Tractor price update

An online update of the regular Farmers Weekly early-summer tractor buyers’ guide listing is being published on FWi to bring buyers the latest model updates and prices.

It also provides a more comprehensive listing than before because the technology chosen by manufacturers to meet the next level of exhaust emissions control is noted and details of front axle suspension and driver’s cab suspension fitments are included for the first time.

While increasingly fitted as standard to higher horsepower, higher-spec machines, both suspension packages remain optional on most mid-range models.

And at prices from £3000 to more than £10,000 – but with £3500-4000 being typical – adding front-axle suspension alone can make a significant difference to the end price of a given model.

It can also make a difference to field performance, according to manufacturers who reckon a good front-axle suspension system can improve traction when pulling hard over a rough surface.

Productivity will also benefit by improving the operator’s ride comfort, encouraging faster working speeds than might otherwise be the case both on road and in field.

Good seat suspension can do the job to some extent, especially if it is one of the high-tech active systems. But adding cab suspension to the spec where it is optional is not too painful on the pocket, given list prices of no more than £1750 and typically below £1000.

Again, productivity benefits from giving the driver a more comfortable ride and a couple of the more sophisticated systems can be tuned to suit the driver’s weight, as well as preferences.

A raft of newcomers have been either introduced commercially or flagged up as becoming available in 2011 since the Farmers Weekly guide was last published in May 2010.

There are new Case-IH Puma semi-powershift and stepless transmission models listed, along with new Magnum and Steiger machines featuring Fiat Powertrain instead of Cummins engines.

Details of the hydraulics package on the two biggest Claas Xerion tractors have been confirmed and new stepless drive tractors powered by Deutz engines appear in the Deutz-Fahr and Fendt listings.

Next-generation John Deere 8R Series tractors are listed as the only ones so far to feature a diesel oxidation catalyst and particulate filtration instead of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet 2011 onwards emission rules.

The Xtra version of JCB’s Fastrac 3000 Series, featuring a new transmission as well as engine power boost feature, makes its debut in the listing, along with the newly-minted Landini Powermondial 120, McCormick T100-Max and a more powerful Zetor Forterra 13441.

There are more newcomers for 2011, in the shape of smaller stepless drive New Holland Auto Command tractors than have been seen before, which kick off the T7 Series line-up. Meanwhile, the FPT-engined T8 (substantially different from the current T8000) and articulated T9 tractors revamp the top end of the line-up.

Valtra, too, has changes on the way. The “old generation” T Advance series models have been dropped by the wayside, leaving only the HiTech versions in place for the time being.

But there are also engine power tweaks for the new-generation T Series and N Series tractors that will introduce the Finnish marque’s solution to next-level exhaust emissions control in 2011.

LAMMA2011