Workhorses that pull their weight - Part 2

publication date: Jul 1, 2008

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author/source: David Harris

“A compact tractor can be moved using a van and trailer. A local authority will have many housing areas to cut across a large geographic area, and a gang of two men can move a tractor with middeck, a walk behind mower and strimmer and cut many different small areas during a day.”

As well as all year round utilisation, compact tractors offer greater durability, the company suggests. “With many local authorities using seasonal workers, who are paid based on the area of grass they can cut per day, it is important that these machines are able to withstand a certain amount of abuse. For example driving up and down kerbs can play havoc on a mowers’ front axle, but the 4WD axle on a compact tractor easily copes with this.”

 The very size of the compact is a major benefit, says JCB, which until recently has been associated with much bigger power units.

“One of the most popular applications is the use of the 35hp 335HST model for aeration. A number of golf clubs and sports facilities have taken this tractor because it weighs less than 1.5 tonne, yet boasts a lift capacity of 1250kg. This means it has the strength to handle a 1.6m aerator and its auto headland management feature which automatically disengages and re-engages the pto makes it a simple job,” says the company’s spokesman.

However, the 27hp 327HST has also proved of interest on amenity sites, reports JCB, for the unusual combination of snow ploughing in the winter and spraying and mowing in the summer.

“This narrow tractor can fit down a pathway or pavement and its 700kg lift capacity allows it to carry plenty of salt in a linkagemounted gritter.”

Ransomes Jacobsen markets the Japanese-built Iseki range of tractors, from 16-47hp in the compact sector. One of the most popular models is the 23hp TXG 23.

Peter Powell, Ransomes Jacobsen’s Tractor Manager comments “The TXG 23 is a superb compact that can mow, collect and accommodate a multitude of implements. It is powered by an Iseki 22hp, clean burn three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1123cc, significantly greater than competitors in this class.”

“We’ve noticed that enquiries from golf clubs looking for new machines tend to be in the mid-range 30-40hp bracket,” added Peter Powell. “There’s still a demand for the compact end of the range, but golf courses are now looking to run just two machines, where previously the might have had three.

“We’ve been particularly successful in that middle sector with our TH range and the 33hp, TH4330 in particular. Lift capacity is 1100 kg so it can handle some of the mid-sized aeration equipment with ease. Top speed is 30kph and it’s also got hydrostatic power steering, cruise control and hydrostatic transmission.

“However, by far the leading golf course tractor in our range is the larger TG5470, which has a four-cylinder engine and 1580kg lifting capacity at the ball ends. It also features our IQ transmission system with clutchless forward and reverse selection.”

In McCormick’s compact tractor line-up, the 35hp GM40 is currently the best-seller from a line-up that extends to 54hp, with twoor four-wheel drive versions available.

There is also a choice of mechanical transmissions – the 12x12 synchro shuttle is standard but there is a 16x16 version with creep gears for specialist work like turf aeration. Last autumn further choice was added with the introduction of the CT range.

“The CT range takes us further down the power scale, with a 28hp model and also further up the power scale with the new 60hp version being introduced this summer,” notes McCormick’s Stewart Barnett. “Having two ranges means we can more easily meet the individual needs and preferences of amenity operators.”

“This range also brings the easy driving characteristics of hydrostatic transmission with cruise control, which is ideal for work such as mowing where steady but carefully regulated speeds and/or frequent forward-reverse shuttling is involved.”

Reflecting this application, the newcomers also have a mid-pto system to drive a mowing deck or other specialist implement attached between the front and rear wheels.

The smallest model in McCormick’s compact line-up, the 28hp CT28 comes with a 12x12 shuttle gearbox option in addition to the hydrostatic drive system that is the sole fitment on the 41hp and 47hp models.

Landini makes and assembles its own transmissions, hydraulics and axles for its compact tractors at the San Martino in Rio factory in northern Italy. The established four-model Mistral line-up, which spans 35hp to 54hp, was joined last autumn by the Compact 40 Series, with engine outputs of 28hp to 47hp.

“The two ranges are complementary because the Mistral tractors all come with a mechanical gearbox, while the Compact 40 Series newcomers have hydrostatic drive,” explains UK Sales Manager Adrian Winnett. “With the 2840, the new range also brings a lower power machine to our line-up and this model is available with either mechanical or hydrostatic drive.”

For the time being, it is the two smallest models in the Mistral range that are Landini’s best-sellers.

“The Mistral 40, with 35hp from its three-cylinder Yanmar engine, is a good size for implements that don’t need a lot of power,” Adrian Winnett points out. “But if a bit more muscle is needed, then the 49hp four-cylinder diesel in the Mistral 50 delivers the goods.”

All four models in the range can have either a 12x12 or 16x16 shuttle gearboxes and two-speed rear power take-off, which provides one setting for power and one for economy; with implements that do not need a lot of power, the ‘economy’ gearing allows the engine to be run at a lower speed to reduce both noise output and fuel consumption. A third setting gives ground-drive pto capability.

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