Imagine a world without tractors. That opening comment kicked off the Tractor of the Year 2022 competition in Europe recently. Italian Pietro Polidori was master of ceremonies.

Polidori highlighted the value of the tractor on the farm, its evolution with new technology, and its range of sizes and capabilities. The TOTY competition, based in Europe, highlights a range of machines in the industry.

Started in 1998, the competition involves companies offering up candidates to the program and a team of 26 journalists from international farm and ag tech media companies as judges. The competition is divided into four categories, each using specific factors to rate machines.

Farm Progress featured a report on the 2021 competition late last year, and now is following up with a look at this year’s candidates for the 2022 competition.

2022 event entrants

Here's a look at the categories and entrants for the 2022 event:

Tractor of the Year. As Fabio Zammaretti, chair of TOTY noted, this category is for the big guys, including open field tractors with no horsepower limits. Also, judges were informed about two competing machines where information won't be available before specific dates. Voting parameters for this class included reviewing the engine, transmission, electronics, hydraulics, comfort, innovative technical features, options, design, and connectivity and precision agriculture.

Here's a rundown of the candidates:

Multipurpose Tractors. This class is designed for tractors over 70 hp with no more than four cylinders, a max operating weight of 23,140 pounds and a maximum wheelbase of 100 inches. Voting parameters include engine, transmission, hydraulics, comfort, innovative technical features, options, design and versatility.

Candidates in this class include:

Specialized Tractors. These are machines designed for orchard, vineyard, and hill and mountain operation. They are rated on engine, transmission, comfort, agility and design.

Candidates in this class include:

Sustainability Award. Machines from all three of the main categories are eligible to take part in this category, looking at fuel use and innovations. It also will highlight a machine that offers precision agriculture connectivity, new types of engines and other features focused on sustainability.

Judges in this event usually get seat time in the machines. While that didn't happen in 2020, this year looks promising for journalists to evaluate the machines based on in-person contact.

The event is sponsored by BKT, the India-based tire maker that produces a wide range of ag tires. Lucia Salmaso, managing director at BKT, noted that the company has a large market share in ag. "The tractor is the most important piece of equipment for any farmer," she said. "We have to develop tires for different types of machines and applications. We consider ourselves an innovator in the tire market."

As the virtual announcement of entrants into Tractor of the Year 2022 wound down, the call was mounted by the host, chair of the event and Salmaso: "Let the challenge begin." Farm Progress will report on who takes the awards in each of the categories later in 2021.

You can learn more at tractoroftheyear.org.