Antonio Carraro TC 6400 F

The engine is a water-cooled four-cylinder diesel of 2,188 cm³ producing 36 kW (50 hp) at 3,000 rpm, with four-wheel drive and a gearbox with 12 forward and 12 reverse gears. The unladen weight is 1,780 kg, and the design top speed is 30 km/h. That leaves comparatively little engine power per tonne of unladen weight, pointing to a light, manoeuvrable tractor rather than a machine for heavy draft work.

A small four-cylinder with four-wheel drive and closely spaced gears in both directions is built for heavy manoeuvring with frequent changes of direction, as found in specialty-crop maintenance or municipal work; at 30 km/h, this tractor falls within Germany's L driving-licence category, which covers vehicles designed for this limited speed. For implements, an engine of this output is usually paired with a category I linkage, which suits smaller tillers, mowers and loader buckets.

When buying this compact tractor used, what matters is the operating hours, the condition of the four-wheel-drive clutch and steering knuckles given heavy manoeuvring, the function of the twelve-step shuttle gearbox, and, if used in a vineyard or orchard, rust on sheet-metal parts from crop-protection chemicals. It is also worth checking the tightness of the hydraulic hoses and the condition of the brakes, since compact tractors with frequent front-loader use are put under particular strain here. Spare parts run through the Antonio Carraro dealer network.