Know How / Tractors Latest tractor articles TRACTORSJohn Deere launches new 75-106hp narrow tractorsA three-model line-up of new narrow tractors has joined the John Deere family, for use in orchards, vineyards, top fruit, polytunnels, glasshouses and other confined-space applications. In size terms, width… TRACTORSDriver's view: Lee Henzell's Fendt 728 VarioFendt’s 700-series overhaul was big news in the summer of 2022, with the ever-popular 724 downgraded to mid-range status and a new 728 thrust to the apex. It strayed well… TRACTORSDriver's view: William Heslip's New Holland T7.300A new cab was the stand-out improvement on New Holland’s “long-wheelbase” T7s when they were introduced at the Sima show in Paris three years ago. There are five Auto Command… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Dirom's Valtra Q285Valtra’s long-awaited Q-series finally broke cover in 2022, filling a void between its existing T and S ranges. Second biggest in the five-strong line-up is the Q285, which matches the… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Mixture's John Deere 6R 250Sitting at the apex of John Deere’s “mid-size” tractor line-up, the 6R 250 offers a healthy slug of power in a modestly proportioned chassis. Its versatility in tackling jobs both… TRACTORSDriver's view: Robin Ward's Massey Ferguson 8S.305For the Massey Ferguson buyer seeking 300 horses, both the 8S and 9S can deliver the goods. But the former’s blend of power and manoeuvrability made it the sensible choice… TRACTORSDriver's view: Dan Chanin's Claas Axion 870Armed with a 6.7-litre FPT engine and a choice of transmissions, Claas’s five-model Axion 800 range has the 200-300hp sector covered. And it’s the range-topping 870 with Cmatic CVT that’s… Tractor reviews and testsSee all MACHINERYMid-range tractor test: John Deere 6210RPower Farming Verdict: 3.8/5 The John Deere was the only tractor on test not to use AdBlue, but it still performed well in the DLG tests. We tested a pre-production… MACHINERYVideo: Claas Axion 850 test: Old model v new The latest Axion 800s look set to ruffle a few feathers with their new cabs, engines and tweaked transmissions. Nick Fone and Oliver Mark pitched the range-topping 850 against… TRACTORSFendt's four-cylinder, 224hp 620 – small engine, big powerFour cylinders? 224hp? It’s hard to believe just what can be wrung from a relatively small engine these days – one that finds itself propelling the successors to Fendt’s uber-popular… TRACTORSDriver's view: Case Rowtrac reduces compaction in SuffolkWhen it was time to chuck in the chief high-horsepower tractor at Home Farm Nacton, Suffolk, production manager Jason Smith decided to break from the norm and took a punt… TRACTORSVideo: John Deere four-track 8RX – an alternative to wheels?Since its launch at Germany’s Agritechnica show in November, the web has been awash with pictures and videos of John Deere’s shiny new 8RX tracked tractor range. The hype has… TRACTORSOn test: Deutz-Fahr 6140.4 TTVDeutz is still using up its stash of Tier 4i engines, so we separated it from the rest of the cleaner-running, Tier 4f-powered pack. Poor marks for its small cab,… MACHINERYDeutz-Fahr 5100C on testDeutz-Fahr 5100C Price £59,015 RANKING: 4th Cab The Deutz’s four-pillar cab wasn’t the biggest on test, but it was a comfortable place to sit. The controls were well laid… MACHINERYSmaller tractor brands and horsepower- what's availableRecent months have seen several new tractor manufacturers at the lower-horsepower end of the market looking to establish a foothold in the UK. The newcomers Armatrac Farmtrac Branson Iseki While… Driver's view: New Holland TS135AIf you’re looking to bag yourself a second-hand bargain, the New Holland TS135A might not seem the most obvious choice. Yet this compact high-specification tractor has plenty to offer farmers… TRACTORSVideo: 180hp tractor test 2019 previewThis summer, FW’s machinery team took four 180hp tractors from some of biggest names in the industry to a Hampshire farm for a rigorous workout during a busy cultivation period.