Agritechnica reveals its 2026 Tractor of the Year line-up
JCB chairman Anthony Bamford (left) and JCB deputy chairman George Bamford. JCB has won a coveted “Tractor of the Year” award for its all-new high-power Fastrac 6300 in recognition of the tractor’s combination of industry-leading features, abilities and performance.
JCB has won a coveted “Tractor of the Year” award for its all-new high-power Fastrac 6300 in recognition of the tractor’s combination of industry-leading features, abilities and performance.
The award, for 'Sustainable Tractor of the Year', was presented on Sunday, November 9, at Agritechnica, the world’s largest agricultural machinery and technology show. It marks a second win for JCB, which won the same award in 2023 with the Fastrac 4220 iCON.
The Tractor of the Year Awards, which are supported by BKT Tyres, have six categories for different sizes and types of tractor. Entries nominated by manufacturers are assessed through presentations and in-field driving tests by a panel of 26 machinery specialists with practical farming experience representing leading agricultural publications from throughout Europe.
The CLAAS Axion 9.450 topped the 'High Powered' category, with Fendt's 516 VARIO named best mid-power tractor. New Holland's T4.120F Auto Command topped the 'Specialised' category with a 50-kph ECO mode in a narrow tractor, while the Valtra G Series CVT won the Utility Category.
The robot category, which was introduced for the first time last year, was won by AgXeed with its 2.055W3 autonomous sprayer.
The international judging panel described the JCB machine as “redefining the balance between performance, efficiency and sustainability”.
The jury of machinery specialists with practical farming experience said the Fastrac 6300 was “an example of sustainable innovation that combines intelligent engineering, digital connectivity and care for the soil, to deliver productivity with responsibility”.
The newly-launched Fastrac 6000 Series includes new features such as the central tyre inflation management system, which enables operators to quickly set optimum pressures for road travel and to minimise soil compaction in the field.
The unique double-acting suspension front and rear is also key to the Fastrac’s traction in the field for heavy draft work such as ploughing and cultivating, and to its legal high speed — 66kph — when driving on the road.
JCB’s Smart Transmission Control system also contributes to the Fastrac 6300’s sustainability credentials by managing the powertrain — the engine and transmission — in a way that ensures optimum performance with the least fuel consumption.
JCB's deputy chairman George Bamford congratulated the team involved in developing the new Fastrac 6300. "It really is a masterpiece of engineering that underscores JCB’s passion for innovation and for developing productive, efficient machinery," he said.
Meanwhile, the high-powered winner, CLAAS Axion 9.450, includes optimised hardware such as the engine, transmission and axles combined in the series with a completely newly developed cab which has noise reduction of up to 66 dB and a volume of three cubic metres, a new electronic infrastructure and new, intelligent assistance systems which allow the vehicle to control both its steering and acceleration.
It also includes an adaptive, predictive drivetrain management of the continuously variable CMATIC transmission with Auto Load Anticipation — a self-learning algorithm, which increases driving comfort, productivity and efficiency.
"When developing the series, we listened more than ever to the wishes and expectations of farmers and contractors," Dr Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, the firm's chief technology officer said.
"So we owe this award not only to our innovative developers, but also to our existing and potential customers. The tractor uniquely combines several of our core development competencies, such as soil-conserving chassis technologies and continuously variable power-split transmissions."
