Meet the Farmers Guardian New Holland T6.180 prizewinner for 2017

While options such as AutoCommand continuously variable transmission, front linkage and pto were available, Mr Mann says he did not want to over-specify the tractor.

“If we decide in 12 months we want to buy the tractor we would end up paying for something which we do not need if we had added more options to the tractor.”

Even in relatively basic specification, Mr Mann’s tractor has been fitted with 12 LED work lights, decent sized 600/65 R38 (rear) and 480/65 R28 (front) tyres, and 380kg rear wheel weights to better handle the New Holland branded 770TL Stohl front loader, supplied by Lynx Engineering with a Trima headstock.

Mr Mann adds: “As we wanted to make full use of the tractor, we asked if we could have a front-loader fitted, and New Holland very kindly obliged.”

The T6.180 is the only model in the T6 range to feature a six-cylinder engine, with the 6.7-litre, FPT motor being coupled to the firm’s 16 by 16 speed Electro Command semi-power shift transmission.

The engine provides 145hp which boosts to a maximum of 175hp during pto and transport work.

As well as being presented with the tractor, Mr Mann got the opportunity to see where it was made, with a trip to New Holland’s factory in Basildon, Essex.

A presentation outlining New Holland and CNH’s history preceded a tour around the assembly plant, which explored the assembly from marrying up of engine and transmission, right through to painting, final assembly and testing.

Waiting for Mr Mann at the end of the tour was his T6 prize.

“I am very impressed with the factory. I have never been around one before so seeing it first-hand is brilliant. We pride ourselves on backing British, so seeing our machine at the end of its British build makes it even more impressive,” he says.

“We cannot wait to get it on the farm where it will be going straight to work. The loader means we can use it to fill our feeder wagon, which frees up our current loader tractor to feed young stock at a second farm.”

The New Holland will join a mixed fleet of machines, ranging from a 2014 Case IH Maxxum 125, John Deere 6430 with loader, McCormick 115, and a number of older Internationals.

Harry says the T6 will take over front-line duties from the Maxxum towing a 2,500 gallon Joskin slurry tanker and doing two silage cuts with a Pottinger Mex 6 trailed harvester.