Despite all of the testing we’ve done over the years, this is the first time we have ever compared entertainment and hands-free systems on tractors. There were some big differences … as you can see for yourself.

KEEPING IT BRIEF

  •  Reception quality of DAB+ radios differs greatly.
  •  Being able to use the phone controls in the terminal is ideal.
  •  For decent sound you need powerful amplifiers and subwoofers.
  • The option prices for the featured systems range from just £300 to over £3,000.

Yes, we are very much aware that a radio isn’t the most important of criteria when buying a new tractor. But then if you spend many, many hours on your main mover year after year, good entertainment can really make your work days much more enjoyable, listening to your favourite music or podcasts. Then there are the hands-free phone systems —they are only of use if they actually work well. 

Seven systems in comparison

Reason enough for us to carry out an initial comparison. We contacted all the leading tractor makers and asked them to put their best foot forward and supply us with a tractor with their highest spec audio kit option that is available from the factory. Deutz-Fahr and McCormick were unable or unwilling to supply a tractor, while JCB and Massey Ferguson said they were currently working on updating their sound systems. 

We didn’t want to miss out on the popular Massey Ferguson and (at least in Germany) Deutz-Fahr brands so we did an extra bit of legwork and tracked down an 8S and a 6190 RCshift. Those with a keen Deutz-Fahr eye will spot that it is a 9340TTV (which as it happens is not available with the tested sound system) stepping into the group shot, as the 6190 had gone back to its owner.

To provide the full test line-up, our seven contenders were:

  • Claas Axion 800
  • Deutz-Fahr 6 series
  • Fendt 700 Vario Gen 7
  • John Deere 8R
  • Massey Ferguson 8S
  • New Holland T7
  • Valtra Q

All of these had the optional sound system installed, the price of which can vary a lot; see the table on page 15 for the exact cost. Massey Ferguson is the only manufacturer that hasn’t come up with a higher-quality factory-fitted sound system for the 8S, not even as an option. 

Music producer Henning Verlage compared the various sound systems both subjectively, according to his ear, and by measuring.

A professional sound check

The first part of the test focused on the sound quality of the systems. This job was put in the hands of music producer Henning Verlage, who subjected all of the systems to a thorough inspection (see the box: “How we tested”, which appears on the next page). 

The full results of the data measurements (check the individual graphs shown on each tractor profile on pages 16 to 19) were pretty much in line with the subjective listening experience. In other words, the sound quality in the John Deere 8R cab was convincing across the board. The speakers boast a good sound resolution, a balanced frequency distribution and a clean treble image that is better than many home theatre systems.

Claas and Valtra operators can connect their smartphone using Android Auto/Apple CarPlay — which is ideal and works well.

A little behind, but all very close together are Claas, Fendt, New Holland and Valtra (in alphabetical order). The actual ranking depends on your individual listening habits. Claas and Valtra, for example, have Pioneer systems that are comparable in terms of operation. Claas has four speakers with a subwoofer to the right of the seat, whereas Valtra has two large speakers up in the roof and a large sub in front of the right door. This nearly turns the Valtra into a dance club, whereas in the Claas cab everything is a little more listener-friendly. 

Valtra has a huge subwoofer by the right pillar.

Tucked between these two is New Holland, which also gets four speakers and a proper subwoofer to the left of the seat. Here, the overall sound is somewhat booming and at the same time ‘more pointed’, while the Fendt system with its four speakers and integrated subwoofer produces a balanced sound overall. If only the bass was a bit more intense.

Deutz-Fahr impressed with a well-balanced and clean sound that rarely came across as booming. In view of that, it is no surprise the Massey Ferguson 8S with its standard equipment level of just two speakers and a Continental plug-in radio fell way behind. Neither did it keep up on reception quality, though Valtra was even worse here: rarely did its small window-mounted antenna give undisturbed reception — no matter whether it was FM or DAB radio or travelling along a forest track or inside the equipment shed. All the other brands offered a more or less satisfactory reception. 

