Landini Rex 4 vineyard tractor series debuts in NZ
The Landini Rex 4 Series, recently released in New Zealand, is designed with vineyards in mind.
The first of the Italian-designed, German-engineered machines in D-F’s 7 series was recently unveiled in a fireworks-and-all-the-trimmings Southern Hemisphere launch by Australasian distributer Power Farming.
An audience of a hundred or more farmers, contractors and dealers from across the country turned out for the evening of drinks and canapés served by glamorous waitresses at Lake Hood, Ashburton, followed by a smoke-on-water introduction to the 7250TTV-machine.
Its 238hp, 6.0L, 6-cyl, 2000 bar common rail engine has a power-boost to 263hp and impressive fuel efficiency, a point highlighted by Power Farming’s Mark Daniel at the launch.
“Our tests confirm its efficiency. It uses 6.8L/hour less fuel than most other brands of similar power on the market.”
During a 10 hour working day, seven days a week, and 40 weeks a year, at $1.60/L of diesel, that adds up to $21,000-22,000/year in fuel savings, he added.
“So if you want to go on pouring more and more fuel into your old tractor then carry on. If not, then give us a call and allow us to come and demonstrate it on your farm.”
Daniel also emphasised the high degree of design that’s gone into what is the first of a whole new series of tractors to come from D-F.
Large windows and low-nose bonnet provide great all-round visibility and in-cab comfort means less operator fatigue, leading to greater productivity from machine and man.
The bonnet design also allows plenty of airflow round the engine and the power house is “very well presented.”
The continuously variable transmission uses a maximum of 28% hydrostatic power. “It’s vital there’s always more mechanical power than hydrostatic,” commented Daniel.
“It means it’s very sure footed and very productive.”
A 12-inch touch-screen monitor is mounted low to the right in the cab, just beyond the transmission controls, so set-ups, performance monitoring, and GPS is at the operator’s finger-tips. A second display mounted on the front right-hand cab pillar presents eye-level readouts of in-work functions, and there’s a traditional dashboard display of revs, speed, hours, fuel levels, etc.
Maximum rear hydraulic lift is 10t, and 4.5t at the front if fitted.
The standard main hydraulic pump is rated at 120L/minute, with a second pump for function such as power steering, four-wheel drive engagement etc, rated at 44L/minute.
The 7250 TTV will be followed by lower and higher powered models in five, six, eight, and nine-series ranges.
Power Farming national sales manager Brett Maber stressed the pedigree of the Deutz-Fahr brand, its scale today and the €30m/year spend on R&D.
“In terms of tractors, Deutz-Fahr is our headline act, I’d guess you’d say.”
