“It's taken the best brains in Massey Ferguson to design and build this brand new range of workhorse tractors,” says Campbell Scott, Director Sales Engineering and Brand Development. “These state-of-the-art tractors are the result of a $350 million investment in a completely new, clean sheet design. They are developed specifically to provide utterly dependable operation in a wide range of applications to meet the needs of a diverse range of farmers world-wide.

“Unlike the majority of other tractors in the sector, which are based on earlier designs and components, the Massey Ferguson Global Series has been designed and built in the 21st Century and is purpose-built for modern applications. While using the very latest, advanced engineering and manufacturing tools and techniques, they still retain our traditional straightforward operation, dependability and value for money,” he says “ and in addition, we have sought where possible to use existing design technology and components from our hugely successful MF 5600 series, which are not only specially developed for the modern era, they allow us to provide local parts and service most efficiently across our whole range of tractors, wherever they are in the world” 

More than 90% of the parts and components in the Global Series are entirely new - designed and engineered specifically for the tractors. Combined laboratory and field testing has reached over 36,000 hours and, reflecting the global nature of the new machines, prototypes have been tested in brutal conditions from Arizona in the USA to Lusaka in Zambia.

The first models will make their public debut at Massey Ferguson's Vision Of The Future event. The 82hp, MF 4708 will then go on sale in Africa and the Middle East, while the 95hp MF 4709 will be launched for Turkey, and the rest of Europe later in the year.

MF 4708 and MF 4709 features:

• MF 4708, 82hp 4 cylinder model for Africa and Middle East markets
• MF 4709, 95hp, Euro-compliant 3 cylinder model for Turkey and rest of Europe
• Latest rugged and advanced engines:
  • MF 4709 powered by an AGCO POWER 3.3 litre, three cylinder turbocharged Euro-compliant engine
  • MF 4708 equipped with an AGCO POWER 4.4 litre, four cylinder turbocharged, Tier 2  mechanical fuel injected unit for African and Middle-Eastern applications
  • Both engines are renowned for their reliability and for delivering , high torque and fuel efficiency.

• Completely new mechanical  gearbox combines modern design and engineering with straightforward operation. Developed by Massey Ferguson engineers in Beauvais, France they offer 8F/8R in the MF 4708 and 12F/12R in the MF 4709. Both are equipped with mechanical reverse shuttle

• Robust rear axle based on existing, proven design from the very latest MF 5600 Series. The modern, heavy duty, structural casting design contains new inboard reduction units and oil-immersed brakes

• Choice of purpose-built 2WD or 4WD front axles with hydrostatic steering, offering excellent manoeuvrability and enhanced traction

• Efficient, modern open-centre high pressure hydraulic system employs a tandem pump to supply the pressure and flow required to control and power the latest implements

• Responsive electronic hitch control combines  straightforward lever operation with advanced electronic control and reliability of the most modern systems. Maximum 3,000kg rear linkage lift capacity helps handle equipment with ease

• 540rpm speed Independent PTO, with easy operation by a three-position rocker switch for optimum reliability

• The initial MF 4708 and MF 4709 models are available with comfortable, footstep or semi-platform operator environments with logical and easy to use controls. A fully approved ROPS frame and optional sun canopy are fitted to protect the operator.

Dependable proven power

The MF 4709 is powered by the very latest 95hp, three cylinder AGCO POWER, 3.3 litre engine. This turbo-charged and intercooled engine, which is well proven in other Massey Ferguson models, complies with the strict Stage 3B/Tier4i emission regulations using external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a maintenance free Diesel Oxidation Filter (DOC).

Also equipped with common rail fuel injection, it generates its rated power at a low 2,200rpm, which reduces fuel consumption, noise and engine wear.

For less regulated countries, the MF 4708 is equipped with a well proven AGCO POWER four cylinder 4.4 litre power unit, with turbocharger. This develops rated power of 82hp at 2,200rpm for optimum fuel economy with reduced wear and noise.

On both models a rear-pivoting bonnet provides excellent access for maintenance and servicing. This lifts to reveal the dipstick on the right hand side, an easy to clean cooling package including the radiator and fuel cooler as well as the battery at the front.

Most modern straightforward transmission

Massey Ferguson engineers at Beauvais, France have developed a completely new transmission with synchronised mechanical reverse shuttle, for the Global Tractor Series.

The gearbox's modern constant mesh, sliding collar design features specially designed gears with a high contact ratio for strength and durability. Unlike helical gears, the straight gears don't require thrust bearings to support the sideloads, which makes them not only more durable, but easier to service.

