Tractor manufacturers had a bountiful supply of new and updated models to sate the appetite of farmers and contractors at the show. Jane Carley, Geoff Ashcroft and Alex Heath report from the packed NEC halls. Pictures by Marcello Garbagnoli and John Eveson.
JCB Fastrac 4000 and 8000 updates
Upgrades to JCB's Fastrac tractors include a host of improvements to boost productivity and efficiency, claims the firm.
The 4000 series gets heavier duty axles with higher load ratings, plus larger hubs, bearings and external disc brakes. The front axle gains a larger differential with positive locking to replace the previous limited slip item. Engine oil change intervals have been increased from 500 to 600 hours, and a fuel-saving auto-stop feature eliminates excessive engine idling.
Meanwhile, the 8000 series gets suspension improvements, adopted from the 4000's double-acting system, increasing the maximum permitted operating weight to 18 tonnes.
Reesink Agriculture electric Farmtrac tractor
The 25G is a battery-powered tractor from Indian maker Farmtrac, which is being imported and distributed by St Neot's-based Reesink Agriculture.
Power comes from an 18kW induction motor, which assigns 15kW to the drivetrain and 3kW to operate the rear linkage and hydraulic services. Li-Ion battery technology powers the 72-volt system, offering about 5.5 hours of runtime. Charge time is said to be five hours using a domestic 13-amp supply.
The Farmtrac 25G costs £21,000 and comes with a two-year warranty on the tractor and a 30-month warranty on the battery pack.
Deutz-Fahr 5115 four wheel steer tractor
Designed for orchards and vineyards, the 5115 DF TTV from Deutz-Fahr sees a 113hp engine from Deutz AG coupled to a continuously variable transmission packaged into 1.4m working width (at its narrowest).
It features front axle suspension and 40kph road speed, but its main party piece is four wheel steering, enabling a tight turning circle of 3.02m - 28 per cent lower than the standard version.
There are six different modes of steering, including crab, and the rear linkage can lift 2,600kg.
Basak 5120 tractor
The AS Tractors portfolio continues to grow, with the arrival of premium Turkish tractor-maker, Basak.
The range extends from 50 to 130hp, with the flagship 9120 model boasting electronic rear linkage, four-post cab, Deutz EU Stage 4 engine, ZF 32 by 32 powershuttle gearbox, ZF axles, front linkage and front pto.
Basak export manager Omer Durmaz hinted at 140hp and 160hp models later in the year using four- and six-cylinder engines to coincide with the shift into Stage 5 emissions compliant engines.
The Basak 9120 is priced at £47,000.
Kubota Power Crawler tractor
Kubota showed off a new model in its Power Crawler series, which features the company's own half-track unit, designed to offer increased stability for sensitive work such as solar farm maintenance as well as cutting ground pressure.
Also aimed at the vineyard and fruit sector, the 95hp M5091 is now fully homlogated so can be promoted in a wider range of markets, and features a Kubota 3.8 litre four-cylinder engine and 18 by 18 power shuttle transmission.
Iseki TH 5420 prototype tractor
Iseki showed a prototype of the TH 5420 compact tractor with a Stage 5 40hp engine which uses an oxidising catalyser rather than Ad-blue emissions control.
While the brand is best known in the grounds care market, it is also popular with smallholders and a large cab with heated rear screen and low noise levels should make for comfy work on farms too.
The hydrostatic transmission features speed and cruise control and PTO-spec includes an auto-setting to disengage at the end of a run. An agreement with MX offers dedicated loaders for Iseki tractors, with pre-plumbed joystick.
Valtra F series fruit tractor
Valtra now offers a four-model specialist tractor range in narrow or orchard versions at 1.3 or 1.8m wide, with FPT four-cylinder engines from 75-105hp.
Available with ROPS or heated and air conditioned cab, the range is designed to offer a higher specification fruit tractor than traditional designs with a choice of 24 by 12 power shuttle or 24 by 24 Powershift transmissions, two speed and optional groundspeed PTO and 68 or 100l/min hydraulics.
Landini 5 Series high clearance tractor
Landini took the opportunity to reintroduce its High Clear option on the 99-113hp 5 Series range. The company says it is ideally suited to a range of tasks, in particular product application, shown coupled to a mounted sprayer.
With a front mounted tank, the company says it could prove to be a competitive alternative to a 3,000 litre self-propelled sprayer. Changes to the angle of the reduction hubs at the rear and a slight change to the diffs allow for equal sized wheels all round, giving an under-belly clearance of 700mm.
Reesink Agriculture launches Farmtrac tractors
The Farmtrac nine-model tractor range extends from 22 to 113hp, with the 690DTN and 9120 models heading up the range. These two flagship machines, built in Poland, use four-cylinder Perkins power meeting EU Stage 4 emissions, and offer maximum outputs of 90hp and 113hp.
With mechanical simplicity as a key driver behind tractor development, both get dry clutches, are available with 12 by 12 or 24 by 24 transmissions, two double-acting mechanical spools and the option of a front linkage.
UK sales manager Steven Haynes said the launch of the Farmtrac range at LAMMA would allow them to fine-tune tractor specifications based on visitor feedback.
