The Tractor of the Year 2027 competition concluded at Eima International, with six tractors picked out of a field of 23 by the international jury.
TOTYBOT – AGXEED AGBOT T2 7 SERIES
Taking the TotyBot award for the third year in a row, following recognition for its AgBot T2 5 Series and AgBot W3, AgXeed’s T2 7 Series stood out in the competition for its ability to fit within existing farming operations – with no need to change implements.
Powered by a Deutz engine, it offers 230hp and 910Nm of torque and can work at speeds up to 13kph. The rear linkage can carry 9,000kg, complemented by a mechanical pto that can be infinitely adjusted from 750rpm up to 1,000rpm. An Isobus connection is standard, along with four double-acting spool valves that are supplied by a 170-litre/min hydraulic system. At the front, the linkage can carry 4,000kg and has a single double-acting spool valve.
A range of tracks are available to suit the operation, including narrow rubber down to just 300mm wide. The axle can also be brought in to just 1,500mm, or extended to 3,200mm. For broadacre operations, track widths of up to 912mm are available while retaining an overall width under 3m. With the widest tracks, the company claims a ground pressure of just 247g/sq cm.
The jury recognised the broad scope of autonomous and safety features integrated into the machine, as well as its practicality within farming systems. According to the manufacturer’s figures, the machine can operate for up to 16 hours at 75% engine load, enabling it to handle broadacre operations without interruption.
In a statement from the management team, the company said that the recognition goes beyond the award itself. It reflects a long-term commitment to developing technology that responds to the real challenges farmers face, including labour availability, operational efficiency and the need for greater flexibility in daily farming activities.
“Winning this award for the third consecutive year is a tremendous recognition for our entire team. But our real motivation comes from seeing autonomous technology create value in the field. Every new AgBot brings us closer to making autonomy a natural part of everyday farming.”
SUSTAINABLE TOTY – NEW HOLLAND T7.270 METHANE POWER
The jury agreed that few machines encompassed the meaning behind the Sustainable TotY award better than the T7.270 Methane Power, which uses compressed biomethane as a fuel source instead of diesel.
The FPT NEF engine is said to give comparable power outputs compared to diesel, producing 270hp and 1,160Nm of torque. As standard, the gaseous fuel is contained within the body of the tractor, holding 118kg of methane pressurised to 200bar. A range extender adds 86kg of capacity and is mounted on the front linkage, acting as a ballast of 926kg, with the option to add up to four 65kg weights. Storage for the fuel has been found thanks to the fact that this tractor does not require a selective catalytic reduction system.
Power is put to the ground through the company’s AutoCommand stepless gearbox, and implement handling remains the same as the company’s diesel tractors, with a 170 litre/min hydraulic system and 10,400kg of lift at the rear.
“New Holland began investing in alternative fuels nearly two decades ago, because we believed agriculture could play an active role in producing renewable energy, not simply consuming it,” said Darragh Mullin, New Holland T7 Long Wheelbase global product manager. “With the T7.270 Methane Power, we have doubled down on that commitment by bringing methane technology to a tractor with the power, performance and versatility required for demanding work. This award is a strong endorsement of the potential of methane technology to support a more sustainable future for agriculture.”
The comparable output and familiar control of the tractor means that it can integrate into existing farming businesses. Not only that, but those producing natural gas already on-site (using anaerobic digesters) can see significant reductions in fuel costs, creating a circular system.
This was key to the jury’s evaluation, recognising the tractor as a practical solution for diversifying energy sources in farming.
TOTY SPECIALIZED – CLAAS NEXOS 2.120 CMATIC
The first of two awards received by Claas at the event, continuing a run of successes for the company that started with the Xerion 12.650 Terra Trac in 2023. The narrow vineyard tractor has been updated with the company’s Cmatic joystick and is fitted with an FPT engine, rated at 116hp with a maximum output of 120hp, with 466Nm of torque available at 1,500Nm.
Designed specifically for sloping ground, the transmission has been updated with active standstill, enabling it to pull away safely on hills. The narrow headlands have also been accounted for with dynamic steering to cut steering wheel turns in half.
“We have listened carefully to our customers as well as implement manufacturers from all over Europe,” explains Daniel Johanning, vice president, business management, vineyard and orchard. “Their experiences, ideas and expectations have contributed significantly to the design of this tractor. Thanks go to the jury for this award, to our partners and customers for their trust – and above all to the passionate project team that made all of this possible in the first place.”
The jury noted that the integration of a continuously variable transmission aided the tractor’s working precision, while the compact dimensions, down to just 1m wide, meant it remained suitable for the narrowest crop rows.
Various advanced features have also been integrated into the machine, including automatic pto deactivation based on the position of the link arms and the Claas Sequence Management system, enabling up to 30 functions to be automated as part of four headland sequences.
The front and rear linkage have a near-identical capacity (2,910kg and 2,930kg), and there are four electronic valves at the rear, as well as Isobus compatibility, all controlled through the Electropilot joystick.
