With precision technologies and a focus on front-loader and field work, Finnish manufacturer Valtra says its new G series is the “Swiss army knife” of tractors.
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Models from Valtra’s G Series will be available in Australia by the first quarter of 2021.
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Valtra, a subsidiary of Massey Ferguson-producer Agco, launched the G Series in Europe on Friday, with the first Australian and New Zealand arrivals scheduled for the first quarter of 2021.
With four models ranging between 105-135hp (78-100 kW), the G Series fits between Valtra’s A-Series and N-Series models, but is the first in that range to offer Valtra’s SmartTouch armrest as well as full precision farming abilities, the company says.
Check out our review of the N-Series Valtra N134 here
Valtra vice president of sales and marketing Mikko Lehikoinen says tractors in the G Series are designed to be compact, powerful and ideal for front-loader work.
“The G Series is typically an all-purpose farm tractor that can be used for front-loader tasks, spraying, producing feed and cultivating vegetables using smart farming techniques,” he says.
“Operating an all-purpose tractor like this should be easy and safe with comfortable working conditions, a powerful front linkage and hydraulics, and excellent visibility.”
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The G-Series is designed with front loader work in mind
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All models in the G Series are powered by four-cylinder 4.4-litre AGCO Power engines with a compact size for low noise and better visibility, while the G125 Eco model offers an Eco mode that allows the driver to lessen engine speed while increasing torque to 555Nm.
It also has a 24+24R transmission with four ranges and six Powershift gears – and a top speed of 40km/h, while its slowest working speed is just 120m per hour.
Models with Valtra’s Versu powershift transmission option, which allows the tractor to be driven like a CVT, can be operated using just the drive lever, while the clutch pedal is also not needed as often on the other models, thanks to the AutoTraction system.
A set of powerful load-sensing hydraulics that produce 110 litres per minute is standard on Active and Versu models and 100l/min on HiTech models.
Up to four hydraulic blocks are available at both the front and rear, while Versu models are available with up to five rear spool valves and up to four valves in the front.
The minimum lifting power at the rear is 50 kN across the entire lifting range and 30 kN at the front, with front PTO and ground speed PTO available at the rear.
Big Tech
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Much of the G-Series cab interior is similar to that of Valtra’s N-Series
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Valtra says the cab is modern and spacious, with 5.7 square metres of glass including a panoramic roof, while heated mirrors, air conditioning and cab suspension enhance driver comfort.
While the cab frame structure is the same as on the A series, the interior and user interfaces are in line with the more advanced technology offered by Valtra’s N Series.
Valtra product and marketing manager Aapo Aijasaho says the SmartTouch armrest is “easier to use than your smartphone,” with a multifunction lever, a hydraulics joystick and a 23cm touchscreen.
Versu models with the SmartTouch interface can access the same SmartFarming features as the bigger N and T Series models, with the Valtra Connect telemetry system is available as standard on Versu models.
Active models are also available with autoguidance and precision farming features that can be activated via the SmartTouch Extend terminal.
These include the Taskdoc Pro data transfer system, the Valtra Connect telemetry solution and the Valtra Guide auto-guidance solution for recording and configuring waylines and boundaries and the
Valtra technology expert Johan Grotell says the Valtra Guide provides accuracy up to one centimetre.
“Just like in its bigger brothers and sisters, you can spec it with ISOBUS and features such as section control and variable rate to maximise your productivity,” he says.
“Last year we also launched our Wayline Assistant feature and that is also available on the G Series. This is a great feature that allows you to create automatic waylines based on your field boundaries.”
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Wayline Assistant is available with the Technology Pro options package
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Available as an option, Wayline Assistant makes it simple to store individual, meandering waylines in the tractor’s memory, which Grotell says will be useful for applying pesticide and fertiliser – “particularly in smaller or irregular fields”.
Wayline Assistant also makes it possible to create segmented waylines manually, either from existing waylines or according to the edges of the field.
If there are multiple waylines crisscrossing the field, the automated steering selects the most appropriate wayline also in the headland or when the edge of the field is at an angle, Valtra says.
The Wayline Assistant, along with Taskdoc Pro and some section control and variable rate options, is available as part of Valtra’s top-line options package for the G Series – which ranges from Basic, Comfort, Technology and Technology Pro.
As well as offering a specific Front Loader options package, Valtra also offers to tailor the options through its Valtra Unlimited Studio – Valtra’s in-house customisation workshop at its factory in Suolahti, Finland.
Aijasaho says one of the key options in that package is the X Tilt option for front loaders that he says will help the tractor to be more accurate than ever before.
“Iy allows the tool carrier to horizontally tilt up to 20 degrees in both directions but the best bit is you still keep all your normal loader functions, such as hydraulic implement locking etc,” he says.
“X Tilt means that loader work with your tractor can be more accurate than ever before.”
Another option available through the Unlimited package is a Turquoise colour paint job, though blue is available as a standard colour option, as is silver, burgundy, red, black and new colours, bronze and green.
Agco Australia says these options, alongside others that help customise the tractors for roles in forestry or municipal use, can be applied as the tractors come off the production line.
“There are no current plans to make X-Tilt available for local retro-fitting, but that may be subject to change in the future.”
Video: Agco