Transmissions factory for big brands
Italian tractor manufacturer Argo Tractors, builders of the McCormick, Landini and Valpadana marques, has opened a new factory to develop and manufacture transmissions for those brands.
Continuously variable transmissions (CVT) -- varios -- have found increasing favour, particularly with contractors who need continuous speed adjustment during harvesting, baling or transport work, where a conventional fixed ratio power shift set-up might not offer the exact speed required.
The McCormick VT range has three 4-cyl models from 144 to 166hp, with power boost in PTO and transport duties taking output to 175hp. These models are complemented by a pair of 6-cyl units with rated outputs of 165 and 177hp, which use 'boost' to achieve 192hp.
For the VT project the company has partnered with industry leader ZF, which has supplied its latest Terramatic unit with software developed by Argo.
Product specialist Paul Wade says the design brief was "to make the VT easy and intuitive to drive. First time users can jump on and drive away, and over time explore the sophisticated features of the tractors".
In operation the VT system offers four driving modes, from auto -- push the pedal and go, like a family car -- to manual, where upper and lower engine speeds are set and the driver controls the travel speed. This is useful for keeping the tractor in a power band that exploits the torque and power available, so would be good for heavy draft work.
The other modes are cruise control for constant speed and PTO mode which maintains shaft speed, while adjusting travel speed as load demands.
Supplementing the four driving modes are four speed bands -- 0-3km/h, 0-12km/h, 0-21km/h and 0-40 or 50km/h -- that can be pre-programmed for specific tasks. It is interesting to note that the change between each of the speed ranges is seamless, unlike some other two range systems on the market that require the tractor to be stationary before the change can be made.
The cabin and driver's spaces have such ergonomic features as a seat mounted control console with a 12 inch touch screen displaying transmission, engine, PTO and hydraulic functions, and an optional display of GPS and ISOBUS control through the same screen
Broadly speaking the rest of the tractors' specifications are the same as the semi-power shift X7 Pro-Drive models introduced last year, with features such as 9300kg lift capacity, 123L hydraulic flow via a load sensing system, and up to four rear and two mid-mount remotes
Expect to see first models in NZ mid-2016.
