Farm machinery buyers will get a chance to see some interesting new tractors and machines at this year’s Ploughing. There is now more price competition in the market, with a higher number of budget-priced tractors on offer than ever before.

The Ploughing will be the launch pad for a number of new tractors from Hattat, Tumosan, Valtra and Ursus, all geared at the price-conscious end of the market.

And remember, if you’re looking at a new tractor, check that the engine complies with the latest EU emission regulations or you could have trouble getting it registered.

All Stage IIIB engines must be registered by the end of September, so if you plan to do such a deal, make sure that it’s done in a hurry.

Tumosan Tractors Ireland Ltd will launch the new Maxima series tractors at the Ploughing, starting with the Maxima 9115. Michael Brogan of Tumosan Tractors Ireland Ltd explained that this is a completely new tractor and part of a three-model series of 9105, 9115 and 9125.

The Maxima uses a Fiat-derived engine, now with turbo-charger and intercooler, to develop 115hp. The engine currently meets Tier 3A emission regulations.

Michael said he will be bringing in its smaller and larger siblings later in the year. By that stage, the new Tumosan 16-valve engine will meet the latest round of engine emission regulations.

The new tractor comes with a Carraro 24x24 speed gearbox with mechanical shuttle and 40km/h top speed. The front axle is also a Carraro design.

The standard specification will include an Irish-manufactured telescopic pick-up hitch. Standard also is 70 litre/min hydraulics (at the spool valves), 540/65-38 tyres on the rear and 440/65-28 on the front.

The cab features electronic lift control and a quiet working environment of just 78dB, according to Michael. Air-conditioning is also included in the specification.

Ursus returns to the Ploughing

Ursus tractors makes its first major public appearance at the Ploughing championships in more than a decade. The Polish brand has been reintroduced by Ursus Tractors and Machinery Ireland Ltd, Ramsgrange, New Ross, Co Wexford.

This is effectively a partnership between Denis Sutton of Sutton Tractors and Machinery Ltd, Tom Poole of Tom Poole Ltd, Gurteen, Rosenallis, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and Cyril O’Sullivan of Cyril O’Sullivan Tractor Sales, Kilglass, Mitchelstown, Cork.

This new company has been appointed as Ursus’s Irish importer, distributor and dealer.

Ursus has an interesting lineup of tractors on offer, plus an extensive array of machinery and implements. For the present, Denis and his team are concentrating on tractors within the 80hp to 110hp power bracket.

They will have six models from within this category at the Ploughing, all fitted with Ursus loaders.

The largest tractor on offer is the Ursus 11054 which features a four-cylinder Perkins 1104D Euro IIIA engine that develops 110hp.

This is a stylish tractor with four-post cab and single-piece bonnet with electronic lift control.

A mechanical forward/reverse shuttle lever is positioned on the left of the driver’s seat.

The 11054 comes with a Carraro transmission, giving 24 forward and 24 reverse speeds. A dry dual-clutch provides both transmission and PTO clutching function. PTO speeds are a standard 540/1,000rpm, while hydraulic pump output is 62 litres/min and lift capacity is quoted at 4.5t.

Hattat extends its tractor range

The Turkish-built Hattat tractor range, imported by Billy O’Dwyer Farm Machinery, Castletown, Moyne, Co Tipperary, will have a new, smaller model for this year’s Ploughing.

Hattat’s agricultural division is just one of a number of companies under Hattat Holding. Sister companies are involved in energy, cars, defence and real estate.

Billy has been successfully importing and selling Hattat tractors for a number of years, focusing on the Hattat A series. Billy will be introducing a new tractor model from Hattat’s C series at this year’s Ploughing Championships.

The Hattat C series is very similar to the A series. They both feature Perkins engines and in-house manufactured Hema transmissions. The more significant difference between the A and the C is the cab used.

The new C series is essentially the product that Hattat builds for Valtra, which in Valtra colours is confusingly called the Valtra A series. The cab is more European or Valtra-like than that used on the Hattat A series.

If the tractor is priced competitively, it should be formidable competition for the versions being handled by Valtra/AGCO, which will also carry the Hattat name.

Billy O’Dwyer will have the flagship of the Hattat C series on stand at this year Ploughing, the Hattat C3080. Developing 79hp, it is powered by a Tier 3 turbocharged three-cylinder Perkins 1103D-33TA engine. With the three-cylinder engine, Hattat quotes an incredibly short wheelbase of just 2.01m.

The Hattat C3080’s in-house built backend features a dry dual clutch with synchro (mechanical) forward and reverse shuttle and 12/12 transmission. Combined with 45 litres/min hydraulic flow rate and the short wheelbase, this has the ingredients to be a suitable tractor for loader work.

Standard PTO speeds are 540 and 540 economy. The maximum hydraulic lift capacity is quoted at 3,000kg. Wet multi-disc brakes are also part of the standard deal. Other standard equipment includes cab air-conditioning, radio, tinted glass, front weights and rear wheel weights. A new pick-up has been made for the tractor here in Ireland by Bruno McCormack.

Valtra to offer competitive models

This time last year, Valtra expanded the A series with the introduction of new smaller models. These three-cylinder tractors are ideal as general-purpose farm tractors and will be shown for the first time at this year’s Ploughing.

The company claims that these new models open the door for Valtra to increase sales in the market for small tractors, which accounts for over half of all tractors sold in Europe (under 100hp class).

The new smaller tractors, which are identical to the new Hattat C Series and built for Valtra by Hattat, extends the Valtra model line-up from 50hp to 400hp.

The smallest model in the new Valtra range is the A53, which produces 50hp. The A63 model has an intercooled turbo engine that produces 68hp.

The biggest model is the A73, which pumps out 75hp.

All of the tractors come with Valtra’s 12+12R transmission with synchronised shuttle and creeper gear. The PTO has two speeds and the rear linkage is operated mechanically.

All new Valtra A Series models are available as either two or four-wheel-drive. All models have hydraulic multidisc brakes. There are two hydraulic blocks.

The open cab is fitted with a rollover bar and removable roof. The closed cab version is based on the traditional Valtra A series cab and offers the option of air-conditioning with double doors, so that they can be accessed easily from either side of the tractor.

Valtra has a manufacturing arrangement with Hattat since 2003 and has built Valtra tractors in Turkey since 2008 with Hattat.

Hattat later built its own A series tractors on that Valtra experience. These new tractors will be fitted with the Perkins three-cylinder engines.

The Valtra range, sold through dealers in Ireland, is part of the AGCO Group. AGCO also owns the Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger tractor brands.