Tractor of the Year 2022 unveiled

After about 18 months of digital presentations only, the Tractor of the Year 2022 awards ceremony was finally able to go ahead with an actual audience present at the first day of the EIMA international agriculture fair in Bologna, Italy.

John Deere swept up two big awards with New Holland and Reform also going home with an award each.

RELATED: Tractor of the Year finalists announced

The winners this year are:

Tractor of the Year 2022: John Deere 7R 350 AutoPowr

Best Utility 2022: John Deere 6120M AutoPowr

Best of Specialised 2022: Reform Metrac H75 pro

Sustainable TOTY 2022: New Holland T6.180 Methane Power

The winners were decided by a panel of 26 agricultural journalists from around Europe who analysed and tested the models rigorously before making the ultimate decision.

According to the panel of experts, John Deere's 7R 350 AutoPowr ultimately took home the top prize thanks to its onboard technology and automation capabilities, which is a testament to the importance of precision tech in agriculture in 2021.

The spacious cab and comfort also won the John Deere 7R 350 AutoPowr some brownie points with the judges.

“Sustainability is also taken into consideration in the form of a Fuel guarantee -program, while Active Command Steering is an example of how the driver can widely adjust the operation to their preferences and needs,” the judges commented.

Another standout feature of the winning tractor, as pointed out by the judges, is the EZ ballast function that allows for easier ballast management and therefore reduces downtime.

Winner of Best Utility, the John Deere 6120M AutoPowr, was commended for its versatility and high specs despite being a utility tractor. Some winning traits that were mentioned include the infinitely variable transmission, its short wheelbase of 2400mm, operating weight of 10,450kg and latest precision farming tech.

Reform’s unique tool carrier tractor – the Metrac H75 Pro, impressed the judges with its low centre of gravity, hydrostatic transmission, and ability to manage two implements at a time; hence winning it the Best of Specialised award. Another impressive feature of the Metrac H75 Pro is its ability to climb hills and work on slopes, allowing it to execute tricky tasks such as mowing on slopes which are dangerous for conventional machinery or human to undertake.

Finally, New Holland’s T6.180 Methane Power was named the Sustainable Tractor of the Year due to its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared to conventional diesel tractors, and the fact that it utilises one of the biggest pollutants in the atmosphere – methane, as fuel.  

Most importantly, the methane tractor is no longer just a prototype. Earlier this year, New Holland announced the commercialisation of its Methane Power tractor and is confident the model will officially be added to its range of offerings by end of this year.

“We are all very satisfied with this 25th edition of TOTY,” said Tractor of the Year President, Fabio Zammaretti.

"The level of tractors competing grows constantly and it was a very tight race. The jury this year, once again, did an extraordinary job in evaluating all the tractors competing for the four TOTY awards.

“Our mission is to make the most of the technologies offered by tractors, without forgetting that sustainability plays a fundamental role in our industry.”

The Tractor of the Year event was sponsored by tyre specialist, BKT, for the second year in a row, with the organisation already committed to supporting the event until at least 2024.

“We are convinced that the Tractor of the Year is a splendid showcase to enhance and emphasize innovation in agricultural mechanisation and therefore in agriculture itself,” said BKT Europe CEO, Lucia Salmaso.

“This is why we will continue to strive to support this event which for us is synonymous with the future, sustainability and technology.”

BKT added the hopes are for the event to continue next year in a hybrid format, in which machinery fans, experts and award participants can meet and receive their awards in person, but at the same time can also be enjoyed online by fans around the world.