Tractor of the Year, the winners of the four categories

The Fendt 728 Vario is the tractor of the year 2023. The prestigious prize by the Italian tractor magazine Trattori was awarded by an international jury of industry experts, who revealed the name of the winner on 9 November on the opening day of EIMA 2022. Powered by a 7.5-litre AGCO-Power 6-cylinder engine delivering 283 horsepower (plus an additional 20), the 728 Vario features a new transmission, innovative hydraulics and cooling system, and a new category 4 filtration system for the cab. The jurors' attention was also captured by the VarioDrive transmission, which provides independent drive of the two axles (front and rear) and automatically adjusted all-wheel drive for maximum efficiency in the field; the pull-in turn device that reduces the turning radius by up to 10 percent; and the Fendt iD low-speed technology. In the "Best of Utility" category, which rewards multifunctional models, the McCormick X6.414 P6-Drive came out on top, praised for its P6-Drive robotised transmission that offers 6 powershift gears in 4 ranges of 24 + 24 ratios, which rise to 40 + 40 when a creeper is fitted. Another great plus of this tractor is the High Visibility cab with mechanical suspension which, combined with the front axle suspension with independent arms, further enhances driving comfort. Designed with materials derived from the automotive sector, the cab is equipped with a 12-inch touch screen monitor and an all-in-one multifunction joystick. The Best of Specialised, on the other hand, is the New Holland T4.120 F. The narrow tractor from New Holland comes with a major innovation in its construction architecture, with the Stage V components positioned below the engine compartment. Thanks to this solution, the transition to Stage V took place without impacting the compactness of the New Holland specialised and without restricting the operator's view of the working area. From the cab with good soundproofing levels to the front axle suspension and enhanced hydraulics, many of the T4.120 F's winning features have been "borrowed" from New Holland's high-end models, making it an ideal candidate for the title of best specialised of the year. In the fourth and final Tractor of the Year category, the Sustainable Toty, the JKCB Fastrac 4220 iCon came out on top. Despite its particularly generous dimensions, the machine attracted the jury's attention for its outstanding agility in manoeuvring. The operator can choose between several driving modes, including a crab steering mode that limits soil compaction. The optimisation of the hardware and software, designed to offer the user the option to customise the tractor to the maximum, makes the Fastrac 4220 iCon a more efficient, safer, more comfortable and more reliable working tool. These operating characteristics have a positive impact not only on production performance but also on the vehicle's fuel consumption.