Know How / Tractors Latest tractor articles TRACTORSChallenger gets reverse drive conversion for tree pruningAfter decades of hauling heavy cultivation kit, a 1990s twin-track crawler has found an unlikely second career in the cider orchards of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Caterpillar Challenger 55 is… TRACTORSMassey Ferguson extends 20-65hp compact tractor rangeMassey Ferguson’s revamped compact tractor range now extends to nine models in all, covering power outputs from 20-65hp with hydrostatic and all-mechanical transmissions, and open platforms or air-conditioned cabs. The… TRACTORSUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2026The year’s Farmers Weekly Ultimate Guide to tractors is notable for the first-time listing of a mainstream electric model and a driverless tractor range, and the removal of two familiar… TRACTORSMitas creates Granterra tyre for low-speed, high-torque needsA heavy-duty tyre developed by Mitas is designed for larger tractors, from around the 200hp mark upwards, undertaking heavy cultivation. The Granterra meets the criteria for the industry’s VF category,… TRACTORSNexat wide-span tractor sows 200ha per fill with 28m drillGerman manufacturer Nexat and its gantry-style field tractor continue to make headlines as the machine gets new capabilities and early adopters discover its potential. The wide-span vehicle uses a growing… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Fresh Fendt 832 puts power to the groundFendt has finally cut all ties with engine manufacturer Deutz. Its new 800-series is the latest to get a heart transplant from sister company Agco Power, and with it comes… TRACTORSFirst impressions: John Deere's 8RX 540 breaks new groundAmerican heavy artillery of a friendlier type will be shipped across the Atlantic later this year when the first battalion of Europe-bound 8Rs and RXs departs John Deere’s Iowan factory.… Tractor reviews and testsSee all 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… MACHINERYMid-range tractors put to the testToday's high-horsepower tractors are expected to be more versatile and comfortable than ever before. We spent a week testing five of the most popular in the field and on the… 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… TRACTORSVideo: On test - Case IH 300hp Optum CVXThere is a growing demand from shoppers in the 300hp market for machines more versatile than the traditional tillage-grade tractor. In response, the major manufacturers have been scrambling to fill… 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… 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… MACHINERYTop-end tractor test: Valtra S353Power 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… MACHINERY110hp tractor test: Same Virtus 120Power Farming Verdict: 3.3/5 Lots of extra features should help it appeal to a wider audience, including the stop/go braking system and quick-steer wheel. But low lift capacity and limited… MACHINERYClaas Arion 550 on testPower 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… 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… TRACTORSFirst impressions: How does 778hp Case Quadtrac shape up?When any tractor manufacturer brings its new, most powerful production tractor to the market, it’s bound to stir excitement among farm machinery enthusiasts. At a recent field day near Fuchsenbigl,… 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… 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 MACHINERYHow to pick a good used 150hp tractorTractors around the 150hp mark are now some of the most sought after second-hand buys and finding a good one is no easy task. Nick Fone takes a look at… TRACTORSWhat to look for when buying and fitting a tractor dashcamDrive a tractor on the road for any length of time and you are bound to see some form of reckless manoeuvre from an impatient motorist. Most of the time,… 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… MACHINERY110hp tractor test: Zetor Forterra HSX 110Power Farming Verdict: 3.1/5 In many ways the Czech’s spec is generous – there’s four pto speeds and automatic powershifts – and it’s also pretty manoeuvrable. But the cab remains… 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… MACHINERYVideo: First Drive: Claas ArionThe old Arion was a pretty good tractor so the fact the new one shares many of the same internals is no bad thing. The five-pillar cab is a big… 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… TRACTORSVideo: On test – Fendt’s monster 500hp 1050Farmers buying a tractor with more than 500hp on tap have traditionally had to settle for a hulking great machine that will have its cylinders firing for only four months of… 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… MACHINERYUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2018Our ultimate guide to 50hp-plus tractors available in Britain has been published online for 2018 with a host of changes from last year’s edition. With the removal of discontinued models… 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… MACHINERYVideo: Driven: John Deere 6190RIn avoiding the use of AdBlue exhaust treatment to limit emissions, John Deere has managed to tweak the new engine so that it is torquier and more thrifty than before.… Tractor technologySee all TECHNOLOGYDiesel-electric drives offer give cheaper tractor powerThe Autonomous Tractor Corporation (ATC) has found a way to recycle old tractors to get another 25,000 hours of labour from a wornout workhorse. The US company, tucked away in… 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… 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 MACHINERYRules reminder: Stay road legal this harvestWhether it's harvesting grass, cereals or vegetables, extra numbers of wide machines will be heading up and down Britain’s roads. But in all the rush to get ready, don’t forget… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all TRACTORS22-year-old Fendt Favorit 515C gets £15k revampThe allure of a new, top-spec tractor might win over many farmers and contractors, but Matthew Barnett has considerably more time for older machines with a proven track record. He… MACHINERYLynx's new Agribumper variable front weight and bumper systemThe latest addition to the growing product range offered by importer, Lynx Engineering, the Agribumper range of variable front weight and tractor bumper systems provides real flexibility for farmers requiring… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: Wheel and tyre developmentsWhen the first tractors arrived on farms in the 1890s, they were equipped with steel wheels, and it took 40 years for inflatable rubber tyres to arrive. Steel wheels were… 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… 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… 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… TRACTORSUnderstanding CVT and powershift transmissionsTractor transmissions have come a long way since the days of double-clutching and crunching your way between the three or four gears of a basic, unsynchronised box. Through the introduction… TRACTORS16 must-have tractor accessories and upgradesAs swish as modern tractors are, there’s always room an upgrade or two. James Andrews eyes up a few options, some purely functional and others a little more frivolous... Stainless-steel… TRACTORSIs a future of methane-powered tractors viable?If you remember New Holland’s first attempt at a methane tractor back in 2013, you’ll probably recall being hugely sceptical and quite underwhelmed by what was a T6 tractor with… WORKSHOP SKILLSCase and New Holland tractors: How to fix common problemsTractors are a major expenditure on the farm, and breakdowns can leave you with a big mechanic's bill. There are some ways, however, that you can try to avoid costly… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: UK tractor-building revolution failureAgricultural and General Engineers (AGE) was formed in 1919 to help Britain’s tractor and machinery industry compete against the big American manufacturers, but it ended up putting some of its… ROAD LEGALTractor driving - the law for 16-year-oldsSuffolk PC Mark Bryant has reminded farmers to check which machinery items their 16-year-old workers can legally drive on the road. Holders of the category-F qualification (for agricultural tractors) are… VideoSee all TRACTORSOn test: Case's double-clutch gearbox in the 145hp MaxxumDouble-clutch gearboxes have long been a must-have for Audi’s slick-shifting saloons, but the DSG concept has now found favour with farmers looking for similarly snappy acceleration in their tractors. John… MACHINERYVIDEO: First glimpse of Case IH's JXU replacementCase IH’s replacement for the popular JXU range of small, simple tractors made its first UK appearance at Lamma 2012. The three-model Farmall U range offers 90hp, 100hp and 110hp… MACHINERYVideo: Massey Ferguson 6616 tractor v New Holland T7It seems there’s almost no limit to the power it is possible to squeeze from a modern-day four-cylinder engine. We find out how Massey Ferguson’s biggest four-bore measures-up against an… 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…
