Introducing its A Series tractors to Australia has allowed Antonio Carraro to widen its appeal while remaining true to its roots, the manufacturer says
Italian tractor manufacturer Antonio Carraro has added to its range a series designed to suit general purpose farming, in addition to the vineyards and orchardists that it typically caters to.
Described by the manufacturer as being “back to the roots, but looking towards the future”, the A Series formed part of what Antonio Carraro showcased at the EIMA event in its native Italy earlier this year.
By introducing this series, Antonio Carraro says it is catering to a different demographic of farmers.
One feature for which many of its tractors are known is their oscillated chassis, which makes the tractors well suited to hilly or sloped environments.
The A Series has removed this, being built more like a conventional tractor, and is designed to suit farmers in flatter environments.
“The introduction of the new A Series has made it possible for Antonio Carraro to extend its product range by catering also to the needs of farmers who operate in specialist farming environments that are flatter – but who need vehicles with special qualities and that are able to move around in confined spaces,” the manufacturer says.
“The A Series consists of no fewer than six models that can be configured in 48 different basic set-ups.”
While the A Series does not feature the oscillating chassis, reversible driving or same size wheels that often act as Antonio Carraro’s point of difference – there are several areas in which the manufacturer says the new range stands out compared to other ‘conventional’ tractors.
“These tractors act as a bridge from our traditional models to the standard tractors of our competitors,” Antonio Carraro Australia national sales manager Marco Corra says.
“The A Series is available up to a maximum horsepower of 100hp and is still more compact than the usual standard tractors.
“One of the perks of this new series is the hydraulic capabilities.
“It has 60 litres per minute of constant flow, in comparison to the 50 litres per minute on our very compact AC range.
“The target market for the A Series is orchardists, vineyards and general farmers.”
Antonio Carraro’s A Series might be designed as a general purpose tractor, but delving deeper shows the range of capabilities it has.
This is without even factoring in the 48 basic set-ups to which the manufacturer refers, providing further evidence it will appeal to a wide selection of Australian farmers – with each model available with a variety of customisation options.
The A Series also includes both cabin and ROPS tractors.
Antonio Carraro’s AV-N and AV-L are both cabin-only models, which keep the “characteristic tunnel configuration” and which offer the stability, visibility and handling expected from tractors with a low centre of gravity.
Designed to move easily between narrow rows, an extensive range of 24-inch (61cm) and 28-inch (71cm) tyre configurations with adjustable rims are available.
The hydraulic system offers two or three-pump configuration and makes these units ideal for use with demanding implements.
The AF-N and AF-L models are also designed for orchard work but also suit light utility work in open fields – and are described by the manufacturer as being highly configurable.
Variations are available with a cabin or front tiltable rollbar, along with 24-inch (61cm) and 28-inch (71cm) wheels.
This means customers working under low-hanging branches that require a more compact machine can select that option, while other farmers working between rows or out in the open field are also catered for.
Larger, anti-compaction tyres also make these models suitable for walnut farmers, the manufacturer adds, with two different wheel configurations specifically designed for this industry.
The major difference between the AF-N and AF-L tractors is that the latter has a specific axle and three-point hitch typical of light utility tractors, which provides a greater load capacity and also offers excellent stability on sloping terrain, thanks to its wider axle and lower centre of gravity.
The AF-B has been created as a specific model with its own characteristics, rather than being designed from the AF-N.
The B in its model name signifies low (basso in Italian), while the AV-LB is another model that offers the same low profile but is otherwise similar to the aforementioned AV-L.
Working with crops that require a low driving position such as vineyards, fruit orchards, kiwi crops, greenhouse and hazelnut groves, these tractors have been specifically designed to provide high performance while remaining low to the ground.
Adjustable-height mudguards, along with a focus on the driver’s position, visibility, side guard cleaning and protective guards have all been factored into the design.
Completing the lineup is the AS range, which is available as the AS-N model, specifically designed to work in vineyards with row widths starting at 1.5m, plus the AS-LB model which suits canopied cultivation or tasks under foliage.
With a 1.8m wheelbase and width starting from just 1m, the tractor also has a low bonnet height of just 1.27m and excellent manoeuvrability and steering capacity.
The A Series of tractors, along with the manufacturer’s existing tractor range, is available through Antonio Carraro Australia and can be viewed online at www.antoniocarraro.it/au