John Deere 8430

Is this the most outrageous vehicle Auto Express has ever tested? Standing over three metres high, the John Deere 8430 certainly has more road presence than anything we can recall.

Its green and yellow paintjob tells you the monster comes from the world’s most famous agricultural machinery builder. John Deere produces a third of the tractors sold in the UK, and this mighty example is designed to tow a host of farm kit.

Under its bonnet sits a 9.0- litre common-rail diesel that produces 300bhp. But the 8430 is built for pulling power, not pace, which is why it generates a huge 1,394Nm of torque.

This is just as well, because the machine weighs 11,770kg – the same as 21 Ariel Atoms – even before you factor in the drag of hauling a huge plough through wet soil. To transfer this power, the 8430 has an ‘infinitely variable transmission’, which drives through the rear wheels on road and all four in the mud.

Huge
The 38-inch wheels have huge tyres that stand six-feet tall at the rear, while hydraulically activated brakes bring things to a stop. Cruise control can be set as accurately as 100 metres per hour, and you can even use GPS global positioning to plot a field’s shape and automatically control the steering.But what is this mighty tractor like to drive on our test track?

Once you’ve climbed the steps to the lofty cabin, the view through the glass cab is superb. There’s an array of unrecognisable controls, yet the giant tractor starts with a simple ignition key. A mechanical clatter from under the bonnet tells you the huge engine is running.

Then you slide the small gear selector lever into one of the two forward drive settings. On the move, you can use the conventional accelerator or set the speed with a hand version. But the most remarkable thing is the accuracy and sharpness of the fly-by-wire throttle.

With nothing to tow, initial acceleration is strong and smooth, but a 26mph top speed means the tractor soon runs out of puff. Power-steering ensures the effort required to change direction is minimal, and the clever active seat takes readings from the suspension and moves accordingly to cancel out the cab’s bouncing motion. The standard-fit air-con makes it a comfortable place in which to do a day’s work. There’s even the option of a leather seat and steering wheel, but they’re about the only thing the 8430 has in common with the cars here. At £143,294 it’s also the most expensive way to join the 300bhp club.

In detail:
* Price: £143,294
* Engine: 9.0-litre 6cyl diesel
* Power: 300bhp
* Torque: 1,394Nm
* 0-60mph: N/A (0-20mph 4.7 secs)
* Economy: N/A
 

Details

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