A flurry of newcomers in the 90-130hp range destined for livestock and mixed-enterprise farms are the main changes to this year’s Farmers Weekly Ultimate Guide to tractors.

See also: Fendt tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

Case IH

A cosmetic makeover giving the four-model 90-117hp Farmall C tractor line-up a fresh appearance emphasises a raft of upgrades, including new guidance, telematics and transmission features.

Increased gear hydraulic pump output is now 82 litres/min instead of 63 litres/min, in partnership with the existing 36-litre/min steering and ancillaries pump, to cater for oil-demanding implements.

And rear lift capacity is up too, from 4,400kg to 4,700kg, with a continuing choice of mechanical or electronic control, plus an increase in gross vehicle weight of 7t allows for more ballast or heavier implements.

Larger rear tyres – up to 540/65 R38 – is another practical enhancement and, as before, buyers can choose between a standard or heavy-duty front axle.

Fuel capacity is increased to 130 litres for longer working periods between re-fills, and a new brake-to-stop function for the 24×24 HiLo transmission with two-speed powershift saved having to engage the clutch for loading and round baling, and when stopping briefly at a road junction.

There are new headland management functions, including an auto pto feature that stops and starts the pto shaft according to lift linkage position, and that’s mirrored by an auto diff lock on-off for both axles.

A wet clutch for the front pto is quieter and more durable than its dry clutch predecessor.

Further up the power scale, the 260/271hp Puma 240, previously available only with a CVXDrive stepless transmission, is now available with the PowerDrive powershift unit and a lower ticket price.

PowerDrive is available with 40kph Eco or 50kph configurations across 18 or 19 forward powershift speeds and six in reverse, with a 29×12 setup resulting from adding a creep box.

The new model comes with a choice of 120- or 150-litre/min variable-flow hydraulic pump supplemented by a 66-litre/min unit dedicated to the steering and ancillaries such as clutch packs.

Manual or electric spool valve operation can also be chosen according to budget and driver preference.

All four Puma PowerDrive AFS Connect tractors can be equipped with the heavier-duty Class 4.5 front axle, which increases load capacity by 13% to suit front-mounted equipment and loaders, while gross vehicle permissible weight increases to 14,000kg.

Claas

The all-new Axos 3 range has taken Claas back into the utility tractor market with four power outputs spanning 92-120hp and a height of 2.5m on 30in wheels to access low shed doorways.

Building on an existing partnership for smaller Axos 200 and specialist orchard tractors, the newcomers are built to Claas requirements by Carraro Group’s Agritalia tractor assembly operation in Italy.

These 3.6-litre FPT powered machines offer a choice of 92hp, 103hp, 112hp and 120hp outputs and come as standard with a 24×12 power shuttle transmission featuring two powershift speeds, and achieving the 40kph top speed at a fuel-sipping 1,750rpm.

Alternatively, there is a 36×18 option with three powershifts for added versatility, and the more basic synchro shuttle 12×12.

Two levels of specification can be chosen – Trend or the better-equipped Comfort; the former has no roof window and makes do with mechanical linkage stabilisers.

The higher spec, brings auto stabilisers, a roof window (handy for loader work), park lock on the power shuttle and a brake-to-stop feature useful for road junctions, repeated loading and round baling.

Rear linkage rated at 4,000kg can be supplemented by a 3,240kg front hitch.

With 160 litres of fuel capacity – diesel or hydrotreated vegetable oils – the Axos 3 tractors have decent between fills run time, with up to 1.6m rear tyres in sizes 420/85 R38 or 540/65 R38 providing plenty of traction and flotation for a machine of this size.

Adjustable steering ratio and isobus implement electronics are among the optional tech upgrades available.

Elsewhere in the Claas range, the Arion 400 Hexashift line-up is back to full strength after a period when only selected power outputs and spec levels were available.

The Arion 500 CMatic range has a new top model in the 180hp Arion 570, which has variable output 150-litre/min hydraulics as standard rather than an option as on the 125-165hp versions.

Meanwhile, the 24×24 six powershift Hexashift transmission has been dropped from the Axion 800 range – so all of the 215-295hp models are available only with CMatic stepless drive.

Farmtrac

As a result of a joint venture product and manufacturing partnership in India, Kubota has taken on UK distribution of Farmtrac tractors.

The 95-122hp models built in Poland by Kubota partner Escorts Group, previously available through Reesink Agriculture, have been dropped in favour of the 50hp 6050E and the 75hp 6075 large compact.

Fendt

With the 149-224hp Fendt 600 Vario series now in place, the original (Gen6) line-up of 700 Vario models has been trimmed by discontinuing the 150hp 714 and 171hp 716 versions.

