Same Deutz-Fahr (SDF) is to supply Massey Ferguson with a range of low-mid horsepower tractors.

The result of a supply agreement between Massey parent company AGCO, and the Italian SDF Group, the AGCO press release states that the maximum power of the new offerings will be 85hp, although this is a tad lower in the official SDF communication at 80hp.

There is nothing in either release, but SDF builds tractors of this size at plants in Turkey (Bandirma) and India (Ranipet). Production capacity at the plant in Ranipet, which SDF acquired in 2013, was upgraded a few years back to boost the capacity to in excess of 20,000 units a year, mainly in the 40hp to 80hp segment.

More recently, the capacity of the Bandirma plant (pictures), which assembles tractors from 45 to 130hp, was increased to 15,000 units a year, and last year, SDF opened a new 10,000m² factory at this site to produce three, four and six-cylinder FARMotion engines.

AGCO expects the refreshed Massey Ferguson portfolio to help boost market share in the sub-85hp segment, and the new range will be offered with various drivetrain options. We understand that they will not be available in India, and depending on market, will be delivered with engine emission levels IIIA, IIIB or V. 

It remains to be seen if the new tractors will be an addition to the existing Massey ranges or whether the plan is to replace some of them for SDF products. It could be that Massey is looking to plug the gap between the current Iseki-built 1700E/M (35 to 67hp) and four-pot 75hp/85hp models in the 3 series and base 82hp tractor in the three-pot 4700 range.

Then there is TAFE to consider. AGCO has worked for a long time with the Indian manufacturer, which makes Massey Ferguson tractors under license, and is also a major shareholder in AGCO. The two companies are currently arguing about the ownership rights of the Massey Ferguson brand. Could AGCO’s cooperation with SDF represent a replacement for the Indian partner?

We do not have to wait long to find out because the first SDF-built Massey Ferguson tractors with the familiar red paintwork and branding will be produced sometime towards the middle of this year. Available in a phased approach through Massey dealers across most global regions, we are informed that the new range does not currently affect the UK and Ireland.

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