Know How / Tractors Latest tractor articles 401+HPGoodyear's monster 1.4m-wide farm tyre to go on sale in UKGoodyear has gained European accreditation for its widest-ever agricultural tyre. The monster LSW 1400/30 R46 is designed for suitably sized combines and articulated prairie prowlers such as Case IH’s Steiger… TRACTORSPunchy new John Deere 8RX 540 maxes out at 634hpJohn Deere reckons it has produced the world’s most powerful rigid-frame tractor. The wheeled 8R 540 and four-track 8RX equivalent are rated to a maximum output of 594hp, rising to… TRACTORSAgXeed develops more powerful tracked driverless tractorA more powerful version of the tracked AgBot self-guided driverless tractor has been developed by Dutch specialist AgXeed to cater for growers who like the concept but want more muscle… TRACTORSNokian tyre monitor calculates tractor axle weightsNokian’s second-generation digital tractor tyre monitoring system has the added feature of measuring tractor axle weights and providing recommended inflation pressures for different scenarios, such as when spraying or spreading.… 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… Tractor reviews and testsSee all MACHINERYVideo: John Deere e23 tractor v AutopowrJohn Deere’s high-horsepower tractors have been hankering after a new powershift transmission for years and at last it’s here. Nick Fone and Oliver Mark find out if it is any… 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… 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… MACHINERYVersatile's Quadtrac challenger on testVersatile Engine Transmission In the field Cab Maintenance Versatile has had a chequered history. The past 20-or-so years have proved turbulent, with paintwork changing colour with chameleon-like frequency and ownership… MACHINERYTop-end tractor test: John Deere 8335RPower Farming Verdict: 3.5/5 At certain points through the measurement curve for partial engine loading, the engine burnt more diesel than its competitors. But with a DPF the Deere needed… 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… MACHINERYDriver's view: McCormick MTX 150Driver's verdict I like the simplicity of the McCormick. The gearbox is easy to use, the hydraulics are basic and there are no high-tech electronics to make things complicated. It… MACHINERYDrivers view: JCB Fastrac 3185Driver's verdict I would certainly consider buying another Fastrac. Arguably, they are not the best cultivation tractors, but ours have worked extremely well. You get a lot of tractor for… 401+HPFirst impressions: Valtra's revamped 420hp S416 gets new cabValtra’s big S-series has finally been given some Finnish affection, having been left as little more than a masquerading Massey for nigh on two decades. As well as acquiring a… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Valtra's new Q305 tractorA two-year reshuffle of Valtra’s entire tractor range, including a new G-series and updates to the As, Ns and Ts, culminated this summer with the launch of a quintet of… TRACTORSFirst drive: McCormick pins hopes on updated X7 tractor rangeWhen its tractors were built in Doncaster on Case-IH underpinnings, times for McCormick were really rather rosy. The sub-brand of Italian firm Argo Tractors – resurrected after Case-IH merged with… 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 MACHINERYCase-IH Farmall 95U Pro on testCase-IH Farmall 95U Pro Price: £58,800 RANKING: 1st Cab The Austrian-built Farmall shares the same six-post cab frame as the New Holland. This offers pretty much everything you need… MACHINERYOn test: New Holland T7.230The other tractors on test Fendt 720 Vario Case IH Puma 175 CVX Valtra T 214 Direct Massey Ferguson 7720 Dyna To avoid an awkward comparison between two near-identical tractors,… MACHINERYOn test: Fendt 720 VarioThe other tractors on test New Holland T 7.230 Case IH Puma 175 CVX Valtra T 214 Direct Massey Ferguson 7720 Dyna It’s the same old story with the Fendt… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: The most unusual tractor launchesPublicity spectaculars featuring tractors are unusual, but they have been used to give an extra boost to new developments that prove difficult to sell. An example is the introduction of… TRACTORSHigh-hour horsepower: John Deere 6830 breaks 20,000 hoursGraham Hayllar runs a grassland-based contracting outfit in the picturesque Eden Valley, Cumbria, and uses a fleet of high-hour workhorses, including a John Deere 6830 Premium that has clocked an… TRACTORSOn test: JCB Fastrac 4220There’s no tractor quite like the JCB Fastrac. Since it hit the market in 1991, this equal-wheeled workhorse has found multiple vocations from high-speed haulage to self-propelled spraying and spreading.