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With a secret appreciation for MTV’s Pimp My Ride, when there was the whisper of tractors getting blinged out down in the Manawatu, it didn’t take much to convince Farm Trader NZ’s Jaiden Drought to find out more. When told that this would also afford the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Valtra T174EV, he was there even faster

This is a seriously cool looking tractor: I’m a big fan of the TRC Edition concept, as well as the option for Valtra Unlimited.

There’s no denying a bit of chrome, flashing LED lights and some sweet tints bring out the magpie in many car and machinery enthusiasts. I’m not going to lie – I’m partial to some tractor bling, so arriving in Feilding to discover the tractor customisation going on at TRC Tractors was a bit of a sweet gig. The level of customisation available affords some pretty unique options. I’m not sure whether I entirely love the black on black rims on the Valtra T174EV. I do, however, like the Massey Ferguson 7720S with a red stripe around the outside, which I feel breaks it up a little better. Both creations are the work of the new TRC Edition service. Just don’t get me started on air horns and lighting the thing up like a Christmas tree, but each to their own I guess, and this is the beauty of customisation.

TRC EDITION

The concept behind the TRC Edition is to offer a customised approach to creating something a little more head-turning than your standard tractor (aka embracing your inner magpie). Going back a step, if you really want to get carried away, you could also opt for the Valtra Unlimited service directly from the factory. Among other things, this allows for the addition of things such as candy paint, customised headlights, various LED options, leather trim and even your favourite animal picture printed on the surface of the tractor. Heck, why not get the whole thing painted like a tiger to channel your lockdown Tiger King obsession? Anyway, back to Feilding, at TRC Tractors HQ, the enthusiastic team got together and decided that the TRC Edition can offer the same type of bling, but it can be done in New Zealand for the complete customer experience. Doing this in New Zealand means that a customer can decide to upgrade to the TRC Edition if they don’t want to face a potentially longer wait for their genuine limited, indent ordered tractor.

BACK TO BUSINESS

Enough about pimping your ride and back to the business of tractor testing – specifically the Valtra Engine T174EV. Now the eagle-eyed reader may have picked out the ‘E’ in the title of the T174. This allows you to simply push a button for the choice between power or economy, aptly named Eco Power. Eco Power is ideal for road transport (53km/h at 1,650 rpm), giving plenty of wiggle room when encountering pesky hills, and the Sigma Power is the boost feature that gives 15 extra stallions when needed. Sigma power engages the boost based solely on power take-off (PTO) load, even when the tractor is static. Boost is also engaged separately in C and D ranges for transport or by hydraulic demand. The Valtra T174E is the only T4 model to be equipped with Eco engine mode. It has a wide, constant torque curve and also reduces fuel consumption by 10 per cent. Maximum power of 190hp (142kW) for the T174Eco is between 1,100rpm and 1,200rpm. This is achieved by reducing piston speed by 20 per cent. Engine torque then increases – a great feature common on high horsepower tractors in the Agco stable, which use this low rev, high torque concept. The after-treatment system on the Valtra T series is now into the fourth generation, making them super-efficient. The Stage V-compliant Valtras use a diesel particulate filter as well as the selective catalytic reduction and diesel oxidation catalyst, although still no exhaust gas recirculation. Most of the T4 Powershift models, like the one tested, are available with Tier 3 engine, which has no after-treatment at all.

VERSU TRANSMISSION

I’ve always found the names of the transmissions confusing on the Valtra. The Versu is the Powershift, although the V, to me, is more like continuously variable transmission (CVT); and the

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Direct, which is CVT, is more like direct power for the Powershift. Confused? Me too. I might have to try and swindle a cheeky trip to Finland and have a chat to the brains trust behind the naming over there. Nevertheless, the transmission on this Valtra T174EV was the top-of-the-line four range, five-speed Powershift with 10-speed creeper, giving a total of 30 gears in each direction. It’s exceptionally smooth; in fact, one of the smoothest I’ve driven. The Versu offers clutchless shifting right through the ranges, plus automatic shifting modes, and a specific C/D range shifting mode, which is perfect for the road. Shuttle aggression can be pre-programmed, along with two cruise control speeds and a brake to neutral feature. While this is deemed to be a Powershift transmission, it’s one of the more advanced and not unlike a CVT in the way it drives.

