Tractor Observation at the 2025 China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition
Once upon a time, the biggest weakness of domestic agricultural machinery, especially the domestic tractor industry, was its technological backwardness and lack of core technology, which was also considered the downfall of Chinese agricultural machinery. Some even called it the "heart-wrenching pain of Chinese agricultural machinery workers." However, this has become history. Currently, domestic tractor enterprises have mastered core technologies. In fact, power shift and CVT technologies have achieved most or comprehensive breakthroughs, and domestic tractors are at the forefront of hybrid technology globally. Therefore, domestic tractors are now facing a "sweet trouble" - the choice of diversified technological paths. Through the China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition held in Wuhan, Hubei from October 26 to 28, we can observe that the competition for technological paths in the domestic tractor industry has become intense, and behind this competition lies a covert struggle among different forces.
"A plethora of options is beginning to dazzle the eyes" — The debate over tractor technology strategies at the International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition
Not having choices can be anxiety-inducing, while having too many choices can lead to confusion! From this year's national exhibition, it is evident that the technological trajectory of the domestic tractor industry is becoming more diversified. The competition among enterprises is intensifying, and their mindset is also becoming more confused. As the saying goes, "Standing at the crossroads, facing a dilemma, neither forward nor backward is the right way." The exhibition serves as a condensed mirror of the industry, providing a clear view of the current technological landscape of the domestic tractor industry. Let's take a look together.
The power shuttle technology, which was originally overlooked in China and considered a "backward" technology, saw a comprehensive blooming after being included in the "intelligent control tractors" category under the new three-year subsidy policy in 2024. It enjoys the same subsidy standards as power shifting and CVT. Despite its low threshold and low cost, many enterprises chose this technological path due to the policy push and subsidy temptation. The introduction of the 2024 policy prompted enterprises to start preparing, and by 2025, with the further implementation of the policy, power shuttle technology was widely applied in the tractor industry. At the Wuhan International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition, numerous tractor enterprises showcased their power shuttle models, and supporting manufacturers also introduced corresponding transmissions and solutions.
The rapid popularization of power shift. Power shuttle can only be described as a technology transitioning from mechanical gearbox to automatic transmission, while true automatic transmission tractors must necessarily feature power shift. At this exhibition, it can be observed that power shift technology has penetrated from leading enterprises to the second and third tiers. Not to mention YTO and Weichai Lovol, mid-tier brands such as Hanwo, Ensign, Luzhong, and Lingong have also exhibited power shift tractors equipped with transmissions from brands like Haitian and Fast.
It is noteworthy that a diversified ecosystem for domestic power-shift tractor technology has already taken shape. From the booths of over a dozen tractor manufacturers, it can be seen that three types of tractors, namely Hi-Lo power-shift, interval power-shift, and full power-shift, are exhibited. Particularly noteworthy are the UP4004 and HP2804 full power-shift tractors exhibited by Yangzhou Haodi Technology. These represent the most advanced technology in power-shift tractors, indicating that domestic brands have already made breakthroughs in this technology.
A few enterprises have dabbled in CVT technology. As a cutting-edge transmission technology in the tractor industry, CVT technology has long been mastered by leading enterprises in Europe and the United States. However, with the unremitting efforts of Chinese agricultural machinery enterprises such as YTO Group and Weichai Group, significant progress is being made in the mastery and application of CVT technology in China. At recent agricultural machinery exhibitions, the number of enterprises exhibiting CVT tractors has increased significantly. YTO Group showcased its LW4504 and LW2404 models, with LW2404 serving as a quantifiable mainstay model, marking YTO's comprehensive layout in the CVT product line.
As a pioneer in CVT technology, Weichai Lovol exhibited its 3404 model CVT tractor, while Shandong Junma Dao and Luzhong Tractor exhibited their MT2004-V series and LZW260 horsepower CVT tractors respectively, indicating that CVT technology is gradually spreading from industry leaders to second-tier companies and emerging brands, signaling the rise of a wave of technology popularization.
Embracing the hybrid power for technological equality. At the exhibitions held in 2024 and 2025, the most popular tractors were undoubtedly the ECVT (hybrid) models. As an expert mentioned at a forum held concurrently with the exhibitions, tractor companies would feel embarrassed to participate if they didn't have hybrid tractors.
