Question 1

How do you convert kW to HP for a tractor or plant machine?

Accepted Answer

To convert kilowatts to horsepower, multiply the kW figure by 1.341. For example, a 74 kW engine has 74 × 1.341 = 99.2 HP — approximately 100 HP. To convert HP to kW, multiply by 0.7457. A 100 HP engine has 100 × 0.7457 = 74.57 kW. Most manufacturers quote engine power in both HP and kW on their specification sheets.

Question 2

What is the difference between engine HP and PTO HP on a tractor?

Accepted Answer

Engine horsepower is the power produced at the crankshaft. PTO horsepower is the power available at the power take-off shaft after losses through the gearbox and transmission. A tractor typically delivers approximately 85% of its engine power at the PTO. So a 100 HP engine tractor produces approximately 85 HP at the PTO. When selecting implements, always check whether the manufacturer quotes minimum engine HP or minimum PTO HP — they are not the same figure.

Question 3

How many HP is 100 kW?

Accepted Answer

100 kW = 134.1 HP (100 × 1.34102). In tractor terms, a 100 kW tractor is approximately a 134 HP machine. Common tractors in this power range include the John Deere 6130R (130 HP / 96 kW), Massey Ferguson 6S.155 (155 HP / 114 kW) and New Holland T6.145 (145 HP / 107 kW).

Question 4

How many kW is 100 HP?

Accepted Answer

100 HP = 74.57 kW (100 × 0.7457). This is approximately 75 kW. Common tractors in this power range include the John Deere 5100R (100 HP / 74 kW) and Massey Ferguson 5S.105 (105 HP / 78 kW).

Question 5

What is the difference between HP and PS on a tractor?

Accepted Answer

HP (horsepower) is the imperial/US measurement where 1 HP = 0.7457 kW. PS (Pferdestärke, German for horsepower) is metric horsepower where 1 PS = 0.7355 kW. The difference is small — about 1.3% — but older European machinery specifications sometimes used PS. A 100 PS tractor produces 98.6 HP by the imperial definition. Modern UK manufacturers use HP (sometimes called bhp — brake horsepower) and kW. You will see PS on older German-manufactured machinery (Deutz, Fendt, Claas) from before the 1990s.

Question 6

How much horsepower do I need to run a round baler?

Accepted Answer

A small 4ft round baler requires a minimum of 45–65 HP tractor. A large 5ft round baler in heavy crop conditions requires 70–110 HP. The PTO demand of a round baler is not constant — it spikes as a bale forms and ties, so a tractor working near its limit will struggle at tying points. Allow at least 20% headroom above the baler manufacturer's minimum recommendation.

Question 7

How much horsepower do I need to run a 4-furrow plough?

Accepted Answer

A 4-furrow plough requires approximately 90–130 HP depending on soil type, ploughing depth, and work rate. Heavy clay soils at full depth can demand 130 HP or more. Light sandy soils at shallower depth may be achievable at 80 HP. As a general rule, allow 20–25 HP per furrow on average UK soils. Always allow power headroom — a tractor working at maximum tractive effort continuously puts severe strain on the transmission.

Question 8

What does boosted HP mean on a tractor?

Accepted Answer

Many modern tractors have a boost function that temporarily increases engine power above the rated figure in specific conditions — typically under PTO load or at transport speeds. For example, a tractor rated at 150 HP may boost to 170 HP under PTO load. The boosted figure is not sustained indefinitely and is managed by the engine control unit. When comparing tractors, check whether the quoted HP is the base rating or the boosted figure — specifications sometimes quote the boosted figure prominently.

