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 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… MACHINERYCase IH Maxxum 130 EP on testPower Farming Verdict: 3.7/5 CNH was represented by the red-liveried Maxxum and its economical FPT engine scored highly. But it had a limited number of transmission settings and the monitor… MACHINERYVideo: Head-to-head: Zetor Major v Farmtrac 685 The Zetor Major has returned to the UK after a six-year sabbatical. Nick Fone and Oliver Mark pit the seasoned Czech stalwart against a new name from the Eastern… TRACTORSOn test: New Holland T5.140 DCTNew Holland has added a double-clutch transmission to its T5 range, expanding the options for stock farmers who crave a slicker alternative to the basic 12-speed Utility stick-shifter. While simple… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Fendt's swish new cab updateFendt is rolling out new-look cab controls that it reckons will finally put to bed the myth that its tractors are hard to drive. Comfort, quietness and a raft of… MACHINERYTractor test: Six 120hp tractors go head to headAll eyes are on the 120hp tractor division in this year’s multi-test. Machines in this sector have always sold in huge volumes, but demand is growing particularly swiftly for those… 201-300HPDriver's view: Leics farm rates McCormick's 240hp X7.624Shifting fewer than 100 tractors a year at the last count makes McCormick one of the lowest volume tractor brands selling in the UK. But what the Italian marque lacks… 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… 201-300HPOn test: 300hp New Holland is best T7 yet with fresh cabNew Holland has kept the best bits and reworked the worst of its long-wheelbase T7 tractors to create what it hopes will be a John Deere and Fendt slayer. In… MACHINERYJohn Deere 6090RC on testJohn Deere 6090RC Price: £58,463 RANKING: 3rd Cab One of the first things you notice when you glance at the 6090RC is that the cab looks too small. The… MACHINERYMid-range tractor test: NH T7.270Power Farming Verdict: 3.9/5 The T7 finished second overall and its engine and transmission performed well at the DLG tests. The only minor disappointments were the cab and monitor. Cab… 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.… 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 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… 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… MACHINERY7 common agricultural engine remapping questions answeredMore farmers are choosing sophisticated agricultural engine remapping technology to increase power, torque and work efficiencies from their tractors, combines and farm machinery. Avon Tuning HD has been offering professional… MACHINERYSecond-hand loader tractor buyer's guideFinding a good second-hand loader tractor can be a tricky task. But with some expert advice, Nick Fone sniffs out some sound performers. Finding a good 'un Case IH John… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: Wood-fuelled tractorsIt might sound a bit wacky, but tractors have the potential to be powered by wood – as proven by several farming inventions over the years. The tractor fuel produced… 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… 101-200HPOn test: Deutz-Fahr 6150.4 with peculiar RVshift transmissionPostnatal electronic surgery has transformed the Deutz family’s CVT transmission into a faux powershift that aims to offer the best of both worlds. This non-binary gearbox, born a TTV at… WORKSHOP SKILLSJohn Deere tractors: Common problems and how to fix themTractors have a habit of breaking down at the most inconvenient moment. Independent mechanic Lee Morley takes a look at John Deere models, offers a few tips to reduce the… 301-400HPFirst drive: Case-IH’s Magnum 340 AFS ConnectCase-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,… 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… MACHINERYVideo: Valtra goes for sophistication with new A93 Hitech machin...Valtra’s small A series tractors have gained features and sophistication, as David Cousins found when he tried an A93 Hitech. Intro Engine Cab Transmission PTO Systems Verdict Spec Video Until… TRACTORSVideo: 400hp reverse-drive Valtra S-series on testValtra has finally let its heavyweight S-series loose on the 400hp tractor scene and, armed with lorry loads of torque, a proven driveline and a redesigned cab, promises to unsettle… Tractor technologySee all 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… TRACTORSJohn Deere develops 400hp electric cable-powered tractorJohn Deere has developed an electric tractor that drags a power cable up and down the field, developing up to 400hp. The GridCON project is the next stage of Deere’s… TRACTORSKubota available with autosteer and driverless conversionKubota tractor operators wanting an autosteer system can now purchase and have kits installed through the manufacturer’s UK dealers following a Europe-wide commercial agreement with Topcon. Kits will be supplied… Road legalSee all MACHINERYTractors on the road: don't ignore the road rulesAll rules and regulations tend to get a bit outdated at some point or other. However some of the road regulations affecting tractor drivers and their employers were probably drawn… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all MACHINERY7 common agricultural engine remapping questions answeredMore farmers are choosing sophisticated agricultural engine remapping technology to increase power, torque and work efficiencies from their tractors, combines and farm machinery. Avon Tuning HD has been offering professional… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: Wood-fuelled tractorsIt might sound a bit wacky, but tractors have the potential to be powered by wood – as proven by several farming inventions over the years. The tractor fuel produced… WORKSHOP SKILLSJohn Deere tractors: Common problems and how to fix themTractors have a habit of breaking down at the most inconvenient moment. Independent mechanic Lee Morley takes a look at John Deere models, offers a few tips to reduce the… 401+HPNew Holland slots a CVT box in T9 tractorsIn a 500+hp market only worth about 40 units/year, New Holland has upped its game to grab a few more sales by building the world’s largest wheeled CVT driven tractor,… 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… MACHINERYTractor tuning perks and pitfalls: Is it worth the risk?Fork out a few hundred quid on a little black tuning box and you could unleash a healthy dollop of extra power and torque from your tractor. Sounds tempting, doesn’t… TECHNOLOGYHow technology that can control tractors worksIf the idea of driving into a field, punching a few settings into a touchscreen and letting a computer take charge of key tractor and equipment controls sounds a bit… 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… 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… 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?… 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… TECHNOLOGYTractor makers grapple with yet more emissions rulesMuch of the development costs of new tractors these days involves engine emissions. Will that soon end? Probably not, says Peter Hill. Just when everyone thought the clampdown on tractor… 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… MACHINERYVIDEO: Up close with Deere's most powerful tractorSummary Engine & transmisson Cab & controls Lamma 2012 was the first UK show appearance for John Deere’s largest and most powerful 9R series tractors. The three-model line up ranges… 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… MACHINERYVideo: Valtra goes for sophistication with new A93 Hitech machin...Valtra’s small A series tractors have gained features and sophistication, as David Cousins found when he tried an A93 Hitech. Intro Engine Cab Transmission PTO Systems Verdict Spec Video Until…
