AGCO and SDF join hands
Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME, Deutz Fahr and Lamborghini tractor brands.
With a lift capacity of 3.5 tonnes to a maximum height of 4.0m, and powered by a Perkins 130hp engine, the machine appears to have the right credentials.
Centred on a shorter, wider chassis with a wheelbase of 2.87m, and shod with 24 inch diameter tyres, this telehandler offers tight turning for operation in confined spaces. The industry norm of two wheel, four wheel and crab or offset steering takes care of pointing the machine in the right direction.
The engine is housed along the offside of the machine, and features a Perkins 4 cylinder that pumps out 130hp mounted parallel to the main boom. This helps access to items requiring routine maintenance, with main items such as hydrostatic and hydraulic pumps mounted at the front of the engine bay. The all-important cooling pack is also mounted forwards and features a flip-up design for cleaning, and when coupled with the reversible fan should ensure cool running on hot days
From the engine the drive is transmitted via a hydrostatic pump to gearbox with two mechanical ranges and two hydraulic splits to ensure a range of speeds to suit all applications. Creep speeds allow slow speed with high throttle settings to achieve fast cycle times. Maximum speed is a true 40km/h. Forward/reverse control is via a shuttle lever mounted under the left side of the steering wheel.
The grunt of the machine, the boom, offers a 1.75m pivot point and is powered by a closed centre-load sensing hydraulic pump with a peak flow of 160L/min which should ensure fast cycle times.
The newly designed cabin front and rear curved screens has the former carrying on up over the roof space and the latter around the right rear of the machine. Both give unprecedented views, particularly to the right rear quarter that can be a blind spot on some brands. At 900 mm wide the cab should suit all sizes of operator, and with standard features such as air conditioning, air suspension seat and a noise level of 75 dbA, long days should be a breeze.
For operator information and boom control, a dashboard is located in the front right of the cab, so easing the view down through the boom to the toolbar, while a fully proportional joystick lies ahead of the right hand armrest
