Agco has released a new higher horsepower, mechanical front wheel assist tractor line into the North American market.
Aimed at the forage industry and at row crop operators, the machines also have a fit in the mid-sized grain business in Canada, say Agco executives.
The four machines in the Massey Ferguson 86 and Challenger MT600C series are powered by an 8.4 litre, turbocharged and intercooled, United States tier 3 emission standard-compliant Sisu diesel, which kicks out between 205 and 275 p.t.o. horsepower, depending on the model. The fixed frame tractor’s engine h.p. range is 275 to 350.
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“Customers told us what they wanted. We added bigger quieter cabs, more advanced engine management and breakthrough transmission technology,” said Jason Hoult of Agco’s high horsepower tractor division.
Rawley Hicks of Agco said the transmission technology comes from a tractor in the company’s European stables. The TechStar CVT in the Challenger or Dyna CVT in the Massey are based on the Fendt higher horsepower, continuously variable transmission.
With two speed ranges, one for field use and the other for transport, operators are freed from shifting duties.
“Set the throttle at your desired operating (engine speed). Then you just move the (transmission control) lever forward or pull it back to increase or decrease your speed. That’s it. That takes a little getting used to, but not very long,” said Hicks.
“It’s had time to be well proven in the Fendt and it’s a great fit in the Challenger and Massey machines.”
The company used the shiftless transmission as a basis for improving the machines’ fuel efficiencies by adding tractor management systems that let the operator set a constant field speed and allow the machine to look after maintaining it while minimizing fuel use.
Power take-off speeds can also be set for a specific range, allowing the machine to vary its field speed to keep the 1,000 rpm p.t.o. relatively constant.
When baling or putting up forage, a foot pedal can be used to indicate to the computer that the machine should be operating at a set engine speed.
When a heavy windrow or crop is encountered, the operator can lift his foot off the pedal and the machine will drop its ground speed automatically to maintain the p.t.o. and engine speed.
The engines, built in Nokia, Finland, deliver a flat, maximum torque curve between 1,185 and 1,550 rpm, meaning that the machines remain fuel efficient even while enduring variable loads and maintaining ground at a set speed.
The company compared the new Susi powered units to fuel consumption ratings from the Organization for Economic Development of similarly powered tractors and said its new Massey and Challenger machines are about 15 percent more fuel efficient than that average.
The units have optional three point hitches and front end loaders. Up to six hydraulic remotes are available, fed by a 46 gallon per minute pump. The machine also has optional GPS guided steering and hydraulic or air brake options for trailers.
“These are new tractors from the ground up. It’s not that often that new machines come to the market that are significantly different from current offerings, but these are,” said Hicks.
The tractor line is also available in an Agco branded product in the DT205 to 275 models.
