Know How / Tractors

Latest tractor articles

TRACTORS

Ultimate guide to buying a tractor 2026

The 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…

TRACTORS

Mitas creates Granterra tyre for low-speed, high-torque needs

A 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.…

TRACTORS

Nexat wide-span tractor sows 200ha per fill with 28m drill

German 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…

TRACTORS

First impressions: Fresh Fendt 832 puts power to the ground

Fendt 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…

TRACTORS

First impressions: John Deere's 8RX 540 breaks new ground

American 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.…

TRACTORS

11 new Valtra S376 tractors – JSE’s buying decision revealed

For some businesses, buying a new tractor is a blue-moon event, others might stretch to one or two a year, but precious few will have landed 11 in a single…

Tractor reviews and tests

See all

MACHINERY

Video: McCormick sticks to what it does best with the X60

In the market for a new loader tractor? Nick Fone and David Cousins take a look a two new arrivals on the scene – McCormick’s X60.40 and Valtra’s A93. Intro…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: Case IH Maxxum 125 ActiveDrive 4

A recent reordering of Case IH’s smaller tractor ranges has resulted in a slimming down of the popular Maxxum series to a trio of models. But with three transmission options…

MACHINERY

Video: Valtra T234 tractor on test with a Sumo Trio cultivator

Valtra has always been the quirky alternative in the Agco tractor line-up. While Challenger takes care of the tracklayer market, Fendt does the premium end of things and Massey appeals…

401+HP

Video: Fendt's 943 MT twin-track crawler on test

Agco has breathed new life into its flailing twin-track fleet with a major rebranding and upgrading exercise for the long-in-the-tooth Challenger tractors. And the firm’s prairie monster range needed some…

201-300HP

First impressions: Deutz-Fahr's 287hp 8280 TTV

Deutz-Fahr has pinned its high-horsepower hopes on a new 8-series range that it reckons has the power, speed and hydraulic capacity to compete with the sector’s biggest sellers. There’s currently…

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…

MACHINERY

Kubota M135-GX first drive

From 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…

MACHINERY

On test: Valtra T214 Direct

The other tractors on test Fendt 720 Vario New Holland T 7.230 Case IH Puma 175 CVX Massey Ferguson 7720 Dyna From a driver’s point of view, the revamped T-series…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: Deutz-Fahr 6125 C

As with most tractor launches nowadays, it was inescapable emissions limits that drove Deutz-Fahr to replace its 6120, 6130 and 6140 with very similar 6 C models in early 2022.…

MACHINERY

First impressions of Valtra’s redesigned T-series tractors

Valtra’s six-cylinder, T-series tractors have been crying out for a refresh for years... and at last they’ve got it. James Andrews travelled to Germany to see if it’s been worth…

MACHINERY

Video: JCB 8310 – a good all-rounder?

With the new engine and semi-mid-mounted cab, the 8310 is a good all-rounder. It may not be a completely jump-on-and-go machine, but you’ll only have to be shown once. Summary…

MACHINERY

Top-end tractor test: New Holland T8.390

Power Farming Verdict: 3.5/5 Fiat engine very frugal on fuel – but AdBlue is also required. Good performer in the field for heavy draft work, helped by effective engine-transmission management…

Tractor guides

See all

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

High-hour horsepower: John Deere 6830 breaks 20,000 hours

Graham 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…

MACHINERY

7 versatile 300hp arable tractor newcomers

Three 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…

TRACTORS

Machinery milestones: Driverless tractors

The UK played the leading role in the early stages of driverless or autonomous tractor development and the first experimental tractor designed to carry out a range of tasks without…

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…

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

Should you invest in a headland turning system?

They save time, increase productivity and reduce driver fatigue, so should you invest in a headland turning system? Why invest? John Deere Claas Case study: William Strawson Headland turning systems…

TRACTORS

6 simple, low-cost loader tractor options

In 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…

TRACTORS

On test: Valtra's 100hp A104 HiTech4

Valtra is on a relentless offensive to ram-pack its tractor ranges with near limitless engine, transmission and cab spec combinations. The latest versions to be flung into its smallest A-series…

Tractor tyres v tracks: which is best?

