New iron: April 2010 Archives

I wish I could take credit for bringing you this update, but that would be plagiarism. If you've been reading Grainews recently, you'll know that Scott Garvey has taken on the machinery side of the publication. The following update is his and is just a taste of the kind of things he'll be posting on his own blog once it's up and running. In the meantime, enjoy.

 

March was a busy month for the people responsible for writing press releases at AGCO’s corporate headquarters in Duluth, Georgia. But one of the most interesting announcements to be put on paper was the company’s introduction of two new MFWD tractors.

The pair will be added to both brands AGCO intends to focus on in the North American market: Massey Ferguson and Challenger. The MF models will be numbered 7497 and 7499; the Challengers will wear MT585B and MT595B designations. These two new models deliver 165 and 180 PTO horsepower and extend the upper limit of the 7400 and MT500B tractor lines.

Even though they will appear in two different brands, they offer identical features, only the brand name, paint colour and some styling cues will be different. This sets them apart from the lower-horsepower machines in their respective model lines, because the smaller tractors have a variety of brand-specific features.

For example, the six smaller tractors in Challenger’s MT500B group use a 6.6-litre Cat engine with ACERT technology, while the smaller MFs in the 7400 series use a 6.6 Perkins or 6.6-litre 66CTA SISU. But the two new range-topping models will use AGCO’s own 7.4-litre, 74CTA SISU engine, which is a turboed six cylinder.

Following on the announcement a few months ago that the company will narrow its focus to two core product lines, this standardization of design between tractors in the two brands isn’t surprising.

Power from the engine will go out through a CV (continuously variable) transmission offered as standard equipment. Massey calls it a Dyna-VT, while Challenger has been calling theirs the TechStar. It is capable of a top speed of 40 kph, but an optional 50 kph version is also available.

"With the addition of these tractors, both Massey Ferguson and Challenger now offer customers a full line of CVT-equipped tractors from 165 to 275 PTO horsepower,” says Jason Hoult, AGCO’s product marketing manager for high-horsepower tractors. “Our goal was to build dependable and powerful, yet versatile and comfortable tractors, and I think we accomplished that goal."

The details

One of the notable features included on these new models is the active stop, which stops forward and reverse travel by simply raising the shuttle lever. The tractor will stay in place, even on a slope, until the shuttle lever is lowered back into position. And AGCO claims the CVT used in these tractors has the fewest moving parts of any stepless or powershift transmission in the industry.

The transmission design also includes a separate oil reservoir to prevent any contamination from trans-hydraulic fluid flowing back from an implement. Hydraulic power comes from a closed-centre system with a standard 29 gallon per minute (GPM), 110 litre pre minute (LPM) flow rate with an optional150 LPM (39 GPM) available. Three SCVs are standard with an optional fourth.

These models come equipped with the company’s Dynamic Tractor Management system, which allows the SISU engine and CVT transmission to work together for maximum performance and efficiency. The system automatically analyzes the load demand placed on the tractor and provides the right power setting to meet changing conditions, which also minimizes fuel consumption.

Both front and rear axles have standard electro-hydraulic differential lock for improved traction. The category III, three-point hitch has standard lower-link draft sensing.

The cabs on these tractors have been upgraded from what the other models in their respective lines offer, which provides a level of operator comfort in line with that found on larger models. Basically, they import the same interior cab design used in MF’s 8600 and Challenger’s MT600B-series. One optional feature available is pneumatic cab air suspension. It’s similar to what some highway trucks use and offers adjustable ride settings.

"Many of the features farmers have come to love and expect from their tractors are standard on these new models, particularly in the area of comfort," says Hoult. "Everything in the tractors' cabs has been positioned to provide the operator with superior comfort, control and ease of use."