The new Massey Ferguson MF 1700 M Series of compact tractors all meet stage V emission standards in a six-model range that goes up to 67hp.

Handy little fruit or amenity tractors, all will have four-wheel drive as standard, and a choice of a full cab or with rollover protection, as well as hydrostatic or mechanical transmissions.

These newcomers fit between the existing 20hp, MF 1520 and 25hp, MF 1525 models, but are narrower and lighter than the MF 3700 Series and MF 4700 Series, which begin at 75hp.

Powered by the latest, 1.8 litre Stage V compliant engines, the 35hp MF 1735 M and 40hp MF 1740 M can come factory fitted with a three-blade, 60-inch-wide mower deck.

To meet the strict Stage V engine emission standards, the common-rail engine is fitted with the under-bonnet All-In-One after-treatment, which has automatic regeneration.

At just over a metre wide, the comfortable cab is wider than before, with air-conditioning as standard. It even has a heated rear window, two USB sockets, a 12V charger port and a specific holder for the essential mobile ‘phone. It’s also ‘radio ready’ coming equipped with an aerial and speakers.

Both have a three-range Servo HST hydrostatic transmission as standard, which offers top speeds of up to 34km/hr and with adjustable cruise control.

Moving up the food chain, with higher spec' hydraulics, the MF 1735 M and MF 1740 M have as standard 540/540 Eco rear pto, with soft start and a new auto stop mode, which disengages drive when the tractor reverses or stationary. A mid-mounted 2000rpm pto is also standard.

They have a lift capacity of 1200kg and two rear spool valves, plus with four mid-mounted valves with joystick control on the cab versions (option on platform models). A single joystick cam be used with mowers and front loaders.

More power is from the 49hp, MF 1750 M and 67hp, MF 1765 M, which have an air-conditioned cab as standard. Power is delivered by a 2.41 litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, again with All-In-One after-treatment.

Their three-range Servo HST transmission is operated by a single floor pedal, with direction changes made using a shuttle lever by the steering wheel. Cruise control further eases operation.

In common with the smaller models, these have a single 2000rpm mid-mounted pto and two-speed (540/750) independent rear pto with soft start.

With lift capacities of 1580kg on the MF 1750 M and 1600kg for the MF 1765 M, these models have oil flows up to 48 litres/min, they have two rear spool valves with joystick control are fitted as standard.

But, for farmers and smallholders requiring a lightweight and compact tractor, there are the 54hp, MF 1755 M and 67hp, MF 1765 M. Both have a mechanical 12 x 12 gearbox and available in cab and platform versions. This has four gears in three ranges.

Direction changes are made simply using the shuttle lever, located below the steering wheel on the left-hand side. Elsewhere, these two tractors are equipped to the same specification as the HST mid-range models.