Buying a second-hand tractor: What really matters when it comes to continuously variable transmission (CVT) tractors

Anyone looking for a second-hand tractor with around 100 PS or more these days will almost inevitably end up with a continuously variable transmission. Vario, TTV, CMATIC, AutoPowr – the names may vary, but the principle is similar, and the convenience is undeniable. When buying second-hand, however, this also means that there is more technology involved in the transmission and exhaust after-treatment systems than you can see during a viewing. We’ll show you what matters – from the driving experience during a test drive to the documents you should ask to see.

What ‘continuously variable’ actually means in a tractor

Agrotron 6180 TTV with continuously variable transmission, built in 2025" width="570" height="428" loading="lazy" style="width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:4/3;object-fit:cover;border-radius:6px;display:block;">

A continuously variable tractor transmission no longer has fixed gears. The driver selects the speed, the transmission sets the appropriate gear ratio – whilst keeping the engine within the most economical rev range as far as possible. With Deutz-Fahr, for example, the driver simply sets the target speed using the joystick and then accelerates using the accelerator pedal.

Technically, almost all large tractors operate with what is known as a power split: part of the engine power is channelled via a hydrostatic circuit, the rest via a mechanical one. In this way, the transmission combines the precise controllability of the hydraulics with the high efficiency of the mechanical system. Fendt was the first to introduce this as standard: the Favorit 926 Vario was unveiled at Agritechnica in November 1995 and launched in 1996. Today, every major manufacturer has its own designation:

• Fendt: Vario
• Deutz-Fahr: TTV
• CLAAS: CMATIC
• John Deere: AutoPowr / IVT
• Case IH: CVX · Steyr: CVT · New Holland: Auto Command
• Massey Ferguson: Dyna-VT

Load-shifting or continuously variable – which is right for your farm?

Continuously variable transmission is not automatically better. For pure towing and transport work, a well-maintained power-shift transmission may be the cheaper and simpler choice. The following overview is a rule of thumb based on practical experience, not a precise measurement:

You can find an example of the powershift variant in our range with the Deutz-Fahr 6150.4 RV Shift – the same manufacturer, but with a powershift transmission instead of TTV.

Checklist: How to inspect a second-hand continuously variable transmission (CVT) tractor

Agrotron 6165 TTV in the workshop" width="570" height="428" loading="lazy" style="width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:4/3;object-fit:cover;border-radius:6px;display:block;">

1. Documentation and service history. Ask to see the service log and workshop invoices – particularly the oil changes for the engine, transmission and hydraulics carried out according to the manufacturer’s schedule. With a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a complete service history is worth more than any information in the advert.
2. Are the operating hours plausible? Compare the hour meter with your overall impression: the pedals, steering wheel, seat, footrests and cab glazing will reveal how much the machine has been used. Few hours aren’t automatically a good thing – long periods of inactivity can also cause damage.
3. Read out the fault memory. Modern tractors store fault codes relating to the transmission, engine and exhaust system. Ask whether the dealer can read these out, and check the display for warning messages during the test drive.
4. Test drive when cold and warm. Start off on a slope and under load, reverse several times, manoeuvre slowly, then accelerate briskly to top speed. Listen out for jerking, delays, whistling or humming noises from the gearbox – and note whether the machine behaves differently when cold compared to when warm.
5. Exhaust after-treatment. Current Stage V tractors usually feature an oxidation catalyst (DOC), a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and an SCR catalyst with AdBlue. Ask about warning messages, the regeneration of the particulate filter and any repairs to the AdBlue pump or lines.
6. Hydraulics and PTO. Raise and hold the rear lift under load, cycle through all control valves, and check for leaks on cylinders and hoses. Run the PTO at all speed settings.
7. Axles, four-wheel drive and suspension. Check for play in the steering and steering knuckles; on four-wheel-drive tractors, also check the output flange. The front axle and cab suspension must operate evenly.
8. Tyres and cab. Check tread depth, cracks and even wear; in the cab, test the air conditioning, heating, lighting and all controls.
9. GPS and activations. Many tractors are offered with a steering system and RTK. Clarify which licences and correction signals are included with the vehicle and whether any subscriptions or activations will be transferred to you.

