Valtra Reaches 1000th CVT Transmission Milestone
AGCO’s Valtra brand has announced a production milestone at its Suolahti, Finland, factory with the completion of the 1000th AGCO continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The Valtra T254 Versu won the coveted Tractor of the Year 2018 (TOTY) and Best Design 2018 awards at Agritechnia 17 in Germany last month.
The Valtra T254 Versu won the coveted Tractor of the Year 2018 (TOTY) and Best Design 2018 awards at Agritechnica 17 last month in Hannover, Germany.
Chosen by 23 journalists representing 24 European agricultural magazines, TOTY recognises innovation, technology and performance.
“The Valtra sets a new standard in intuitive operation and offers high levels of comfort, performance, efficiency and versatility,” the jury said.
“The SmartTouch armrest with 9-inch touch screen, the multi-function drive lever and the new hydraulic joystick offers the most straightforward user interface in the sector, allowing the driver to control and adjust settings for the engine, transmission, hydraulics, guidance and telemetry.”
The latest model of the T Series, the Valtra T254 Versu (271hp), launched in June 2017, is described as an arable workhorse that, with SmartTouch, brings precision farming tools to the same user interface as the tractor controls.
The new armrest control is said to increase the productivity of any tractor/implement combination while lightening the workload for the driver. Separate profiles can be assigned for individual drivers or tasks, with settings automatically saved to the active profile.
A 5-step powershift transmission has four main and two creeper ranges for a total of 30 speeds in both directions; shifting is effortless whether operated automatically or manually with the drive lever.
The T254 Versu also has a hill-hold feature for uphill starts using just the throttle pedal, and patented hydraulics assistant that provides more hydraulic output automatically, whether stationary or driving, with no effect on speed.
An intelligent drive lever gives speed increases by pushing forward and decreases by pulling back, keeping acceleration in full control at all times. There is no switch to change between lever and pedal mode, as they work in prefect sync all the time.
Driving with the drive lever is a new feature that provides more flexibility for the operator, and is said to make the Valtra Versu models the only powershift tractors in the world that enable full operation using only the drive lever.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…