New products continue to arrive in the Brazilian tractor market. Since the 2025 edition of Agrishow in Ribeirão Preto (SP), the tractor offering has changed considerably. Several brands have launched new models, and Valtra presented, among other novelties, the new M5 series, which reinforces the alignment of the Brazilian portfolio with the global one, in the case of Valtra, which originated in Finland. The series name relates to the product family, M, the engine power, and the generation, which is the fifth. The model name is no longer a sticker on the side of the hood but is printed in low relief, next to the headlight, in a metallic outline.
Comprising three models, this series aims to establish itself in the medium-sized tractor segment. With a maximum engine power of 165 hp, the M165 model is the smallest in the series. The intermediate model is the M185, which has a maximum power of 185 hp. Both use the same four-cylinder AGCO Power engine. The largest tractor in the series is the M205, which generates up to 205 hp of maximum power, using a six-cylinder AGCO Power engine.
In order for us to get to know and test these new models, Valtra provided two tractors, the M185 and the M205, on a rural property in the municipality of Jardinópolis, in the state of São Paulo. To follow the test and provide all the information we needed to know these new models in detail, we were accompanied by Afonso Pavan, Valtra's tractor marketing coordinator, Fábio Donizete Prata, tactical marketing coordinator of the Coopercitrus dealership, and Diego Takeshi Alves Sakamoto, who works at the Coopercitrus store in Ribeirão Preto as a sales consultant.
Founded in 1964, the Bebedouro Zone Agricultural Cooperative (Capezobe) merged in 1976 with the Western São Paulo Coffee Growers Agricultural Cooperative, giving rise to the São Paulo Coffee and Citrus Growers Cooperative. Currently under its new name, Coopercitrus Rural Producers Cooperative, it is a major Valtra dealership, operating 21 stores in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. In this test, we received logistical and personnel support from the Ribeirão Preto store.
The M5 series is new in several aspects and will replace the BH series, which, after so many years of production in the country, is leaving Valtra's portfolio with an important legacy, mainly in the sugarcane sector. Known for its robustness and simplicity, it also gained ground in other crops, especially for more traditional farmers who saw in the tractors of this series the solution to specific problems on their properties.
Valtra's intention in launching this new series is to retain customer loyalty with the concepts present in the BH series, especially versatility and simplicity, while also introducing new features, primarily from the T series, to attract customers from other markets, such as grains and livestock, in addition to sugarcane. For this reason, all tractors will come with a HiComfort Plus cab and a modern design, demonstrated by the hood, air intakes, and exterior lighting.
In the lower-powered models, M165 and M185, the engine is the AGCO Power, model 49CW3, a 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.900 cm³, a maximum power of 165 hp and 185 hp at 2.100 rpm, and a maximum torque of 650 Nm and 700 Nm at 1.500 rpm, respectively.
In the most powerful model, the M205, the engine is the AGCO Power 66CW3, a six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6.600 cm³. The maximum power at 2.100 rpm is 205 hp and the maximum torque reaches 720 Nm at 1.500 rpm.
In all models, the air intake system uses a turbo intercooler. For fuel injection, the system is Common Rail and the injection is electronic. In these engines, the EcoPower concept is maintained, with the aim of lowering revolutions and pollutant emissions, mainly by reducing the engine speed.
During the test, we focused primarily on the HiTech3 Plus transmission, which was standard on the BH series models but was new to us. It's an interesting transmission, consisting of groups and speeds, each controlled by individual levers.
On the gear selector lever, we have three positions: high, medium, and low. An important new feature is that in this system, the gears can now be changed while the tractor is in motion, as they use a gear synchronization system.
The gear selector lever has two positions, also actuated by gear synchronization, with two switches on the handlebar, to shift up and down gears, using a Powershift type on-load shifting system. With the three Powershift gears, the two positions of the gear selector lever and the three positions of the gear selector lever, we have 18 forward speeds; with the electro-hydraulic reverser, we also have 18 reverse speeds. The PowerShuttle reverser, located on the steering column, only allows reversing at speeds below 2 km/h for safety reasons.
To test this transmission and its ease of operation, we attached a Santa Izabel brand GALSI 14 14-disc harrow to the tractor, primarily using the speed provided by the M group, the speed lever in position A, and the first gear of the Powershift, which gave us an operating speed of 4,5 km/h. The average harrowing depth was between 12 cm and 15 cm. During the work, we had the opportunity to change gears with the system adopted in this transmission and verified that increasing and decreasing speed is quite quick and easy.
Since this tractor uses a transmission programming system, the manufacturer has included three automatic operating modes. The first is fully automatic, and its management depends on the engine load, shifting gears whenever necessary. In this case, the operator using this system will not need to manually shift up or down, as the system will adapt to the operational requirements. In the second mode, called Auto 2, the speed change is automatic, based on two defined rotations. The third mode, Auto N, is activated when the operator presses the brake pedal or when the engine speed drops below 1.200 rpm, the point below the maximum torque. Pressing the brake pedal puts the system in neutral; when the pedal is released, the movement resumes, without needing to press the clutch.
The gear ratios are quite good, with 18 speeds, an average "step" between gears of 16,6%, and eight gears ranging from 5 km/h to 12 km/h. There are only two gears with similar speeds, between 3rd and 4th gears and 11th and 13th gears, with small differences in speed. The speed limits are between 2,88 km/h and 28,27 km/h.
