Caption: The Landini Powerfarm tractor range launched at the Royal Smithfield Show includes a High Clearance version (left) that stands taller than its standard cousin for work in fruit and field vegetable crops and mature arable crops such as cereals and oilseed rape.
Five utility tractors from 59hp to 99hp with 'quiet' open platform or cab
High clearance 82hp to 99hp models straddle specialist crops
Powered by Perkins 1100C-series three- and four-cylinder engines
Choice of 12x12 30kph, 24x12 40kph and 24x12 creep gearboxes
Ideal for livestock farms and fruit/vegetable enterprises
A high clearance version of the new Landini Powerfarm range of tractors attracted interest from field vegetable and fruit growers, as well as arable crop producers, at last week's Royal Smithfield Show.
Standing tall on equal size wheels all round – instead of the more common large rears and small fronts – it has more ground clearance than ordinary tractors and so can be used in crops with minimum risk of being scarred or physically damaged by the underside of the tractor.
"This is a particularly important issue for consumer crops that are at risk of downgrading or rejection if they do not have near-perfect appearance," says Adrian Winnett, sales manager at Landini UK. "With almost 220mm (9in) more ground clearance than the standard Powerfarm or any similar tractor, the Powerfarm High Clearance can work in these crops with little or no contact."
The standard models in the Landini Powerfarm range unveiled at the Smithfield Show are designed to meet the needs of livestock farmers wanting a simple, straightforward specification on a tractor that will handle a wide range of jobs while keeping the driver comfortable in a practical and well-equipped cab.
The range covers five popular power outputs from 59hp to 99hp. The 59hp Powerfarm 60 has a three-cylinder engine from the new Perkins 1100C Series, while the 68hp, 82hp, 92hp and 99hp versions have four-cylinder engines from the same range – all designed to meet latest exhaust emissions regulations while giving good power and torque outputs.
Buyers of 59hp and 68hp Powerfarm models get a 12 forward, 12 reverse speed synchro shuttle gearbox with 30kph gearing as standard, while the 82hp, 92hp and 99hp versions have a 24 forward, 12 reverse speed transmission, which comes with either creep gears for very slow specialist work or 40kph gearing for a more relaxed drive on the road.
The relatively quiet engines and carefully designed sound deadening measures allow the tractors to be sold with either a safety weather cab or with an open platform with safety roll-over bar. The second of these is a useful option for pig and poultry farmers with low-roofed buildings, or fruit growers growing crops in polytunnels, who would not otherwise be able to use a tractor of this power and size.
"The open platform is also an option on the High Clearance version, so it can also work in larger polytunnels," says Adrian Winnett, who emphasises that this model is not simply a conversion but a properly engineered tractor in its own right. "It has front and rear axles that are unique to this model, plus tall, narrow wheels of equal size front and rear for maximum clearance and four-wheel drive traction."
Drivers who expect the Powerfarm High Clearance to have ungainly steering because of the big front wheels will be surprised – a shorter wheelbase and narrow front bodywork makes it almost as manoeuvrable as its standard cousin.