New release: Valtra A Series

Date: 01.03.2021

This year sees Valtra celebrate its 70th anniversary, and the Finnish company has a number of plans already in place to mark the important milestone

As well as hosting some virtual celebrations from the factory, Valtra says it has big news to reveal at the Agritechnica machinery show in Germany scheduled for November.

If the restrictions surrounding COVID-19 calm down in time for the show and people can attend, then Valtra will unveil something special on its stand. It will also exhibit its new fifth generation of A Series tractors just launched in Finland.

The popular Valtra A Series, twice the recipient of the Machine of the Year award in 2017 and in 2019, is going into its fifth generation. The tractor range is now available with many new features that have been requested by customers.

The model series continues to comprise seven models to choose from, all of them available as so-called GL-models, which feature an easy-to-use mechanical transmission. The best-selling 105 and 115hp models are also available with a four-step powershift transmission.

In these HiTech 4 models, transmission is controlled electronically. All A Series come with Valtra’s renowned shuttle transmission including the integrated handbrake.

Marko Ojalehto, Valtra product specialist in charge of the new A Series, says, "Operating the A Series has been made even more efficient and comfortable in many ways. Powershift gears are available on several models, the front loader armrest has also been upgraded on GL models, the four-cylinder models have five more horsepower than before, and the service interval has increased to 600 hours."

Over half of A Series tractors are fitted with a front loader at the factory. Accordingly, many of the upgrades have been designed to make front loader work even easier, such as the Powershift gears and updated control armrest familiar from HT4 models.

More Powershift gears and advanced engine

Finnish manufacturer Valtra has launched a new series of the popular A5 model

From now on, the three-cylinder models A75–A95 will be available with the HiTech 2 transmission featuring powershift. This will result in more efficient field work and enable road transport at lower engine speeds. The HiTech 2 models have a 24 forward and 24 reverse speed transmission. In addition, all A Series models can be equipped with Creeper, which reduces the lowest speed to approximately 100 metres an hour.

Engine power has been increased by five horsepower on four-cylinder models and now corresponds to the model designation. All engines comply with Stage V emissions standards and now feature a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in addition to SCR injection without exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

Engine speed and power can now be controlled even more precisely thanks to a new accelerator pedal. Increasing the service interval from 500 to 600 hours saves costs while increasing the amount of productive working time.

The A Series is available with compressed air brakes or a hydraulic trailer brake system, customers can choose their preferred option.

New features on the fifth-generation A Series

This year Valtra celebrates 70 years of manufacturing tractors

5hp more on A105–A135 models
2 powershift gears optional on A75–A95 models
AutoTraction, which can be switched on/off
Dual-circuit hydraulic brakes
New control armrest on Gear Lever models
Upgraded Stage V compliant engines
600-hour service intervals
Redesigned engine cover
Redesigned wheels
Optional PTO buttons on rear mudguard
on HiTech 4 models
Valtra Connect remote monitoring optional
Automatic main power switch in the
ignition switch
Valtra Connect predicts service needs

Valtra Connect has for several years enabled tractor owners and their local service technicians to monitor tractor data remotely. In the near future, customers can choose to make this data available to the AGCO Machine Monitoring Centre, where service needs can be detected in advance through the continuous processing and analysis of the data transmitted by tractors.

The tractor’s sensors measure dozens of different variables, such as speeds, temperatures, pressures, operating hours, flows, and so on. If the Machine Monitoring Centre detects that a component is failing on the basis of its temperature, operating hours, and pressure, for example, a message can be sent to the local service centre or the customer.

"Traditionally, service teams used to react to visible faults, but in the future, it will also be possible to predict a wide range of service needs in advance," says Jani Rautiainen, Valtra director parts and service. "For example, a component that is at the end of its life cycle can be changed during servicing before it breaks.

"The nearest authorised Valtra service centre to the customer will receive a message explaining the suspected fault, instructions for fixing the fault, a list of the required components and an estimate of the time needed to make the repairs. This gives both the service centre and the customer the chance to agree on a suitable time to service the tractor."

The new service underwent testing in 2020 among customers in real-life conditions. The same system is already in use or being introduced for other AGCO tractors, harvesters, and sprayers, so there’s already a lot of practical experience with the service.

It will be offered as part of Valtra Connect, so there will be no additional cost to customers. Similarly, no new hardware or software will be required. For existing Valtra Connect customers, accessing the service will be simple. Naturally, customers also have the option to not begin using the new service.

Valtra celebrates 70th anniversary

Valtra Connect remote monitoring is optional

Valtra has come a long way since it emerged 70 years ago when the focus was on the mechanisation of agriculture.

"The advancements that began 70 years ago keep on going and accelerating. Thanks to persistent product development work, our tractors have now reached their fifth generation," says Valtra managing director Jari Rautjärvi.

"Now our customers expect smart solutions from Valtra. We are making big investments in our factory in Suolahti, Finland. The new logistics centre was just launched, and a new paint shop will begin construction this summer."

History of success

From its humble beginnings in 1951, Valtra tractors are iconic machines

Valtra, then known as Valmet, began series production of tractors in 1951 in Jyvaskyla, Finland. The first model was the Valmet 15 that, as the name implies, had 15hp and was designed to replace a horse on a small farm.

From the very beginning, customer needs were highlighted and structural solutions were introduced for which Valtra is still known: the ground clearance was high enough for forestry work and the tractor was also ideal for road maintenance tasks. Later, cabin ergonomics made it possible to work longer and safer working days, with increased operator space.

To mark its 70th anniversary, Valtra will manufacture 70 specially equipped ‘Limited Redition’ tractors. These anniversary models are available in the T Series (T174e to T254) and will be sold worldwide.

The specially equipped anniversary models feature a deep red metallic paint reminiscent of Valtra’s roots 70 years ago. The red colour is also highlighted in the details of the tractor, including in the stitching of the leather interior and the interior light. The anniversary model has black rims and a stainless steel Limited Redition badge.