Independent Technologies Break Western Monopoly, Marking China’s Leap to Global Leadership in High-End Agricultural Machinery

On October 9, 2025, China’s leading equipment manufacturer Zoomlion held a product launch event in Changsha to unveil the world’s first 700-horsepower wheeled tractor—DX7004.
Developed over eight years, this flagship model not only breaks the global record for wheeled tractor horsepower but also features three core proprietary technologies, signaling China’s complete independence from European and American dominance in high-end agricultural machinery—a historic shift from “follower” to “leader.”

Independent CVT System: Solving the “Choke Point” Problem

At the launch, Wang Jian, Director of Zoomlion’s Agricultural Machinery R&D Center, presented the DX7004’s core innovation—the independently developed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system.

“In the past, CVT technology for tractors above 200 horsepower was monopolized by companies such as Germany’s ZF and U.S.-based AGCO,” Wang explained.
“Chinese manufacturers had to either pay extremely high prices for imported systems or rely on outdated mechanical transmissions.”

The DX7004’s CVT underwent 12 rounds of optimization, overcoming 23 key technical challenges in hydraulic precision and electronic coordination.
Using intelligent algorithms, the system automatically adjusts power output based on soil moisture and tillage depth.

“For example, when plowing the black soil of northeast China, the system senses real-time soil resistance and dynamically matches torque. Efficiency is over 30% higher than imported models, while fuel consumption per mu drops by 1.2 liters,” Wang noted.

During live demonstrations, the DX7004 switched seamlessly between clay and sandy soil modes, with power response times of just 0.8 seconds—nearly twice as fast as competing imported machines.
The system also features self-diagnosis and remote support via the BeiDou satellite network, allowing engineers to resolve up to 80% of field issues remotely, eliminating the need for costly on-site service from foreign technicians.

Hybrid Power + Autonomous Driving: Redefining Field Operations

Another highlight is the DX7004’s hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.0T diesel engine paired with a 150 kW electric motor.
The system automatically switches between modes based on workload:

• For heavy-duty operations such as deep tillage, both engines work together to achieve 700 horsepower.

• For light-duty seeding or short-distance transfers, it switches to pure electric mode, reducing noise from 95 dB to just 55 dB—the volume of a normal conversation.

“In field tests conducted in the Xinjiang Production Corps, a DX7004 operated for 12 hours straight, transferring 30 kilometers entirely in electric mode—without burning a drop of fuel,” said Li Gang, Zoomlion’s Agricultural Machinery Marketing Director.
“The hybrid system cuts total fuel consumption by 20%, and farmers can save over ¥60,000 (≈US$8,200) in fuel costs per machine per year.”

Equipped with the BeiDou-3 autonomous navigation system, the DX7004 achieves centimeter-level precision.
In night operation tests, the tractor maintained a ±2.5 cm deviation—identical to daytime accuracy—without headlights.

“Previously, operators had to monitor the field lines constantly. Now, one person can supervise three tractors simultaneously, cutting labor costs by 60%,” said Zhang Jianjun, a farm owner in Xinjiang, via live video.

Taishan GT1004: Rising Star in Mid-Power Smart Tractors

While Zoomlion’s DX7004 sets a new benchmark in the high-power segment, Taishan Tractor’s GT1004 is making waves in the mid-power category.
Powered by a 100 HP high-efficiency four-cylinder engine, the GT1004 features dual-speed PTO and synchronized high-low gear shifting, ideal for plowing, rotary tillage, seeding, and transport operations.

Compared with traditional 100 HP tractors, the GT1004 excels in comfort, intelligence, and efficiency:

• Digital dashboard displaying real-time speed, fuel consumption, and work area.

• Optional GPS navigation for route planning and data recording.

• Enhanced hydraulic lift with 3.5-ton capacity for various implements.

• Fuel-saving design, reducing total consumption by about 10%.

The GT1004 has been exported to Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, becoming a top choice for medium-sized farms and family-operated agriculture.

Experts note that the GT1004’s international success, alongside the DX7004’s breakthrough, demonstrates the full-spectrum advancement of China’s agricultural machinery industry—from mid-range to high-end products—ushering in the era of “Smart Made in China.”

Targeting Global Markets: Challenging International Giants

The DX7004 will enter mass production in Q1 2026, serving both domestic large-scale farmland construction and overseas markets in Southeast Asia and South America.
“Global high-end tractor markets have long been dominated by John Deere and CNH Industrial,” said Li Gang.
“Their 700-horsepower models sell for around ¥6 million, while our DX7004 is priced at ¥3.8 million, with after-sales service that’s three times faster.”

Zoomlion has established agricultural machinery service centers in Brazil and Pakistan to support localized after-sales and parts supply.
Meanwhile, Taishan Tractor is finalizing European certification and plans to open a spare parts hub in South America by late 2025.

According to Chen Zhi, President of the China Agricultural Machinery Industry Association:

“The DX7004 marks a milestone in China’s agricultural machinery development. For decades, we’ve been strong in low- and mid-end markets but constrained in the high-end segment. Now, with both high-end models like the DX7004 and intelligent mid-range machines like the Taishan GT1004, Chinese companies are achieving full-spectrum competitiveness.”

Industry analysts predict that within 3–5 years, China’s share of the global high-end tractor market will grow from the current 5% to over 20%, completing the transformation from a manufacturing nation to a manufacturing power.