It’s fair to say that since its launch in 2002, Massey Ferguson’s 6400 tractor range has helped to put the company back in a position that it hasn’t enjoyed for years, grabbing back a slice of market share that it hasn’t seen for decades.

At the same time the firm introduced its first stepless CVT tractors, the 7400 range. Marrying a “Vario” transmission from sister company Fendt with a Sisu engine from its other Scandinavian sibling, Valtra, Massey had a machine that, although it didn’t sell in massive volumes, proved to be a strong, uncomplicated performer.

With the latest range of emissions regs looming, MF has decided it’s time for a rejig. The largest long-wheelbase 6400s (starting from the 160hp 6485) are to be absorbed into the new 7600 range along with previous stepless 7400 DynaVT models.

So what has changed?

According to Massey, it’s all new from the waist up. Axles and gearboxes remain pretty much the same but beyond that, certain things are radically different. Most obviously, there’s a sky-blue filler-cap for AdBlue alongside the black one for diesel and an over-sized exhaust stack that wouldn’t look out of place on an ocean liner.

In the looks department the new range falls into line with other recently facelifted Masseys (smaller 6400s will be replaced by a new 6600 range early next year). An overhanging roofline somehow manages to make the tractor appear to squat a little lower than before and with its deeply furrowed brow the 7600 has something of the stern schoolteacher about it – no messing about in the back row please.

We took pre-production versions of the mid-range 200hp 7620 out for a spin, with both stepless DynaVT and 24-speed semi-powershift Dyna6 gearboxes.

Verdict


Like other manufacturers, Massey has been forced to introduce a new level of engine complexity thanks to new emissions rules. Whether AdBlue is the right choice remains to be seen but potential purchasers can expect to pay in the region of 10% extra for the privilege of being cleaner and greener.

We like the basic layout and set-up of these new tractors, but in that respect not a lot has changed. However, we’re unconvinced about the extra complexity of the transmission auto settings, particularly on what was previously the ultra-intuitive Dyna6 gearbox. Getting the most out of this isn’t quite as easy as before. That said, both CVT and semi-powershift 7600 tractors are still simple to jump on and drive.

Engine

Massey has plumped for SCR to keep emissions down. So there’s a blue cap for AdBlue lined up alongside the black one for the diesel tank. Compared to the 430-litre fuel tank, the AdBlue one holds 60 litres. MF says urea consumption runs at between 2% to 6% of fuel use depending on the work being done. That means the AdBlue tank will require filling after every second fuel-up.

CVT or Powershift?

By offering both stepless CVT gearboxes and semi-powershift transmissions in one range, Massey is hoping to attract a far wider audience. But is it worth paying the £8000 premium for a DynaVT-tagged tractor?

The advantages of CVTs are widely publicised and often recited by dealer salespeople, but modern powershift boxes, with their clever controllers, have the potential to rival the functionality of slick shifting stepless transmissions.

By having an infinite range of transmission ratios the CVT tractor will, in theory, always be in the right gear for the right job. However, take into account the inherent inefficiency associated with hydrostatic drives, and it’s not all rosy.

In addition, potential purchasers of MF’s semi-powershift tractors gain another big advantage. Dyna6 machines offer a horsepower boost of up to 25hp when required for pto, draft and transport applications, helping to maintain engine revs under heavy load and therefore a more constant pto or forward speed.

Massey says this is unnecessary with a CVT-equipped tractor as the transmission automatically varies ratios to maintain a constant pace or pto output. The end result though, is not the same.

While a DynaVT 7620 pumps out a maximum of 200hp, the powershift equivalent maxxes out a 220hp when the boost kicks in.

Therefore, in certain situations, particularly heavy draft work, the Dyna6 box is probably the better option.

One area where MF’s six-speed powershift box has always scored highly is its ease of set-up. Previously on 6400 tractors, the point at which the AutoDrive function would shift up a gear was set by a simple, clearly labelled dial.

Now though, that has changed. Thumbwheels on the left-hand console are used to vary the rpm at which upshifts take place.

At first glance it’s not entirely clear where that is. To know what’s going on as you twiddle the dials, you have to make sure you’re in the right menu on the squint-inducing digital display tucked away in the bottom corner of the dash. In contrast, the DynaVT box is one of the more simple CVT setups on the market.

It essentially has three drive settings:


Pedal mode – the throttle pedal controls both transmission and engine to make for particularly simple driving

Stick mode – drives the tractor on the joystick like a hydrostatic machine

Pto mode – the transmission works to keep a set engine revs, varying forward speed accordingly. In this, the Massey works much like Fendt’s Vario TMS system, with the computer always looking to minimise revs according to engine loading and therefore limit fuel consumption.

Cab

Although the 7600 might be racier than its predecessors in the looks department, its cab still has that familiar MF outline. But it’s been subtly tweaked.

Gone is the angular cab frame to be replaced by softer, curvier steelwork and a more rounded front windscreen. That aside, the designers have stuck with MF’s trademark six-post design – slab-sides, steeply rounded rear three-quarter panels (that open) and a narrow back window.

Up in the cockpit the layout’s familiar too but there’s one very noticeable change – gone is MF’s trademark light grey plastic trim, replaced by a colour scheme that can only be described as being closer to hearing-aid beige.

Controls

A bewildering array of choices face the potential purchaser of these latest Masseys. While each of the four models can be equipped with either semi-powershift or CVT boxes, they’re also available in three different spec levels. On top of this there are all the usual add-ons plus a choice of control set-ups to further confuse matters.

Bog standard “Essential” means no Star Trek-style electronic armrest. Mechanical spools plus stumpy T-bar gear lever, linkage controls and throttle all move back to the right hand console.

Mid-spec “Efficient” models get full armrest controls and top-end “Exclusive” spec means a new multi-function joystick plus the option of second to handle a fore-end loader or front links.

What’s New?





• Choice of four-range, six-speed semi-powershift (Dyna6) or Fendt-derived stepless CVT (DynaVT)

  
• SCR/AdBlue exhaust after-treatment for emissions-compliant Sisu engine

  
• New curved cab-frame and beige-trimmed interior

  
• Multifunction joystick control option

  
• Choice of either mechanical or hydraulic cab suspension


Likes 






• Multi-function joystick controller provides thumb-tip control of most frequently used tractor functions 

  
• Modern styling and sleek updated cab

  
• SpeedSteer option – fewer turns lock-to-lock for faster turnarounds

  
• Both CVT and powershift simple to jump on and drive


Gripes




• Powershift transmission auto functions more complicated to set up than previous models

  
• Squint-inducing digital dash display 

  
• CVT tractors lack power boost

  
• Spools no longer colour-coded

Features – MF 7620 (Efficient spec)




• Rated Power 185hp @ 2100rpm 

  
• Max Power 205hp

  
• Engine 6.6-litre Sisu 6-cyl with SCR AdBlue system

  
• Transmission Stepless DynaVT or 24F x 24R semi-powershift Dyna6

  
• Max speed 50kph

  
• Hydraulics 110-litre/min closed-centre (150-litre/min option) 

  
• Max linkage lift 9.3t

  
• Working weight 8t

  
• Price £110,130 (Dyna6 £102,222)