WITH 24 halls of farm machinery and technology to trawl through the record 470,000 people who visited Agritechnica last week in Germany certainly had plenty to see.
Held every two years, this was the first time Agritechnica, known as the world’s largest farm machinery show, could be held since 2019 given the restrictions enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In total, 2,812 exhibitors from 52 countries supported the show organised by the DLG, German Agricultural Society. Indeed, a few of them used the popularity of the event to drop the covers off a number of new machines launching them to the world.
Crowds gathered at the stands of New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Merlo, Same Deutz-Fahr, and JCB, to witness the latest machines to tickle the market with.
Away from tractors and combines, new technology was unveiled on some of the latest implements and trailed machinery to suit modern farming.
Timo Zipf, Agritechnica project manager, said: “As the world's leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, Agritechnica 2023 has demonstrated how highly innovative the industry is.
“After four years, exhibitors were finally able to present their wealth of innovations to the world here in Hanover once again. Everyone appreciated the opportunity for face-to-face discussions, exchanges, and networking opportunities, also to make new business contacts.”
The next Agritechnica will take place from November 9 to 15, 2025.
MF 9S Series tractors
Massey Ferguson launched its 9S tractor series of six models ranging from 285hp to 425hp. This new range replaces the outgoing MF 8700S series. All six models are powered by an updated six-cylinder, 8.4-litre AGCO Power engine, with Engine Power Management (EPM) offering up to 30hp extra for all models, except the flagship 9S.425.
Models start with the MF 9S 285 at 285hp with a max EPM power of 315hp, while torque output is 1,250Nm@1,500rpm at max power, and rises to 1,400Nm@1,500rpm with EPM.
Updates to the engine include a new turbocharging design with a single advanced turbo replacing the twin-turbo system. The 660-litre fuel tank is 10% larger than previous models, while the engine is also designed to run on HVO fuel.
The new models are fitted with MF’s renowned Dyna-VT continuously variable transmission that offers new power management to deliver additional power and torque compared with previous models.
New Holland CR11 combine
New Holland’s CR11 combine was unveiled at the show promising high productivity and minimal grain loss.
Thanks to its 775hp C16 engine, two 24-inch rotors, a 20,000 litre capacity grain tank, and a 210litres per second unload rate, the CR11 will significantly increase productivity.
The new Twin Clean cleaning shoe comes with two cleaning systems behind each other, with two upper sieves, two lower sieves, two clean grain augers, and two sets of pressure sensors to measure the cleaning shoe load.
Also, the completely new residue management system comes with a new chopper and chaff spreader system, designed to ensure the best chop quality and even residue spreading over up to 60ft cutting width.
McHale V6 760 baler
McHale launched its new V6 760 and V8 960 fully automatic variable chamber balers, which are the highest spec machine in the V6/V8 range.
McHale has created its highest output pick-up for the V6760/V8960 to increase crop intake through more efficient crop flow. The new tapered feed channel encourages the crop to flow from the pick-up, towards the rotor, and into the bale chamber, maximising throughput. To reduce maintenance, all Profi-Flo pick-ups are fitted with a heavier driveline which reduces chain load and increases chain life.
Customers can choose between a five-tine bar cam track pick-up or, the optional, six-tine bar camless pick-up which has increased in width.
A 540 rpm gearbox is equipped on the V6760/V8960 as standard, plus to optimise machine performance, a 1000 rpm gearbox is available as an optional extra.
These fully automatic machines are Isobus compatible with the option of using McHale’s Iso-Play 7 or Iso-Play 12 terminals.
Merlo TFe 43.7
A new full size electric TFe 43.7 telehandler was on the Merlo stand, still in prototype stage but already creating huge interest.
It has a modular pack design which means the electric pack can be moved from one machine to another in the Merlo stable. The Italian manufacturer has switched to Lithium-ion batteries for this larger machine giving it more output and productivity. It has a lift capacity of 4.3 tonnes up to seven metres high.
Joskin Bioflex 720 R6F6 aerator
New on the Joskin stand was one of its new crop weeders, which has three elements for models up to 7.2m working width, and five elements for models up to 12m working width.
Each element includes up to 96 tines distributed over six consecutive rows. The 7mm diameter tines on the Bioflex are highly flexible, following the ground relief perfectly while remaining independent of one another.
Bioflex aerators are available in 4.8m, 6m, and 7.2m versions with single folding systems, and in 8.4m, 9.6m, 10.8m, and 12m versions with double folding systems.
As standard, they are equipped with 3+4 gauge wheels for models up to 7.2m, and 5+6 gauge wheels for those up to 12m working width.
Each model is hitched to the three-point linkage of the tractor and has an external width of just 2.5m.
Faresin PF1.14 electric wagon
Faresin revealed its first all-electric Leader PF 1.14 self-propelled mixer wagon with 14 cubic metres capacity at Agritechnica.
The machine is powered by a 91kW, 210Ah lithium iron-phosphate battery integrated with Farmatics telematics for remote control, which is installed in the rear engine compartment.
Traction power is provided by a 51kW electric motor positioned in the rear axle, which also transmits motion to the front axle via a cardan shaft. The system has two gears that allow travel up to a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
The Leader PF Full Electric has four drive and steering wheels that allow three types of steering. It is also equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension that can be adjusted in height via a control in the cab, allowing comfortable and safe driving.
A 45kW electric motor supplies power for all types of mixes thanks to the eight mixing speeds. In addition, a special cleaning function allows the auger to completely discharge the mixture inside the mixing tub.
Pottinger Novacat F3100 Opticurve
A front mower with an automatic curved side shift was introduced on the Pottinger stand. Namely the Novacat F3100 Opticurve, this mower guarantees a perfect overlap with the rear mower and ensures the tractor drives along a clear track free of forage when cornering and working on steep ground.
Even if the tractor drifts sideways when cornering or on steep terrain, the rear tyre of the tractor does not run over grass that has not been cut yet because the mower shifts towards the inner radius of the curve.
Krone Lemken VTE auto vehicle
Krone and Lemken joined forces to present their VTE automatic towing vehicle with a Krone mower attached. All implements on this vehicle are automatically readjusted by means of high-quality sensor systems to ensure that optimum working quality is always achieved.
Power is supplied by a diesel MTU four-cylinder engine that delivers 230hp to a generator, which then supplies electrical power to both axles and the power take-off.
A standardised interface connects the towing vehicle with the attachment device and ensures continuous data exchange in real time. In this manner, the data recorded on the attachment device and forwarded to the towing vehicle is continuously compared with previously defined values.
In case of deviations, changes are made automatically to the setting of the attachment device. In extreme cases of malfunctions or damage, the unit is stopped.
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