Massey Ferguson equipment is continuing its prize-winning form in Europe. The latest accolade comes in the shape of the prestigious Tractor of the Year Award – 2005, presented at the EIMA Show in Italy for the newly launched MF 8480 Dyna-VT. The award is the result of the MF 8480 topping a poll of judges consisting of many of Europe’s leading agricultural journalists against the best that competitors have to offer.
The prestigious award, announced at the Italian EIMA show in Bologna on Wednesday 10th November, follows the judges’ rigorous assessment of the performance related aspects of the tractor that would be most important to an owner. The MF 8480 scored the highest marks of all the tractors considered to gain the title “Tractor of the Year - 2005”.
Martin Richenhagen, AGCO’s President and Chief Executive Officer said he is delighted, but not surprised, that the MF 8480 has received this top accolade.
“Since joining AGCO I have been impressed by the new ranges of tractors that Massey Ferguson now has to offer to customers of all types. The MF 8480 is a superb illustration of Massey Ferguson’s commitment to producing exciting new products that all feature high calibre, innovative engineering. The quality, performance and reliability of the total new range of MF tractors is truly representative of a global brand”, he said.
Over the last 18 months Massey Ferguson has completely replaced its product line with new tractors in every horsepower category. The MF 8400 Series, launched in September 2004, is designed specifically to produce the huge outputs needed for economic operation in intensive fieldwork.
At 290 hp rated, 315 hp maximum power, the MF 8480 is the most powerful in a four-model range. All tractors are equipped with Massey Ferguson’s highly acclaimed Dyna-VT continuously variable transmission, based on well-proven technology that is proven in more than 20,000 tractors at work today. Massey Ferguson now offers Dyna-VT transmissions as standard on not only the new high power MF 8400 Series but also on 120hp to 185hp tractors in the entire MF 7400 Series.
Quietest cab in its class
To fully exploit the high productivity potential of the MF 8400, operators are cosseted in the quietest, most comfortable environment in which to work. At 71dB(A) the cab is one of the quietest in its class. Comfort is further enhanced by Massey Ferguson’s award winning Dual Stage cab suspension, which is fitted as standard.
Declan Hayden, Vice President Marketing for Massey Ferguson said: “I'm delighted that the quality of the MF 8480 has been recognised by a jury of such well respected European journalists. The judging criteria was extremely tough in measuring practical factors that affect machine performance and benefit the owner such as engine, transmission, standard on-board electronics, hydraulics, cab comfort, innovative technical features, design, the hp/price ratio and optional equipment. This further acknowledges that Massey Ferguson is Back on Top.”
The award reflects the inherent quality of design and engineering found throughout the whole new Massey Ferguson fleet of tractors. Massey Ferguson customers have also never had such a wide choice – from small compacts, specialist and utility tractors right up to the more highly specified MF 6400, MF 7400 and MF 8400 Series machines. All of the models are finely tuned to exactly match the user’s requirements. Whilst these new tractors’ sizes and specifications may differ, they are all built to the same high manufacturing and design standards.
Tractor of the Year 2005
Tractor of the Year was started in 1998 by the Italian Trattori magazine. The judging panel now includes members from 15 different European farm machinery magazines: Austria, Blick ins Land; Belgium, Loonwerker & Landbouwtechniek; Denmark, Maskinstationen og Landbrugslederen; Finland, Masseudun Tulevaisuus; France, AJMA - Amicale des Journalistes du Machinisme Agricole; Germany, Lohnunternehmen; Greece, Agrotorama; Holland, Trekker & Werktuig; Italy, Trattori; Norway, Bedre Gardsdrift; Portugal, A Bolsa Mia; Spain, Agro Tecnica; Sweden, ATL Magazine; Switzerland, Schweizer Bauer; UK, Farm Contractor.
