Antonio Carraro’s TRX 9900 tractor is a shining example of versatility, bringing together plenty of the manufacturer’s standout features into one machine
Italian tractor manufacturer Antonio Carraro has always dared to be different.
Across its suite of orchard-focused tractors that are tailored to the unique requirements of that sector, one particular model combines many of its major selling points.
The TRX 9900 is a 90hp tractor and that power places it at the higher end of the brand’s offering.
It is also part of the TRX range, which is Antonio Carraro’s most popular model in the Australian market.
The extensive list of features helps to explain its popularity.
The TRX model is an acronym, with the letters representing its steering front axle (T), reversible console (R) and equal size wheels front and rear (X).
Its reversible console is something which Antonio Carraro has become known for across several of its tractors and is one of its most unique and impressive features.
It means the steering and driving position can be turned around 180 degrees by simply rotating a turret.
This game-changing feature allows for operators to work with rear-mounted implements while having the same vision and operating function as they would with front-mounted ones.
Having the equal sized front and rear wheels also helps the tractor’s stability while the steering position is reversed, while 16 forward and 16 reverse gears provide a high level of functionality in both driving positions.
Stability is another of the TRX 9900’s major selling features.
This tractor includes Antonio Carraro’s patented Actio chassis, where the front and rear axles oscillate independently up to 15 degrees.
This makes the tractor crawl over uneven ground and operates in constant 4WD, something which makes the tractor capable of handling up to 33 degrees of incline without overturning when stopped either uphill or downhill in a longitudinal position, and up to 38 degrees when stopped on an incline.
Feature packed
While reversible driving and an exceptional level of stability are features which multiple of Antonio Carraro’s tractors can offer, the TRX 9900 goes above and beyond.
In addition to the 90hp engine, it provides a 2,400kg lift capacity that showcases its strength and working capacity.
Other features include two double-acting hydraulic distributors – one of which has a floating position – and one oil reflow, making five rear couplings in total, plus adjustable three-point linkage arms.
Its brake system comprises of four adjustment-free hydraulically operated oil-bath disc brakes, which Antonio Carraro says guarantees modularity during the sharpest braking and reliability even with the front-wheel drive disengaged.
Electrohydraulic differential lock for either the rear axle or simultaneous use on both is another feature which prevents wheel slip and maintains traction.
The TRX 9900 is available with the choice of a fully enclosed cabin or rollbar.
One cabin option is the StarLight cabin, which is equipped with front and rear windscreens plus a double sunroof to provide total visibility.
Its smooth design retains functionality and its compactness allows for agile operation in the narrowest of spaces without damaging crops.
Depending on tyre settings, the TRX 9900 can still measure under 1.4m wide and less than 2.2m high, providing a compact unit that still offers plenty of power.
All rounder
Antonio Carraro Australia sales manager Marco Corra says its versatility is highlighted by the number of farmers who have customised this tractor to their own unique requirements.
“The reversibility of the driving console and the power at the PTO, in such a compact tractor, have made it the go-to for operations like fencing, harvesting and drilling,” he says.
This means while it is an excellent tractor for orchard and horticulture uses – with one New South Wales dealer describing it as the “pinnacle” for macadamia farmers – it also has considerable broad appeal beyond just that sector.
Corra says these jobs like fencing and drilling make it ideal for larger farms with open paddocks as a general-purpose tractor, while its low centre of gravity, tight turning radius and short wheelbase make it capable of handling challenging and uneven terrain.
One operator putting it to a different use is Mark Campbell, who uses the tractor for installing power poles in New South Wales.
He cites the compact nature of the two Antonio Carraro tractors they run as being a major benefit.
“Being small is the biggest thing, but they’re fairly lightweight and fast with everything you need on it,” he says.
“Everything’s pretty simple on them which just makes life easy, but the compactness is what gets us – we could use just about any machine to do the job, but nothing’s quite as compact.
“They’re just a good all round tractor.”
The TRX 9900 can be viewed online at www.antoniocarraro.it/au
