When it comes to value for money, the Zetor Crystal HD 170 stands out as one of the most competitively priced tractors in its class. But is it good value for money? Simon Henley travels to ar ickshire to find out.
Crystal HD workhorse ticks the box
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ntroduced to the UK at the 2019 LAMMA Show, the Zetor Crystal HD 170 was a replacement for the Crystal 160 model. Zetor revived its famous Crystal line-up back in 2015 and the all-new version of the tractor range introduced Deutz six-cylinder-power with the 30F/30R transmission borrowed from the four-cylinder Foterra HD line-up. Although well received, early examples of the new Crystal were arguably under-developed. The cab, for example, featured an interior which lacked the ergonomic refinement of the company s popular Forterra range, with poorly positioned spool valve levers and randomly placed switch gear. The good news is that this has been rectified by the introduction of the Crystal HD models, which now share a similar cab specification to the orterra HD. With the HD-spec cab interior the operator gets an increased level of electronic control, with switches and
dials arranged in a neat and logically arranged right hand console. Controls include electronic spool valve s itches, hich are both flo rate and time adjustable. The rear linkage system has also benefited, ith the introduction of etor s HitchTronic electronic working depth adjustment system, in addition to electronic drop rate, lift height and draft/position mix control. Driver visibility has also been improved by raising the mechanically suspended cab 100mm, and Zetor now offers eight LED work lights as an option. A new LCD colour dash monitor is also a feature of the new cab, which shows a wider range of systems information.
Family
The Hall family has owned more than 25 Zetor tractors over the years and Richard Hall can still remember the first etor the family owned when he was still a child.
HD-spec cab interior introduced a new right hand console design, with flow-rate and operating time adjustable electronic spool valve controls.
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The Crystal HD 170 is equipped with front linkage and Carraro independent suspension.
FARM FACTS Z ● Farmer: Richard Hall ● Location: Admington, Warwickshire ● Farmed area: 202 hectares (500 acres) ● Farm type: Arable, sheep and pigs
He says: “I think the only other tractor we owned, aside from Zetors in those days, was a Ford 5000. “My dad and my uncle liked Zetor tractors because they were cheap, reliable and they could fi them in the farm workshop. Zetor tractors have always been rugged and simple, with bullet-proof engines that would pull like a train and run on a sip of diesel.” Richard and his father today farm about 202 hectares, from which he produces about 70ha of combinable crops which are sold for seed. e also runs a flock of e es and keeps half a dozen sows, the progeny from which are used to supply pork to local butchers and pubs. he all tractor fleet currently includes a Zetor Forterra 80 equipped with a Zetor loader, and a Forterra HD 130. The Crystal HD 170 was purchased in April of this year to replace a Valtra T151, which had clocked just over 5,000 hours. “We like to swap our tractors every few years so they do not lose too much residual value. The Valtra was
a good tractor, but its value was such that we could not afford to replace it with a new one, so we decided to shop around,” says Mr Hall. “Years ago, my father and uncle o ned a etor rystal . his as a good tractor in its day, so last year we decided we would try one of the new Crystal 160 tractors on demo. “On the whole we were very impressed by the tractor s performance, both in the field and on the road. It had plenty of power and we thought the Carraro independently suspended front axle was well-suited to the tractor s design. hat e ere not keen on was the cab. The low roof line obstructed forward vision, and the interior layout felt outdated.
Concerns
“When we expressed our concerns to our local dealer, we were told that Zetor was introducing a new Crystal HD model at the LAMMA show. The new tractor offered greater power and more importantly, it had an updated and improved cab design. It also offered LED lighting, which was a bonus as we felt the standard work lights were not particularly good.” ichard is the first to agree that while Zetor tractors do potentially offer great value, they have not always provided the greatest level of refinement. o ever, he is keen to reiterate that the new Crystal and Forterra HD models offer a far greater
www.lammashow.com 10/12/2019 12:43
