Major tractor news at SIMA 2003

By Steven Vale

This week's French SIMA show, one of Europe's largest machinery exhibitions, will be remembered as the first major event in recent years to be dominated with new tractor developments. There, 180,000 visitors had an opportunity to inspect MF's first CVT-equipped tractor and McCormick's debut 200hp+ tractor.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Landini premiered its first 200hp tractor and John Deere's long-awaited 5020 tractor series was unveiled. More news came from Renault Agriculture, with the launch of its new Celtis tractor range and confirmation that Claas has acquired 51% of the French concern.

McCormick used SIMA as a stage to show customers just how far it has come in the past two years. To mark the occasion, the firm unveiled a concept model of its very first 200hp+ tractor series.

The new ZTX range will comprise three models for now - 215, 240 and 260hp. Commercial availability is from January 2004.

All three are fitted with a six-cylinder 8.3-litre Cummins QSC engine. In keeping with our predictions, these tractors incorporate the same GIMA transaxle as is fitted to larger MF and Renault tractors. A Funk-built full powershift is standard.

An hydraulically operated cab suspension system was fitted to the concept tractor on display. So too, was a Carraro sprung front beam

" French-firm Manip has developed a system, which accurately weighs the contents of a tractor loader's bucket, fork or grab. Fitting most makes of tractor loader, the system lives between the loader and attachment. Once the bucket or grab has been filled, sensors record the weight of the contents and display the result on an in-cab monitor. The system can cope with weights of up to 2,500kg. Claimed accuracy is +/-1%. It costs E4,000

The Starland series, as it is called, is more commonly known in the US as the Buhler Genesis, and yes, you guessed it, was previously sold as New Holland's 70A series.

The official Landini explanation is that Buhler wants to access more markets, while Landini needs a 200hp+ machine; reason enough for the two to enter into a marketing agreement to distribute the tractors in Europe in Landini colours.

However, Landini is still unsure which countries it will eventually sell these high-horsepower machines. There are three models - 210, 240 and 270hp - all of which are practically identical to the previous New Holland 70A series models

John Deere's long awaited 5020 tractor series was another addition to the ‘new products' list at SIMA. First spotted as a prototype almost two years ago, we can now confirm that there are three models - the 5620 (72hp), 5720 (80hp) and 5820 (88hp).

All feature Deere's full-frame chassis design. Internal cab noise levels, say the firm, are just 75dBA. Visibility is also a key selling point according to the firm, with a glass surface area of 4.7sq m providing 320 degrees of lateral vision display in prototype form at the show. At this early stage MF is not prepared to reveal the finer details. What we do know however is that the CVT hardware is sourced from Fendt's 700 Vario line-up, though the software that controls it is said to be very different.

While the cab doors were kept firmly locked it's clear, apart from a new control panel on the right-hand side, that Dynashift users will see many familiar components. There is no Fendt-style Vario terminal, nor is there a complex joystick. Instead, there's a simple ‘directional' lever.

The cab suspension system makes use of an air bag, while the sprung front axle is the same Quadlink unit available on current 6200 series tractors.

MF will not be drawn on the official launch date; we predict a April launch with the first tractors ready for delivery here by the first quarter of 2004.