Know How / Tractors

At the heart of every livestock farm and arable farming enterprise, our extensive coverage of agricultural tractors includes new models, ranges and technologies from leading manufacturers, user reports and group test comparisons to help you choose the best power unit for your farming business.

Latest tractor articles

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…

TRACTORS

AEA reports spike in tractor sales for machines over 240hp

Latest analysis by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) has revealed a spike in registrations of the highest-powered tractors in the opening months of 2024. It comes as overall tractor registrations…

TRACTORS

At the Auctions: Deeres, New Hollands and Fords

The recent retirement of two Midlands-based agricultural businesses saw a bevy of used John Deere, New Holland and Massey Ferguson tractors go under the hammer. James Andrews finds out what…

TRACTORS

Deutz-Fahr rejigs 161-188hp 6 Series TTV tractors

Farms running big trailers and operators who like to get a firm grip on spool valve operation will appreciate updates to the Deutz-Fahr 6 Series TTV stepless drive tractors. This…

TRACTORS

Claas tractor range returns to normal after supply issues

The Claas tractor range is back up to full strength, with all Arion and Axion models fully available once more following a production hiatus caused by ongoing supply chain issues.…

Tractor reviews and tests

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MACHINERY

Video: John Deere DirectDrive gearbox on test

It’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…

MACHINERY

Seven 100hp loader tractors on test

A mid-sized loader tractor still offers mixed farmers the most affordable combination of farmyard dogsbody and in-field workhorse. Farmers Weekly spent a week in Germany comparing seven of them. An…

TRACTORS

Video: On test - John Deere 6250R v 7250R

The 250hp tractor market is bulging at the seams, so picking the model that provides the best balance of power, chassis size, transmission and fuel consumption requires careful consideration. In…

TRACTORS

Video: 180hp tractor test 2019 preview

This summer, FW’s machinery team took four 180hp tractors from some of biggest names in the industry to a Hampshire farm for a rigorous workout during a busy cultivation period.…

TRACTORS

Video: We try out John Deere's monster 8400R

If you missed our test report from the week we spent with John Deere’s monster 8400R, you can now watch the video to give you a flavour of what the…

MACHINERY

John Deere 6090RC on test

John 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…

MACHINERY

Driven: New Holland T4 and T5

What's new? Engine & gears Cab Loader T5 pics The T4 Verdict Prices With more makes and models on the market than you could shake a stick at, choosing which…

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…

MACHINERY

McCormick's first CVT tractor on test

McCormick has launched its first ever CVT (continuously variable transmission) tractor, which it hopes will mark the beginning of a new era for the brand. The company has forged its…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: New Holland T5.140 Dynamic Command

Choice is one thing buyers aren’t short of when it comes to picking a New Holland T5, with five transmission options, two engine sizes and myriad hydraulic outputs spread across…

TRACTORS

Video: Kubota's 170hp four-cylinder M7173 on test

Kubota’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…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: Case Rowtrac reduces compaction in Suffolk

When it was time to chuck in the chief high-horsepower tractor at Home Farm Nacton, Suffolk, production manager Jason Smith decided to break from the norm and took a punt…

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Tractor technology

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TECHNOLOGY

Central tyre inflation systems – the options and prices

Pump ’em up for the road, let ’em down for the field. That is the essence of using a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) to actively manage inflation pressures and…

MACHINERY

Video: Fendt demos driverless tractor

Driverless technology How it works Safety What's next? Several manufacturers are experimenting with driverless tractor technology, but it looks like Fendt will be the first to launch a viable system.…

MACHINERY

Case IH telematics system protects against theft

Telematics systems that allow you to both monitor your combines’ and tractors’ performance and let you know if they’ve been nicked have been around for a while. However the latest…

Road legal

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ROAD LEGAL

Tractor driving - the law for 16-year-olds

Suffolk 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…

Tractor guides

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TECHNOLOGY

Central tyre inflation systems – the options and prices

Pump ’em up for the road, let ’em down for the field. That is the essence of using a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) to actively manage inflation pressures and…

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…

MACHINERY

Video: Fendt demos driverless tractor

Driverless technology How it works Safety What's next? Several manufacturers are experimenting with driverless tractor technology, but it looks like Fendt will be the first to launch a viable system.…

TRACTORS

Video: Claas Arion 550 Cebis Cmatic on test

The 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…

Machinery giants: How Case IH became a big name in farm kit

You 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

Video: First drive: Armatrac 1104 Luxe

The tractors Engine Transmission Cab Verdict Specs Armawho? Pics Farmers looking for a simple livestock tractor could soon have a new name to add to their shopping list - Armatrac.…

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…

MACHINERY

Second-hand loader tractor buyer's guide

Finding 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…

TRACTORS

On test: JCB Fastrac 4220

There’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.…

TRACTORS

Video: Kubota's 170hp four-cylinder M7173 on test

Kubota’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…

201-300HP

Driver's view: Leics farm rates McCormick's 240hp X7.624

Shifting 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…

TRACTORS

Handy checklist for buying a second-hand tractor

Having a comprehensive checklist to hand when going to view a second-hand tractor could make the difference between bringing home a stalwart and shelling out for a disaster. The second-hand…

Video

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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…

MACHINERY

Video: Fendt demos driverless tractor

Driverless technology How it works Safety What's next? Several manufacturers are experimenting with driverless tractor technology, but it looks like Fendt will be the first to launch a viable system.…

TRACTORS

Video: Claas Arion 550 Cebis Cmatic on test

The 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…

MACHINERY

Video: First drive: Armatrac 1104 Luxe

The tractors Engine Transmission Cab Verdict Specs Armawho? Pics Farmers looking for a simple livestock tractor could soon have a new name to add to their shopping list - Armatrac.…

Tractor insights and practical advice

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TECHNOLOGY

Central tyre inflation systems – the options and prices

Pump ’em up for the road, let ’em down for the field. That is the essence of using a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) to actively manage inflation pressures and…

Machinery giants: How Case IH became a big name in farm kit

You 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…

TRACTORS

Handy checklist for buying a second-hand tractor

Having a comprehensive checklist to hand when going to view a second-hand tractor could make the difference between bringing home a stalwart and shelling out for a disaster. The second-hand…

TECHNOLOGY

JCB's hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine examined

JCB is one of the first agricultural engine makers to successfully modify its conventional powerplants to run on compressed hydrogen, eliminating carbon emissions without any impact on performance. Its gas-fired,…

TRACTORS

22-year-old Fendt Favorit 515C gets £15k revamp

The 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…

TRACTORS

Buying the right tractor: Part 3 - suspension and tyres

In 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…

TRACTORS

Tips for buying a second-hand Challenger MT765E

Rising input costs, falling subsidy payments and squeezed profit margins mean many farmers are turning to the second-hand machinery market to add extra firepower or replace their ageing prime mover.…

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…

TRACTORS

Tractor buyers guide 2017

Times might be tough in the current farming climate, but that hasn’t stopped the major manufacturers making big changes to their tractor line-ups. High-horsepower models have been beefed up, the…

POTATOES

Potato contractor finds the best tractor for flailing success

Lincolnshire potato contractor David Matthews expects potato haulms to have a high biomass at burndown time, thanks to this year’s growing season, and says growers will need a lot of…

MACHINERY

Compare tractors and combines with our buyers guides

Farmers and contractors looking to take several options into consideration when choosing a new tractor will find the new specification and price guide published on FWi this week a useful…

TRACTORS

Machinery Milestones: UK tractor-building revolution failure

Agricultural 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…