… 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… MACHINERYShould you invest in a headland turning system?They save time, increase productivity and reduce driver fatigue, so should you invest in a headland turning system? Why invest? John Deere Claas Case study: William Strawson Headland turning systems… MACHINERYDrivers view: JCB Fastrac 3185Driver's verdict I would certainly consider buying another Fastrac. Arguably, they are not the best cultivation tractors, but ours have worked extremely well. You get a lot of tractor for… TRACTORSDriver's view: Richard and Matthew Thomas's Zetor Proxima CL80Since Zetor tractors first arrived in the UK, they’ve been the tool of choice for Welsh hill farmers Richard and Matthew Thomas. The initial attraction to the Czech brand was… CVT choice offers perfect tractor working speedWhen Fendt unveiled the first practical continuously variable transmission, it did more than just bring a new level of speed control and adjustment. It brought the engine and transmission together… 101-200HPDriver’s view: Claas Arion 450 CIS QuadrishiftPacking 130hp and 500Nm of torque, the Arion 450 is the third most powerful model in Claas’ compact four-cylinder tractor range, behind the 140hp 460 and 155hp 470. Since 2014,… Tractor technologySee all 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… CVT choice offers perfect tractor working speedWhen Fendt unveiled the first practical continuously variable transmission, it did more than just bring a new level of speed control and adjustment. It brought the engine and transmission together… Tractor drivers get in-cab audio upgradeDrivers looking to replace an ancient or broken in-tractor entertainment system might take a look at Clarion’s latest offering. The CZ505E DAB radio-CD player, designed and engineered as a direct slot-in replacement for all… Road legalSee all TRACTORSTaking your tractor test – all you need to knowThe Driving Standards Agency (DSA) tractor test gives budding farmers the chance to drive machines on the road at the age of 16, but it shouldn't be taken lightly. The… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: The most unusual tractor launchesPublicity spectaculars featuring tractors are unusual, but they have been used to give an extra boost to new developments that prove difficult to sell. An example is the introduction of… 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… MACHINERYShould you invest in a headland turning system?They save time, increase productivity and reduce driver fatigue, so should you invest in a headland turning system? Why invest? John Deere Claas Case study: William Strawson Headland turning systems… MACHINERY MAINTENANCEUltimate guide to tractor tyre managementIt is essential to ensure your tractor tyres are in good working order, both for your safety and for your pocket. We look at the causes of premature tyre wear,… TRACTORSUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2024Fans of big tractors laying down lots of power are well catered for in Farmers Weekly‘s latest Ultimate Guide, with all-new models not only breaching the 600hp threshold but also… TRACTORS11 biggest tractors of all timeThe average horsepower of new tractors in the 1920s was just 25hp, but it's now nearing 160hp. Michael Williams takes a look at the 11 most powerful tractors built over… How to get the best price for your old tractorPreparing to sell a used tractor should begin pretty much as soon as the machine is bought. After all, it is not just buyers of cars, vans and other vehicles… MACHINERYTips for buying a 350hp Cat Challenger C-series on a budgetShopping for a 350hp tractor with less than £30,000 in your back pocket brings up precious few options in the UK. But if you keep your eyes peeled you might… TRACTORSTaking your tractor test – all you need to knowThe Driving Standards Agency (DSA) tractor test gives budding farmers the chance to drive machines on the road at the age of 16, but it shouldn't be taken lightly. The… TRACTORSDriver’s view: Versatile Delta Track - brawn on a budgetWhen Case-IH chose to bolt four track units to one of its articulated prairie monsters it created a new tractor concept that had no direct rivals for more than 15… Big power outputs lift 4wd performanceA neat hydraulic suspension installation for the front axle is designed to help avoid “power hop” with the most powerful three tractors in John Deere’s latest big four-wheel drive range.… TRACTORSUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2025A flurry of newcomers in the 90-130hp range destined for livestock and mixed-enterprise farms are the main changes to this year’s Farmers Weekly Ultimate Guide to tractors. See also: Fendt tractors:… VideoSee all TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: The £328,000 IvelWhen one of the world’s oldest tractors was put up for sale at a Cheffins auction last October, a Lincolnshire farmer ended up parting with a cool £328,600 to buy… MACHINERYFurse four tractor test: Landini Landpower[fwi_vidyard code="8qOu6xRxi3jTPc2R1xlF1Q"] Furse verdict Star Star Star Star Star The Landini is a really good all rounder and is perfect for running around jobs that don’t require sophistication. It is… MACHINERYVideo: Fendt 828 v Deutz-Fahr Agrotron TTV [fwi_vidyard code="ERTd4JlyKIZRqdrGXQVCqA"] Power Farming Verdict There’s nothing new in Fendt’s approach – it’s still a driver’s tractor. Buy the tractor, send the driver on a course and you stand… Video: We test John Deere's four-track 9RX tractorRarely has there been so much preamble and orchestrated PR faff for the debut of an agricultural machine as there has been for the launch of John Deere’s four-track 9RX…