Two simple speakers, like those used in the Massey 8S cab, will do a job, but you are not going to get an acoustic listening experience.

HOW WE DID THE TEST

To check the sound systems, music producer Henning Verlage compared the listening experience on all the tractors by listening to the same pieces of music from different genres. 

He also used a so-called sweep tone to capture the sound pressure of the sound systems over the entire frequency range using a measuring microphone in order to compare his subjective impression with the results from the measuring equipment. The measured values are shown in the graphs in the individual tractor profiles. The curves show the frequency response from 20Hz to 20 kHz and illustrate the variations in quality and the tone of the speakers.

To compare the reception quality of the radios on each tractor, we selected a weak local broadcaster and a popular DAB station and then travelled along a predetermined test route while listening. The quality of the hands-free systems was tested while driving — also at full throttle. The whole thing was rounded off with an assessment of the handling and use.

Two examples of sweep sound reproduction in the frequency range from 20Hz to 20 kHz: The bass shows big differences for the two test candidates. Graphics: Henning Verlage

Differences in the hands-free

The second focus of our comparison was using your phone. Again, all manufacturers have their own different solutions. Fendt, for example, has microphones installed in several spots up in the roof, while Valtra uses one gooseneck microphone. All other makes have one or two microphones, either integrated more or less centrally in the roof (e.g. Massey Ferguson, New Holland and John Deere) or on the side of/in the radio (Claas, Deutz-Fahr).

In our tests with and without background noise, the driver was easiest to understand in the Fendt followed by Massey Ferguson. The voice quality in the Claas, John Deere and New Holland was also good. Penalties went to Valtra because of the background noise and even more so on the Deutz-Fahr, which had the mike integrated into the slide-in radio.

When it then comes to how well the driver understands the caller, Claas, Deutz-Fahr, Fendt, New Holland and Valtra are almost on a par. Callers to John Deere (working on a solution) and Massey Ferguson were less easy to understand.

A plug-in stereo with an integrated microphone (e.g. Deutz-Fahr) is not ideal for either music or making phone calls.
What we liked most about the Fendt system was that the phone and radio were fully integrated into the main cab terminal.

Simple operation is the be-all and end-all

Operation also played a major role in the test. This referred to pairing the phone, synchronizing contacts and to making and receiving calls. However, we also evaluated searching for and changing radio stations and the volume control.

In general, we liked the integrated radio/telephone solution within the Fendt tractor terminal the best. From the rotary/push button on the armrest, you have everything in one place. The only disadvantage is that you cannot (as yet) integrate Android Auto/Apple CarPlay into the system.

The New Holland system is not operated from tractor controls but can be displayed on the tractor’s IntelliView monitor. Again, it lacks Android Auto or Apple CarPlay for the phone.

The situation is very different for systems that have a separate display screen for their entertainment system (Claas, John Deere and Valtra). While Claas and Valtra offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly, John Deere still needs a wire for the system to operate. 

Depending on your type of smartphone, each solution, Android Auto or CarPlay, is naturally a big boon when using the phone, whether you’re making calls, listening in to your favourite podcast or blasting out the latest playlist on Spotify.

Summary

None of the tractors tested has the perfect solution for both entertainment and phone connection. However, the John Deere 8R sets the benchmark in listening pleasure, while the Fendt 700 offers the best overall package, even though Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is (still) missing.

The sound systems from Claas, New Holland and Valtra are also good, but some lack additional control buttons on the armrest (Claas), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (New Holland) or the radio’s DAB reception is poor (Valtra).

The sound in the Deutz-Fahr is also OK, but using a phone with the plug-in radio is not convincing. The 8S from Massey Ferguson is slightly out of the running: it is currently only available in a standard set up with two speakers and a plug-in radio — although this is to change soon. 

Hubert Wilmer

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