The ranges are the Claas Talos tractor series, the smaller Massey Ferguson (MF) 240 and 268 tractors (available from December) and the larger MF 275 and 290 tractors (available from March 2011).
“The economy tractors may not come with all the bells and whistles of the higher-end tractors, but they aren’t as difficult and expensive to repair if something goes wrong,” said a source in the tractor marketing industry, adding that buyers would include both emerging and commercial farmers.
According to Dr Jim Rankin of the SA Agricultural Machinery Association, there’s a definite place for these models in the local market, but they must be suited for South African conditions and they must have good local back-up support.
