Agricultural engineers supplying new McCormick tractors travelled from all parts of Britain to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, Yorkshire to hear about – and try for themselves – the new models and improved features being introduced this year.
There was no time for any monkey business or feeding the lions as the dealers got down to the nitty-gritty of learning about new ‘X generation tractors for livestock and arable farms, and features such as touch-screen computer control of the tractor and implements, an automatic transmission with no gear shifting, and satellite navigation that can guide a tractor across fields with 2cm accuracy.
“It was very important to us that our dealers had an opportunity get some detail on the new tractors and to drive them,” says Ray Spinks, sales director and general manager at McCormick distributor AgriArgo UK. “We had dealers from as far away as Scotland and South-West England learning about the new developments to pass on the information and their impressions to customers.”
McCormick manufacturer Argo Tractors has invested heavily in a new product development programme that will produce as many as eight new ranges over three years, bringing added refinements, greater performance and modern control technologies to the tractors that farmers rely on day after day.
New small tractors for livestock farmers – the 64-107hp McCormick X4 Series and 85-113hp McCormick X5 Series – have new, more economical engines and a smart new cab with large windows for good all-round visibility.
The mid-range McCormick X6 Series (111-176hp) covers a wide range of transmission, pto and equipment choices to suit different applications and operator preferences.
At the top of the range, the McCormick X7 Series (143-188hp) for arable farmers, contractors and large grassland/livestock producers can have a 12in touch-screen ISOBUS terminal to set up and control various functions on the tractor and implements.
The new VT Drive version is the first McCormick with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Instead of shifting gears manually, the operator only has to use the accelerator pedal or the EasyPilot control joystick – computer control automatically selects the best engine speed and transmission ratio for efficient road travel and different types of field work.
“This is the sort of technology that brings added performance, fuel economy and precision to farming operations,” says Ray Spinks. “It’s especially appreciated by a younger generation of farmers who use computers of one type or another in all aspects of their lives.”
Apart from appealing to end users, Ray Spinks hopes the expanded and modernised range, and the availability of new technologies, will help attract dealers in areas where the McCormick marque is not represented.
