In modern farming, power and precision are non-negotiable. That’s why farmers are looking for tractors that can make hard work easier and have precision technology that can make their bank balance smile at the end of the day.

For the Massey Ferguson 8737 S, power and precision are synonymous, a beast of a tractor that puts power to the ground and lets implements glide through, the sometimes hard and difficult soil conditions that can occur in the Western Cape, like a hot knife through butter. On top of that, the 8737 S is also equipped with the latest technology from Massey Ferguson.

George Cockrell, the whole goods marketer at Hennies Trekkers in Malmesbury, introduced the 8737 S to Western Cape farmers during the Farmspace Pro Tour farmers’ day held at Boland Agricultural College.

Put your power where it counts – on the ground

The 8737 S has a 6-cylinder, 8,4-litre engine that produces 275 kW (370 horsepower). The tractor is Massey Ferguson’s flagship tractor in the 8700 series and one they are very proud of.

George says that the Western Cape has diverse farming and agricultural activities range from fruit to vegetables and livestock and even fine grains, wheat and maize. Just before the winter rainfall comes, the soil in the area is also sometimes hard and then extra strength is needed.

“It is in the warm, dry months before winter that farmers need to start doing their soil cultivation. And then the 8737 S is convenient. You can use it to plant, you can use it to rip, and you can use it to bale. Any purpose for which you need this class of horsepower, this tractor is ideal for that,” George says proudly.

The 8737 S is by no means a small tractor and when the maximum permissible load is applied to it, it weighs about 18 tons. It is ony when you add the 8737 S’s longer wheelbase and engine power, that you realise how much power the tractor puts on the ground.

George Cockrell, the whole goods marketer at Hennies Tractors in Malmesbury demonstrated the Massey Ferguson 8737 S at the farmers’ day.

Keep your fuel costs low

George says they have received very good feedback on the fuel consumption of the 8737 S. The Stepless Dyna-VT transmission allows the user to select the correct speed for the application and soil conditions being worked with. This saves the farmer on fuel costs.

“Your fuel consumption will obviously vary depending on the application and your terrain conditions. But that’s what these tractors are built for with their VT transmissions that make things just that much more convenient and comfortable.”

He says that the 8737 S ensures the perfect combination between your gearbox and engine, meaning your tractor provides the necessary power when it needs to, but when less power is needed, it puts out less power.

“And that’s of course where the impact of fuel consumption starts to come in.”

Many farmers stopped by the Massey Ferguson stand during the Farmspace Pro Tour Farmers’ Day to find out more about the 8737 S.

Make life easier with technology

All Massey Ferguson 8700 series tractors and some of the smaller high specification tractors come standard with MF Guide. This is Massey Ferguson’s complete hands-free driving system.

The 8737 S that was demonstrated at the Farmspace Pro Tour Day is also equipped with a Datatronic 5 display and an additional Fieldstar 5 display. These displays are designed for more intuitive and precise farming. They seamlessly integrate MF Guide, MF Section Control and MF Rate Control technology so you can manage your tractor’s performance on one screen, and your ISO-Bus implements or GPS on the other.

Massey Ferguson also offers you the option of having Center point or Range point guidance installed in the tractor.

“But at the end of the day, it’s about what your needs are and what will make the most sense for you,” explains George.

Schalk Voster, a student at Boland Agricultural High School, loves Massey Ferguson tractors and says that he would like to buy another when he joins their family farming.

The future of agriculture

16-year-old Schalk Voster is a student at Boland Agricultural High School and attended the farmers’ day. He says he would like to one day make room for an 8737 S when he joins their family farm.

Schalk’s family farms plums in Fanschoek and sheep and lucerne outside Prince Albert. His plan is to join the farm after school.

“We probably have about nine Masseys on our farm from the old 65s to the 3308 models. I like a Massey Ferguson because you can walk into the shed, get a key, get on it and just drive it and you know it will always work, and you will get excellent service,” says Schalk.

Why should you choose Massey Ferguson? Well George puts it very nicely; “It’s very simple. We look at everything. Our tractors are built with the operator and the owner as a whole in mind, we look at the smaller things to make it more convenient for you. We offer tractors to do any job on your farm. What makes Massey Ferguson the best? In my opinion? It’s Massey Ferguson what more could you want.”

To learn more about the Massey Ferguson 8737 S or any of Massey Ferguson’s other high-spec tractors, you can visit their website at https://www.masseyferguson.com/en_za/.