Tractors Dismantled Machines in United Kingdom

About Tractors

A tractor is the one piece of equipment common to virtually all farms. You will find them in livestock, dairy, mixed, and arable operations. They are also an ever-present feature in orchards for fruit and vegetable growers, as well as in municipal and ground care operations.

You will find plenty of tractors for sale here on FarmMachineryLocator.co.uk for every single type of operation you can think of. In addition to standard machines, you will find narrow-track tractors for use in orchards, low-roof models, and a choice of platforms and cab configurations.

Used Tractor Buying Guide

When looking at tractors for sale, the first thing to consider is the size and power of the tractor. If you have a large farm with a lot of heavy ploughing and other power-intensive operations to take care of, then you are going to be looking at our large tractor section .

Manufacturers

John Deere is a big player in this sector, but you will find that all the major brands have a presence. Have a good look at the power rating of the tractor and see how this compares with your needs. Be mindful of fuel consumption. A good bet to get a feel for the true performance of your tractor is to look at the figure for power-to-weight ratio. Also make sure that the transmission delivers the kind of speeds that are useful in your sector.

Components

After selecting a size and power rating for your tractor, it is time to look at the major operational components. Here you will be weighing up your requirements for the front loader, rear linkage, and so on. The power take-off (PTO) is a major element in the operation of any tractor, so you need to consider the rating of the system and make sure that it is up to the kind of tasks you expect from it.

Hydraulics

Similarly, the hydraulic system is vital. Check out the litres-per-minute rating of the system to make sure that it has the power you need and that the number, position and control of the remote valves are also suitable for your requirements.

New Technologies

The technology of tractors is getting more advanced all the time. This is a key area that can make a difference to the tractor's performance. Many models have automated headland turning systems, and some have software that will work out the most economical way to work a field, virtually doing all the work on their own. You need to cut through all the marketing and only pay for technology that you think is going to help you on the farm.

Cab Considerations

The comfort offered by the cab is another major factor. The operator is going to be spending a lot of time there, so it makes sense to choose a cab that is comfortable. It’s not just about spoiling the driver. A relaxed and comfortable operator is more productive and alert, so it is also a matter of economics and safety. Look for adjustable steering wheels, air-sprung seats, and good cab suspension. Most modern cabs have a good heater and air-conditioning system. Many also offer a carbon filter for a cleaner operating environment. 

Check that the controls and instrumentation are all in good working order and that the layout is something you can easily get to grips with. Visibility is paramount, so make sure the view is clear from the driver’s seat.

Weigh The Costs

When looking at tractors for sale, ongoing costs are a major part of any tractor purchase, so make sure you are happy with the fuel consumption and service intervals. Check out the price and availability of parts and make sure that all user-serviceable components are within easy reach.

Milestones In Tractor History

Tractor development has come a long way since Harry Ferguson developed the concept for the Ferguson System and the famous Ferguson TE20 tractor. Yet the Ferguson System is just one of thousands of innovations which have shaped the design of the tractor. Here we reveal just a few of the developments which have influenced modern tractor design.

The Ferguson TE20: A Landmark Tractor

It has been 70 years since the first Ferguson TE20 tractor was produced in Britain, the landmark tractor which introduced the world to three-point linkage and the Ferguson system. Yet there have been many developments in tractor design since the little grey Ferguson was launched, the modern tractor having evolved into a sophisticated tool, incorporating many design technologies aimed at improving both operator comfort and operational efficiency.

Importantly, these design improvements didn’t suddenly appear overnight. They were frequently the result of extensive research and testing by innovative engineers, some of which would change the entire course of tractor development.

1950s: The Arrival Of Diesel Engines

The diesel engine became popular in the 1950s. However, the first diesel tractor was actually produced in 1927 by Francesco Cassini, the man who would later establish the company known today as SAME Deutz-Fahr. The company would later introduce the world’s first four-wheel drive diesel tractor, the SAME DA25, in 1952.

Here in the UK, the Fordson Major diesel, launched in 1951, popularised the compression ignition engine, offering more torque and greater fuel economy than its petrol or TVO (tractor vaporising oil)-powered equivalents. However, diesel engines at the time were notoriously heavy and produced less power than petrol engines of similar capacity.

The quest to extract greater power from the diesel engine led to the introduction of turbocharging. The world’s first production turbocharged diesel tractor was the 67-horsepower US-built Allis-Chalmers D19, launched in 1961. Exactly 10 years later, the Ford 7000 made history when it became the UK’s first production turbocharged tractor, producing an impressive 94 HP from its four-cylinder 4.2L engine, the kind of power associated at the time with larger, six-cylinder machines.

The Ford 7000, which was built at what is now the Case-New Holland tractor plant at Basildon, would ultimately spawn the pocket-rocket generation, inspiring the development of iconic tractors like the John Deere 2140 and the Massey Ferguson 390T. A powerful four-cylinder turbo tractor is the Valtra N174, rated at 185 maximum HP.

Developments in Tractor Transmissions

The ability to harness the power of an engine is the job of the transmission. Arguably one of the greatest advances in tractor gearbox technology occurred in 1996, when the German manufacturer Fendt (now owned by Agco ), introduced the world to the 900-Series tractor and the Vario transmission. This step-less, two-range CVT design, offered an infinite range of travel speeds from 0 to 50 km/h, using only a single joystick. Today, most major manufacturers offer this kind of transmission design, which provides the operator with virtually effortless control of the tractor. Yet changing gears hasn’t always been this easy.