TOTY UTILITY – CLAAS ARION 4.150 CMATIC
The second award to go to Claas at the event was in the TotY Utility category for the Claas Arion 4.150 Cmatic. The double-win prompted a huge reaction from the company, with Dr Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, CTO and responsible for the tractor division at Claas, stating: “Today’s two TOTY Awards make us proud and show that we have listened carefully over recent years to farmers and contractors as well as critical testers from the agricultural trade media and the TOTY jury.
“My express thanks go to everyone who contributed to this success. I would also like to highlight once again the professional work of the TOTY jury, whose valuable feedback is an invaluable factor in the further development of our tractor range.”
Launched at Eima, the Arion 4 has a maximum output of 160hp supplied by a jointly-designed structural four-cylinder engine from Cummins, put to the ground through a revamped Cmatic transmission from Claas Industrietechnik with 50kph maximum speed at reduced engine speed.
Meeting the versatility requirements of the sector, it features a large cab with the option of a panoramic design for loader work and brings down a series of intelligent assistance systems from the larger tractor ranges. These include Cemos Auto Powertrain, Auto Load Anticipation, wheel loader mode, the automatic trailer stretch brake, as well as Smart Loading functions for the front loader.
The hydraulic system offers a flow rate of up to 150 l/min, while the 2,525 mm wheelbase helps maintain compact dimensions and manoeuvrability. The jury recognised the combination of advanced technology, performance and versatility found in the Arion 4, particularly how the company retained the ease of use and flexibility required in the Utility segment.
“It is an incredible honour to win the Tractor of the Year today of all days, on the day of the world premiere of our new Arion 4 Cmatic series,” says Alexander Reinhardt, senior vice president, utility and specialised tractors at Claas.
TOTY MIDPOWER – MASSEY FERGUSON 7S.245 MARK 2
Introduced to fill a long-wheelbase gap in the tractor range after the launch of the 7S series, Massey Ferguson’s 7S Mark 2 impressed the jury with its neat design, as well as the combination of performance, efficiency and ease of use in a machine designed for a broad range of agricultural applications.
Power comes from the Agco Power Core 75 engine, producing 245hp and 1,184Nm available at 1,500rpm. The Agco ML 180 continuously variable transmission is fitted, capable of reaching 50kph at just 1,600rpm. This can be controlled through either the Multipad joystick or the drive pedal, with switchover on the fly. Four pto speeds are standard, and the wheelbase has been extended to fill a gap in the portfolio, with an increased gross vehicle weight of 14,000kg. It still retains a tight turning circle of 5.3m.
At the rear, a closed-centre, load-sensing hydraulic system produces up to 190 litres/min, with 110 litres being the standard. This supplies up to five rear valves, and up to six for the front for loader and linkage operations. The rear linkage can lift 9,600kg.
The cabin from the 8S Xtra has been brought to the 7S Mark II, retaining the Protect-U 15cm gap between the cab and the engine bay to minimise noise, heat and vibration.
Jérôme Aubrion, vice-president, global marketing, sales enablement & partnerships, Massey Ferguson, stated: “We are delighted that the distinguished panel of judges has selected the new MF 7S.245 Mark 2 as ‘Tractor of the Year 2027’ in the MidPower category. This recognition is particularly meaningful because it reflects the work and passion of our teams, together with the valuable feedback we receive from farmers.”
“This achievement reinforces Massey Ferguson’s commitment to putting farmers first, listening to their needs and turning their feedback into practical solutions and straightforward technology that can make a real difference to their businesses.”
TOTY HIGHPOWER – STEYR 6440 CERVUS CVT
The final award went to CNH once again, for the 435hp Steyr 6440 Cervus CVT, which impressed the jury with its combination of engine output with a relatively compact, standard tractor frame and the advanced features integrated throughout.
The engine includes a variable-pitch cooling fan, directly connected to the hydraulics, with constant monitoring of the fan blade angle to make automatic adjustments based on the cooling requirements. The fan can also be reversed, cleaning the cooling package. Intervals for this can be stored in the display or activated by the operator.
The S-Control transmission has four mechanical ranges, with double clutches to improve shifting. Additional features include Active Hold Control to stop the machine on a hill without applying the brake, and an exhaust brake which increases braking power to 367hp at 2,300rpm.
It features front axle suspension with 250mm of travel, automatic adjustment to the load, roll control and anti-pitch functionality for stability at high speeds. The S-Brake system uses the trailer brakes to further improve safety and stability when towing. The jury was particularly impressed with the hydraulic system, which delivers a flow rate of up to 360 litres/min, paired with a rear linkage offering a maximum lift capacity of 14,350kg.
“It’s fantastic to see the Steyr Cervus CVT recognised with the Tractor of the Year 2027 HighPower award,” says Markus Putz, product marketing at Steyr.
“The Cervus CVT was developed to deliver the power, productivity and efficiency required by today’s professional farming businesses while maintaining the comfort and ease of operation expected from a Steyr tractor. This award confirms that the innovations built into the range are delivering real value for operators and are being recognised by some of the most respected experts in the agricultural machinery industry.”