Low ground pressure, unbeatable traction and greater productivity potential. That sums up the attraction of high horsepower tracked tractors to arable farmers who run them for cultivation and drilling in…

TRACTORS

The inspection service helping buyers spot dodgy tractors

Most farmers would back themselves to spot a dodgy tractor a mile off, but a burgeoning agricultural business is offering an impartial inspection service that goes a bit further than…

Tractor technology

See all

TRACTORS

Canadian arable farmer builds driverless tractor for £3,000

Fully autonomous farm equipment is something the big brands haven't yet offered customers to buy, so Manitoba farmer Matthew Reimer decided to save waiting by building his own robotic tractor…

TRACTORS

Machinery milestones: Driverless tractors

The UK played the leading role in the early stages of driverless or autonomous tractor development and the first experimental tractor designed to carry out a range of tasks without…

TRACTORS

Fendt Helios swaps diesel engine for hydrogen fuel cell

Efforts 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,…

Road legal

See all

ROAD LEGAL

Tracked tractor test mandatory for new operators

Operators of twin-tracked tractors must ensure they have a category H test before getting behind the wheel this harvest, and advanced booking is advised after a testing backlog. The disruption…

Tractor insights and practical advice

See all

TRACTORS

Machinery milestones: Driverless tractors

The UK played the leading role in the early stages of driverless or autonomous tractor development and the first experimental tractor designed to carry out a range of tasks without…

MACHINERY

Should you invest in a headland turning system?

They save time, increase productivity and reduce driver fatigue, so should you invest in a headland turning system? Why invest? John Deere Claas Case study: William Strawson Headland turning systems…

TRACTORS

6 simple, low-cost loader tractor options

In 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…

Tractor tyres v tracks: which is best?

Low ground pressure, unbeatable traction and greater productivity potential. That sums up the attraction of high horsepower tracked tractors to arable farmers who run them for cultivation and drilling in…

TRACTORS

The inspection service helping buyers spot dodgy tractors

Most farmers would back themselves to spot a dodgy tractor a mile off, but a burgeoning agricultural business is offering an impartial inspection service that goes a bit further than…

MACHINERY

Top tips for buying a used tractor

Avoiding the pitfalls Second-hand buyer's checklist The market for second-hand machinery could barely be more competitive than it is right now. Soaring prices for new kit and a favourable exchange…

TRACTORS

Machinery Milestones: Wood-fuelled tractors

It 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…

TRACTORS

Valtra tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

When Valtra joined the Agco stable in the early 2000s, it brought with it dependable Sisu engines that have since been given the parent company’s branding. They are still solid…

WORKSHOP SKILLS

Massey Ferguson tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

For the mechanically minded operator, it’s often possible to carry out minor repairs in the farm workshop. But with tractors getting ever more complex, there’s an increasing number of jobs…

MACHINERY

Video: Deere demos driverless tractor technology

  John Deere showed off some of its latest precision farming tech during a press trip last week to the American Midwest. James Andrews reports. Watch the video and read…

TRACTORS

£50k Sabanto Steward kit gets Fendt 700 working autonomously

Long, lonely hours spent cultivating, drilling and mowing could be a thing of the past with the advent of a plug-in kit that can get any autosteer-ready tractor operating autonomously.…

Video

See all

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.…

Video: Valtra sets world’s fastest tractor record

Finnish rally legend Juha Kankkunen has set a new tractor speed record of 88.88mph at the wheel of a modified T-series Valtra. The four-time World Rally Champion – famous for…

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

Grassland UK: McCormick X70 makes UK debut

[fwi_vidyard code="koYUDkQ3R1yidzwP-OsKNA"] Grassland provided the launch-pad for McCormick’s latest range of 150hp to 214hp tractors. Now dubbed as the X70 series, five new models replace outgoing TTX and XTX machines.…