How many operating hours are acceptable?

There is no fixed limit. A tractor with many, but well-documented, operating hours from a contracting firm may be in better condition than a farm tractor with few hours that has stood unused for years without maintenance. The key factors are maintenance records, the nature of the work (heavy transport, frequent PTO use, front loader operation) and the condition of the machine during the test drive. Use the number of operating hours as a starting point for questions – not as the sole basis for your judgement.

Dealer or private seller, new or used?

Deutz-Fahr 6190 TTV Warrior, new, year of manufacture 2023 · view listing

At a specialist dealer, you’ll usually get a machine that’s been thoroughly checked, access to diagnostic equipment and a workshop that’s familiar with the model. Ask specifically about the warranty or guarantee and get the agreement in writing. An important practical point: where possible, buy a brand for which spare parts and a workshop are available in your local area – even the best machine is of little use if it is out of action for weeks in the event of a breakdown.

Demonstration machines and stock tractors offer an interim solution: often with just a few hours’ use, some still under warranty, but cheaper than a new tractor at list price. Check on a case-by-case basis what terms still apply. We also have such machines in stock, such as a CLAAS Arion 660 demonstration model with front loader and GPS RTK, or a CLAAS Axion 960 demonstration model.

Where to look

On machinery-market.eu, you’ll currently find around 40 tractors – new, used and as demonstration models – with the year of manufacture, operating hours and photos for each machine. There is a particular focus on Deutz-Fahr continuously variable transmission (CVT) tractors from Petri & Söhne, for example:

• Deutz-Fahr 5105 DS TTV, built in 2023 – a compact continuously variable tractor for farmyards and grassland
• Deutz-Fahr 6125C TTV, built in 2024
• Deutz-Fahr 6190 TTV, year of manufacture 2021
• Deutz-Agrotron 7250 TTV, built in 2014
• Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 8280 TTV, built in 2022 – for large areas and heavy implements

Mecklenburger Landtechnik also offers other continuously variable transmission systems, such as the CLAAS Axion 950 CMATIC, the Steyr 6200 CVT or the John Deere 6230R with CommandPRO. Anyone looking for a new tractor will find, amongst others, the Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 6180 TTV and the Agrotron 6165 TTV. Suitable attachments are available for soil preparation, ploughs, hay turners and rakes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between TTV and Vario?

Both are continuously variable tractor transmissions with a power split: part of the power is transmitted hydrostatically, the rest mechanically. TTV is Deutz-Fahr’s designation, whilst Vario is Fendt’s. There are differences in operation, driving strategies and equipment – but the basic principle is similar.

Is a continuously variable transmission a risk when buying second-hand?

Not necessarily. Continuously variable transmissions have been in series production since the mid-1990s and are now standard in the higher power classes. It is important to ensure that maintenance has been carried out in full in accordance with the manufacturer’s schedule, that the fault memory has been cleared, and that a thorough test drive is carried out both when the engine is cold and when it is warm.

How many operating hours are acceptable for a second-hand tractor?

There is no fixed limit. Maintenance records, the type of use and the condition observed during the test drive are more indicative than the sheer number of hours. Even tractors with very few hours on the clock should be checked for standstill damage.

What does Stage V mean for a tractor?

Stage V is the current EU emissions standard for engines in mobile machinery. Tractors usually comply with this standard by means of an oxidation catalytic converter, a diesel particulate filter and an SCR catalytic converter that uses AdBlue. When buying second-hand, you should ask about warning messages, filter regeneration and repairs to the AdBlue system.

What should I look out for regarding GPS and RTK on a second-hand tractor?

Before purchasing, check which licences and activations are included with the vehicle, whether a correction signal subscription is transferred, and whether the terminal and receiver are included in the scope of delivery.