McCormick X6.415 tractor 2024 Review

The utility tractor market is a competitive one with all the big names playing in it, so for McCormick to win consecutive Tractor of the Year awards in the utility category is no mean feat.

In 2024, McCormick’s X5.120 took home the prize, while the X6.414 won the prestigious award the previous year. Local McCormick distributor, Clark Equipment, recently brought the award-winning X6 into the country and we had an exclusive first look and drive.

The McCormick X6 now has a striking ‘cherry red’ livery, a metallic paint scheme new for MY24. Because nothing says luxury quite like a polychromatic exterior!

Its new one-piece sloping bonnet design doesn’t just offer increased visibility, it is also easy to open for cleaning and maintenance. The hood tilts 90 degrees and opens wide enough to inspect the engine and other components.

Powered by a stage 5 compliant FPT NEF engine, the McCormick X6.415 produces a maximum of 155hp. This ensures ample power for a range of tasks on the field or in transit.

Its class-leading 220-litre fuel tank provides enough capacity for extended work hours, minimising the need for frequent refueling. A 23-litre AdBlue tank feeds the SCR system for managing emissions.

The real standout with the X6.415, however, is its P6 Drive powershift transmission, which was designed and made entirely in-house and helped it nab the coveted Tractor of the Year award.

Including creeper speeds, the P6 Drive offers 40 forward and 40 reverse speeds. While its wide range of speeds is a big plus, the real innovation lies within the Smart APS Auto PowerShift, which automatically adjusts ranges and speeds based on load conditions, engine speed and driving speed. This ensures safe driving and optimum efficiency.

The powershift transmission allows gears changes without the need for clutch engagement, providing a smooth drive experience.

The X6.415 has a top speed of 50km/h.

The X6.415 provides an ample 114l/min of flow via its closed-center, load-sensing hydraulic system. The electronically controlled rear hitch has a maximum lift capacity of 7200kg.

The tractor offers four PTO speeds – 540, 540 ECO, 1000, and 1000 ECO – for flexibility across different tasks. Whether you’re plowing fields or operating power-intensive equipment, the X6.415 ensures seamless performance.

The High Vision cab of the McCormick X6.415 is a game-changer in terms of comfort and visibility. Fully glazed windows wrap around the cabin, even extending into the roof to offer an open-air experience – except you’re sitting in a fully enclosed, air-conditioned cab.

The see-through roof hatch, which can be opened for ventilation, has upward visibility, making it ideal for loader work. Inside, the cabin is spacious and ergonomic, featuring European-inspired design elements that give it a sleek, automotive feel.

Fourteen LED lights, eight of which are located on the roof, provide ample illumination for work in low-light conditions.

The well-organised control layout includes the SmartPilot Plus joystick, which puts control of major tractor functions – such as the front loader, transmission, hydraulics, and PTO – within easy reach.

The 12-inch touchscreen display further enhances the user experience by providing real-time data and control over various tractor functions.

The X6.415’s cab is fitted with mechanical suspension, but is also available with an optional independent front axle suspension for enhanced traction and drive comfort.

Other notable features in the cab include climate control, a radio with Bluetooth, plenty of storage options, swivel seat and a hide-away buddy seat.

Despite being a mid-size utility tractor, the McCormick X6.415 has impressive tech features usually reserved for higher horsepower models.

The tractor is autosteer ready and can be equipped with McCormick’s Precision Steering Management system for precise and effortless operation.

It is also ISOBUS ready, allowing it to connect seamlessly with ISOBUS-compatible implements, all managed through the in-cab touchscreen. These features make precision farming much easier, boosting productivity and reducing manual workload.

The P6 drive transmission and SmartPilot Plus joystick makes driving the X6.415 incredibly easy and smooth. Operators can use the transmission manually or let the tractor handle everything automatically.

Additionally, drivers have full control over the sensitivity of hydraulic functions, which is particularly beneficial during precision tasks like loading.

During the test, we had an Orsi mulcher in tow to trim some grass, and raising, lowering and operating the implement was a breeze.

We were driving on flat ground so I can’t pass judgment on its terrain handling capabilities, but it did negotiate some sloping ground with ease and felt solid even when travelling on angles.

A slight letdown is its large turning circle, which made it hard to navigate smaller paddocks. There were a fair few three-point-turn maneuvers needed to make my way up and down the field.

As previously mentioned, visibility is a highlight – one of the best in-cab setups I’ve seen.

The McCormick X6.415 may have the words ‘mid-size’ attached to it, but in features, performance, and comfort it’s anything but average.

It’s powerful, tech-savvy, and designed with the operator in mind, right down to the Bluetooth radio that’ll keep your favorite tunes blaring through those long workdays.

Features aside, the unit is a looker too and is sure to be a hit with the masses. Because who doesn’t want to be seen driving a metallic, cherry red sportscar-like tractor getting your crops in?

All things considered, I could see why the judges at Tractor of the Year were so complementary about the unit and how it truly deserved the win.

Pricing for the X6.415 starts from $180,000 plus GST, with Clark Equipment offering a two-year or 2400-hour warranty, whichever comes first.

Engine: 4.5-liter, 4-cylinder FPT NEF

Power: 155hp

Transmission: P6 Drive powershift transmission with 40F and 40R speeds

Gross vehicle weight: 9.5 tonnes

PTO speeds: 540/540 ECO/1000/1000 ECO

Lift capacity: 7.2 tonnes

Pricing: From $180,000 plus GST

Warranty: 2-year/2400-hour warranty