Know How / Tractors Latest tractor articles 401+HPFirst impressions: New cab major progress for Claas Axion 9Claas can rightly revel in its top-dog status when it comes to combine harvesters and foragers. But 22 years after swallowing Renault Agriculture, its tractor division continues to lag behind.… 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… Tractor reviews and testsSee all 401+HPDriver’s view: Louth Park Farms’ New Holland T8.435Buyers looking to harness some extra grip from their New Holland T8.435 can ditch the regular rear rubber and opt for a set of triangular track units instead. But rather… TRACTORSVideo: Claas Arion 550 Cebis Cmatic on testThe Claas Arion 550 Cebis Cmatic's modest proportions and respectable power make it a handy all-rounder. After testing it, we think it’s better suited to drilling and top work than… 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… MACHINERYFirst drive: Deutz-Fahr Agrotron L730The L730 is a solid tillage tractor and you get plenty of power and lift for your money. With all the controls neatly stacked on the side panel and armrest… MACHINERYMid-range tractor test: Valtra T203 DirectPower Farming Verdict: 3/5 The Valtra was the least powerful of the test group. It performed averagely in the DLG tests, although the usability of its gearbox was its biggest… 101-200HPFirst impressions: More power and speed for Deere 6M-seriesThey might be simpler and cheaper than their premium-spec cousins, but the lack of a 50kph transmission has long stymied sales of John Deere’s 6M tractors in the UK. Keen… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Claas unveils 92-120hp Axos 3 tractorsClaas has bolstered the lower reaches of its tractor range with a quartet of new Axos 3 models that run from 92hp to 120hp. The foursome has been shoehorned in… TRACTORSHigh-hour horsepower: Deutz-Fahr 165.7 smashes 21,000 hoursCornish dairy farmer Paul George’s Deutz-Fahr 165.7 has overcome worn-out clutches, tired gaskets and an overheating engine to battle its way to an impressive 21,000-hour clock read-out. It arrived at… TRACTORSVideo: Kubota's 170hp four-cylinder M7173 on testKubota’s battle to become part of the 150hp-plus conversation took a new twist last month after HRN, one of Scotland’s biggest machinery dealers, penned a deal to sell and service… 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… MACHINERY110hp tractor test: Valtra N113Power Farming Verdict: 3.4/5 Valtra’s combination of good gearbox, torquey engine and comfortable ride set it apart from its test rivals. Downsides included our usual Valtra gripe of bad switchgear… MACHINERYMcCormick X5.30 on testMcCormick X5.30 Price: £55,305 RANKING: 6th Cab The X5.30 was so new at the time we carried out the tractor test that McCormick had to field a pre-production model,… 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 MACHINERYWhat to look for in a used high-hp four-cylinder tractorDemand has been steadily growing for high-horsepowered four-pot tractors. We run through the good, bad and ugly of three second-hand options from Claas, Valtra and John Deere. Ten years ago… TRACTORSDeutz-Fahr unveils new 287hp 8280 TTV tractorDeutz-Fahr has filled the 280hp hole at the top of its tractor line-up with a sole 8-series model that packs a brand-new CVT transmission and an enviable power-to-weight ratio. The… 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… TRACTORSVideo: Fendt Vario 516 on testThe Fendt Vario's 516’s four-cylinder Deutz engine might be low on displacement, but it conjures up an impressive amount of power and torque from its 4-litre capacity. It can’t quite… MACHINERYNew Holland T5.95 on testNew Holland T5.95 Price: £59,041 RANKING: 4th Cab New Holland’s six-pillar cab is trimmed with light-blue interior panels that have a habit of picking up dirt and end up… MACHINERYFirst impressions of Valtra’s redesigned T-series tractorsValtra’s six-cylinder, T-series tractors have been crying out for a refresh for years... and at last they’ve got it. James Andrews travelled to Germany to see if it’s been worth… MACHINERYTop-end tractor test: Case IH Magnum 340Power Farming Verdict: 3.6/5 The Fiat engine performed well, especially under full load, and is in its element on heavy draft work. The engine-transmission automation system and mechanically efficient gearbox… MACHINERY MAINTENANCETips for maintaining a Fendt 700-series tractorFew tractors hold their value quite like a 700-series Fendt, and even when the hour clock has clicked to five figures, they can still have price tags of more than… MACHINERYEight 80hp tractors put to the testWe have been to the Netherlands to pit some new names against familiar faces in the world of small tractors. James Andrews and Oliver Mark gave all eight models the… MACHINERYSeven 110hp tractors put to the testIt might not be the quickest growing sector, but 100-150hp tractors probably appeal to the biggest farming audience. Oliver Mark joined colleagues from France, Germany and Holland to test seven… MACHINERYVideo: Claas Axion 950For a mighty machine, it can feel like a relative mouse when driving thanks to its