Know How / Tractors Latest tractor articles TRACTORSOn test: Time-proven John Deere 6M 155 finally gets 50kphSome tractors prove to be stinkers, others functional if unremarkable, and a very select few transcend an era. John Deere’s 30-series – the 6930 and 7530 in particular – has… TRACTORSFendt 300-series gains new 103hp 310 VarioThere’s a new base model propping up Fendt’s revamped 300 Vario range, which means it now runs from 103hp to 152hp. The 310 is one of five models that make… TRACTORSAgritechnica 2025: 195-272hp Versatile Nemesis hits EuropeVersatile has finally committed to shipping its Nemesis tractors to Europe, six years after their launch in North America. The five-strong range, which runs from 195-272hp, is also sold by Kubota… MACHINERYAdvanced autosteering for farmers from FJD and Kennett AgriIn farming today, farmers and farming contractors are all facing a battle against rising costs and fierce competition. They should know better than anyone that making every seed, every drop… TRACTORSAgritechnica 2025: Deere goes electric with 130hp EPowerEngineers 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… TRACTORSAgritechnica 2025: Deutz-Fahr unleashes 310-340hp 8-seriesThe 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… TRACTORSAgritechnica 2025: New Holland XDs push T7 range to 435hpThe 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… Tractor reviews and testsSee all TRACTORSDeutz-Fahr unveils new 287hp 8280 TTV tractorDeutz-Fahr has filled the 280hp hole at the top of its tractor line-up with a sole 8-series model that packs a brand-new CVT transmission and an enviable power-to-weight ratio. The… TRACTORSOn test: Versatile’s latest Canadian-built 260hp tractorFarmers in the market for a modern, high-horsepower tractor are increasingly getting lumbered with bundles of expensive, techy equipment, whether they want it or not. But while most makers obsess… MACHINERYSmaller tractor brands and horsepower- what's availableRecent months have seen several new tractor manufacturers at the lower-horsepower end of the market looking to establish a foothold in the UK. The newcomers Armatrac Farmtrac Branson Iseki While… MACHINERY110hp tractor test: McCormick X60.50Power 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… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Claas unveils 92-120hp Axos 3 tractorsClaas has bolstered the lower reaches of its tractor range with a quartet of new Axos 3 models that run from 92hp to 120hp. The foursome has been shoehorned in… MACHINERY7 versatile 300hp arable tractor newcomersThree hundred horsepower to pull a trailer? That sounds excessive, but it is one of the roles envisaged for a new breed of powerful tractors that makers say are not… TRACTORSDriver’s view: Marilyn Jones’ Same Dorado 90 Natural tractorFor the past couple of years, the main workhorse on Marilyn Jones’ hill farm near Brecon, Powys, has been a 2019 Same Dorado 90 Natural. This compact 87hp tractor is… TRACTORSOn test: John Deere 6120R AutoPowrDeere’s 6R-series has been around for a few years now, but regular updates have kept the tractors fresh along the way. This latest version comes with a screen and control… TRACTORSVideo: Claas Arion 550 Cebis Cmatic on testThe 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… 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… TRACTORSFirst impressions: New £250,000 Fendt 728 lands on UK soilWhat do you do when you’ve nailed the formula for a compact 240hp tractor that accounts for about half your annual sales? If you’re Fendt, you decide to change it.… 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… 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 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… MACHINERYFirst drive: Deutz-Fahr Agrotron L730The L730 is a solid tillage tractor and you get plenty of power and lift for your money. With all the controls neatly stacked on the side panel and armrest… MACHINERY MAINTENANCEGuidance issued for farmers suffering biodiesel problemsFuel suppliers have issued guidance for farmers and contractors who say biodiesel is causing low fuel pressure and blocking filters in tractors. Some farmers have suggested the problems are related… Why energy maize could spark steel track crawler comebackHaving to work arable land late after an energy maize harvest, when slippery surface conditions can show up the limitations of rubber tracks, could result in a comeback for steel-track… 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… 