From Crash To Powershift

Early tractors frequently used heavy-duty ‘crash-change’ gearboxes, which made changing gears laborious and difficult. To overcome this, design engineers developed shift-on-the-move transmissions, by fitting a simple two-range planetary transmission unit to the front of the tractor’s standard gearbox. This not only doubled the number of working speeds, but it also allowed the farmer to shift up or down the two ranges without stopping.

The first manufacturer to introduce this type of clutchless semi-powershift system was International Harvester (now Case IH ), which introduced ‘Torque Amplifier’ in the USA on its Farmall Super MTA model in 1952. In Britain, it was Massey Ferguson who popularised a similar concept with its Multi-Power system, which débuted in 1962 on the MF 65 MK II and 35X models.

Full powershift transmissions are today favoured extensively on high-HP tractors used for tillage work. The development of a full powershift gearbox enabled the operator to pass through the transmission’s entire range of speeds without the use of the clutch.

This type of transmission first appeared in the UK as an option on the American-built six-cylinder New Generation John Deere 4020, introduced in 1963, which used an eight-speed powershift gearbox. The American-built John Deere ‘New Generation’ tractors were also the first to feature lower-link draft sensing, as opposed to top-link sensing, which formed the basis for the Ferguson system.

In 1971, the Yorkshire-based tractor manufacturer David Brown, introduced Hydra-Shift, the world’s first four-speed semi-powershift transmission. Introduced on its 72-HP 1212 model, which also featured the first hydrostatic steering system, Hydra-Shift offered four clutchless shifts in three forward ranges and introduced farmers to a concept upon which, many later transmission systems, including John Deere’s PowrQuad and Massey Ferguson’s Dynashift, would take their cue.

Tractor Cab Design: The Q Cab

The letter ‘Q’ is frequently used as an abbreviation of the word ‘quiet’ when describing the modern tractor cab. Following the mandatory installation of safety cabs on tractors in 1970, quiet-cab legislation was introduced in 1976 to improve operator comfort and reduce in-cab noise levels.

In the UK, many early Q-cabs were bolt-on units, produced by cab manufacturers like Duncan and GKN Sankey, adapted to fit a specific range or make of tractor. In recent years, tractor cabs have become an integral part of the tractor’s design. But even this isn’t an entirely new concept.

The first fully integrated tractor safety cab was introduced in 1969 by the Czech manufacturer Zetor , on the Crystal 8011 model. The Zetor Crystal boasted an isolation-mounted, fully glazed cab, with a suspension seat, an electric windscreen wiper and power steering as standard. The tractor also featured a gearbox with a two-speed powershift and introduced front-wheel suspension.

In terms of luxury and refinement, it was the John Deere SoundGard cab, introduced on the US-built 4230/4430/4630 models in 1973, which raised the tractor cab interior to a standard comparable with many cars and trucks. Revered for its curved windshield design which was famously borrowed from San Francisco tram cars, the flat-floor SG cab featured pendulum pedals and an adjustable steering column.

Tractor Electronics

Electronics have increasingly become a part of modern tractor design, with most modern tractors boasting a melee of electronic, computer-controlled gadgetry as standard fare.

The first range of tractors to feature an integrated electronic performance monitoring and control system was the Massey Ferguson 3000-Series, launched in 1986, which amongst other things, introduced Massey Ferguson’s revolutionary Datatronic system. This system could be programmed to monitor data from the tractor as it worked, using the information to control both wheel slip and the draft operation of the rear linkage.

Rubber Tracked Tractors

Traction and soil compaction are challenges which have daunted farmers around the globe. One of the technologies developed for improving traction and reducing compaction was the introduction of the rubber track.

Developed by Caterpillar, the ‘Mobil-Trac’ system first appeared on the Cat Challenger in 1986. The Agco-owned Challenger brand stands as one of the most successful manufacturers of rubber-tracked machines, the technology behind which has been adopted by rival manufacturers, including John Deere.

Rubber tracks have also played a part in the development of the pivot steer tractor. In 1996, Case IH launched the 9300 Quadtrac, which featured individual track units in place of wheels and tyres, introducing an application for high-HP, low-ground pressure operation, which would revolutionise cultivation techniques around the world. The Case IH STX Quadtrac range of machines is the result of an ongoing development program, which has introduced more efficient, technologically advanced machines, producing upwards of 620 HP.

Top Speed Tractors

The fast tractor is a concept that has been trialled since the 1930s. Machines like the Trantor and the Mercedes-Benz MB-Trac may have faded into obscurity, but the JCB Fastrac with its four-wheel, multi-link self-levelling suspension system, today stands as the most successful fast-tractor of all time, this year celebrating 25 years in production.

Find Tractors For Sale Nearby

Explore FarmMachineryLocator.co.uk to find new and used tractors for sale in the UK and worldwide. To fine-tune your search, visit our category pages for specific horsepower ranges: compact tractors (less than 40 HP), 40- to 99-HP tractors , 100- to 174-HP tractors , 175- to 299-HP tractors , and high-horsepower tractors (300 HP and greater).