Farmer's Story: Series 6 in Action on the Farm

• The Srnec family farm, established in the 19th century, operates 130 hectares under an organic farming system, raising Charolais beef cattle and growing various crops.

• The farm's machinery fleet primarily consists of ZETOR tractors, including older models and modern Forterra HD 150 tractors, with ZETOR being their preferred brand due to ease of maintenance and affordability.

• The Srnec family tested the new ZETOR Series 6 tractor, noting its advanced automatic modes, fuel efficiency, and ability to handle demanding tasks such as discing, subsoiling, and plowing.

• The Series 6 tractor features user-friendly controls, a large 24-inch monitor, easy tractor maintenance access, and enhanced operator comfort with cab and axle suspension.

• Two prototypes of the Series 6 were tested in the Czech Republic and Germany, logging over 1,000 operating hours, with production and sales planned for 2025.

The Rajhrad farm of the Srnec family is a symbol of tradition, resilience, and a deep love for agriculture. The history of their farm dates back to the 19th century, and today, Tomáš Srnec and his father manage 130 hectares of land under an organic farming system. The farm raises 100 head of Charolais beef cattle and grows crops such as wheat, corn, sunflower, and feed barley. The family, which overcame difficult beginnings in the 1990s, prides itself on self-sufficiency and high-quality machinery.

Farm History and Growth

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"After the restitution in the early 1990s, my father started farming on 50 hectares. We also had a few dairy cows housed in inadequate conditions," recalls Tomáš Srnec. "My father was brave enough to build a completely new cattle barn from scratch. We did everything ourselves—he took out a loan, and step by step, we got to where we are today."

Over the years, the family built the cattle barn, agricultural facilities, and technical infrastructure, ultimately constructing the house they now live in. Today, the farm cultivates 130 hectares of land, half of which they own. In addition to growing crops, they also rear their own beef cattle. "We operate under an organic farming system, which isn't easy, but so far, it's been worth it. Plus, having a herd of 100 beef cattle helps us get through the winter months when the fields aren’t generating income," Srnec adds.

ZETOR: The Heart of the Farm’s Machinery Fleet

Almost all of the Srnec farm's machinery comes from the Czech brand ZETOR. They still use older models, such as the 6211, which was the first tractor they purchased after the restitution, along with two more modern Forterra HD 150 tractors. For forage work, they use a 120-horsepower Valtra, but ZETOR remains their preferred choice.

"We've always been able to repair everything on our ZETOR tractors ourselves. And when we needed professional service, it was affordable, which is a huge advantage over the competition," explains Srnec.

So when ZETOR approached him with the opportunity to test the newly developed Series 6, Tomáš Srnec didn’t hesitate. "We wanted to be part of it because every new ZETOR model has always represented progress."

Series 6: First Impressions and Experience

"We’ve been testing the Series 6 since last summer, and I have to say it’s a huge leap forward," says Srnec. "It’s a modern machine with several automatic modes that require no manual intervention—the tractor adjusts itself based on the specific task or terrain conditions. In my opinion, the Series 6 is now on par with premium competitors."

During the summer, the Series 6 proved itself in transport operations, hauling a 14-ton tandem trailer for hours during harvests. In the fall, it was used for discing with a heavy four-meter Kuhn disc harrow, where fuel consumption in demanding conditions was measured at just 7.5 l/ha. "That’s amazing," Srnec comments.

Another test involved subsoiling with a Lemken subsoiler featuring 11 tines, a 3-meter working width, and combined disc and crumbling rollers. The working depth was 35 cm, reaching up to 40 cm in some areas. "The pressure and resistance during subsoiling were high, but the tractor handled it without any issues," confirms Srnec.

During the discing and subsoiling tests, the Series 6 covered approximately 70 hectares on the farm.

The most demanding test took place at the beginning of winter, when the tractor was used for plowing a seven-year-old alfalfa field spanning more than 10 hectares. "I was surprised at how well the Series 6 handled such tough conditions when paired with a five-furrow reversible Kverneland plow. Yes, we worked at speeds of 3 to 5 km/h, but that was due to the conditions, not the tractor," explains Srnec.

An interesting anecdote from the farmer involved testing the Series 6 on a particularly waterlogged section of land during subsoiling—an area where their Forterra HD 150 had previously sunk down to the transmission. The Series 6, however, succeeded. "The Series 6 went through that area multiple times without any problems, thanks in part to the ability to engage the differential lock," praises Srnec.

Operator Comfort and Easy Maintenance

"The controls are well thought out—everything is within reach. The large 24-inch monitor is easy to read, even for my 70-year-old father," says Srnec, adding, "Radiators and lubrication points are easily accessible, and the DPF regeneration happens fully automatically. The comfort level is completely different now—the cab and axle suspension are perfect."

In recent weeks, the farmer had the opportunity to test the Series 6 equipped with the so-called eco-transmission, offering up to 54 forward and 27 reverse gears. "It’s incredibly comfortable to operate—the machine runs smoothly, and gear transitions happen seamlessly," Srnec concludes.

Testing Results and Future Plans

There are currently two prototypes of the Series 6 that underwent testing with farmers in both the Czech Republic and Germany last year. Both machines logged more than 1,000 operating hours in the field. In the Czech Republic alone, one tractor worked over 800 hours in a year, performing tasks ranging from transportation during grain and silage harvests to plowing, discing, subsoiling, and other soil preparation under various climatic conditions, including freezing winters and scorching summers.

The sale and production of the new Series 6 model are scheduled for 2025. This modern tractor promises to be a reliable assistant not only for the Srnec family farm but for agricultural operations worldwide.