The 188-246hp models continue for the time being as a lower-priced alternative to the more sophisticated 700 Vario Gen7 tractors with their variable torque distribution stepless transmissions.

John Deere

A thoroughly revamped 6M Series line-up sees additional models and increased power outputs catering for a wider range of applications and farm sizes.

Equipped as before with either 4.5- or 6.8-litre Deere engines, every model in this series now has power boost to deliver extra performance on draft, transport and pto applications, with 160-280hp AutoPower IVT large and extra-large frame machines available for the first time.

The UK line-up starts with the 6M 95 short-frame replacement for the 6090M equipped with the 16×16/4 PowrQuad Plus transmission and increased engine output of 105hp for draft work and 120hp for pto and transport applications.

As previously, there are three more versions heading up to 138/150hp from the 6M 125, plus another two longer wheelbase four-cylinder models peaking at 154/166hp and fitted with the 24×24/4 versions of PowrQuad.

Alternatively, these same models can be kitted with the CommandQuad 24×24/4 transmission or AutoPower IVT stepless drive.

There’s a broadly similar choice for the six-cylinder machines starting at 160/171hp, although PowrQuad is a 20×20/4 configuration, all the way up to the 275/281hp 6M 250 flagship.

More numerous and larger tyre options enable the tractors to tread more lightly and pull more strongly.

In the cab, operators can settle for a traditional side layout for the major controls or upgrade to the CommandArm seat armrest console, and a new corner post display provides an overview of key tractor functions.

Mechanical cab suspension and John Deere’s TLS front axle suspension are options as before.

Kioti

Three new models have been added to Kioti’s listing: the 73hp RX 8040 PC replacement for the long-running RX 7330 PC; the 91/100hp addition to the HX 01 series; and a 125hp sibling to the higher-spec HX 02 series, the HX 1202 ATC.

The new-generation RX 8040 PC has fresh styling, electronic instead of mechanical rear lift control and an all-new five-post cab with greater interior and floor space.

The new driver accommodation provides better visibility through a larger windscreen and full-length right-hand window while retaining a door of conventional size, which some operators prefer to a full-length design.

Re-designed cladding using lighter-coloured materials aim to give the interior a visual lift, there are new controls throughout with their functions made more obvious, and there is the added convenience and performance of the electronic hitch control.

This operates a rear linkage assembly system with a tad more capacity at 2,253kg measured 610mm back from the arm ends, which results largely from a few extra millimetres in the wheelbase and an overall weight increase of 387kg at 3,182kg.

Buyers can now have up to six auxiliary hydraulic ports instead of just two and the newcomer retains a joystick as standard to operate mid-mounted valves for a loader.

A different transmission, however, deploys 20 rather than 24 gears in each direction.

Kioti’s larger HX 9010 PC is simply a lesser-powered version of the current 101/111hp HX 1201 PC and 117/127hp HX 1001 PC; output from the Daedong (Kioti) 3.8-litre engine is 91hp for draft work, boosting to 100hp for travel and pto operations.

Similarly, the 125hp HX 1202 ATC fills out the “02” line-up of more powerful tractors up to 140hp that feature a 32×32 transmission with eight powershift speeds but the same 74-litre/min hydraulics (plus a 46-litre/min steering pump) and 4.4t hitch lift capacity.

Kubota

A lightly revamped and re-named M7 series marks 10 years since Kubota started building its most powerful European tractor range at Dunkirk in northern France.

The 150-175hp M7004 machines remain available with ZF-supplied powershift and stepless transmissions, with the KVT unit having recalibrated pre-set droop settings for customisable transmission sensitivity and optimum fuel efficiency.

Service and maintenance access is said to be improved as a result of re-positioning the cooling pack and new steps installed after moving the fuel and AdBlue tanks a tad makes getting in and out of the cab easier.

Once inside, operators will find a new auto park brake function as part of the forward/reverse shuttle and a faster, more responsive K-Monitor info and isobus display thanks to a new data processor.

Lovol

Official distributor Severn Farm Machinery has a new addition to the Lovol line-up with the P4110C, a four-cylinder, 110hp machine with cab.

The simple-spec tractor is powered by a 4.6-litre diesel motor from Chinese manufacturer Weichai, with an SCR AdBlue system to meet latest emissions regulations, and has an 18×18 speed synchro shuttle transmission.

There are also higher-spec Lovol M-series Pro tractors becoming available, all variants of the 50hp M504C and 75hp M754C being powered by a Doosan engine now, with just a diesel particulates filter involved in meeting Stage V emissions standards.

Pro versions have hook-end lower lift arms, an LED instrument cluster and a black and silver colour scheme.