The MF 4708's gearbox offers eight forward/eight reverse speeds, which are engaged with two straightforward levers mounted either side of the driver's seat. The levers act directly on the selector rails, which offers simple, easy and reliable operation - one lever shifts the gears, while the other selects high or low range.

The MF 4709 is equipped with a 12 forward/12 reverse gearbox, which is built to the same specifications, but provides a novel configuration of six gears in two ranges offering plenty of speed choices, without the need to shift between high and low.

Latest robust rear axle

Both new tractors employ the same robust rear axle that based on existing, proven design from the very latest MF 5600 Series. These are equipped with components engineered to handle the power, performance and specification of the different models.

All models are fitted with oil-immersed multi-disc brakes, mounted at the in-board side of the axle for maximum braking efficiency on the shafts. On semi-platform compliant tractors, two hydraulic master-cylinders control the linkage and expander units provide effective and straightforward operation with minimum pedal force.

The heavy duty, structural casting design contains new inboard reduction units, which increase the strength and rigidity of the axle. These employ epicyclic gears to provide the final speed reduction and increase torque and ensure maximum engine power is transmitted to the ground, maximising traction and performance.

Centre drive four-wheel drive

The modern gearbox design provides an additional output shaft to provide drive to the front axle. The drive shaft is tucked neatly underneath the centre of the gearbox and engine and is fully guarded for protection.

Four-wheel drive is engaged electro-hydraulically on the move, through a simple, robust ‘dog-tooth' clutch. It is permanently engaged by spring pressure and released by hydraulic pressure.

There is also the choice of a purpose-built 2WD front axle, which like the 4WD version has hydrostatic steering.

Completely new hydraulic power

Massey Ferguson has developed a completely new open-centre hydraulic system for the new Global Series, which more than meets the flow and pressure demands for modern applications and implements.

This employs a responsive, high pressure gear pump to supply the main services including rear linkage and auxiliary spool valves, while another pump provides lower pressure for the auxiliary hydraulic circuits including the steering, 4WD and diff-lock engagement as well as PTO control. This dual circuit system ensures there is always sufficient flow for continuous, efficient operations.

The tandem pump is mounted to the right side of the rear housing, with much of the system built into the cover plate. This keeps the oil paths short to minimise operational losses and provides simple and easy access for service and maintenance. An externally mounted, spin-on filter is simple to replace and a warning light alerts the driver when it needs changing. There are also quick-connectors on the cover plate for diagnostic testing couplers.

Ingenious three-point linkage control

A clever combination of electronic linkage control (ELC) with simple lever operation provides operators with the benefit of the most advanced and reliable hydraulic control with ease of use.

The system is operated with two levers, which look just like those on a simple mechanical ‘quadrant' mounted on the right. The one on the outside controls implement depth/height, with the rate of drop is proportional to the lever movement and speed – the faster you lower the lever, the faster the implement drops.

The lever closer to the seat is for draft settings (known as an ‘intermix' lever) and allows operators to control the response from full position control to full draft or anything in between.

The three-point linkage on both models offers a maximum lift capacity of 3,000kg, from two external rams that reduce complexity in the casting and servicing. A special sensing pin in the top link provides the signals for the draft sensing.

Independent PTO eases operation

The MF 4708 and MF 4709 are equipped with a 540rpm/6 spline shaft with independent PTO clutch, which is engaged electro-hydraulically. This well-proven control system provides utmost reliability and ease of use and is controlled simply using a three-position rocker-switch on the operator station. A 540rpm Economy speed will become available as an option.

The independent (IPTO) clutch ‘eases' the engagement, to protect the driveline by gradually taking up the drive. When the clutch is disengaged and the switch placed in neutral, the PTO rotates freely to allow the machine to run down slowly.

Operator comfort and control

The initial MF 4708 will be available with a comfortable, footstep configuration for AME Countries and the MF 4709 with a  semi-platform operator environment, both providing logical and easy to use controls. The MF 4708  for Africa and Middle East will also be equipped with a fully approved ROPS frame and sun canopy to protect the operator, whilst the MF 4709 will be fitted with ROPS and sun canopy as an option.

Following the modern, Massey Ferguson style similar to the higher power tractors, the pivoting bonnet conceals the air cleaner and filter as well as the silencer, with just a narrow exhaust on the right. This provides a clear, unobstructed view to the front and sides.

All controls are operated manually and thanks to good, ergonomic design all fall to hand easily. An analogue instrument panel provides information on engine speed, fuel level and temperature as well as housing the warning lights for 4WD, PTO, diff-lock and other functions. A digital display shows PTO speed, engine hours and forward speed.

On semi-platform tractors the mechanical shuttle lever is located on the dashboard, while this is position down left hand side on footstep versions.