The fall of 2014 will be remembered for all the improvements that manufacturers are making in small commercial tractors in the 120- to 220-horsepower class. Despite the trend towards “bigger, wider and more powerful,” these tractors are showing they can compete based on nimbleness, adaptability and durability. Below, we feature offerings from four different manufacturers, but be forewarned. There’s much more information waiting for you from the manufacturers. It can be a big job to select the right small tractor.
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John Deere 6R Series
Just in time for 2015, John Deere is rolling out its improvements on the 6R series tractors. Five extra horsepower levels have been added to the 6R lineup, with the company pointing to higher productivity in the field as the overall advantage. The higher specs on these machines include Final Tier 4-compliance, along with Intelligent Power Management that provides as much as a 40-horsepower boost when conditions demand it. There are also new remote rear couplers similar to those on the 7R and 8R series tractors, making attaching and detaching implements easier. Inside the cab, you’ll find a new CommandARM, complete with a standard seven-inch touch-screen display, with a 10-inch model as an available option.
Challenger MT500E Series
Boost power and increase efficiency, and you get the new MT500e series from Challenger, with five new models available in the series. All feature the AGCO Power Tier 4-Final 6.6- or 7.4-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine. The company says the new engines provide a significant bump in power compared to previous designs, and all are equipped with dual alternators and third-generation selective catalytic reduction (SRC) technology. They also come with the no-shift smooth operation of CVT — a continuously variable transmission. In the cab, there’s even a new front dash display, featuring a setup and information screen (SIS) boasting 10 times greater resolution and 50 per cent larger area for easier viewing and less fatigue.
Massey Ferguson 7700 Series
Working those longer days that stretch into the night might not seem as daunting when you see what Massey Ferguson is building into its 7700 series tractors. Five models — four of them in the 120- to 220-horsepower class — are available with a Tier 4-Final, six-cylinder AGCO Power 6.6- and 7.4-Litre diesel engine, pushing the limits on power in the 7700 series. According to the company, this series boasts turbochargers with new electronic wastegates which can actually anticipate power needs, along with improved engine response and high torque, no matter the r.p.m.s. The 7700 series has more than twice the front-suspension travel of previous designs. That means more power to the ground for reduced wheel slippage and power hop, plus superior steering control at higher speeds.
Fendt 700 Series
Turning heads takes more than a roar from the engine. What really matters is how you put the entire machine together, including everything under the hood and in the cab. Fendt has taken its 700 series tractors, made them easier to operate and also reinforced the series’ structure. The new 700 series boasts six models, five of which fall within the 120- to 220-horsepower class, and all are available in the Profi and ProfiPlus option packages, including stronger front axles to handle higher payloads and enhanced steering capabilities. Of course, each 700 series unit comes equipped with the Fendt Vario continuously variable transmission (CVT). There’s also a new four-speed, 1000E PTO, which means higher operating efficiency and an expanded range of PTO applications.
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