“Tractor of the Year 2019” – voting for the finalists of the international prize

A tractor is a unit that must be available in the machinery fleet of each agricultural producer. It is not surprising that global manufacturers pay particular attention to the development and improvement of these machines.

The leaders of the agricultural machinery industry compete annually for the title of the best manufacturer, producing new tractors by the conveyor and bringing their main characteristics to perfection.

Soon at the Italian exhibition “EIMA International-2018”, the winners of the competition “Tractor of the Year 2019” will be awarded. Who will get the prestigious international award? It will be known at one of the largest exhibitions of agricultural machinery, which will be held in Bologna from the 7th to the 11th of November, 2018.

The jury includes 25 leading European journalists in the field of agricultural machinery. At a reputable and independent competition, only new items are evaluated that were debuted in 2018.

During the testing, tractors are passing field trials. The jury evaluates such criteria as engine, hydraulic, transmission, number of options and design. Based on overall estimation, the winner in this category is determined. In total, there are four nominations: "Tractor of the Year", "Best Utility", "Best Specialized Tractor" and "Best Design". All finalists compete for the title “Best Design” independently of power supply and other characteristics. There are certain limitations for other categories. Therefore, for a victory in the category “Tractor of the Year”, the equipment strives with a load capacity exceeding 8900 kg and combines such characteristics as innovation, cabin comfort, design and traction characteristics. The category “Best Utility” was created for tractors with a capacity of more than 70 hp, engine with a maximum of 4 cylinders and a lifting capacity of not more than 8900 kg. The tractors for gardens, vineyards and mountain areas fall into the category "Best Specialized Tractors".

In the meantime, the team of the website Farmerscan.com proposes to get acquainted with the finalists of this year and to hold their own vote among readers. 

Into the list of candidates for the main nomination "Tractor of the Year" are included:

Case IH Maxxum 145 Activedrive 8. This tractor is positioned as the most economical four-cylinder tractor. It received this title in the DLG Powermix test for the best fuel efficiency indicators. The 4.5-liter engine provides nominal rating power of 145 hp and maximum rating power of 175 hp. This tractor is equipped with a semi-automatic gearbox Activedrive 8, which provides the availability of 24 gears and allows you to bring it up to the speed of 53 km/h. It is also the winner in the nomination "Machine of the Year 2018" at the exhibition "Agritechnica" in Hannover.

McCormick X7.690 P6-Drive is a new model of the Italian brand McCormick, which is already represented on the Ukrainian market of equipment. The tractor is equipped with a 6-cylinder, 6.7-liter turbo diesel Betapower (Tier 3), which provides a maximum power rating of 225 hp. The transmission P6-Drive includes 5 automated diapasons of 6 gears with Powershift function. There is a total number of 30 forward and 15 reverse gears. The Stop&Action function allows the tractor to stop without declutching by the operator. The tractor has a basic configuration and a premium class configuration and in the options is available an independent front axle suspension.

The Zetor Forterra Hsx 140 is a multifunctional Czech tractor that is constantly being technically improved. Considering the intermediate version of the Forterra HSX (there is a Forterra CL and Forterra HD), this tractor is the most powerful model with the Tier 4F four-cylinder engine of the Zetor producing. Engine volume of 4.2 liters, power - 136 hp. The tractor is equipped with a modern gearbox 30/30 with a hydraulic reverse. In the options, there is an independent front suspension.

Nomination "Best Utility Tractor 2019"

This year the following tractor models are presented in this category:

Case IH Farmall 75A is compact universal tractor for working on small and medium-sized farms. A three-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.9 liters provides a tractor power of 75 hp. Gear shift transmission 12/12 with hydraulic reverse. Running speed of 40 km/h. As an additional option, it is possible to deliver it with a front loader.

Fendt 313 Vario is a multi-purpose tractor that is suitable for working with front loader, pasture maintenance and for tilling. The four- cylinder engine, with a capacity of 4 liters, provides a full power of 142 hp. Infinitely variable transmission, maximum speed of 40 km/h. As an additional option, it is possible to install VarioGuide self-steering.

Massey Ferguson MF 6713 is the most powerful model of the Global series, which is equipped with a 4-cylinder Agco Power engine, with a volume of 4.4 liters, the full power is 130 hp. Manual transmission, 12/12 with synchronized gear shifting, maximum speed of 40 km/h. The drive of electrohydraulics has an adjustment step when working with a front loader. The front loader MF has a Vasio Roof cabin for a better view when maneuvering of loads at height. The maximum bearing capacity of a hitch is 5200 kg. Fuel tank of 190 liters.

Steyr Kompakt 4115 HD has split axles, which allows working with heavy tools and a maximal load up to 6500 kg. The 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 3,4 provides the capacity of 114 hp. 24/24 transmission with electro-hydraulic reverse, maximum speed of 40 km/h. Producing country is Austria.

Experts propose to choose the winner in the category "The best specialized tractor 2019" of:

Antonio Carraro Ttr 7600 Infinity – this is a multifunctional tractor, that is suitable for work of diverse complexity, especially on the steep grades. Thanks to the special structure of the Actio frame, it has a wide wheelbase and a low center of gravity, which makes it easy to overcome all roughness of relief, while keeping good adhesion to surface. 4-cylinder Kohler engine with a volume of 2.4 liters provides the capacity of 75 hp.

Landini Rex 4-120 GT – this is a specialized tractor for orchards. Four-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.9 liters provides full power of 112 hp. Transmission may vary from basic version 12/12, to version 48/16. The cabin has the protection of fourth level.

Same Frutteto Cvt 115 S – is designed to work in orchards and vineyards. This model is equipped with a four-cylinder engine FARMotion with a capacity of 113 hp. The main innovation of this model is stepless transmission. The running speed can reach up to 40 km/h while driving the following types: auto, manual and maneuver.

The latter category includes field-specific tractors, which are widely used in Europe, but for the Ukrainian agricultural manufacturer they are new.

The most finalists are tractors of famous brands, which are valued by farmers for their high productivity and reliability. However, what model will become recognized as the best of the best, we will get to learn in November.