A long established company, the German tractor producer Deutz can trace its roots back to 1864 to its founder Nicolaus August Otto who set up an engine manufacturing company.

With the company portfolio expanding to thrashers and tractors, the Deutz MTH 222 was the company’s first mass produced tractor, launched by the firm in 1927.

By 1955, the company had reached the 100,000 tractor milestone, and acquired a majority shareholding in the FAHR company in 1968, rebranding as Deutz-Fahr, manufacturing both tractors and combine harvesters.

While never a major player in Ireland, the company produced a number of series which have had noted success in the country such as the DX range launched in the late ‘70s, the AgroStar of the late ‘80s and AgroPrima of the early ‘90s.

Worthy of note is the popularity of Deutz air cooled and liquid cooled engines across a variety of both agricultural and industrial applications, including Fendt for a period of time.

In 1995, Deutz-Fahr was acquired by the Italian Same to form Same Deutz Fahr (SDF group) with Deutz Fahr further rebranded to Deutz AG.

The replaced the five and six-cylinder Deutz DX range, with the AgroPrima, which was launched in 1989.

A mid-range line up, it was complimented by the drop nose AgroXtra, and the larger, higher horsepower AgroStar ranges.

At the top end of the AgroPrima range was the 6.16 tractor, which was launched in 1991.

Powered by a six-cylinder Deutz air-cooled 6.2l, F6L 913 engine, naturally aspirated producing 110hp. The tractor is fitted with a 18F/6R 40kph transmission, with an optional crawler gear providing 24F/6R

At the working end of the tractor, hydraulic output is 74l/min with a rear linkage capacity a respectable 5.2 tons, bolstered to 6.5tons when fitted with twinrams.

The tractor has twin PTO stubs to provide both 540 and 1000rpm speeds, fitted side by side. At the scales, the tractor weighs 4.5tons.

The MasterCab of the DX range evolved into the StarCab for the Agro tractors, boasting frameless doors and front windscreen which greatly boosted visibility.

Controls were logically place, with all gear levers, linkage and hydraulic controls falling nicely to the right hand. The near gear lever selects the range and reverse, with the off lever selecting gears-1-6.

Still an option of Deutz tractors, the front windscreen opens fully or on latch to aid ventilation, while a large pane of glass below the back window provided an excellent view of implements. High spec models featured the new AgroTronic electronic linkage and draft control unit.

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