Zetor plans to launch the new Series 6 tractor in 2025, featuring robust construction and advanced technologies. The Series 6 will replace the current FORTERRA model, offering a power range from 131 to 171hp. Equipped with four-cylinder Deutz 4.1 engines, Zetor claims that the new Series 6 will meet Stage V emission standards and delivers up to 171hp.
The new ZF TPT 16 POWERSHIFT transmission will provide 54 forward and 27 reverse gears. It will feature a new high-performance hydraulic system and an innovative cabin design for maximum operator comfort. Zetor claims that intensive testing in 2024 demonstrated the Series 6’s capability to handle demanding tasks with low fuel consumption.
“The Series 6 will become Zetor’s new flagship and sets a new direction for the development and assembly of our future products. With a power range from 131 to 171 HP, the Series 6 will replace the current FORTERRA model. I can already confirm that work and testing are underway for the Series 5, which will correspond in performance to the PROXIMA model range. As part of our long-term product plans, we will also introduce tractors corresponding to the MAJOR range, as well as a completely new model with over 200 HP,” explains Róbert Harman, CEO of Zetor Tractors.
The Series 6 tractors will be equipped with four-cylinder Deutz 4.1 engines delivering a maximum power of 171 HP at 1900 rpm. With a displacement of 4.1 liters, the engines meet the Stage V emission standard through SCR, DPF, and external exhaust gas recirculation systems. The engines feature Common Rail injection, a single turbocharger, and the option to set constant speeds at two levels.
New Transmission
The new ZF TPT 16 POWERSHIFT transmission will allow for smooth gear changes under load. To the basic five forward and three reverse gears, it adds a six-step multiplier for forward movement and a three-step multiplier for reverse. Including creeper gears, there will be a total of 54 forward and 27 reverse gears, with a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Main gear changes are manual via a gear lever, while the multiplier and reverser are controlled electro-hydraulically. The new transmission also increases the rear axle load capacity to 8.5 tons, and the total tractor weight will reach 11.5 tons.
The system also includes Smart Braking, which allows the tractor to start and stop simply by pressing the brake pedal. Zetor claims that this system will be especially effective for work with a front loader.
Hydraulics and Cabin
The Series 6 features a high-performance hydraulic system with an axial-piston pump delivering a flow rate of 120 l/min. Thanks to this, the rear three-point hitch can handle a load of up to 7.2 tons, and the front hitch supports 3.5 tons. The tractor will come standard with four mechanically controlled rear hydraulic circuits and, if needed, two additional front circuits. A newly enhanced power take-off (PTO) offers selectable speeds of 540, 540E, 1000, and 1000E rpm, with an electrohydraulic clutch enabling adjustments based on the load.
The tractor cabin introduces a series of innovations. Its suspension is ensured by hydraulic dampers and coil springs. Adding to this is the tractor’s suspended front axle, providing operators with maximum comfort, further enhanced by air conditioning, a radio, tiltable rear side windows for ventilation, and other features. The central column is adjustable in two directions, and the cabin includes a new armrest with ergonomically arranged controls and a 24″ touchscreen monitor for tractor settings and function management. A pressurized cabin design minimizes dust and aerosol penetration, making the tractor suitable for work with sprayers.
First Practical Experiences
The Series 6 underwent intensive testing last year (2024). Several prototypes accumulated more than 1,000 operating hours under varying conditions in the Czech Republic and Germany. “We’ve been testing it since summer, and I must say it’s a significant step forward,” says Tomáš Srnec, one of the test farmers in the Czech Republic. “It’s a modern machine capable of handling even the most demanding tasks, whether it’s discing, subsoiling, or transporting crops. Fuel consumption is low – for example, during shallow cultivation, we achieved only 7.5 l/ha, which is an excellent result.”
