Know How / Tractors Latest tractor articles TECHNOLOGYConverted Leyland 255 powered by used electric car partsA quick drive-by of Ben Bament’s low-key workshop in Farmborough, Somerset would reveal nothing of the wizardly engineering cloaked under the most ordinary of machines berthed outside. Among his curious… TRACTORSClaas pulls the wraps off revamped 264-313hp Axion 8 tractorsAs part of an update programme across its entire tractor range, Claas has launched revamped versions of its 800-series machines. Three new variants – the Axion 8.240, 8.270 and 8.290… TRACTORSQuicke improves weighing on tractor-mounted Q-Series loadersTractor loader control and automation is reckoned to have reached new heights with the latest updates to Quicke’s Q-companion digital system introduced alongside changes to the flagship Q-Series loaders. Existing… TRACTORSCereals 2026: John Deere 6M tractor and 500R sprayer updatedCab size is now the only real differentiator between John Deere’s 6R and 6M series tractors, thanks to a handful of new optional extras on the latter. These include a… TRACTORSRevamped John Deere 6R gets new cab and sharper handlingJohn Deere has overhauled the top end of its popular 6R tractor range, fitting a bigger cab and uprating the running gear for better handling. For now, only models on… 301-400HPFirst impressions: New 8340’s cab is a Deutz-Fahr revolutionNot for the first time, green tractors of German provenance stole the headlines at November’s Agritechnica show. Only this time, John Deere, Fendt and Claas bods were among the spectators… TRACTORSUpdated Claas Xerion 12 capable of semi-autonomous drivingA clutch of powertrain and digital technology upgrades are being released for the biggest tractors in the Claas range, including autonomous working – albeit with an operator in the driving… Tractor reviews and testsSee all 201-300HPOwner rates MF 8S.265 with Dyna E-Power transmission For a high-horsepower tractor with such a radical new design, Massey Ferguson’s 8S came into being with surprisingly little fanfare. Launched in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in August… 101-200HPVideo: Massey Ferguson's entry-level 5711M on testMassey Ferguson has enjoyed a fair amount of success in the loader tractor market, with its basic Global Series catering for the keep-it-simple brigade and the comparatively swish S series… TRACTORSOn test: John Deere's quick-fit EZ Ballast weight systemAdding ballast to a cultivation tractor is a time-honoured method of delivering maximum grip and making the most of the ponies it has to offer. Traditionally this has come in… MACHINERYDriven: Zetor Proxima 85Summary Power Transmission Cab PTO/Hydraulics Zetor has found a new lease of life recently with powershift gearboxes and a 180hp model due for launch in the near future. The Proxima… TRACTORSVideo: Kubota's 170hp four-cylinder M7173 on testKubota’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… TRACTORSDriver's view: Case IH Maxxum 125 ActiveDrive 4A 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… TRACTORSDriver's view: Deutz-Fahr 6125 CAs 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.… MACHINERYSecond-hand loader tractor buyer's guideFinding 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… TRACTORSVideo: On test - John Deere 6250R v 7250RThe 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… TRACTORSDriver's view: Sisto family's 7-year-old New Holland T7.210A dependable engine, solid transmissions and keen pricing have made New Holland’s T7.210 one of the most popular six-cylinder workhorses on the market. It might not be the most powerful… 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… 101-200HPFirst impressions: More power and speed for Deere 6M-seriesThey might be simpler and cheaper than their premium-spec cousins, but the lack of a 50kph transmission has long stymied sales of John Deere’s 6M tractors in the UK. Keen… 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 201-300HPFirst impressions: Deutz-Fahr's 287hp 8280 TTVDeutz-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… 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,… 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.… TRACTORSOn test: Deutz-Fahr 6140.4 TTVDeutz is still using up its stash of Tier 4i engines, so we separated it from the rest of the cleaner-running, Tier 4f-powered pack. Poor marks for its small cab,… TRACTORSDriver's view: John Deere 6120M PowrQuadJohn Deere rejuvenated its simpler M-series tractors four years ago, with the range restructured into short-, small-, mid- and large- chassis categories that contain a total of 10 models spanning… MACHINERYWhat to look for when buying a used tractorIntro 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Purchasing a used tractor can be a pitfall-laden process for even the most seasoned buyer, with a wide range… MACHINERYCompare tractors and combines with our buyers guidesFarmers 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… TRACTORSOn test: JCB Fastrac 4220There’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.… 101-200HPVideo: John Deere 6120M Command Quad tractor on testLast year’s unveiling of a heavily reworked 6M tractor range may have been lost in the razzmatazz of John Deere’s high-end tractor and combine launches, but these simple(ish) models could… 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,… MACHINERYOn test: Valtra T214 DirectThe 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… TRACTORSDriver's view: Valtra's 170hp T163e tractorIf you’re on the hunt for a reasonably priced second-hand tractor with about 170hp under the bonnet, Valtra’s T163e could well make your shortlist. James Andrews speaks to a current… Tractor technologySee all TRACTORSMitas mobile app to help farmers set best tyre pressuresCzech tyre maker Mitas has introduced a new mobile tyre pressure app suitable for Android, Apple and Windows phones. The new app allows farmers to find the right pressure for their… TRACTORSJohn Deere responds to increasing Greenstar theftsA PIN code locking system has been installed on John Deere’s Greenstar cab displays and StarFire satellite receivers to curb the appeal of these products to thieves. See also: GPS… 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… Road legalSee all MACHINERYTractors on the road: Rights, wrongs, rules and regulationsWhen harvest is in full swing, tractors take to the roads up and down the country. It may seem unfair to farmers and contractors, but the presence of a greater… Tractor insights and practical adviceSee all 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,… MACHINERYWhat to look for when buying a used tractorIntro 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Purchasing a used tractor can be a pitfall-laden process for even the most seasoned buyer, with a wide range… MACHINERYCompare tractors and combines with our buyers guidesFarmers 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… 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… 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… TRACTORSMachinery milestones: Driverless tractorsThe 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… HEALTH AND SAFETYTractor cab filters: are you protected?Most operators and farmers will be well aware of the potential risks that working with agricultural chemicals brings, but with the right precautions, users will be kept free from any… TRACTORS£50k Sabanto Steward kit gets Fendt 700 working autonomouslyLong, 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.… MARKETS AND TRENDSHow tight margins on farm are hitting ag machinery salesMachinery dealers are feeling the pinch as reduced demand from farmers for new kit hits their bottom line. With fewer than 9,000 machines being registered in 2025, the Agricultural Engineers… Alpine tractor maker sets its sights on UK hill farmersLindner might be a little-known name in UK farming circles, but it accounts for a healthy chunk of the tractor market in its home country of Austria and it’s slowly… MACHINERYHow alternative fuels are helping to reduce farm emissionsDiesel-powered transport and machinery have been under scrutiny globally for some time now due to their large environmental impact in the form of hefty CO2 emissions. Recent years have seen… TRACTORSLinkage-mounted mudguard options to reduce mud splatterFactory-fitted fenders might do a half decent job of keeping your tractor clean, but they offer implements little protection against being pebble-dashed with mud, road grime and stones. This is… VideoSee all 101-200HPVideo: John Deere 6120M Command Quad tractor on testLast year’s unveiling of a heavily reworked 6M tractor range may have been lost in the razzmatazz of John Deere’s high-end tractor and combine launches, but these simple(ish) models could… TRACTORSVideo: JCB Fastrac smashes British tractor speed recordDaredevil stunt rider Guy Martin was at the helm of a highly modified JCB Fastrac as it broke the British tractor speed record, travelling at 103.6mph. See also: Video: Valtra… 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… 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…
