News from Massey Ferguson can be a little sporadic and infrequent, however, this shortcoming is now being addressed and the company has, among other items, just announced its latest mid-size tractor range, the MF 8S Xtra series.
Agriland had the opportunity to view the series first-hand at it was introduced this week at an event at its Beauvais factory, which it has taken to calling the ‘heart of Massey Ferguson’.
This new batch of models comprises six models of 200hp to 305hp with the engine management system boosting power by up to 20hp, depending on the model.
The manufacturer also tells us that these new tractors are designed to boost productivity through reliability and comfort leading to lower overall cost of ownership and it has taken into account a good deal of farmer feedback in implementing the upgrade.
Agriland travelled to Beauvais to bring you an up close and personal view of the machines (see video below).
Massey Ferguson improvements
First introduced in 2020, the 8S series has undergone constant review and upgrade but this latest revamp is considered a major step forward in a very competitive market segment where customers have a good idea of what they want and what to expect from their machinery.
Massey Ferguson claims to have risen to the challenge with these models, the first four of which have a choice of three transmissions, the Dyna-7, Dyna E-Power or Dyna VT.
The latter is a constantly variable transmission system, which is the only type available on the two upper models of 285hp and 305hp.
All are powered by the AGCO Power 7.4L engine which is claimed to offer improved torque and fuel efficiency as well as the increased power ratings.
One of drivers of this improved efficiency is a reversible fan, a concept which Massey Ferguson tells us can make up to 5% fuel savings through keeping the cooling pack clear, so reducing the stress on the cooling system.
This in turn, is said to ensure reduced fan speed and more consistent operating temperature.
Cab gap
Aside from the refreshed livery, one of the more visible changes is the increased gap between bonnet and cab, a design feature which raised a few eyebrows when first introduced.
However, the separation of cab and engine to create two distinct sections of the tractor now appears to make perfect sense.
Whereas a cab at first was an enclosed space grudgingly attached to offer the driver some comfort and shelter from sharp winter winds, it has now evolved into a sophisticated control centre from which the functioning of the tractor is commanded by increasingly valued operators.
This latter point has not been lost on the manufacturers and Massey Ferguson now offers as an option a media pack with Android and Apple Play with focal speakers to enhance sound quality.
Massey Ferguson is now getting fully behind two further products that it offers, although they are not tractors.
The first is MF By You, which is best described as a factory fitting service of all the available options, while the second is MF Always Running, a temporary replacement service for tractors that suffer issues that cannot be immediately fixed.
Both of these are being promoted with the MF 8S Xtra. The MF 8S Xtra range will be available to order from this summer onwards with the first deliveries being made before Christmas.
