Zetor

The history of Zetor starts in 1946 when the first tractor was produced by Zbrojovka Brno, branded Zetor 25. The Zetor trademark was registered in the same year, and mass production of Zetor tractors started on 7 August 1946. By 1947, about 3400 had been produced. In 1948, the Zetor 15 was approved for production, and it was manufactured until 1949. The Zetor 25A and 25K were manufactured until 1961, and 158,570 were produced, of which 97,000 were exported. The Zetor 35, with a 42 hp (31 kW) four-cylinder engine, was manufactured from 1955 to 1960 and then, as the upgraded Zetor 50 version, until 1968.

In 1952, Zetor moved to a new location within Brno, Líšeň, where all tractors have since been produced.

In the late 1950s, ZETOR was the first to introduce the concept of using unified parts to produce tractors worldwide. The Unified Series I (UŘ I.) was launched, with the models 2011, 3011, and 4011, with two, three, and four-cylinder engines.In 1968, the Unified Series II (UŘ II) was launched. Its development involved technical collaboration with the Polish tractor manufacturer Ursus, particularly in exchanging engineering knowledge and design principles. The series introduced many innovative features for its time, including the world's first safety cabin with a rollover protection system mounted on vibration isolators. The new cabin also reduced noise levels inside to below 85 dB. Thanks to these innovations, the Zetor brand gained international recognition.

In the 1970s, the first six-cylinder Zetor Crystal 12011 tractor was designed. In 1976, Zetor became the name of both the brand and the company. The company continued to evolve and, in 1991, the Unified Series III was launched. It was upgraded at the turn of the millennium and was branded the Zetor Forterra.

The Unified Series III (UŘ III) was launched in 1992, with models 7520, 7540, 8520, 8540, 9520, 9540, and 10540, having power outputs of between 82 and 103 hp (61 and 77 kW), badged as Model 92. In 1994, the 7320 Turbo and 7340 Turbo models extended the range. In 1997, the production of models 3321 super-7341 super turbo was launched, badged Model 97.

The turn of the millennium was a period of significant change for the Zetor brand. It could have disappeared because the state-owned enterprise faced bankruptcy. In June 2002, HTC Holdings of Slovakia became the new owner of Zetor. The new owners invested money to stabilise and restructure the enterprise.

Current models

Zetor produces six tractor model ranges: Zetor Utilix, Zetor Hortus, Zetor Major, Zetor Proxima, Zetor Forterra, and Zetor Crystal. There are a total of 15 Zetor models in production as of early 2025.

Utilix and Hortus

The new Utilix and Hortus lineups were introduced in the first quarter of 2018. New tractors are small and light, equipped with 4-cylinder engines with power outputs of between 43 and 67 hp (32 and 50 kW).

Zetor Major

The Zetor Major range was launched in early 2002. It was a simple tractor with a power output of 80 hp (60 kW), appreciated for its reliability and low operating costs. In 2015, the Major range was extended by a new type Major 60 with a power output of 61 hp (45 kW). In late 2016, the company launched a new Major HS, which offered higher comfort while retaining low operation costs. Tractors of the Major range, included in the medium-power class, are appreciated for easy operation and service.

Zetor Proxima

The Proxima range entered the market in 2004. It is a universal farming tractor employing Zetor four-cylinder engines. They could be used in conjunction with farming machines, industrial adaptors, and in farming transport. They were mostly used in farming, forestry, and community service. Zetor manufactured three types: Proxima CL, Proxima GP, and Proxima HS, with power outputs ranging from 80 to 120 hp (60–89 kW), with a range of transmissions. They also offered creeper gears in the CL model, up to three-stage PowerShift or PowerShuttle.