… TRACTORSOn test: JCB Fastrac 4220 iCONThis time last year we pitted JCB’s Fastrac 4220 against a Fendt 724 Vario to see just how close the high-speed specialist’s in-field performance could get to that of a… MACHINERYVideo: First drive: Fendt’s 415hp 942 VarioFendt has spent the past decade tightening its grip on the high-horsepower tractor market, to the point that it now claims one-third of all new tractor sales above 200hp. But… Tractor buying advice Ultimate guide to buying a tractor 2025 What to look for when buying and fitting a tractor dashcam 6 simple, low-cost loader tractor options The inspection service helping buyers spot dodgy tractors Handy checklist for buying a second-hand tractor Buying a tractor? How to make sense of engine statistics Understanding CVT and powershift transmissions when buying a tra... Legal tips for buying and selling second-hand machinery Tractor guidesSee all MACHINERYVideo: Furse four tractor test: John Deere 6930Watch the video and read the full report below. We’ve been very impressed with the 6930 and it hasn’t had any of the problems we experienced with previous Deeres. It’s… TRACTORSOn test: Valtra N134 VersuValtra’s recent N-series revamp has at last dragged it into the 21st century. The cab is spacious, the engine and hydraulics are strong, and a tight turning circle makes it… Machinery giants: How Case IH became a big name in farm kitYou have to go right back to the 1820s to witness the beginnings of Case IH. The McCormick family was developing a new reaping machine that was demonstrated successfully in… ROAD LEGALTractor driving - the law for 16-year-oldsSuffolk PC Mark Bryant has reminded farmers to check which machinery items their 16-year-old workers can legally drive on the road. Holders of the category-F qualification (for agricultural tractors) are… TRACTORSHigh-flexion tractor tyres - how they work and what they costSlice open one of the latest high-tech tractor tyres to compare it with a “lesser” design and, without the trained eye of a tyre engineer, you would be hard-pressed to… TRACTORSOn test: John Deere 6120R AutoPowrDeere’s 6R-series has been around for a few years now, but regular updates have kept the tractors fresh along the way. This latest version comes with a screen and control… TRACTORSBuying the right tractor: part 1 - powerBuying a new tractor is potentially one of the most complex decisions a farmer makes; there are so many models, sizes and features – let alone prices – to consider.… TRACTORSDriver's view: Valtra G125e Active tractorSpanning a power bracket of 105hp to 135hp, Valtra’s versatile G-series neatly bridges the gap between the compact A and higher-spec N ranges. All models are driven by a Chinese-built… 201-300HPOn test: Massey Ferguson 7S.210 proves versatile all-rounderA boom in aftermarket tuning chips and remapping software has created a swarm of performance-enhanced tractors that churn out far more horsepower than their makers ever intended. On the one… MACHINERYUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2018Our ultimate guide to 50hp-plus tractors available in Britain has been published online for 2018 with a host of changes from last year’s edition. With the removal of discontinued models… TRACTORSTips for buying a second-hand Challenger MT765ERising input costs, falling subsidy payments and squeezed profit margins mean many farmers are turning to the second-hand machinery market to add extra firepower or replace their ageing prime mover.… MACHINERYVideo: John Deere DirectDrive gearbox on testIt’s fair to say John Deere has lagged behind a bit in the gearbox stakes over recent years. While nearly all the other main players in the tractor game have… Tractor technologySee all TECHNOLOGYEngineer adapts Kubota tractors for driverless contractingPlenty of manufacturers have had a stab at building a driverless tractor – Case-IH has one based on a Magnum, Kubota’s attempt is a quirky-looking tracked contraption and John Deere… TRACTORSElectric tractors ‘on UK farms as early as 2020’Electric tractors may be coming to UK farms at least 10 years sooner than anticipated, according to the NFU. A NFU paper, Electric tractors by 2020? – a review of… TRACTORSIs a future of methane-powered tractors viable?If you remember New Holland’s first attempt at a