MASSEY FERGUSON 3000 SERIES
When Massey Ferguson changed the course of history of agricultural tractors with the 3000 Series in 1986, it produced a completely new concept, with even the standard Autotronic tractors built from the beginning around the use of electronic control systems. Naturally enough, with such a radical new approach, the initial models would need to be upgraded as time passed.
So far in this article series, we’ve seen how the original 3000 tractors were joined by the bigger 3600 Series machines, after which came the intermediate, 3100 models. Then there was a major revamp that saw the 3600 Series modified greatly, with larger models and the inclusion of the superb Dynashift semi-powershift transmission on top of the Autotronic, Datatronic and Memotronic standard and optional advanced features.
But this isn't the full story, as several new or uprated models were introduced in the original 3000 Series over the same period; models that would bring with them new features and options to the first-ever range of ‘thinking’ tractors.
New, smaller model
The original 3000 Series, as launched in 1986, consisted of four- and six-cylinder tractors ranging from 68 to 107hp. The smallest was the little 3050, which never sold particularly well in the UK, while next up was the 77hp 3060. This was followed by the largest four-cylinder model, the 3070. The two, larger, six-cylinder models were the 100hp 3080 and 107hp 3090 – all featuring Perkins engines.
