New Holland brings baby specialist tractor in with plenty of options

NEW Holland is bringing its ­optioned-up cut-price T3F specialty tractor to the Australian market next month to appeal to professional fruit growers.

Fruitful push: New Holland T3.75F three-cylinder specialist tractor with lots of extras.

NEW Holland is bringing its ­optioned-up cut-price T3F specialty tractor to the Australian market next month to appeal to professional fruit growers.

The F stands for “frutteto” and the T3Fprovides lower horsepower and cheaper options to New Holland’s T4F tractors in the horti market.

There are four T3F models in total ranging from 50hp (T3.50F) up to the $47,790 (+GST) 75hp T3.75F that overlaps the T4.75F, which retails for about $72,000 (+GST).

The main difference is in the ­engine and transmission with the T3F powered by a three-cylinder 2.9-litre, turbocharged and intercooled S8000 engine, coupled to a syncho-shuttle trans­mission while the T4Fs have a four-­cylinder engine and power shuttle.

The T3F range has been since 2013 and New Holland product manager Mark Crakanthorp said the idea of intro­ducing it here was to provide more market opportunities.

“(It’s) set to open up new market opportunities in specialist orchard, nut and viticulture operations,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“Operations will no longer have to trade off size for power: the new T3F will satisfy power demands in ­intensive applications.

“The hydraulic offering is perfect for specialist tasks, and the compact package will protect crop trees against potentially damaging rubbing and brushing.”

The tractor is 1350mm wide, 60mm narrower than the T4F, and has 1860mm wheelbase to help it achieve a 3400mm turning circle.

It also weighs only 2200kg but has a lift capacity of 2277kg at the ball ends on the rear linkage which ­includes the Lift-O-Matic system.

This enables operators to lift and return rear-mounted implements to a preset height by using a rocker switch.

The drop rate is also independent of its weight, so even if it was to weigh the maximum lift capacity, it would be lowered smoothly.

Mr Crakanthorp said the tractor would have a number of options as standard “rather than provide a base unit with a lot of expensive options”.

“There’s a 20x20 creeper synchro shuttle transmission as standard, and it has 40km/h top speed,” he said.

The T3F has two fixed displacement hydraulic pumps delivering a total of 84 litres per minute — 52 ­litres to the remotes and linkages and 32 litres to the steering system.

Three remote valve levers are on the right-hand console, close to the Lift-O-Matic and rear linkage controls, which fall to hand.

The operator platform is suspended on isolation mounts to cushion the driver from shocks and there is also travel in the seat suspension.

The T3F is fitted with hydraulically assisted PTO actuation, and when the tractor is turned off, the PTO will automatically disengage.

Two 540 and 540E PTO speeds are available with the latter achieved at a low 1592 engine rpm.

The three largest models — the T3.55F, T3.65F and T3.75F — will all be readily available with the smallest T3.50F available on special order.

Expect to pay about $41,790 for the T3.55F and $44,790 for the T3.65F and, if you opt for the baby, it will set you back $38,790 (all +GST).

For details, visit New Holland.