The torque and speed transmission to the power take-off (PTO) is independent, activated by an electro-hydraulic switch, with two speeds, 540 rpm and 1.000 rpm, as standard.
For the Category 2 hydraulic system, with onboard electronics, we have another new feature. The customer can choose between two configuration options. The first is that the tractor comes equipped with a gear pump, which will generate a flow rate of 91 L/min. In this system, the tractor will come with two remote control valves (RCVs) from the factory, with the option of three RCVs. The maximum system pressure, in all models, is 210 bar.
The second configuration available to customers allows them to order the tractor with a variable flow pump, which will generate flow rates of 150 l/min or 205 l/min, and three variable displacement valves (VCRs) will be factory-installed, with up to four valves available as an option. In the M205 model, due to its closed-center system, it is possible to use Power Beyond, which is very useful in modern equipment. These options will allow the M5 series models to enter various markets very strongly, especially the grain market.
The lifting capacity of the hydraulic system reaches a weight force of 8.500 kgf, measured at the eyelet of the lower arms of the three-point hydraulic system. At the rear, in addition to the remote control valves, there are hydraulic connections for pneumatic service and parking brakes, with bleeder, for trailers, and electrical and electronic sockets for the ISOBUS communication system.
Access to the operator's workstation is via a four-step ladder, constructed of aluminum, with steps featuring a non-slip surface and an optimal outward slope, allowing the person to descend forward, something uncommon in most tractors.
With the door located on the left side, you enter the new Comfort Plus cabin, which features new upholstery fabrics and a comfortable seat with armrests, as well as a companion seat, primarily for training. On the left side, a small refrigerator holds various liquid containers.
The front panel features control instruments such as a tachometer, hour meter, and fuel level and engine temperature gauges. On the right, near the side window, is the Valtra Guide monitor, which provides general information about the autopilot operation. On the front pillar of the cab, a small monitor indicates the travel speed. The air conditioning panel is located at the top of the cab. From the operator's position, the rearview mirrors are in an excellent position, being large and well-placed.
The side console houses the levers for selecting the PTO speed, the remote control valves, and the transmission on the right side. On this same console, several controls use rotary switches, for the hydraulic system and manual engine throttle, for example, while other controls use push-button switches, for on/off activations, for driving modes, for the PTO, among others.
In our first encounter with the two tractors in the series, the M185 and the M205, it's noticeable that the models have undergone a design overhaul, with excellent lighting solutions and easy access to maintenance points. The wide hood opening provides access to most engine parts. The wheelbase is shorter, although the front weight supports are projected forward.
Although the M5 series uses a monocoque assembly, with components bolted together, the front axle connection uses a cast semi-chassis, with wheelbases of 2.716 mm for the smaller models in the series, and 2.996 mm for the model using the longer six-cylinder engine. The manufacturer took care to provide additional trim to compensate for this difference, as all three models use the same hood. The diesel tank has a capacity of 365 L in all three models of the series.
The power-to-weight ratio can reach 55 kgf/hp in all three models. To achieve this, the customer can use hydraulic ballast on the front and rear tires, up to 14 55 kgf weight plates on the front support, and five discs on each rear wheel. In the tractors we tested, especially the M205, the static weight distribution was 40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle. The rear wheels are attached to the axle by a flange fixed to the through axle, allowing for detailed variation of the rear track width.
The tires fitted to the M205 used in the disc harrow test were 540/65R30 on the front axle and 650/65R38 on the rear axle. Just to verify maneuverability and steering capacity, we performed a turning radius test.
The customer can purchase the M5 series tractor with the Valtra Guide autopilot, which uses GNSS guidance and a nine-inch screen on the side of the cab for operator communication. This is a differentiating factor that will attract more customers of annual crops who require precision in their work to purchase tractors from this series. In field testing, we learned that the autopilot can operate in two ways: a simpler one, in GO mode, where the user only uses steering, while in field mode the operator can perform more tasks, such as working on curved or even circular paths, for areas with center pivot irrigation, for example. In this second mode, the imagination and needs of an experienced farmer are limitless, including the use of more advanced features with Valtra's TaskDoc. It is also possible to purchase the technology package that includes Valtra telemetry, so that field data can be observed and recorded remotely.
In our field test, we observed the operation of two of the new M5 series tractors, the M185 and the M205, using a disc harrow in an area covered with soybean crop residue.
We highlight several aspects, mainly related to the new features that this new series brings in place of the traditional BH series.
First, the HiTech3 Plus transmission, when compared to its direct competitors, offers the highest number of gears, including reverse. In most cases, 16 gears are standard, giving the M5 series an advantage as it provides greater operator choice. Also noteworthy in this transmission is the synchronization of both high and low speeds, as well as gear groups, which facilitates gear changes.
Another aspect that should be highlighted is the high lifting capacity of the three-point hydraulic system, which reaches 8.500 kgf at the eyelet of the lower arms of the hydraulic system, uncommon, especially in tractors in the 180 hp to 200 hp range.
In conclusion, we can say that the new M5 series tractors compete in all power ranges between 160 hp and 210 hp with the series' average specification, offering advantages over the BH series. We highlight the reliability of the AGCO Power engines, the new transmission, the cab and ergonomic package, as well as, of course, the lifting capacity of the hydraulic system.
Jose Fernando Schlosser,
Nema – UFSM
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The new Valtra M5 Series, which includes the M165, M185, and M205 models, maintains the concept of a heavy-duty multi-purpose tractor, focusing on power, traction, transmission, and hydraulic system designed to support large implements during long periods of work
