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TRACTORS

Agritechnica 2025: Deere goes electric with 130hp EPower

Engineers at John Deere’s electric tractor skunkworks have been cooking up a battery powered prototype that will match the performance of a 130hp diesel. Rather than bolt new bits onto an…

TRACTORS

Agritechnica 2025: Deutz-Fahr unleashes 310-340hp 8-series

The top end of Deutz-Fahr’s six-cylinder tractor range has had a serious shot in the arm with the introduction of two 8-series models. Headline act is the 8340 which, at…

TRACTORS

Agritechnica 2025: New Holland XDs push T7 range to 435hp

The CNH brands have once again synchronised like the two fingers of a Twix, with New Holland replicating Case IH’s launch of three bigger Optum models in unveiling a trio…

TRACTORS

Agritechnica 2025: 160hp Tadus gets swappable batteries

German outfit Tadus hopes to become the Tesla of the tractor world, having all but completed the development of its first battery-electric model. This has been undergoing rigorous testing since…

TRACTORS

Agritechnica 2025: Revamped Claas Axion 9 gets high-spec cab

Claas has overhauled its 360 to 450hp prime movers with the hope of reeling in a fresh cohort of customers. Updates to the Axion 9 (formerly 900s) include a refined…

Tractor reviews and tests

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TRACTORS

Driver's view: Soanes Farming rates its John Deere 8RX 370

John Deere’s 8-series tractors come in all shapes and sizes so, no matter whether you prefer four wheels, four tracks or two, there should be something that fits the bill…

TRACTORS

Fendt's four-cylinder, 224hp 620 – small engine, big power

Four 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…

301-400HP

First drive: Case-IH’s Magnum 340 AFS Connect

Case-IH has cloaked its new Magnum range in an overcoat of technology as it bids to keep pace with the front runners in the high-horsepower tractor market. The original Magnum,…

MACHINERY

Top-end tractor test: Valtra S353

Power Farming Verdict: 3.5/5 Good driving comfort and transmission. Transmission operation differed from the rest so took a bit of getting used to. Room for improvements in ergonomics and especially…

TRACTORS

Contractor rates his 500hp artic-steer John Deere 9620

American farmers have a deep affection for the meaty roar and unrestrained pulling power of a 20t articulated tractor, but the prairie monsters have never quite made themselves at home…

MACHINERY

110hp tractor test: McCormick X60.50

Power Farming Verdict: 3.2/5 The little McCormick was the surprise package. Simple, manoeuvrable and with a library-quiet cab, it’s got to be worth a look when you come to replace…

MACHINERY

Mid-range tractor test: Valtra T203 Direct

Power 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…

TRACTORS

On test: Massey Ferguson 5713 SL Dyna-6

The 5713 SL put in a solid, if slightly underwhelming performance, that saw it slide into last position. Engine and hydraulic outputs were below par and the ageing cab is…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: Sisto family's 7-year-old New Holland T7.210

A dependable engine, solid transmissions and keen pricing have made New Holland’s T7.210 one of the most popular six-cylinder workhorses on the market. It might not be the most powerful…

MACHINERY

Top-end tractor test: MF 8690

Verdict: 3.7/5 Good transmission and driving comfort. The Sisu engine kept up with the test averages. Easy working thanks to effortless shuttle change, roomy cab and SpeedSteer system. Computer controller…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: Tom Lamb's 9-year-old Massey 7718 Dyna-6

For many mixed and arable farms, Massey Ferguson nailed the sweet spot between power and size with its 200hp 7718. This was the middle model – and biggest small-framer –…

MACHINERY

Video: First drive: McCormick X70.80

Power Farming Verdict For once we weren’t sitting in the tractor cab into the early hours trying to work out how to set-up headland management and adjust transmission settings. We…

Tractor guides

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TRACTORS

High-flexion tractor tyres - how they work and what they cost

Slice 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…

MACHINERY

Tractors on the road: Rights, wrongs, rules and regulations

When harvest is in full swing, tractors take to the roads up and down the country. It may seem unfair to farmers and contractors, but the presence of a greater…

TRACTORS

Tractors: where are they made?

