Tractor of the Year: finalists "online"
The opening day of EIMA Digital Preview sees the presentation of the finalists competing for the three categories in the Tractor of the Year 2021, which this year takes place in digital format. The winning machines can be seen live at the EIMA International physical review
The EIMA Digital Preview on its inaugural day, Wednesday 11 November, raises the curtain on the finalists of Tractor of the Year, whose 2020 edition had to adapt to the new scenario created by Covid-19. From this point of view, the most significant change concerned the procedures for identifying and selecting the machines in the running for the important recognition, awarded by an international jury of journalists specialized in the agro-mechanical sector.
To allow the jurors to choose the finalists and crown the winners of the various categories, the organizers of the award - Trattori magazine - developed a dedicated platform in record time.
This indispensable IT resource made it possible for the jurors, who were unable to "try out" the machines with the usual field tests, to study in depth the material (videos, images, cards) uploaded by the companies to document the salient features, performance, and strengths of their models. Moreover - as the organizers explain - access to the platform is not limited to the jurors, because anyone can access it. Obviously, outside visitors can access the information material freely, but they cannot enter the area reserved for the jury, where there is information exclusively for staff use. The one relating to the candidate selection procedures is the only novelty of the 2020 edition of the TOTY, which still follows its traditional formula of three competition categories. In addition to the Tractor of the Year 2020 award for open field machines without any limitations ("the queen category"), there is the Best of Utility which includes vehicles with a 4-cylinder engine, with power exceeding 70 horsepower and mass unloadable to the ground not exceeding 9,500 kilos, and the Best of Specialized reserved for tractors for vineyards, orchards, mountains and hills. The finalists of the three categories also participate in the Sustainable TOTY, an award that intends to reward the most innovative machines from the point of view of reducing emissions, environmental efficiency, comfort and safety for the operator.
Nine machines are competing for Tractor of the Year: Armatrac 1254 LUX CRD 4, Case IH Quadratc 620, Claas Axion 960 Cemos, Fendt 1167 Vario MT, Kubota M 7173 KVT, Landini Serie 7 V Shift, Massey Ferguson 8 S.265, New Holland T 6.160, Steyr 6240 Absolut CVT. Five tractors are competing for Best of Utility: Armatrac 1004 Lux CRD4, Case IH Vestum 130 CVX Drive, Fendt 211 Vario, Kubota M 6142, Valtra G 135. Finally, four vehicles are competing for the title of Best of Specialized: Antonio Carraro Tony 8900 V, Fendt 211 V Vario, Landini Rex 3 080 F Stage V, Valtra F 105.
After the finalist machines are presented at the EIMA Digital Preview, the winners will be presented with their awards on 18 December, also online.
However, the grand finale of Tactor of the Year will be staged during the EIMA International physical review, where it will finally be possible to actually touch and admire the winning models.
