The ARGO Group’s renewed focus on its Landini, McCormick and Valpadana tractors and the increased revenues generated last year have been welcomed by Ray Spinks, general manager and sales director at GB distributor AgriArgo UK, Harworth, Yorkshire.
He also applauds the group’s investments in measures to strengthen the company’s industrial base last year - see FarmingUK story ’ARGO report increased profits’.
"It shows that dispensing with the grain and grass harvesting interests to focus on core tractor products was the right thing to do," he says.
"Investments in new technical facilities are evident at the Fabbrico headquarters plant and its satellite factories in Italy; new products have been launched; and an intense product development programme promises significant new introductions over the coming years."
Among the biggest technical facility investments is a new test centre for transmissions, which ARGO Tractors continues to design, engineer and manufacture in-house for tractors from 35hp to 160hp.
The computer-controlled system, housed in a sound-proofed room, can reproduce field operating conditions and subject transmissions on tractors up to 300hp to severe performance, endurance and operational tests.
Acquiring the EmmeGi tractor platform and cab manufacturing joint-venture last year gives ARGO Tractors full production and quality control of an important assembly.
Capable of producing up to 50 cab frames a day, this specialist operation subjects all fully trimmed and equipped cabs to a computer-supervised test sequence to check instruments and electrical systems before they are transferred to the tractor assembly lines.
On product development, the current programme has already yielded the new McCormick X60 Series tractors from 92hp to 121hp, which is proving a popular replacement for the venerable CX Series, and the McCormick X70 Series (along with its Landini 7 Series counterpart) launched at Grassland UK, the Cereals Event and the Royal Highland Show.
The X70 is the first of several new tractors in the pipeline that embrace more sophisticated engine technology to improve field performance and fuel economy while meeting latest exhaust emissions requirements.
ARGO Tractors has confirmed it will continue with the current policy of sourcing the most suitable engines from different manufacturers: Yanmar and Perkins for three- and four-cylinder engines up to 110hp with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) providing the core emissions control technology; and FPT Industrial for six-cylinder units from 150hp using selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Between those power levels, ARGO will source the engines and emissions technology it considers most appropriate.
The product development programme will also yield new transmission introductions, uprated hydraulic systems and increased availability of axle and cab suspension to further enhance productivity, versatility and driver comfort.
"We have had a very positive response to the McCormick X60 Series introduction with some dealers comfortably exceeding their CX sales," says Ray Spinks.
"The on-going development of this model and others in the ARGO Tractors range will be welcomed by end users and our dealers."
