TRACTOR TEST: Three North European farm machinery magazines from Finland (Koneviesti), Norway (Bedre Gardsdrift) and Sweden (Traktortech) along with our Dutch colleagues from Trekker tested seven tractors in the 300hp power bracket, all with a continuously variable transmission, GPS and ISObus. Denmark was the proving ground for this comparison.
The six-cyl engines of the tested candidates have a displacement of between 6.1- (Deutz-Fahr) and 7.4 litres (MF and Valtra). According to the brochure stats, the maximum output without a power boost ranges from 275hp (John Deere) to 313hp (McCormick). If you do include the boost, the John Deere nudges its way up to 301hp.
Although brochure stats are a good starting point, we were more interested in how much of this claimed engine power actually makes its way to the rear stub and the wheels during the pto and drawbar power measurements. You can see the results in the graph on page 14. This shows that the motor in the Deutz-Fahr was set very high, with 97.5% of the engine power arriving at the pto. Although Claas produced the lowest output here at just
under 91%, the result is stilly absolutely fine, especially as the Axion takes first place in the drawbar power test section (83.6% engine output). In this category, the Fergie brings up the rear with just under 76%.
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