Based outside the town of Edenderry, straddling the Offaly-Kildare border, Michael Ryan milks 70 cows in a spring-calving system. A welder by trade, Michael took over the family farm in 2011 and continued to run a suckler to beef system up until 2015.

The G Series are fitted with the Gima-built 24x24 semi-powershift, 40km/h transmission.

In the summer of 2021, Michael purchased a new Valtra G115. This was the first new tractor Michael ever bought, and was also one of the first new Valtra G Series tractors sold in Ireland. With over 900 hours clocked to date, we visited Michael to see how he rates the machine.

Buying new v secondhand

“In 2004, my father bought a new 100hp Massey Ferguson 5455 with a front-end loader. It was a great tractor and served us well but began giving some clutch and gearbox issues in recent years. I sent the tractor to my local dealer, Swaine Agri, to be repaired and asked him to watch out for a clean used six- or seven-year-old 120hp MF replacement.

“While it was being fixed, I got a demo of a new Valtra G Series. I was really impressed but I didn’t think I would ever go down the route of buying a new tractor.

“A couple of months later I was still waiting for a suitable used replacement to pop up. One day, I decided to look into a few figures on buying a new tractor v a secondhand machine. I was going to have to fork out €50,000 for a seven-year-old tractor which had a considerable amount of work done. Although a new tractor was double this, I would get a better finance rate, I would know exactly what I had and it would come with several years’ warranty. When I sat down with my accountant, these factors and the tax write-off element led us to agree that in my scenario buying new would be a better decision.”

"The only regret I have is not ordering a guidance system with it, but I am hoping to retrofit a GPS system before the fertiliser spreading kicks off again next year”.

The G Series

Valtra introduced the G Series in mid-2020. It slots in between the A and N Series. The range consists of four models, ranging from 105hp up to 135hp (110hp to 145hp with boost).

Similar to the larger Valtra ranges, the G Series comes in various specification levels, from HiTech to Active, and up to Versu. With the same engine and transmission used throughout the range, these specs largely relate to differences in controls and hydraulics. The introduction of the G Series marked the first tractor in the 100-145hp Valtra range to offer SmartTouch controls, as well as full precision farming capabilities.

The entire G series are all powered from the 4.4l AGCO Power four-cylinder engine.

Engine

The four models in the G Series are all powered from the 4.4l AGCO Power four-cylinder engine. The G115 churns out a rated 115hp, which boosts by a further 5hp to 120hp.

This is a popular engine in the AGCO offering, and is a derivative of the unit shared with Valtra’s sister company Massey Ferguson’s 5S range. Stage V emission regulations are met by means of SCR, DOC and DPF.

“I use the tractor for handling and feeding bales, topping and spreading fertiliser. Agitating and pulling the 2,100-gallon tanker would be the hardest work it does. In fairness, it’s well able for it. In terms of fuel consumption, the tractor is seriously light on fuel doing lighter work around the yard. Once it gets on the road and the work gets heavier, it swallows diesel. On average, it’s burning one 21l tank of AdBlue to two to three (200l) tanks of diesel,” explained Michael.

Both Active and HiTech models feature the same control layout which features a thumb-size gear stick, an electric loader joystick and manual spool valves.

Transmission

The G Series tractors are fitted with the Gima-built 24x24 semi-powershift, 40km/h transmission. This is a well-known transmission in the industry, and is the same as what’s used in Massey Ferguson (Dyna-6) and Claas (Hexashift) tractors for many years.

It’s laid out with four ranges (A-D), each of which has six powershifts with the option of manual or automatic modes. Powershifts are worked through by flicking the gear shifter forward or back while range changes are made using the plus/minus buttons on top of the lever.

“I like the transmission. It is simple and offers a good choice of ranges for all the work I need it to do. What impresses me most are the features such as the hill-hold function and brake-to-neutral. I was nervous and slow to trust these, but now I couldn’t do without them – especially the brake to neutral. When I’m handling and feeding bales, I now often use this rather than pressing the clutch – it’s very handy. The tractor also has an automatic mode which is engaged by flicking the shifter to the right. Personally, I’m not a fan of this to be honest as I like to have full control,” said Michael.

