 7400 Dyna-VT ranges into a common line-up.

It spans a wide range of features and specifications through a trio of build packages – Essential is the simplest; Efficient brings a seat-mounted control console and electric spool valves; and the all-singing, all-dancing Exclusive has a multi-control joystick on the console, all-electronic spools and as much automation and data features as AGCO can muster.

At present, the 7600-Series begins with four-cylinder 140/155hp and 150/165hp models with the Dyna-4 transmission from the 5400-Series, climbs to the 240hp peak of the former ranges and goes on to a new high with the 255/280hp MF 7626 Dyna-6 Eco.

There is no Dyna-VT with this one because a significantly heavier version the CVT would be needed and that would detract from the machine’s attractively high power-to-weight ratio.

Valtra T-Series launches dual-output engine

A novel dual-output engine control system makes its reappearance in the Valtra T-Series line-up and can be partnered with a stepless transmission for the first time.

The Valtra T163 EcoPower is available with the Direct (CVT) or Versu (five-speed powershift) transmission and push-button selection of different engine characteristics. Regular output is 170hp for draft and pto work and up to 185hp for transportation duties.

With EcoPower selected, the tractor’s 6.6-litre AGCO Power six-cylinder engine is tuned to deliver power based on a rated speed of just 1,900rpm; peak outputs are 163hp and 177hp, but a lot more torque is available to handle variations in load with the biggest “twist” effort generated at a lowly 1,250rpm.

Improved fuel consumption is a key attraction; it should be around 10% less than when the engine runs with the regular power setting and engine component life is improved too.

While the 30×30 Versu transmission with five powershift steps is unchanged for the T 03-Series tractors, the CVT is upgraded to Direct 2.0 with a friendlier and more capable control system.

Landini givers boost to its Autopowershift

An improved line-up of Landini 7-Series tractors comprises five models with detailed internal changes to the Autopowershift transmission to cater for significant increases in power outputs – especially when the Dual Power “boost” mechanism is activated, as this delivers up to 20hp more than on previous models.

Two levels of specification are available – Techno provides a side console-mounted four-speed range lever and mechanical spool valves, while TOP has seat-mounted controls, fully robotised shifts between ranges and the eight powershift steps, auto shifting in the top range and a full complement of electronic spool valves.

The Landini 7-180 has 150hp for operating draft work and 175hp with Dual Power for trailers and pto applications; equivalent figures for the 7-195 are 165/188hp, and for the 7-205 they are 175/203hp.

Two “large frame” models top the range: the Landini 7-220 has 188hp for soil-engaging implements and 218hp for pto drive; corresponding figures for the 7-235 are 214/232hp, both of which are new highs for the range.

These outputs, together with improved torque, come from FPT Industrial (formerly Iveco) six-pot engines, using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for emissions compliance.

Added power to Claas Arion 600 tractors

The Arion 600 tractor range from Claas has been given a lift up the power scale with the introduction of latest emissions-compliant Deere engines that generate higher power outputs than before.

The range kicks off at 158hp above a three-model Arion 500 series line-up of four-cylinder tractors with 145-163hp outputs.

The best-selling Arion 640 switches from power boost 160/180hp outputs to a single output of 177hp, while the top of the range is now occupied by the Arion 650 with its 184hp six-cylinder engine.

An electronically controlled fan reduces power losses to the engine cooling system by running only as fast as it needs to – and not at all if necessary.