Huge tractor on track to work well

This is one of the few machines designed as a dedicated track machine instead of simply having a track assembly added to an existing platform.

Versatile tractors have traditionally been at the top end of the power spectrum and are designed specifically for the massive broadacre cropping operations found primarily in parts of Australia, North America and Europe. Although the brand is not yet well known in New Zealand, it is internationally recognised by large-scale arable farmers.

The 460DT is powered by a Cummins QSX 15L engine that meets Tier-4 emission standards and offers unbeatable power and torque without the requirement for additives (no AdBlue is required), coupled to a CAT TA-22 16-speed powershift transmission which offers smooth shifting with industrial strength durability.

Darling does a three crop rotation of wheat, barley and oil seed rape on his third-generation 450ha property Poplar Grove, just south of Timaru, where he recently harvested a world record 13.8 tonnes/ha of barley. He describes the 460DT as a “huge lugging machine” and he’s impressed with its performance and economy.

“It’s a big tractor, but it’s pretty simple and it does everything we need for our heavy cultivation,” he says. “It’s very cheap to run – we only use 20L of fuel per hectare for our cultivation including drilling, and 30 minutes/ha of time, so we’re not doing big hours on the machine. But we need that big horsepower to pull the cultivation gear we’re using.”

In a one-pass operation, the Versatile is pulling a Great Plains Simba SL500 cultivator with discs incorporating residues, sub-soiling legs and a consolidation roller, followed by a Great Plains Simba Centurion drill.

Darling says despite its size, the 460DT gives a lot smoother ride than the previous four-track machine he’s had.

“It’s a pretty comfortable machine – with one of the biggest cabs on the market – and the ride is very smooth. But despite it being big it’s very manoeuvrable and is easy to operate, and it’s got all the basic things you need for a big lugging tractor.

“When you’re in it you think it’s a great big machine, but in fact you still have headlands the same as a normal wheeled tractor. It’s so manoeuvrable that you don’t have to make big headlands or alter your cultivation techniques in any way – just carry on the same.”

In fact, with its 33 degree articulation angle, the 460DT has an extremely good turnaround radius.

Darling reckons the track system is particularly impressive and takes any jarring out of rough country.

A major part of that smoothness comes from the track system’s double axis bogie with two-way oscillation which provides better weight transfer and reduces shock loading, thereby cutting back vibration and stress on the frame.

The DeltaTrack has two saddle tanks with a total capacity of around 1800L. These are located below the cab on each side with a crossover tube, so regardless of the fuel level the weight from left to right remains the same. And unlike its competitors the 460DT’s tanks don’t affect the front-to-rear weight ratio.

This is the first Versatile DeltaTrack in New Zealand, but Darling isn’t worried by the current lack of numbers. There are already quite a number of wheeled Versatile tractors in this country and Power Farming has sold at least 30 of the DeltaTrack machines in Australia, where their size and power make them ideal for the large broadacre cropping operations found there.

“Under Power Farming and the backup they’re got locally in Timaru and nationwide, I’ve got no concerns about servicing or parts,” he says. “We’ve got good backup with Ross Dawbin at Power Farming in Timaru, and if anything is required we know that you can get it out of Australia pretty quickly.”

Power Farming ’s national tractor manager, Brett Maber, expects there will be more demand for these huge machines in New Zealand, with the increasing development of minimum tillage gear and the search for greater efficiencies through one pass machinery, all of which demands greater power.

While the 460DT is the biggest tractor Power Farming has sold in New Zealand, it’s not the biggest the Australasian-wide firm has handled.

“On the New Zealand tractor scene, the 460 is at the very top end in terms of horsepower,” he says, “but in fact this same chassis now goes up to 620 horsepower, and we’ve sold quite a few of those in Australia.”

He says Power Farming has two further demonstration machines currently being evaluated by New Zealand farmers but he believes the market for such massive power is limited in New Zealand because of our type of farming and smaller properties.

Maber says Versatile has an international reputation for building tractors with big, strong engines and bulletproof transmissions and componentry. 

“In recent years the company has spent tens of millions of dollars on research and development and on improved engineering, and they’re now producing a new generation of tractors with sophistication and style, but still with real rugged durability and toughness. 

“It’s that rugged toughness, that North American robustness, bang for your buck and the mentality of being bullet proof – that’s why they’re so darned good and why they just go and go, and do thousands and thousands of hours of work.”

For more information contact Ross Nesdale, national marketing manager, Power Farming, DDI 07 902 2226.

www.powerfarming.co.nz