FM World used Agritechnica to preview the Chinese-powered K, F and X series, for which it expects to receive Stage V EU homologation sometime early 2024.
The K series compacts include 45 and 50hp models, while the F range takes the power up to 60 and 70hp. The four-pot X range (100 140hp) could be interesting for livestock and arable farms and the model on show was fitted with a powershift.
FM World, the ag brand of Chinese manufacturer Jiangsu World Ag Machinery Co, is a big name in its homeland. Also big in India, the company is little known in Europe. Claiming to make a staggering 55,000 combines a year, it reckons to account for two thirds of all new ones supplied to the Chinese market each year, and claims to be number one is Bangladesh, Colombia, Indonesia, India, Iran and Sri Lanka.
These are mainly rice harvesters, but the company also makes combines for harvesting cereals and OSR. Back to tractors. The company reckons to have exported around 2,000 to Europe last year but is keen to grow the numbers and appoint a complete network of European dealers.
The UK and Ireland are also target markets. Thailand and South America are big markets. So too is the rest of Asia and the Middle East. The firm says if it is does manage to get a foothold in Europe then it might look to develop Stage V versions of the six-pot E series (150-180hp).
The 200hp G series flagship is the most powerful tractor the company currently makes in China. There are no immediate plans to develop a Stage V version of the Stage IV tractor for Europe. The development work is not limited to Stage V engines. The company is also testing two 280hp diesel-electric prototypes and is also evaluating an autonomous tractor based on the E series platform.
FM World sales manager for India Frank Sheng, (right) with Carson Zheng, tractor product manager.
We asked sales manager for India, Frank Sheng why European farmers should buy one of FM World’s Chinese made tractors. “We buy in tyres and seats, but make 80% of all the components needed to make a tractor or harvester in-house,” he said. “This is our big advantage because it allows us to control quality, volumes and price.”
Price of the Stage V X series tractors is not yet available, and while potential UK and Irish dealers will be expected to stock spare parts, FM World is considering building a central European distribution warehouse.
With three plants in China (all 200km from Shanghai) and a fourth in Thailand, FM World claims to make around 40,000 tractors a year, of which nearly 31,000 remained in China in 2022 (fourth place in the sales rankings). The company also makes self-propelled sugar cane harvesters, and since 2019 three- and five-row cotton pickers.
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