Massey Ferguson 8S tractor makes history in Morocco Desert Challenge

Next to the Dakar Rally, the Moroccan event is the second largest rally raid in the world, with eight stages leading entrants into the south of the country and the Sahara Desert. The 8S was entered in the truck category and is the first tractor to enter the event.

While the standard 8S series offers a maximum output of 301hp, the event entry – powered by the 7.4l Agcopower engine, was “tweaked” to deliver 400hp, with an additional fuel tank fitted to cope with an increased thirst.

Transmission choice was the standard Dyna E-Power dual-clutch unit, which MF says combines the benefits of a continuously variable transmission with the ability to transmit power as efficiently as a mechanical transmission.

The choice was driven to address the challenging terrain of sand dunes, requiring the tractor to apply maximum power to the ground without the momentary breaks in drive typically associated with mechanical transmissions during gear or range changes.

The top speed was increased to 75km/h (47m/h) with Michelin Evobib VF 600/70 R30 tyres fitted to the front and VF 710/70 R42 at the rear, with a PTG central tyre inflation system allowing inflation pressure adjustments to suit the varying conditions.

Prepared by Swiss machinery dealer Kufferagri Sarl, additions included a full roll cage with two fully harnessed racing seats and offset controls, a spare wheel mounted on the rear with a 180° pivoting crane, front axle suspension modification, side windows replaced with polycarbonate instead of glass and camera rearview mirrors.

The tractor completed the course in 75th place of 144 overall competitors, hitting fourth place from eight entrants in the truck category, surviving for more than 2000km of rigorous driving and more than 13 hours of continuous gear changes, proving itself a true competition-grade sequential gearbox.