Chinese automakers have become global powerhouses making competitively-priced cars with advanced technology and electric power. That same playbook is being rolled out in the agricultural machinery market.
Chinese machinery manufacturer Zoomlion made its debut at Agritechnica in Germany this week, exhibiting nine new machines and implements, including a hybrid combine harvester and a series of hybrid tractors.
The H7-600E harvester has drawn plenty of attention at the show, as the world's first hybrid large-capacity combine. It pairs a 480-horsepower diesel engine with a 11.55 kWh battery, delivering more than 600 horsepower, according to the company.
The combine, which is reportedly off to North America for testing after the show in Germany, has electric motors in place of some main belt and chain drives on traditional combines, resulting in a 30 per cent energy saving, the company says.
Zoomlion's flagship DV3504 hybrid tractor on display in Germany also features a diesel-electric drivetrain, with a proprietary distributed intelligent electric drive system, delivering 119 kN of traction and 227 L/min hydraulic output. The company says the self-driving capable tractor can autonomously generate optimal paths, execute various turning maneuvers, and maintain centimeter-level accuracy.
Earlier this fall, Zoomlion also debuted the world's largest hybrid tractor — the DX7004 — which has a dual-motor hybrid powertrain which the company says provides up to 1,200 (!) horsepower and 4,500 Nm of torque.
Historically a construction machinery company, Zoomlion entered the farm machinery market in 2014 and acquired Germany manufacturer RABE in 2020. It introduced three tillage machines under the RABE brand at Agritechnica: the SUPER ALBATROS intelligent plow, the PHOENIX T 600 tillage machine, and the PANDION M 500 disc harrow.
The world's largest trade show for agricultural machinery runs Nov. 9-15, 2025 in Hanover, Germany.