"The LED lights are a major stand out- they offer great lighting at night”.

Hydraulics

The G Series comes in three specification levels – HiTech, Active and Versu. Michael’s model is HiTech, which is the entry-level offering, with the main differences being hydraulics and control layout. The HiTech model is fitted with three mechanical spools and a 100l/min gear pump, while Active models feature a load-sensing 110l/min pump. The flagship Versu comes fitted with the same load-sensing pump with up to four electric spool remotes and SmartTouch armrest, with colour monitor and multifunction joystick.

The tractor features a rear linkage lift capacity of 6,000kg.

“I don’t run any implements which are hungry on hydraulic power so the HiTech is ample for my requirements,” said Michael.

The tractor features a rear linkage lift capacity of 6,000kg. In terms of PTO, the G115 includes 540, 540E, 1,000 and 1,000E speeds.

Cab

With the G Series, Valtra uses the same cab frame as fitted in the A-series (75-135hp), except it features a larger glass area due to the higher positioning of the cab.

“I really like the cab. It’s easy to access and it is well-finished inside. Visibility is excellent which is helped by the sloping bonnet and the slim pillars. The sunroof is a great addition for extending visibility to the loader when working it at a height. The LED lights are a major standout – they offer great lighting at night.”

The G Series shares the same controls as used in the larger-horsepower Valtra ranges. It comes with two options, either the Versu spec which includes the Smart Touch armrest and four electronic spools or the Active/HiTech spec, both of which feature the same straightforward control layout.

Michael’s is equipped with the latter, which features a thumb-size gear stick, an electric loader joystick and manual spool valves.

"On average, it’s burning one 21l tank of AdBlue to two to three (200l) tanks of diesel”, explained Michael.

“I have grown very fond of the control layout. The handbrake is integrated into the forward/reverse shuttle lever which is simple and easy to use. The electric loader joystick provides very precise control of all movements. It would be difficult to go back to the traditional cable joystick when you get used to it. The only thing I would like to tweak is the angle at which the armrest is pitched. I like to position the armrest with all the controls at a 30° angle, but it doesn’t sit here.”

“I’m very happy with how the tractor has performed. It had one or two very minor teething issues, which Swaine’s sorted in a flash. I have over 900 hours clocked on it over the past 18 months. The only regret I have is not ordering a guidance system with it, but I am hoping to retrofit a GPS system before the fertiliser spreading kicks off again next year.

“The cab and front suspension mean it’s very comfortable and the sloping bonnet is a gift for visibility. I really like the Quicke loader; you would take it off in a couple of minutes. The joystick offers very precise control. The tractor is plenty strong enough for what I use it for, but the one thing I will be doing very shortly is either adding wheel weights to the rear wheels or buying a weight block for the rear three-point linkage. This is just to make it that little bit more stable when working the loader at heights such as when handling bales,” concluded Michael.

Model: Valtra G115 HiTech.

Rated power: 115hp (120hp with boost).

Maximum torque: 510Nm.

Transmission: 24 by 24, semi-powershift.

Top speed: 40km/h.

Unladen weight: 5,140kg.

Rear linkage lift capacity: 6,000kg.

Hydraulic pump capacity: 100 litres/minute.

Wheelbase: 2,550mm.

G Series starting list price: €97,944 plus VAT.

With the G Series, Valtra use the same cab frame as fitted in the A-series (75-135hp), except it features a larger glass area due to the higher positioning of the cab.

"I really like the Quicke loader; you would take it off in a couple of minutes".

The HiTech model is fitted with three mechanical spools and a 100l/min gear pump

"The only regret I have is not ordering a guidance system with it, but I am hoping to retrofit a GPS system before the fertiliser spreading kicks off again next year”.