The Ferrari Vega tractor range has been named on the shortlist for the Specialist Tractor of the Year award for 2008. The annual award commends design and innovation in the tractor industry, and the three model Vega range – imported into the UK by Kent based Lamberhurst Engineering Limited - is full to the brim with features that will assist its operator. The winner of the award is due to be announced at the Agritechnica event in Hannover, which opens to the public on the 13th November.

Featuring three models from 64 to 92hp, the Ferrari Vega range offers an innovative reverse drive facility within a compact package. Available in narrow AR (articulated steering with ROPS frame), RS (dual steer – articulated with turning front axle) or MT (articulated steering with cab) variants, the Vega is ideally suited to a number of tasks.

The tour de force, however, is the reverse drive feature. The whole steering, control console and seat is easy to lift up and secure in the opposite direction, taking mere seconds. All cables are secured and kept within the console to reduce the possibility of damage.

Standard is a 16 x 16 synchronised gearbox with a range of gears from 0.7 to 40kph, in both directions. The forward/reverse shuttle is always operated according to the direction of travel but the gear levers remain in a fixed position and do not rotate. Also standard is electro hydraulic spool valve controls, with up to eight outlets plus an automatic parking brake system.

Having a reverse drive feature means that the Vega range is an ideal tractor for many specialist and conventional operations, including mowing in tight or difficult areas where a normal tractor cannot access due to height or width restrictions. A wide variety of options allow a machine to be specified to suit a specific requirement.