PTO AND HYDRAULICS

I genuinely believe the separate transmission and hydraulics oil reservoirs are a great trait of the Agco machines. Service intervals for the engine are 600 hours, with 1,200 hours on hydraulics and 2,400 hours for the transmission – marketleading in any language. The Valtra T174EV I test drove had the optional integrated front linkage and PTO, with a rated lift capacity of 5.1 tonnes. Rear linkage has a 9.6-tonne lift capacity. There’s also an electronic speed selection of three-speed PTO (540/540E/1000). While many will grumble that you need a four-speed PTO, the T174 Eco has another trick – being the only model that can do this, which essentially enables you to select 1000 PTO speed and chuck her into Eco – a dream result. Our test machine was fitted with four rear spools and one front, although, up to seven can be spec’d and three valves up front. The CCLS pumps are available in either 115,160, or 200 litres per minute. With fingertip control on the SmartTouch armrest and fully adjustable time flow, etc. through the touch screen, it really couldn’t be much easier.

OPERATOR ENVIRONMENT

As mentioned, we’re now in the Fourth Gen T series tractor. Valtra was initially slow to the monitor-based armrest concept, but they’ve arrived in style to the party with the SmartTouch armrest, which is a real head-turner. While it may not be the most lavish or expansive armrest on the market, the SmartTouch armrest is classic Valtra: user-friendly, well-constructed, sleek and smart looking without being too flashy. The main striking feature is the nine-inch (22.9cm) touch screen. While this might not be the largest on the market, it’s extremely easy to use – just swipe around the 3D tractor picture and tap the icon you would like to change the settings for. Icons for hydraulics, transmission, engine, lighting, etc. can simply be tapped and adjusted without wandering into a rabbit warren of submenus. This has a real smartphone feel, more so than any other on the market. The SmartTouch controller on the Powershift allows you to drive it much like a CVT. Just push the lever forward to go up gears and pull back to go down. This, combined with the brake to neutral function, means almost completely clutchless driving from a Powershift machine.

CAB AND RIDE COMFORT

Summing up the ride comfort is simple – it’s outstanding, and I don’t make that claim lightly. There are two main reasons for this: the front axle and cab are on airbags for unparalleled comfort (it also has a sweet name – luxury pneumatic Auto Comfort), and when combined with the Evolution seat, it’s almost unreal; the tractor drivers will be fighting to spend the day in this.

1. Customisation at its best. How good does the black and white contrast look! 2. The rear of the Vatra is well laid out and uncluttered – perfect for hitching implements 3. Impressive front lighting arrangement 4. The air cab suspension makes for a great ride

Specifications

Engine Agco Power Engine capacity 7.4L Max: 190hp/142kW Power PTO: 540/540E/1000 Transmission Four-range five-speed powershift + 10 speed creeper Hydraulics 115/160 or 220L/min CCLS Suspension Air cab and front suspension Linkage capacity 5.1T front, 9.6T rear Fuel tank capacity 380L fuel 70L AdBlue Wheelbase 2.995m

Tyres

600/60R28 front 710/60R38 rear

Above: An elite look for an elite machine – black tints and rims are enough to satisfy the magpie in all of us I also like the Valtra cab. While not the largest on the market, it does have a real feel of quality. This Convex cabin feels bigger than it actually is due to bulging doors and narrow roofline. The cabin can be optioned with the largest front roof window on the market for loader work, or the unique Skyview rear roof window for forestry applications. Nice touches such as a 270-degree front wiper and heated windscreen tie back to its artic roots. The five-pillar design is the ideal compromise regardless of tractor brand, as it perfectly mixes visibility and accessibility.

VERDICT

This is a seriously cool looking tractor: I’m a big fan of the TRC Edition concept, as well as the option for Valtra Unlimited. While customising your tractor won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, for many contractors and operators, their tractor represents a significant investment, so why not make it stand out from the crowd? Spending the day with the Valtra T174EV reconfirms that, in my opinion, the Valtra is the most underrated tractor on the market. Every time I hop in one, it floods back just how well made they are. As well as the obvious, it’s the many well-thought-out small details that combine to make this an elite machine. It’s easily one of the most comfortable tractors I’ve ever driven (and I’ve sat in a fair few) – the air suspension is unreal.