In the early 1990s, the Case IH Maxxum, with its semi-powershift box, was one of the tractors to beat in its power band. Can the old workhorse still hold its own against its modern-day namesake?

Full bodied is a good description for the classic Maxxum 5150 Pro, which was manufactured in the now defunct Case IH factory in Neuss on the River Rhine in Germany. The turbocharged, 5.9-litre Cummins smooth-running motor just sounds like it wants to roll up its sleeves and get stuck in to whatever job you put its way.