Long gone are the glory days when the vast majority of tractors used on UK farms were built in UK factories. Today, only CNH Industrial’s New Holland plant in Essex…

MACHINERY

Claas Arion 550 on test

Power Farming Verdict: 4/5 Claas’ Arion turned out to be a pretty good all-rounder. The cab was comfortable and well thought out, and the gearbox performed well in tests. We…

MACHINERY

Top-end tractor test: John Deere 8335R

Power 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…

MACHINERY

Video: John Deere e23 tractor v Autopowr

John 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…

TRACTORS

On test: 123-143hp M6002 joins Kubota range

Short of a tractor range to bridge the gap between its flagship M7003 and utilitarian MGX ranges, Japanese maker Kubota decided it was high time it introduced one. The M6002…

Buying the right tractor: part 2 - transmission

In 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…

TRACTORS

Video: Fendt Vario 516 on test

The 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…

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Tractor cab filters: are you protected?

Most operators and farmers will be well aware of the potential risks that working with agricultural chemicals brings, but with the right precautions, users will be kept free from any…

MACHINERY

Video: Furse four tractor test: John Deere 6930

Watch 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…

Tractor technology

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

Tractor cab filters: are you protected?

Most operators and farmers will be well aware of the potential risks that working with agricultural chemicals brings, but with the right precautions, users will be kept free from any…

TRACTORS

Novel hybrid tractor drivetrain developed by CNH brand Steyr

Any 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…

MACHINERY

How alternative fuels are helping to reduce farm emissions

Diesel-powered transport and machinery have been under scrutiny globally for some time now due to their large environmental impact in the form of hefty CO2 emissions. Recent years have seen…

Road legal

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MACHINERY

Tractors on the road: Rights, wrongs, rules and regulations

When harvest is in full swing, tractors take to the roads up and down the country. It may seem unfair to farmers and contractors, but the presence of a greater…

Tractor insights and practical advice

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TRACTORS

High-flexion tractor tyres - how they work and what they cost

Slice 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…

MACHINERY

Tractors on the road: Rights, wrongs, rules and regulations

When harvest is in full swing, tractors take to the roads up and down the country. It may seem unfair to farmers and contractors, but the presence of a greater…

TRACTORS

Tractors: where are they made?

Long gone are the glory days when the vast majority of tractors used on UK farms were built in UK factories. Today, only CNH Industrial’s New Holland plant in Essex…

Buying the right tractor: part 2 - transmission

In 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…

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Tractor cab filters: are you protected?

Most operators and farmers will be well aware of the potential risks that working with agricultural chemicals brings, but with the right precautions, users will be kept free from any…

TRACTORS

Farm machinery giants: The Fendt success story

Village blacksmiths started many of the big-name companies in the farm machinery industry, but the family who founded Fendt buck that trend. Sylvester Fendt began his clock-making business in the…

MACHINERY

How alternative fuels are helping to reduce farm emissions

Diesel-powered transport and machinery have been under scrutiny globally for some time now due to their large environmental impact in the form of hefty CO2 emissions. Recent years have seen…

MACHINERY

In-cab tyre inflation cuts costs and compaction

If there is one thing that we can all be sure of in 2016, it is that soil compaction will be an increasing worry for farmers. However, machines continue to…

How to avoid buying a dodgy used crawler tractor

Tracked 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…

MACHINERY

Solving your starter motor woes

Introduction 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…

TRACTORS

Ultimate guide to buying a tractor 2024

Fans 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…

Video

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TRACTORS

Machinery Milestones: The £328,000 Ivel

When 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…

MACHINERY

Agritechnica 2011: Valtra biogas/diesel prototype

[fwi_vidyard code="NA3J2VJ3XHBH25AOUN0Hgg"] Following several years of testing, Valtra’s dual-fuel biogas/diesel system is almost ready for sale. The Finnish firm had one of its T133 tractors on display at Agritechnica kitted…

MACHINERY

Video: John Deere e23 tractor v Autopowr

John 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…

MACHINERY

VIDEO: Tour around New Holland's Ad Blue T6

[fwi_vidyard code="BkCL2t0KIs24emNHXNG-AA"] Watch New Holland's T6 product specialist Mark Howell's&nbsptalk about how the machine uses Ad Blue to meet Tier 4 emissions regulations