july 07-buyers guide for t series valtra - Brian Robinson Machinery

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P19-23 Valtra T Series:Layout 1 12/7/07 09:43 Page 20 Launched in 2003, the T series consisted of seven models from 125hp up to 189hp. The T Series was the result of a £7 million pound development programme which had spanned 28 months. Production started in early 2003, although the last of the ‘HiTech’ tractors didn’t cease production until July of that year. The seven-model range replaced the 8050 right up to the 8950 flagship model. The T series was described as having a combination of cutting-edge technology, Valtra knowledge and valuable customer benefits at its launch. The six cylinder models had lost the square and angular styling of all the older ranges, and benefited from smooth curves, rounded lights and greater operator comforts. A noticeable feature of the series was the lack of model designation on the bonnet. The only way to identify a machine was either by the serial number plate or from small badges positioned at the bottom of each door. The range started with the 110hp T120, moving up to the ‘Sigma Power’ 210hp T190. Both the range topping 180 and 190 models were powered by the same 7.4 litre SISU Diesel providing 180hp, but fuel management provided extra power for PTO and transport work. More torque and lower fuel consumption gave increased performance of the new engines, and service intervals were increased up to 500 hours. Good weight distribution continued thanks to the way Valtra mounted the engine over the front axle on all of the models. More sophisticated loadsensing hydraulics, combined with increased flow and oil capacity provided better performance and an increased lift capacity of 10 per cent. The gearbox casing was re-designed to increase the amount of oil available to the system, and flow was increased to 75 litres per minute from 63 l/min on the Hi-Tech 50 Series. Seat-mounted buttons and joystick provided greater operator comfort and the new lift-up bonnet made servicing easier. Production continued until January 2007 when the revised models were launched. This new range included 21 changes, but was generally very similar. The model designation received a ‘1’ at the end, thus ranging from a 133hp T121, up to a 210hp T191. Engine The T Series was fitted with a 6.6 litre or 7.4 litre SisuDiesel engine which gained the reputation of being one of the most fuel-efficient on the market. All featured Electronic Engine Management (EEM) which adjusted injection depending on load, speed and temperature, and which in turn, resulted in increased power, improved emissions and lower fuel consumption. The 6.6 litre engine models included the smallest 125hp T120, followed by the 135hp T130, the 145hp T140, 155hp T150 and 165hp T160. The larger 7.4 litre engine models were designated as the 175hp T170, 184hp T180 and flagship T190 at 189hp. The Common Rail fuel system and four valves per cylinder on the 7.4 litre engines enabled a power-boost feature which produced up to 22hp more engine power on the T190 whilst in a transport gear. ‘Sigma Power’ was a proven feature which worked by comparing readings from two sensors on the PTO driveline. The long shaft from the flywheel direct to the clutch pack could twist under load, so the sensors detected this and engine power was increased. So it meant that the 189hp T190 was effectively a 211hp tractor in tough conditions, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Similarly, the T180 could achieve a maximum power of 193hp. Another interesting feature of the Common Rail engines was the unique feature of a low idle speed: revs dropped to just 600 rpm when the handbrake was applied. The engine’s advanced electronic control of driving speed also enabled a speed of 40 km/h at just under 1,800 rpm, saving more fuel in transport operations. The EcoPower model, the T140, had a maximum rev level of only 1,800 rpm and also intake air intercooling. Smooth tractor operations, excellent reserve torque levels and not forgetting even lower fuel usage were the benefits of an ‘EcoPower’ tractor. All T Series models came with optional Cruise Control, which allowed the driver to choose either a set driving or engine speed. The reliability and cold starting of the SisuDiesel engines is excellent and hardly any issues have arisen with them to date, with some of the tractors reaching five figures without a glitch. Check for a service history, as keeping the engines maintained is very important due to their high sophistication. The T series could be fitted with Valtra’s TwinTrack reverse drive system making the tractor a little more versatile. The beefy rear linkage could lift 7.7 tons on all models. 20 Tractor & farm Trader