methane tractor back in 2013, you’ll probably recall being hugely sceptical and quite underwhelmed by what was a T6 tractor with… Road legalSee all ROAD LEGALTractor driving - the law for 16-year-oldsSuffolk PC Mark Bryant has reminded farmers to check which machinery items their 16-year-old workers can legally drive on the road. Holders of the category-F qualification (for agricultural tractors) are… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all Machinery giants: How Case IH became a big name in farm kitYou have to go right back to the 1820s to witness the beginnings of Case IH. The McCormick family was developing a new reaping machine that was demonstrated successfully in… ROAD LEGALTractor driving - the law for 16-year-oldsSuffolk PC Mark Bryant has reminded farmers to check which machinery items their 16-year-old workers can legally drive on the road. Holders of the category-F qualification (for agricultural tractors) are… TRACTORSHigh-flexion tractor tyres - how they work and what they costSlice open one of the latest high-tech tractor tyres to compare it with a “lesser” design and, without the trained eye of a tyre engineer, you would be hard-pressed to… TRACTORSBuying the right tractor: part 1 - powerBuying a new tractor is potentially one of the most complex decisions a farmer makes; there are so many models, sizes and features – let alone prices – to consider.… MACHINERYUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2018Our ultimate guide to 50hp-plus tractors available in Britain has been published online for 2018 with a host of changes from last year’s edition. With the removal of discontinued models… TRACTORSTips for buying a second-hand Challenger MT765ERising input costs, falling subsidy payments and squeezed profit margins mean many farmers are turning to the second-hand machinery market to add extra firepower or replace their ageing prime mover.… Buying the right tractor: part 2 - transmissionIn part 1 of this feature we tackled the basics of tractor selection before evaluating power choice and the costs and benefits of ‘power boost’ options. In this section, we… TRACTORS10 scraper tractor options for dairy farms of all sizesNo tractor is less mollycoddled than the one hooked to a muckscraper. Slathered in slurry from dawn ‘til dusk and shunting back and forth with monotonous regularity, these machines have… MACHINERYRemapped Valtra duo improve safety for road usersGibliston Farming Company’s 2015 Valtra T215 was struggling for power on some of the unforgiving hills and ground farmed in the East Neuk of Fife. The nature of the business… How to avoid buying a dodgy used crawler tractorTracked tractors are widely recognised as being the best means of putting serious horsepower to the ground. They’re expensive to buy new, yet here in the UK we still lap… TRACTORSIs a future of methane-powered tractors viable?If you remember New Holland’s first attempt at a methane tractor back in 2013, you’ll probably recall being hugely sceptical and quite underwhelmed by what was a T6 tractor with… TRACTORSBuying a tractor? How to make sense of engine statisticsHands up who knows the difference between a tractor’s rated and maximum power? Or what the perfect torque curve should look like? How about torque rise? Or six-point fuel tests?… VideoSee all MACHINERYCase Farmall – a blast from the pastIntro Farmall A Farmall C Farmall U Ninty years on, Case has resurrected the Farmall name for its new range of sub 115hp tractors. A total of 15 different tractors… MACHINERYVideo: Furse four tractor test: John Deere 6930Watch the video and read the full report below. We’ve been very impressed with the 6930 and it hasn’t had any of the problems we experienced with previous Deeres. It’s… Video: Tractors decorated in Christmas lights on paradeTractors festooned in Christmas lights have brought a bit of festive joy to the streets of a small town in south-east Ireland. A group of 15 tractors paraded around the… VIDEO: Fendt tractor sales rocketThe explosive modernisation of eastern European agriculture has fuelled massive growth in sales for German tractor maker Fendt. Sales of Fendt tractors have rocketed on the back of the…
