Valtra’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 305hp output of the flagship Q305 with the help of a 20hp engine boost.

See also: First impressions: Valtra’s revamped 420hp S416 gets new cab

One of these has been in the hands of Yorkshire contractor Tom Dirom since May.

He contract farms 810ha, chops 2,600ha of forage, and is involved in the niche business of harvesting willow – for which he travels hundreds of miles from home.

Tom Dirom and partner, LJ. © MAG/Oliver Mark

Why a Valtra Q285?

I’ve always liked Valtras, having got on well with an N174, several T-series models and the S394.

That S was particularly bombproof and only went because we gave up the potato work that required its 400hp and associated weight, and I decided to get something a bit smaller for cultivations and drilling.

After waiting years for the lighter-framed, 300hp Qs to materialise, I bought a John Deere 6R 250 instead.

I’ve now got two of them, as well as three Case Pumas (165, 185 and 240) and a Deutz-Fahr 6160.

But I finally got my chance when our 15-month-old, 3,500-hour 6R 185 was up for replacement.

I went to the dealer with the intention of buying a greenish Q305 but came away with this blue Q285. The colour just caught my eye.

What extras did you opt for?

The full shebang – every time.

I like the tractors to look good, and the operators to have all the gadgets. These investments almost always pay off when we come to sell.

This one is Unlimited spec with RTK guidance, an extra in-cab-screen, Evolution leather seat and climate control, plus the dark interior that hides any oily finger marks.

I also paid £700 for a ceramic coating, just to keep it looking right. Valtra’s paint is generally good anyway, but I want it gleaming. Hopefully the next owner will see the benefit, too.

Warranty-wise I’m protected for 5,000 hours, which should work out at a couple of years. I’ve always been a big fan of Agco’s warranty package, as it covers everything from a door latch to an engine.

And I get Brian Robinson Machinery to do all the servicing. It costs me money, but I believe in supporting the dealers I rely on. In return, I know I’ll have a replacement tractor in my yard if there’s a problem.

How has it performed?

It’s obviously in a different league to the 6R 185. But it’s also far more economical than the 6R 250s and runs rings around them on the subsoiler.

In fact, I’ve been so impressed with the power that I might look at switching my 6m Horsch Avatar for a 9m model. It barely broke sweat putting beans in at 5in.

I used to be well intro remapping, but the Q certainly doesn’t need it – the engine is already torquey and responsive enough.

It’s also a well-balanced tractor, has a decent turning circle and, just as importantly, is dead easy to get in and out of, with nicely sloped steps and loads of room inside.

Even most of the John Deere diehards in the team now love it, to the point that I’m struggling to evict them from my seat.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

What could be improved?

The 53kph top speed is one sticking point. It’s no slouch, but it’s a pain when we’re travelling a fair distance as a team and I’m left lagging behind.

A reversing fan would be nice, too. It isn’t an option on the Q – I guess there isn’t enough space, as we had one on the old T-series.

Other than that, I’d just like to see the cab sharpened up a bit. It’s still a nice place to sit – the visibility, build quality and little steering wheel are all great – but the opposition has moved on.

Hopefully it’ll come on the new N- and T-series, then be rolled into the Qs.

It’s the same with the controls and software. The lads prefer John Deere’s Command Pro joystick, whereas this one is a bit square and dated, and the graphics could be crisper.

That said, I think the screen and GPS setup is far easier than in an R-series.

I’m not one for faffing around with these things, but I can have an AB line set in seconds, and Trimble seems to have more reliable signal than Greenstar around here.