See the 2021 Tractor of the Year winners

The annual Tractor of the Year awards have been announced, with ag machinery giant Agco the big winner. Find out what the experts voted for here.

Daron Jacks

@DaronJacks

3 min read

December 22, 2020 - 8:15AM

The Weekly Times

A panel of 26 experts voted the Massey Ferguson 8S.265 as the 2021 Tractor of the Year.

AGCO was the big winner in the 2021 Tractor of the Year awards last week, taking out the top prize, best utility and best specialised tractors.

A jury of 26 journalists from 26 European countries voted for the Massey Ferguson 8S.265, the top of the tractor’s 8S Series range, to be the Tractor of the Year.

The annual awards began in 1998 and, since 2006, the award ceremony has alternated between EIMA and Agritechnica. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions the winners this year were live streamed to a global online audience last Friday.

Also in the Agco stable, the Valtra G135 took out the Best Utility and the Fendt 211 V Vario was awarded the Best Specialised tractor.

Claas won the sustainable category with the Claas Axion 960 CEMOS, the first interactive and self-learning driver assistance and machine optimisation system available on Axion wheeled tractors.

The winner of Sustainable TOTY 2021, was chosen from the shortlisted tractors of the three main categories.

The Massey Ferguson 8S.265 was voted the 2021 Tractor of the Year.

2021 TRACTOR OF THE YEAR

Massey Ferguson 8S.265

The 265hp workhorse is part of the MF 8S Series ranging from 205-260hp, which was launched this year, but arrives in Australia next year to give Massey Ferguson added clout in the high-horsepower segment.

Built on a 3.05m wheelbase, all powered by Agco’s latest generation 7.4-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder engine and all offering an additional 20hp boost.

The new machine’s cab/engine installation debuts a unique design called “Protect-U” that is claimed to completely insulate the cab from noise, heat and vibrations and make the 8S one of the quietest tractors in the market.

A new rear axle with a choice of flanged, short or long-bar axles, a 10,000kg three-point linkage capacity and 150L/min or optional 205L/min hydraulics are also part of the package, making the new tractor well suited to larger, wider implements and machines.

The Valtra G135 was voted the 2021 Best Utility tractor.

BEST UTILITY

Valtra G135

In August, Valtra took the covers off the new G Series workhorse, the newest model of the Finnish manufacturer’s brand-new model series packed with precision farming technology.

The G Series is the first of Valtra’s fifth generation of tractors — a brand-new model series packed with precision farming technology that fits between the popular A and N Series.

The G135 is the top of the four-model range that spans 105hp to 135hp at rated power, with a 5hp boost for the three smallest models, and a 10hp boost for the G135, taking it to 145hp with 560Nm of torque.

Valtra said it is an all-purpose farm tractor that can be used for front-loader tasks, spraying, producing feed and cultivating vegetables using smart farming techniques, for example.

The Fendt 211 V Vario vineyard tractor was voted the 2021 Best Specialised tractor.

BEST SPECIALISED

Fendt 211 V Vario

The 211 also won the Best Specialised gong in 2018. The third generation 111hp vineyard tractor was chosen for elements such as its completely new cab and a better working environment for the operator. Dynamic Performance extends to the power range, offering 10hp of supplemental power that is automatically managed according to operational needs. The jury said it is a reliable tractor, with a high quality of execution and equipped with a very efficient transmission.

The Claas Axion 960 was voted the 2021 Sustainable Tractor of the Year.

SUSTAINABLE TOTY 2021

Claas Axion 960 CEMOS

CEMOS is the first interactive and self-learning driver assistance and machine optimisation system on Axion tractors to enable a significant improvement in efficiency compared with manual adjustment of the tractor and the implement. CEMOS takes into account not only tractor-specific parameters such as ballast and engine pressure, but also equipment data such as traction boosters. It is also possible to optimise the settings for numerous plough types thanks to data stored in the plough assistant.

The AXION 900 wheeled tractors with Stage V are also the first to combine CEMOS with the factory-fitted CTIC tyre-pressure control system. This makes it possible to adjust the internal tyre pressure intelligently and dynamically during work, in optimal coordination.

FINALISTS:

TRACTOR OF THE YEAR

Landini Serie 7 V-Shift

Case IH Quadtrac 620

Fendt 1167 Vario MT

New Holland T6.160

Steyr 6240 Absolut CVT

Claas Axion 960 Cemos

Massey Ferguson 8S.265

Kubota M7143 KVT

Armatrac 1254 LUX CRD 4

BEST OF UTILITY