P19-23 Valtra T Series:Layout 1 12/7/07 09:43 Page 21 Check that the pick-up hitch bolts are tight and that there are no cracks around the brackets. Try to go for a standard hitch if you don’t need hydraulic push-out. Gearbox There were three transmission options to choose from on the T Series. The first simple box was a 12F x 12R synchronised transmission with a mechanical forwardreverse shuttle. When this box was chosen, mechanical hydraulic control and 73 litres per minute hydraulic output were specified. The second option was a 36F x 36R Powershift transmission with three programmable gears, with an electronic shuttle and mechanical spools. The final choice was a 36F x 36R Powershift transmission, equipped with a programmable forward-reverse shuttle, including a fail-safe electronic parking brake, electronic hydraulic control, loadsensing and armrest control of external hydraulics. The Powershift was changed via buttons on the gear lever which could be set to shift, automatically, to a higher or lower gear as necessary. You could let the system shift according to the preprogrammed factory settings, or programme your own settings quite easily, according to your experience and needs, based on the RPM. Valtra’s HiShift button-controlled clutch was standard and 50kph was available as an option on most models. An additional useful transmission feature was that the four-wheel drive engaged when the tractor started off, moving or changing with the driving direction. This eliminated the wheel slippage which could, all too often, break the field’s surface. The shuttle lever located on the left of the steering column operated the parking brake and the unique auto traction release Up to four spools were available and could be controlled on an armrest joystick on the top electronic model. system. This allowed the driver to stop the tractor by pressing the brake pedal or by letting the revs drop below 1,000 RPM, and then to start off again by pressing the accelerator or removing his foot from the brake pedal. Many drivers appreciated the straightforward mechanical gear levers, but the range lever was a bit of a stretch and the three powershift speeds could have done with being four. The gearbox was redesigned within the first year of production to make more oil available to the transmission. All the tractors originally used a ‘650’ gearbox, but with the redesign it became the ‘700’ and had uprated gears and bearings to cope with the extra power of the T140 and above. Some early tractors will still have the ‘650’ transmission. No major problems have been reported with the transmission so far; just check that each gear engages and drives. Rear linkage The Category III linkage was capable of lifting 7700kg on all models, which meant the smallest T120 could lift the same load as the range-topping T190. This put the smaller Valtra T series ahead of most of the competition. A 3.5 tonne front linkage and PTO was offered as a factoryinstalled option and is now a useful extra to be fitted. The linkage was controlled by the electronic ‘Auto Control’, either fitted to the side console if the tractor had mechanical hydraulics, or to the armrest if the tractor had the electronic hydraulics option. ‘Drive Balance Control’ was a standard feature that provided linkage damping when an implement was in the Grammar air seat and integrated arm-rest provided excellent operator comfort. raised position. The linkage was a robust design and the stabiliser bars were simple and strong. The pick-up hitch was regarded as weak point by a few users who bought the tractor for transport work. The standard hitch was Valtra’s own simple drop-down affair which worked extremely well and was one of the best available in terms of strength and reliability. It was perfect when the tractor was used predominantly on trailer work, as it was an integral part of the tractor and around 75 per cent of tractors in the UK had them fitted. Unfortunately, it lacked a push-out feature which many other manufacturers had available and when bigger tyres were specified it wouldn’t reach the ground. The answer was to fit a Dromone hydraulic hitch as an optional extra which was considerably easier to use. It was found that extra lugs were required to strengthen it after problems occurred with bolts coming loose. Later on it was changed to a similar design from a Scharmuller brand. Do check the hitch bolts regularly and look for cracks and wear while checking it over. Hydraulics The original early 2003 tractors had a 90 l/min output when they were launched as the latest sophisticated machine. But when they offered different gearbox options the pumps changed. The pump depended on the gearbox option chosen, either a mechanical or electrical hydraulic system was fitted. An output of 73 l/min was available depending on the model and if the tractor had manual hydraulics; those equipped with electronic hydraulic Aires air front suspension provided a smooth ride when the tractor was fitted with a 50kph transmission or used for transport work. Tractor & farm Trader Three wide steps were well positioned and provided a trouble-free access to the flat floor cab. The bottom step was easily removable if damaged. The T series cab was vastly improved over previous tractor ranges and maximum noise levels were as little as 70 db(A) on the T140. 21
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july 07-buyers guide for t series valtra - Brian Robinson Machinery

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