The Red, the Green and the Blue – the tractors of 1996 versus 2016

Only Saipan comes anywhere close to matching the divisions caused by these iconic tractor colours. To celebrate this unending debate, we compare some of the best tractors of 2016 with their 1996 counterparts.

The Golden Oldies

The Red: Massey Ferguson 390

Those who remember the old 300 series have nothing but fond memories (bar the odd breakdown, but these are usually quickly wiped from the memory). It was released in 1987 with an 81hp engine. By the time its production had been stopped in 1997, it had grown to be immensely popular in Irish agriculture and is still the most popular classic tractor among Irish farmers.

Renowned for its simplicity and ability to get the job done, there are still many 390s still to be found in yards across Ireland. When production was halted, the 390 was selling for about €34,000, which would be €51,400 today. The cost of purchasing this old classic may not be still be at those levels, but you would be looking at paying anywhere between €10,000 and €15,000 for one.

By the time the 390 was replaced, we were left with only the fond memories of the good times had.

The Green: John Deere 7800

Few tractor brands are as iconic as John Deere. Ireland has had a love affair with John Deere for many years, whether it be the 50 series or the newer 6020 series.

The one that closed out the 20th century was the last of the 7000 series and makes the cut for our golden oldies – the 7800. The 7800 might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but when it came to looking for a high-horsepower tractor, it ticked all the boxes at 161hp.

The American-built 7.6-litre six-cylinder engine was more than capable of handling any task thrown at it by the Irish farm at the time.

With its comfortable interior to the iconic green exterior, the 7800 has earned a place in John Deere’s illustrious history.

The Blue: Ford 7840

Few brands are as fondly remembered as the Ford and, while it has been rebranded and repackaged as New Holland, it can be hard to beat the original.

While it was the 7810 that captured most people’s imagination with its roar, the smoke and the not-so-refined look that the newer machines had at that time, it is for that refined look that we chose its follow-up, the Ford 7840, because although it was one of the last of its line, it was a tractor ahead of its time.

With 90hp, the 7840 was the ideal addition to any farm in its day and it is not uncommon to see one dutifully operating the wrapper for many silage contractors.

Other tractors have come and gone, but in the meantime the Ford and its six-cylinder engine from Basildon in England has plugged on.

The Class of 2016

The Red: Massey Ferguson 5700SL

Having launched in 2016, the MF 5700 SL series has proved very popular to date. It falls into the all-important and highly-competitive 100hp to 130hp bracket. It marries the compact dimensions demanded by livestock and mixed farming businesses with the power and performance to cope effortlessly with the demands of arable applications.

There are four models in the series built on a reputation for versatility and reliability, all of which are equipped to work in compact spaces and offer the power, manoeuvrability, comfort and performance needed for efficient loader work and general use.

Powered by the AGCO Power four-cylinder engines, these tractors retail at prices starting from €79,000.

The series also has an award-winner in its ranks, as the flagship model, the 5713SL, was named tractor of the year 2016 in the best of utility category at Agritechnica.

The Green: Deutz Fahr 7 Series

With Deutz making impressive modifications to both its 6 and 7 series in 2016, the 7 series just shades it for us in 2016, with the manufacturer at the top of its game in terms of performance, horsepower and comfort.

While the 6 series will offer more to the small- to large-scale farmers, it is farmers with a range of crops as well as contractors that will benefit the most from the 7 series with 226hp to 246hp.

One area where the 7 series really excels is in comfort. Its unique adaptive front-axle suspension supports maximum stability when operating heavy equipment, ensuring maximum safety.

Its top speed of 60km/h is unique in its class and while the top speed is impressive, the 7 series can also operate at 0.2km/h, making it suitable to every job.

The Blue: New Holland T7 Series

New Holland is celebrating 100 years of tractor production in 2017 and there is no doubt as to why it has been such a lasting figure in Irish agriculture.

From the Fordson Dextra to the 7810 and 7840s of this world, New Holland has kept us coming back time after time. The latest T7 series is sure to have the same effect too.

Of all the tractors licensed and imported in 2016, New Holland was the brand of choice for almost one in every three farmers. With an impressive 367 new tractors sold, expect to see a few T7s knocking about, whether it be the monstrous T7.270 or one of the smaller models.

The T7 series has been completely restyled, resulting in a sleek, aggressive new look that marries form and functionality. Also, with its Hi-eSCR technology, New Holland is still able to offer customers a six-cylinder T7 with lower emissions and fuel consumption, all with the same output.

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Special focus: tractors 2017