Massey Ferguson and Same Deutz Fahr (SDF) have recently signed a partnership agreement in which SDF will produce tractors of up to 85hp to be sold in most global markets under the Massey Ferguson brand.
Neither company has expanded upon the deal so it is unclear which SDF models will be involved, nor if any adaptions, modifications or differentiation beyond the livery will be made.
However, the companies do note that the new product range will be offered with various powertrain options to match diverse needs of customers and markets, suggesting that there will be transmission options rather than a mix of engine types.
FARMotion for MF
Even though SDF carries Deutz in its name, it no longer owns Deutz AG, the company that continues to produce diesel engines as a completely separate entity, although the Italian company retained a small shareholding when it sold off its stake in the German manufacturer in 2012.
It is therefore likely that the MF tractors will use FARMotion engines which is SDF’s own brand, and one that it has developed to produce up to 150hp in four cylinder form.
FARMotion engines are built alongside SDF’s smaller tractors at Bandirma in Turkey, a facility that now has the capacity to produce 1,000 to 1,400 tractors per year having benefitted from over €100 million worth of investment since 2013.
The latest round of investment completed in May 2024 saw the Turkish factory equipped with machinery to manufacture three-, four- and six-cylinder engines as well as increase production of tractors.
For any tractor company that is serious about covering all market segments, a six-cylinder engine is essential and with the ability to machine a bigger block, SDF has taken a big step forward in being self reliant when it comes to larger engines.
American compacts
In the US, Massey Ferguson has revamped its line-up of smaller tractors for 2025 with changes to the three ranges of compacts and sub compacts which span 12hp to 60hp.
The manufacturing agreement with SDF will see the new MF liveried models arrive in the summer, yet with this update to the tractors in America ,the chances are that it will be the European and other markets that see them first.
AGCO expects the refreshed Massey Ferguson portfolio to help boost market share in the segment of up to 85hp.
