Carraro is a name often heard in the machinery trade, usually in association with transmissions, axles, and final drives for other brands, but little more is known of it than that.

Yet the company is a tractor manufacturer in its own right, producing for itself as well as the likes of John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and Valtra, which may explain why it does not publicise itself to any great extent to farmers outside of its home market.

The company was founded in 1910 by Giovanni Carraro who opened his own workshop at the age of 20 and first entered the agricultural machinery market with a self propelled seeder in 1932.

Carraro seeder — The first Carraro ‘tractor’ was a mechanised seeder with side mounted finger bar mower in 1932

The company began producing tractors in the late 1950s with its first model being produced in 1958, which was known as the Tre Cavallini tractor.

Family split

Two years later, in 1960, Antonio Carraro, youngest son of Giovanni, split away from the the family firm to establish his own tractor production business that specialised in small vineyard tractors suitable for use on steep slopes.

These were low slung articulated machines that could fit between the rows of vines yet provide the power needed for the management of the crop as well as provide a tight turning circle.

Antonio Carraro tractor — The Tractors from Antonio Carraro are articulated four wheel drive machines with a low centre of gravity

Thus there are two Italian tractor manufacturers that carry the Carraro name, Antonio Carraro and Carraro Agritalia, this latter one being the original business and is responsible for tractor production as part of the Carraro Group.

They still remain as separate entities, but have worked together as partners to supplement each other’s ranges over recent years.

Mario Carraro takes the reins

It was during this same period that the company was moved forward dramatically due to the entrepreneurial drive of Mario Carraro, who took over the helm of the company after graduating from high school.

Headquarters — The Carraro group went public in 1995 and is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange as Carraro SpA

In 1964, the company introduced four wheel drive to its range which not only gave the tractors extra grip but added stability on rough ground and when working on hillsides.

Tractor development continued with the emphasis being on small specialist rigid framed tractors as opposed to the articulated units of Antonio Carraro.

Focus on transmissions

The next big step that set the company up to become what it is today occurred in 1973 when it was decided to concentrate on the heart of the tractors, which comprises the transmission and axles.

The design and production of gears and transmission systems is now Carraro’s core business, creating a turnover of €846 million in 2023.

Gearbox and axle — Transmission and axles now form the core of the Carraro group’s business

The mechanical aspect is being increasingly integrated with electronics and the company is involved in the incorporation of the two in not only their own tractors but for other brands as well as the automotive and construction industries.

Move to Rovigo

Yet another milestone was passed in 1977 when the manufacture of tractors was moved to Rovigo in the northeast of Italy where it is still based.

New Holland tractor — Carraro have long been making New Holland specialist tractors, such as this T4F

Being a specialist in small tractors, the company has produced for all the major manufacturers as they seek to fill in the gap at the lower end of their power offerings.

However, the latest partnership with Claas takes another step forward as the new Axos 3 tractors were developed in conjunction with the German company and it has been suggested that they may well be offered in the Carraro livery at some point in the future.

Family split

Mario Carraro takes the reins

Focus on transmissions

Move to Rovigo

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Rovigo

Axles, tractors and the enigma of the Carraro companies