Agco Wins in Europe Awards

Agco marques take out three of the four Tractor of the Year titles at prestigious European awards

Above: Massey Ferguson’s 8S.265 was named Tractor of the Year for 2021 The Massey Ferguson 8 S.265 has been named Tractor of the Year for 2021 in a major European competition, with Valtra and Fendt models also taking out specialised awards. The Valtra G 135 was named best utility tractor in the 2020 Tractor of the Year awards, while the Fendt 211 V Vario was named best specialised tractor. All three marques are subsidiaries of manufacturing giant Agco. Claas took out the award for best sustainable tractor with its Claas Axion 960 Cemos. Based in Europe, the Tractor of the Year awards are decided by a jury of 26 experts that studied the best technologies and solutions proposed by the most important manufacturers on the market. Selecting the Massey Ferguson 8S.265 as Tractor of the Year 2021 came after a long and detailed judging process, organisers say. “This is a full new tractor, new style, new and innovative transmission, new cooling system, new hydraulic system, new and silent cab. Last, but not least, a full new package of technology,” they say. The Valtra G135 Versu is the first in the fifth generation of Valtra tractors, fitting between the popular A and N Series with a model The company says is a compact but multi-purpose model able to cater to everyday farming needs. Valtra vice president of sales and marketing Mikko Lehikoinen says the horsepower G Series was the model that many had been waiting for. ”We launched the G Series this autumn and we already can see that people have been waiting for this kind of lower horsepower tractor with big tractor features in,” he says. “We have received a lot of great feedback all over the Europe.” Agco and Fendt chairman Christoph Gröblinghoff says the specialist Fendt 211 V Vario is designed with a Vario transmission and fully integrated terminal, making it solidly reliable. “The specialist tractor Fendt 200 V Vario challenges our engineers because it combines intelligent technology like FendtOne with a very compact design and a lot of comfort. On steep vineyard slopes no one can compete with the Fendt vineyard tractor. I am delighted that the Fendt 211 V Vario has received this award from an international and independent jury of experts.” The Claas Axion 960 Cemos was named Sustainable Tractor of the Year 2021 for the Cemos system, which allows tyre pressure to be changed from within the cabin. “The optimisation of all the technology and all the electronics [and], last but not least, the optimisation of tyre pressure, allows this tractor a remarkable fuel saving and a much more efficient performance on field and in any working condition,” the jury says. Normally, the winners are awarded alternately every year at EIMA or Agritechnica. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award ceremony took place virtually for the first time and was streamed as a live broadcast in late December.

baler

award win

Design award judges commend new direction taken by New Holland design team for the

BigBaler 1290 high density baler

Above: The New Holland BigBaler 1290 high density baler design was inspired by the flowing lines of crops as they sway in the fields, the company says New Holland’s BigBaler 1290 high density baler has won a prestigious industrial design award, commended by judges for its enhanced operational efficiency. The BigBaler won a Good Design Award in the Industrial Category, awarded by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Judges, comprising design professionals, leading industry specialists and design journalists and critics, commended the new direction taken by New Holland in using effectively advanced design techniques to enhance the efficiency of the baler’s engineered components. Designed at CNH Industrial’s Italian base in Turin, and built at the company’s Centre of Harvesting Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium, the product design was inspired by crops swaying in paddocks, CNH Industrial design director David Wilkie says. “It incorporates the natural flow vision denoted by its sinuous, sleek lines that encapsulate the functionality of the machine and enhance the efficiency of the machine’s components,” he says. New Holland brand president Carlo Lambro says the award is an example of how the company’s design and product engineering teams work together to help the customer. “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award, which recognises New Holland’s ability to put innovation at the service of its customers, always pushing the boundaries of productivity and efficiency,” he says. The BigBaler, which New Holland says produces bales of up to 22 per cent higher density than conventional large square balers, eliminates twine offcuts with the company’s Loop Master knotting technology. By introducing a loop-style second knot, during an average 10,000-bale season, this system eliminates over six kilometres or 46kg of twine offcuts, New Holland says. The range also introduces the SmartShift gearbox, winner of an Agritechnica Silver Innovation Medal, which delivers a soft start up resulting in greater comfort for the operator and overload protection for the tractor’s driveline. Good Design awards were also won by fellow CNH Industrial agricultural brand Steyr, for the Steyr Konzept Tractor, as well as the Project Zeus electric backhoe loader concept developed by Case Construction Equipment, and the Cursor X engine concept from CNH powertrain division FPT Industrial.