Large enterprises have always been able to strike a blow when they are behind. At this exhibition, the most noteworthy item is Weichai Lovol's electric tractor. An E3404-8H hybrid tractor was exhibited at the Wuhan exhibition, adopting an electric power split technology route, which is significantly different from the series hybrid technology used by Yuchai. Only tractor companies with CVT gearbox development and internal manufacturing capabilities can master this technology route, and the stability and high efficiency of this technology route are evident. In hybrid power, Weichai Lovol has chosen a difficult and less traveled path, but this is precisely determined by the strategic height and capabilities of large enterprises.
In the field of new energy tractors, Lingong Agricultural Machinery, which has been under the spotlight since its debut, continues to maintain its popularity at this exhibition. At the Wuhan exhibition, Lingong exhibited a full range of hybrid tractors from 200 horsepower to 600 horsepower, covering four series: 6E, 7E, 7EA, and 9E, utilizing three technical routes: series connection, wheel-side motor, and power split. The T3804-7EA is a newly launched hybrid tractor this year.
The competition in the new energy tractor industry has just begun, and no one can predict where the dark horse will emerge from. At this exhibition, Zhongnong Bodin gave everyone an unexpected surprise. Many companies in the industry were stunned by the sudden appearance of this enterprise, and even many people were unaware of its existence.
At the 2025 China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition, Zhongnong Boding showcased its full range of BD series hybrid tractors, covering horsepower from 80 to 260, utilizing an extended-range technology approach. It is particularly noteworthy that Zhongnong Boding has made a comprehensive layout across the entire industry chain of hybrid tractors, possessing full-stack technical capabilities ranging from engines, transmissions, axles, cabins, hydraulic components, lifters to control systems, and boasting a high degree of self-reliance. This comprehensive industry chain layout is rare in the industry, demonstrating Zhongnong Boding's profound strength in the field of intelligent agricultural machinery.
Zhongnong Bodin's tractor products are not only technologically advanced but also highly recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, peer OEMs, dealers, and end users. For instance, the 804 model in its power shuttle/shift series is the only model within 100 horsepower in China that comes standard with a variable displacement pump and a power shuttle chassis, offering significant performance advantages. Zhongnong Bodin's flagship product, the 2604, is priced more than 200,000 yuan lower than comparable products on the market, offering an extremely high cost-performance ratio. These details indicate that Zhongnong Bodin not only possesses strong technical capabilities but also has a promising market performance.
Pure electric tractors have been neglected. Currently, pure electric tractors are in a somewhat awkward situation. Compared to the booming electrification of the automotive and construction machinery industries, their electrification process has been quietly progressing. At this exhibition, there were only a few manufacturers exhibiting pure electric tractors. Zhongke Yuandongli launched several new models, while Huanghai Jinma still exhibited the JINMA254ET, and Zhi Shenhehang still exhibited the E904IPRO. However, there were still eye-catching products at the exhibition, such as Weichai Lovol's E2000ET-6 and E504ET-3 pure electric tractors, indicating that Lovol has been preparing products for large and medium-horsepower pure electric tractors. In addition, Huayuejiang launched a 50-horsepower pure electric tractor, and Haodi Technology exhibited a 3004ET pure electric tractor. In summary, although there were eye-catching new models of pure electric tractors, the number of visiting companies was scarce, which seemed abnormal.
New energy sources such as methane and methanol have emerged. New energy tractors should not only be purely electric or hybrid electric, but also include energy sources such as methane, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. These new energy tractors are also in the testing phase in the European and American markets, with New Holland and German Fendt being the most active participants.
At this exhibition, New Holland Agriculture showcased its T6 methane tractor, which was developed in the United States. Zhongke Yuandong exhibited an alcohol-hydrogen direct-drive CVT power tractor (i.e., a tractor fueled by methanol). This tractor, with its advanced design concept and cool appearance, attracted many visitors. Additionally, Shandong Junmadao has also developed a methanol tractor. However, this company is relatively low-key and does not easily launch products that cannot be marketed, so it did not bring any relevant machines to the exhibition. Nevertheless, the new energy tractors brought by New Holland and Zhongke Yuandong will also influence the product development direction of some domestic tractor manufacturers in the future. It is expected that more new energy tractors will appear at the national exhibition in 2026.
In summary, the presence of tractors representing a wider range of technological approaches at the International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition indicates that the competition for technological paths within the domestic tractor industry is becoming increasingly fierce, and enterprises are facing difficulties in choosing their technological paths.