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… MACHINERYVideo: Claas Axion 950For a mighty machine, it can feel like a relative mouse when driving thanks to its well-managed bulk, mid-mounted cab and short bonnet. It’s a simple tractor to jump on… MACHINERYTop-end tractor test: Fendt 939 VarioPower Farming Verdict: 4.1/5 A joy to work with. Great driving comfort right up to 60kph. Clear controls, lots of adjustments possible. Deutz engine and Vario transmission seem to work… 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… TRACTORSOn test: Valtra T215 DirectMassey Ferguson and Fendt might reign supreme in Agco’s tractor portfolio, but Valtra is closing in after unleashing a blizzard of major updates to its tractor cabs and controls. No… MACHINERYKubota M135-GX first driveFrom a driver’s perspective, the M135-GX has loads going for it:A roomy four-post cab with the best views around, loads of clever gadgets and an incredibly smooth ride, combined with… Test: John Deere automatic loaderJohn Deere has launched a new automatic tractor loader that promises to take the headache out of tedious handling duties. Return to position How it works Verdict Gallery John Deere… Tractor technologySee all TRACTORSElectric tractors ‘on UK farms as early as 2020’Electric tractors may be coming to UK farms at least 10 years sooner than anticipated, according to the NFU. A NFU paper, Electric tractors by 2020? – a review of… TRACTORSFendt Helios swaps diesel engine for hydrogen fuel cellEfforts to create a greener future for farm machinery have spawned myriad tractors with alternative powertrains, one of which is the Helios from Fendt. Based on a 700-series tractor frame,… 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… Road legalSee all Police ask tractor drivers to pull into lay-bys more oftenPolice in Gloucestershire are urging tractor drivers and other slow-moving vehicles to pull into lay-bys more often to let cars by. Concern has been raised about slow-moving tractors holding up… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all 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… 101-200HPTop tips for getting the best from a John Deere 6930 PremiumIn the second-hand, mid-horsepower tractor market, John Deere’s 6930 Premium is arguably one of the most sought after. Built in Mannheim between 2007 and 2012, this lightweight, powerful tractor offers… 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?… TRACTORSMachinery Milestones: How safety and comfort reformed tractorsDriver safety and comfort are among the top essentials for today’s tractors, but they remained near the bottom of the priority list during the first 100 years or so of… 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 2022The tractor guide listings for 2022 contain a significant number of changes. New and upgraded models having been introduced over the past 12 months, and the last tractors in our… TRACTORS6 simple, low-cost loader tractor optionsIn the small loader tractor sector, the demand is for simple, reliable tractors that will get the job done with minimal expense. Most of the big manufacturers offer models to… TRACTORSClaas tractors: Common problems and how to fix themAmassing a sales tally of roughly 600 tractors a year at the last count makes Claas the eighth most popular tractor brand in the UK, just behind Valtra. And of… 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… 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… 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… TRACTORSUltimate guide to buying a tractor 2019Manufacturers appear to be preparing to unveil their next round of major updates at the same time as introducing engines to the European Stage 5 emissions regulations that came into… VideoSee all 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… VIDEO: 'Your tyres could save you a lot of fuel'Savings in fuel use of between five and 30% can be achieved by simply selecting the right tractor tyre pressure or appropriate tyre size, according to recent on-farm trials by… MACHINERYValtra N163: The four-pot powerhouseIntro Engine Transmission Cabs/controls Specs Gallery PF verdict Capable of pumping out 171hp, the flagship in Valtra’s new N-series range is claimed to be the most powerful four-cylinder on the… MACHINERYAgritechnica 2011: Case IH Magnum 370 CVX[fwi_vidyard code="QSZevEhsB2B3Nxap5f271g"] Case’s long-awaited stepless gearbox for its big Magnum tractors has officially arrived. Essentially based on the same principle as the firm’s smaller CVX tractors, the transmission is built…