well-managed bulk, mid-mounted cab and short bonnet. It’s a simple tractor to jump on… MACHINERYJCB Fastrac 4000 tractor gets first testJCB’s all-new Fastrac is finally here. It’s good, but is it good enough to grab sales from other marques? Nick Fone finds out. With its deeply furrowed brow and waspish… Tractor technologySee all TRACTORSFendt Helios swaps diesel engine for hydrogen fuel cellEfforts to create a greener future for farm machinery have spawned myriad tractors with alternative powertrains, one of which is the Helios from Fendt. Based on a 700-series tractor frame,… TECHNOLOGYHow to build your own tractor autosteer system for £700Anyone who has seen Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime recently will have learned that driving in arrow-straight lines when carrying out fieldwork doesn’t come naturally to some. It’s not only… TRACTORSNovel hybrid tractor drivetrain developed by CNH brand SteyrAny Formula 1 fan will be used to seeing its high-performance cars harvesting unused energy and deploying it as a tactical power boost further down the track. Farmers could be… Road legalSee all Police ask tractor drivers to pull into lay-bys more oftenPolice in Gloucestershire are urging tractor drivers and other slow-moving vehicles to pull into lay-bys more often to let cars by. Concern has been raised about slow-moving tractors holding up… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all MACHINERYWhat to look for in a used high-hp four-cylinder tractorDemand has been steadily growing for high-horsepowered four-pot tractors. We run through the good, bad and ugly of three second-hand options from Claas, Valtra and John Deere. Ten years ago… 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… MACHINERY MAINTENANCETips for maintaining a Fendt 700-series tractorFew tractors hold their value quite like a 700-series Fendt, and even when the hour clock has clicked to five figures, they can still have price tags of more than… MACHINERYTractor tyres: make sure your pressures are rightWe all know that tyre pressure is important if a tractor is to work at its best. But only a few operators, it seems, actually bother to ensure that correct… MACHINERYTop tips for buying a used tractorAvoiding the pitfalls Second-hand buyer's checklist The market for second-hand machinery could barely be more competitive than it is right now. Soaring prices for new kit and a favourable exchange… MACHINERYValtra dealers have stock tractors available right NOW!Your compact farm hero If you are looking for a compact tractor that delivers big productivity and all-day comfort, look no further than the A Series. The cab is ergonomic… MACHINERYSolving your starter motor woesIntroduction Step-by-step Voltage drop testing Voltage drop – what’s it about? The opening part of this series laid out how the starter motor works, set the thing in the context of… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: The world's first tractorsThe history of the tractor began in the late 1880s, when petrol engines provided an alternative to steam, which had driven the power farming revolution for almost 100 years. Britain… TRACTORSTips for maintaining a JCB Fastrac 2170Hip-busting dry clutches, a tanker-like turning circle and shonky wiring are just a few of the common grumbles levelled at early JCB Fastrac models. The list of ailments has been… TRACTORSUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2021Among the changes to the Ultimate Guide to tractors for 2021, the addition of Massey Ferguson’s new 8S is arguably the most significant as it sets a new style and… TRACTORSBuying the right tractor: Part 3 - suspension and tyresIn the final installment of our guide to getting the right spec on your new tractor, Peter Hill takes a look at cab suspension and tyre options. [pm_module id="1482425"] Suspension… Why energy maize could spark steel track crawler comebackHaving to work arable land late after an energy maize harvest, when slippery surface conditions can show up the limitations of rubber tracks, could result in a comeback for steel-track… VideoSee all TRACTORSVideo: JCB Fastrac smashes British tractor speed recordDaredevil stunt rider Guy Martin was at the helm of a highly modified JCB Fastrac as it broke the British tractor speed record, travelling at 103.6mph. See also: Video: Valtra… MACHINERYFarmtrac importer seeks UK dealers[fwi_vidyard code="RANAtOrSJPbtdrk7sfW8Gg"] Budget tractor brand Farmtrac made its UK debut at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show, brought in by Irish importer Collins Farm Machinery. Boasting Perkins engines, ZF and… MACHINERYAgritechnica 2011: Diesel-electric tractor from Rigitrac[fwi_vidyard code="-VV-IH9VQCfz0T6IQg-j0Q"] Jointly developed between Swiss tractor maker Rigitrac, Dresden’s technical university and a specialist electronic engineering firm, the EWD 120 diesel-electric tractor is a truly novel concept. A 120hp… MACHINERYVIDEO: Quadtrac Guinness world recordA Lincolnshire farm was the venue for a new world record last weekend, as 50 Case IH Quadtracs went to work in the same place at the same time. [fwi_vidyard…