Make	Model	Engine HP	Engine kW	Approx. PTO HP
Massey Ferguson	MF 5S.105	105	78	89
Massey Ferguson	MF 5S.125	125	92	106
Massey Ferguson	MF 6S.155	155	114	132
Massey Ferguson	MF 6S.180	180	132	153
Massey Ferguson	MF 7S.210	210	154	179
Massey Ferguson	MF 7S.235	235	173	200
Massey Ferguson	MF 8S.265	265	195	225
Massey Ferguson	MF 8S.305	305	224	259
Massey Ferguson	MF 135	45	33	38
Massey Ferguson	MF 165	65	48	55
Massey Ferguson	MF 185	80	59	68
Massey Ferguson	MF 290	90	66	77
Massey Ferguson	MF 390	90	66	77
Massey Ferguson	MF 3090	90	66	77
John Deere	5075E	75	55	64
John Deere	5090R	90	66	77
John Deere	5100R	100	74	85
John Deere	6110R	110	81	94
John Deere	6120R	120	88	102
John Deere	6130R	130	96	111
John Deere	6145R	145	107	123
John Deere	6175R	175	129	149
John Deere	6195R	195	143	166
John Deere	6230R	230	169	196
John Deere	7230R	230	169	196
John Deere	7270R	270	199	230
John Deere	7310R	310	228	264
John Deere	8320R	320	235	272
John Deere	8370R	370	272	315
New Holland	T5.100	100	74	85
New Holland	T5.120	120	88	102
New Holland	T6.145	145	107	123
New Holland	T6.180	180	132	153
New Holland	T7.210	210	154	179
New Holland	T7.245	245	180	208
New Holland	T7.290	290	213	247
New Holland	T8.350	350	257	298
New Holland	T8.410	410	301	349
New Holland	TM155	155	114	132
New Holland	TM190	190	140	162
Case IH	Farmall 100C	100	74	85
Case IH	Maxxum 145	145	107	123
Case IH	Maxxum 150	150	110	128
Case IH	Puma 150	150	110	128
Case IH	Puma 185	185	136	157
Case IH	Puma 220	220	162	187
Case IH	Optum 270	270	199	230
Case IH	Optum 300	300	221	255
Case IH	Magnum 340	340	250	289
Case IH	Magnum 380	380	279	323
Fendt	514 Vario	140	103	119
Fendt	516 Vario	165	121	140
Fendt	720 Vario	200	147	170
Fendt	724 Vario	240	177	204
Fendt	728 Vario	283	208	241
Fendt	824 Vario	240	177	204
Fendt	828 Vario	287	211	244
Fendt	930 Vario	300	221	255
Fendt	936 Vario	360	265	306
Fendt	942 Vario	421	310	358
Claas	Arion 510	116	85	99
Claas	Arion 550	145	107	123
Claas	Axion 810	205	151	174
Claas	Axion 840	235	173	200
Claas	Axion 870	270	199	230
Claas	Xerion 4000	395	290	336
Valtra	N135	135	99	115
Valtra	N174	174	128	148
Valtra	T174	174	128	148
Valtra	T214	214	157	182
Valtra	S294	294	216	250
Valtra	S374	374	275	318
Deutz-Fahr	5120	120	88	102
Deutz-Fahr	6145	145	107	123
Deutz-Fahr	6175	175	129	149
Deutz-Fahr	7250 TTV	250	184	213
Deutz-Fahr	9340 TTV	340	250	289
JCB	Fastrac 4220	220	162	187
JCB	Fastrac 4160	160	118	136
JCB	Fastrac 8330	335	246	285
JCB	3CX	74	54	63
JCB	4CX	109	80	93
Ford	3000	37	27	31
Ford	4000	52	38	44
Ford	5000	65	48	55
Ford	6600	86	63	73
Ford	7600	96	71	82
Ford	TW-20	130	96	111
Ford	TW-35	170	125	145
David Brown	880	42	31	36
David Brown	990	55	40	47
David Brown	1200	72	53	61
David Brown	1490	90	66	77
Kubota	M5-092	92	68	78
Kubota	M7-153	153	112	130
Kubota	M135GX	135	99	115
Landini	Series 6-120	120	88	102
Landini	Series 7-185	185	136	157

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