Over in America, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) keeps an eye on tractor and combine sales figures, publishing a monthly summary, which is generally regarded as a sound indication of the state of the market.

In the reports, it breaks the market down into various segments and it is this classification which has caused some confusion in the past.

The cause of perplexity is the classification of the tractors into two and 4WD, and this has been a subject of some correspondence with the AEM, stretching back a few years, which has at last been settled.

A definitive answer, which has now been furnished by the AEM, indirectly draws attention to the legacy of tractor development in America, rather than how we perceive it here in Europe.

AEM Tractor classification

It is the members of the AEM which report sales to the organisation, rather than there being a single pool from which the data may be drawn, such as the CSO here in Ireland.

When filing the return for the AEM in America, dealers are given a list of definitions of the various machinery types and tractors generally fall under one of two headings.

The first is FE01, which the AEM describes as typically having larger tyres mounted on the rear and smaller tyres mounted on the front, which seems quite straightforward.

Two wheel drive tractors — The traditional idea of an American tractor – a powered front axle would be an afterthought

Yet there is a qualification (and herein lies the source of the mix up) and that is “front wheel assist (FWA) tractors would typically incorporate larger front tyres than two-wheel drive tractors”.

We might deduce from that, this definition that AEM considers even purpose built 4WD tractors as simply having a powered front axle bolted on to a standard 2WD tractor, almost as an afterthought.

This is a good deal distant from reality and may be considered at least 20 years out of date as 4WD as an integral feature of tractors was well established by the turn of the century.

New Holland Tractor — A 2WD tractor with a power assisted front axle, according to the AEM classification method

It might be argued that this is only in the European context, but the three big corporations are all American, and while they will, to a great extent, produce tractors that the home market demands, the influence of European thinking will have some effect on tractor design.

There is no way of distinguishing within the AEM classification table, tractors that are plain 2WD or purpose built 4WD tractors that do not fall under the second classification type FE22.

4WD tractor characteristics

Under this heading, AEM members are expected to place large framed machines that deliver consistent and full time power to equal sized wheels, and they engage primarily in heavy draft and drawbar applications. They may be articulated or of rigid frame.

A minimum of 360hp is also mentioned, which in former times, would certainly place then in a separate category, but that is quite commonplace in European style 4WD tractors, so it is not the discerning factor that it once was.

Valtra four wheel drive tractor — With 425hp on tap the top end Valtra S415 would classify as a 4WD tractor in the American system if it were not for the unequal sized wheels

Over here, we do not have a consistent method of classifying tractor sales within Europe, only the official registration data from government agencies and sales figures provided by trade organisations within each country.

These rely heavily on market research companies to provide a greater insight but the methodology, classifications and information garnered from the trade is not shared publicly, so we are left in the dark to a huge extent.

Tractor design evolves

Like all machines, tractors develop over the years and the near universal application of 4WD to those sold in Europe means that separating 2WD models out as a separate sales category is a superfluous exercise, except, perhaps, for the various marketing departments.

Zetor four wheel drive — Zetor was one of the pioneers of integrated 4WD from the 1960s onwards

Yet in America, there is the legacy of the 2WD tractor being king and applying power to the front axle as an aid to traction took a lowly place behind adding dual wheels or extra weight, the front axle was just there to keep keep the engine off the ground and provide the steering.

Even when powered axles did appear they were often simply known as front wheel assist, indicating that the rear axle was still considered the main device for applying power to the ground, which was often the case.

County tractor — The County was, in American eyes, a 2WD tractor with front wheel assist

Alongside the front wheel assist tractors there came the big 4WD tractors like Wagners, which did have equal sized wheels with equal power provided to each.

It was in a class of their own and immediately attracted the label 4WD.

Front wheel assist was the common term applied in America to all wheel drive tractors, an overall description, which itself, is said to have been coined by International, whereas over here 4WD was adopted as the generic term from an early stage, and the convention has stuck.

Terminology counts

The question arises as to whether the terminology is of any practical consequence, other than to cause confusion in trans Atlantic comparisons?

For a true analysis of tractors sales which encompasses power bands as well as units sold, then yes, some alignment between the American and European approach’s would be most useful.

There is no longer a sharp distinction between equal wheeled units and large conventional machines where the front wheels are only lesser in diameter to preserve a degree of manoeuvrability.

It is tempting to consider the American method as somewhat archaic and a strict breakdown of tractor sales by powerband would perhaps better illustrate market trends.

Yet, things are little better in Europe where only the bare essentials are made public and that to such a small degree in Ireland that they are rendered devoid of any meaningful information.

AEM Tractor classification

4WD tractor characteristics

Tractor design evolves

Terminology counts

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Two wheel drive

Association of Equipment Manufacturers: 4WD tractors defined