THE hot topic at the big McCormick tractor launch at the unseasonally warm Tangalooma Resort, Moreton Bay island, near Brisbane, was the spicy news of a debuting Indian marque, thereby swelling the burgeoning stable of products on offer from its northern hemisphere factories.
Well known for its high horsepower tractors, it looks to be shoring up its position in the smaller capacity lifestyle market by moving to strengthen its grip at both ends of this country’s highly competitive tractor sector.
General manager, ag division, PFG Australia, Doug Robinson underscored how India is one of the world’s fastest-emerging tractor production markets, crediting it for becoming known as a “very resourceful” centre of business.
The company’s new RX75 tractor, made by International Tractors, is the outcome of a joint venture between McCormick, Yanmar and Sonalika. Its three factories build 39,000 tractors annually, offering products that range in capacity from 22kW to 67kW (30hp to 90hp).
Labelling it a “good second-tier” tractor, Mr Robinson said International Tractors worked with the Italian-based Carraro and Pinninfarina companies when developing the newcomer’s axles/tranmissions, also the noted design house, respectively.
“First impressions count,” he said.
“It’s a cracking piece of kit – strong, compact and delivers the horsepower.”
For the record, the four-cylinder RX75 pushes out 56kW (75hp), is equipped with a syncro shuttle type transmission delivering three ranges with four gears in each.
Useful-looking hydraulic power comes courtesy of a 44L/m pump with a price tag that should see it quickly make in-roads into the market place.
When it comes to the “big boy’s toys,” however, Mr Robinson talked up the company’s new MTX line up equipped with the very latest Tier 3 engine technology.
Sporting ‘sexier’ front grilles, rounded mudguards, new light clusters, plus re-vamped dash layouts and right hand consoles, also a four post cab, they are described as modern, “21st century-style tractors” with delivery issues now a thing of the past.
This is a reference to McCormick’s acknowledged lacklustre supply from Europe during ’08 as parent company Argo closed its Doncaster plant in the UK, moving production, also R and D, to Italy.
With the new assembly line bedded in, the re-organistion process is complete and prospects look brighter than ever since Argo has further expansion plans for its recent 10m Euro investment in a purpose-built cab factory.
Three models make up the MTX range, namely its six-cylinder Beta-Power MTX 120, MTX 135 and MTX 150 (120hp, 133hp and 150hp) units with these big cultivations tractors relying on a sturdy 16F/12R transmission incorporating a four-speed power shift facility.
There’s further appeal in the shape of an active cab suspension system linked to their hydraulics, one that irons out bumps courtesy of a potentiometer fitted between the axle and the workstation. Naturally, there’s a front suspension, too.
Meanwhile, new Tier 3 Perkins engines, transmission up-grades and a new cab are the stand-out features of the bread-and-butter three-strong CX range which deliver 61kW, 68kW and 75kW (83hp, 92.5hp and 102hp), courtesy of its CX90, CX100 and CX110 units respectively.
Interestingly, the engineers have quietened the cab by an astonishing 3dBA, moving the air conditioning unit to the back pillar and provided a sun roof to make for less neck-craning when operating a loader.
The provision of 30 percent more convex glass gives a roomier feel to the cab which comes with a tilt and telescope steering wheel and, importantly, a good view of the rear drawbar.
The hearts of these tractors – their Xtrashift transmissions – provide drivers with four gears, three power shift speeds. A natty-looking thumb switch on the gear lever facilitates forward and reverse modes through 24F and 24R speeds able to deliver an exhilerating 40kph in either direction.
Meanwhile, continuity of supply, an issue that also has dogged the Versatile franchise – another of PFG Australia’s tractor brands – also has been resolved with high hopes for its latest four wheel assist tractor, the 210kW (280hp) model equipped with an 8.3L Cummins power plant.
Its new Russian owners, the Rostselmash organisation, say the Winnipeg production plant is on track to double annual production to about 5,000 units with Australian producers in line to access up to three slightly smaller capacity machines in due course.
Much was made at the launch of their acknowledged strength, simplicity and reliability, making them ideal for broadacre work using a “straightforward” 18-speed transmission that is designed to get the best out of the six-cylinder, turbocharged and common rail type engine.
The investment being channelled in to these tractors is m ost evident in their cabs which now come with a moveable right hand armrest/console, a tilt and tescoping steering wheel facility, also digital instrumentation. Noise and vibration levels are impressively low on both counts.
With encouring early inquiries about McCormick’s brand new telehandler, Doug Robinson said PFG Australia’s red tractor range was on track to enjoy a “gangbusters year” during 2009.
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