Massey Ferguson

Replacing the MF 5700M series tractors with new and improved models has been the focus for Massey Ferguson, the new “grown up” 5M line-up featuring a new electronics architecture bringing isobus and guidance options to the sector.

The out-going 5700M tractors spanning 95-135hp were available with a simple power shuttle 12×12 transmission and the Dyna-4 with four powershift steps.

But the newcomers get only the more sophisticated drive setup, which provides 16×16 speeds in all, with the flexibility of those four powershifts and Eco characteristics that deliver 40kph at modest revs from the Agco Power 4.4-litre engine.

Emissions control hardware for that engine are tucked away beneath the cab to preserve forwards and front three-quarters visibility, despite fuel tank capacity being increased to a generous 198 litres.

Optional transmission add-ons comprise AutoDrive, for automatic shifting in Eco and Power modes, and Brake-to-Neutral, the now commonplace feature of being able to bring the tractor to a halt using the brakes only – a useful function for road junctions, a repeated loading cycle and when round baling to finish the netting process.

Mechanical cab suspension is optional as before but there remains no front axle springing as yet, and the hydraulics package is unchanged.

This comprises a 50-litre/min gear pump or a twin element installation that adds a 42-litre/min unit; with the latter high-flow arrangement, up to 100-litre/min can be channelled to the spool valves, enabling front linkage or a tractor loader to be operated with more speed and muscle.

In both cases, a separate 32-litre/min pump is dedicated to steering and things like clutch packs.

The 125hp, 135hp and new 145hp machines get a boost in hydraulic hitch capacity from 4,300kg to 5,200kg.

For “tech” enthusiasts, the new 5M tractors can come guidance ready or fully equipped with MF Guide, which includes a Fieldstar 5 terminal capable of running isobus implement controls and precision farming functions such as section and rate control, and MF Connect telematics.

The 5M series cab can be equipped with sports an uprated air conditioning system with increased flow and improved air distribution, and revamped suspension said to be more compliant and cushioning.

LED work lights and a rear fender pto on/off switch should make life easier.

McCormick

The so-called “Clever Cab” is being rolled out on selected models of the X7 series, the 155-225hp machines in the McCormick line-up.

The cab has a 6% larger windscreen, with most gains at the top to give taller drivers a clearer forwards view, special glazing throughout with greater thermal efficiency to help regulate temperatures in different conditions.

A wider-opening rear window, which is tinted and heated, larger and heated telescopic wing mirrors, and an Alpine sound system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also part of the upgrade package, along with some detail changes to the placement of controls.

The revamped driver accommodation is now installed on 155-175hp short wheelbase models with the P6-Drive powershift and VT-Drive stepless transmissions, and the 200-240hp long wheelbase variants with VT-Drive.

New Holland

While dropping the T5 Utility Powershuttle tractors from its range, the T5 Dual Command line has been updated and refreshed with more hydraulic hitch lift and hydraulic flow.

The five-model 80-117hp line-up comes exclusively with the 24×24 Dual Command transmission with two powershift speeds, or the 40×40 variant with creep ratios.

A synchro shuttle option for the T5.90, T5.100 and T5.110 equipped with standard front axle is anticipated, giving buyers a simpler, lower-priced alternative.

Refreshed styling heralds an otherwise invisible raft of upgrades, including a 7% increase in rear hitch capacity to 4.7t and 30% more hydraulic oil flow at 82-litre/min.

Auto diff lock and four-wheel drive simplify headland turns and there is an LED lighting option for enhanced illumination for night-time working.

Telemetry and suite of precision farming technologies have also been made possible, with the IntelliView 12 touchscreen display and isobus implement controls being among new options.

Remote viewing of onboard displays can also be included along with satellite-based precision guidance.

Further up the power scale, New Holland’s PLM Intelligence package has been stripped out of the long wheelbase T7 models to create a lower-priced tech-light tractor with Auto Command stepless drive.

Conversely, there are higher-spec versions with the full powershift Power Command 19×6/18 transmission (29×12/18 with creep) featuring PLM Intelligence and the SideWinder Ultra armrest console.

Among the range-topping T8 Genesis line-up, the 415/435hp T8.410 has returned in both full powershift Ultra Command and stepless Auto Command guises.

Tafe

Indian manufacturer Tractors & Farm Equipment (Tafe) has a new distributor offering latest Stage 5 equipped models now that the “heritage” models are no longer eligible – although parts supply and service continue to be available from Tractors UK.

Two models feature in the guide (there are smaller compacts also), at 65hp and 74hp powered by 2.6-litre Simpson engines.

These drive through a mechanical shuttle 12×12 transmission.