1. period 1946 – 1956

Brand Origin and First Legendary Models

Tractors of the Zetor brand began to write their history in the post-war period. The first Zetor tractor, the Z 25, was "baptised" on 15 March 1946. Five months later the Chamber of Commerce and Trade of the Czechoslovak Republic issued a trademark for the Zetor brand. Tractors of the Zetor brand began to write their history in the post-war period. The first Zetor tractor, the Z 25, was "baptised" on 15 March 1946. Five months later the Chamber of Commerce and Trade of the Czechoslovak Republic issued a trademark for the Zetor brand.

The brand, like all congenial things, was born easily and simply: as the transcript of the letter "Z", used in the logo of the Brno Zbrojovka engineering plant where the first tractors were made, combined with the last two letters of the word "tractor". In 1954 the research and development base was founded for Zetor. In that period the fields welcomed, following the extremely successful Zetors 25 and 15, the more powerful Zetor 30, and in 1956 a new more robust model, the Zetor 50 Super, was born, with an engine power of 50 hp (37 kW).

2. period
1956-1966
2. period 1956 – 1966

Part Unification Concept – First Unified Tractor Series

After the brand’s first decade of existence, in addition to the already popular tractors, the crawler Zetor Super P was born and first introduced at the second Czechoslovak engineering exhibition at the Brno Fair Grounds in 1956.

A couple of years later Zetor became the first in the world to apply the progressive and unique concept of using unified elements in tractor manufacture, i.e. the use of identical parts in different models for the considerable simplification of manufacture and servicing. In 1960 the company launched the Zetor 3011 - the basic model of the revolutionary unified series - UR I. Other models of this series followed – the Zetor 2011 and 4011 - where a new numerical identification of the individual models was introduced for the different modifications.

3. period
1966-1976
3. period 1966 – 1976

Power Increase – Crystal

In that decade Zetor responded to customer requirements of higher tractor power. The assumed power was to range between 80 and 160 hp (59 – 118 kW). The tangible results of these efforts were represented by new tractors of another unified series, the UR II.

Model 8011, the first of the series, collected several prizes at home and abroad immediately after its launch. The reason was that it used a number of progressive technical solutions which were not usual at that time, and in addition its design and ergonomics of operation were also considered in its development and manufacture. From 1968 Zetor tractors with the new name of Crystal were introduced into mass production. The modern concept of the construction design of this series became a milestone in tractor innovation and attracted great attention at international agricultural exhibitions.

4. period
1976-1986
4. period 1976 – 1986

Brand Name Company

On 1 November 1976 the already world-famous Zetor brand also became the name of the company. The Zetor company continued in the development of tractors of the UR II series. In 1975 the market saw the first six-cylinder model, the 12011.

In the late seventies manufacture began to be transferred to the Slovak Heavy Machinery Plants (ZTS) in Martin, where innovated types of these tractors were manufactured under the brand ZTS with three subsequent modernisations. The UR I series was also modernised and improved. After transfer of manufacture of the UR II Crystal series to Slovakia the UR I again became the major part of the product portfolio of Zetor. The tractors were equipped with a robust and yet comfortable and safe cab, increased power at lower fuel consumption and improved transmissions with a higher gear range.

5. period
1986-1996
5. period 1986 – 1996

Third Unified Series and Innovations of the UR I

In this development stage Zetor commenced manufacture of the series UR III, whose concept and technical parameters were in response to increased customer demand, especially for power. In 1992, shortly after the commencement of manufacture of tractors of this unified series, innovated tractors of the UR I series were launched under the commercial name Major.

In 1997 five updated models introduced another significant construction change to the UR I series. Tractors with the commercial name Super are driven by three- and four-cylinder engines within the power range of 45 to 82 hp (33 – 60 kW). In the design field rounded mudguard and cab shapes returned and the bonnet was tilted forwards for improved visibility. Further changes included improved hydraulics, a new modern design of the cab interior with ergonomic layout of the controls including side location of the gear lever, increased speed (40 km/h) and an extended offer of optional accessories.

6. period
1996-2006
6. period 1996 – 2006

Decade of Changes

The company had been privatised and its name changed to Zetor, a.s. (joint-stock company) on 1 July 1993, and during this period Zetor underwent many changes. In 2000 a revitalisation programme was adopted and on 22 April 2002 the Government of the Czech Republic approved the sale of the state interest in the company to HTC holding.

This company immediately started the process of financial stabilisation of the company, together with massive restructuring. At the same time the development and innovation process of the UR I continued with the main focus on fulfilment of the stricter regulations of advanced markets for environment protection. The previous models of this series were replaced in 2004 with modern UR I tractors known as the Proxima series, meeting the strained emission limits. Development of the UR III series also continued, with significant modernisation and a new launch in 1998 under the brand name Forterra.

7. period
2006-2012
7. period 2006 – 2012

Return to Increased Power – Start of the Future

In 2007 the portfolio of Zetor was extended with the Proxima Plus series, equipped with a front and rear axle for heavy loads. In late 2008 production commenced of the Proxima Power series, equipped with an interesting new development - a transmission with electro-hydraulic reverse gear selection, allowing for reverse gear shifting under load.

A new development of the Forterra series in 2010 was the model 135 with a new engine, Z 1605, with the power of 136 hp (100 kW) and a sixteen-valve cylinder head. In 2011 Zetor introduced further improvements of the Proxima, Proxima Plus and Proxima Power series. The tractors were marked with a new type ID. The main modernisation was the introduction of mechanic hydraulics with top-link load sensing. In 2012 the latest development of the product portfolio was introduced under the name Forterra HSX – the strongest and best equipped tractor. The model series Forterra and later also the Forterra HSX have, since 2011, been equipped with the HitchTronic system of automatic regulation of the rear three-point hitch.

8. period
2016-?
8. period 2016 – 2020

ZETOR by Pininfarina

Over the past years, the ZETOR brand has been enriched again. It won new customers, entered new markets, dealt with many challenges and succeeded in gradual extension of the product portfolio totalling in the current eight model ranges with power from 20 to 170 hp.

The ever on-going product innovation roots from the wishes of our customers. All this packed in elegant design ZETOR by Pininfarina which has been applied to all model ranges of tractors from 80 hp upwards since 2020.

9. period
2021 - ?