This year’s Nampo saw two new tractor brands making their entry in the SA market. China’s Chery Heavy Industry specialises in the research and development and manufacture of agricultural tractors and equipment, as well as construction machinery. Distributed by Dicla, the Chery RD 254-A is the smallest in a huge range of tractors. It’s powered by the Laidong KM385, rated at 18,8kW and fitted with an 8F+2R transmission with shuttle shift. The front-drive axle has a large load-bearing capacity.
Argo Industrial, meanwhile, has added several of the Kioti range of tractors manufactured by Daedong Industrial in South Korea to its stable. The CK35 has a three-cylinder 1,6-litre engine rated at 25,4kW and a manual or hydro-static transmission. Its total length is 3,1m and the basic weight is 1 430kg. Other Kioti models from Argo are the CS2610 (16kW) hydrostatic, the NX5010 (36kW) manual and hydrostatic and the LX500L (36kW) orchard model.
- From Case IH
- Case IH Magnum 340: The introduction of the Magnum series in 1987 was one of the milestones in Case IH’s high- performance tractor development. While the name remains the same, the technology has advanced with each new generation.
- EZ-Steer: A Case IH 75N spent the entire show driving itself on an oval track around the QuadTrac display. The EZ-Steer motor receives signals from the controller and converts them to precise commands by the vehicle’s steering system. Attached to its rear linkage was a robotic Weedseeker sprayer unit that reacted to the colour of the weeds and sprayed only the green plants.This is one of 13 models in the Quantum series. The 75N is a narrow tractor, suitable for orchard work. It is powered by a 3,2-litre engine rated at 57kW. Case IH Quadtrac 500: Dominating the Northmec stand was the Case IH Quadtrac 500, rated at 375kW. The Quadtrac series extends to the 620 rated at 465kW with a maximum power of 511kW Flagship of the range, the Quadtrac has four independently suspended rubber crawler tracks. This ensures optimum traction with minimum ground pressure, making the tractor ideal for the heaviest loads and toughest conditions.
Popular in the Cape vineyards
VB Agri imports the YTO C502 crawler at the request of numerous customers. It has a 36kW engine, eight-speed gearbox, independent PTO and three-point linkage. It can also be fitted with a front dozer blade, and can operate on steep slopes and in wet and slippery conditions.
Bringing back memories
The TAFE 35 DI is a reincarnation of one of the world’s most popular tractors. Now powered by a Simpson S324 three-cylinder 2,4-litre engine rated at 26,25kW, it appears identical to the MF 35 of the early 1960s. The Valtrac stand showed two vintage tractors from Valtrac owner Wynn Dedwith’s collection: a 1958 Volvo T230 (31kW) and a 1952 Valmet 15 (11kW).
The two classic models provide a striking contrast to the latest Valtra 132kW T171 behind them. Valtra T series tractors are excellent farm tractors. Combined with a heavy-duty mechanical gearbox, the powertrain offers 36 gears in forward and reverse – up to 11 different ratios are available for working at 4km/h to 11km/h. The T171 has a six-cylinder AGCO Power (Sisu Diesel) engine.
