LOVOL tractors signal a return to the market for tractors equipped with everything you need to get the job done
To see two LOVOL models in action on a Waikato blueberry orchard was an excellent reminder of how much my four small children loved blueberries as they were growing up – so much so that I could probably have paid for a small stake in an orchard.
Blueberry Country is New Zealand’s largest blueberry orchard with more than 160 hectares currently in production, but with approximately 460 hectares of total land holdings dotted around the region, in various stages of development; waiting for plants to mature, fruit bearing mature crops, and aged plants ready to replant.
The business recently purchased three LOVOL tractors, a TE404 and two TE704s, to carry out a variety of tasks on the orchards. The orchard we visited was in Ōhaupō (where many may be familiar with the pick-your-own and ice cream store), however there are other properties; Ngatea (Waikato), Otautau (Southland) and one in Waipu (Northland), suppling all of the Pams packaged blueberries around the country.
These properties are all specifically purchased due to the soil type – heavy peat country as blueberry is essentially a swamp plant. As you can tell from the pictures, the LOVOL 704 has undergone some heavy customisation to suit the operation.
The reason behind purchasing the 704 in particular is due to its low and narrow stature, allowing it to easily fit down dense blueberry rows where the crop canopy merges into the middle. Because of the narrow frame and these modified dual wheels, it can still fit between the rows while offering a significantly wider footprint to stop getting stuck in the raw peat.
In the event that they do get stuck (luckily I didn’t achieve this during our test, as if anyone’s going to do it, it’s usually me), the double acting rams on the rear linkage enable using the rear mulcher to push the back wheels off the ground, making it easier to get the machine out without having to send another rescue vehicle, which often then ends up getting stuck and it turns into a particularly bad day.
The second machine is the 404, fitted with a LOVOL-branded front loader and features twin crowd rams, mechanical self- levelling, Euro hitch tool carrier and electric over hydraulic third service from the joystick mounted in the cab.
Engine
Right: The 404 is fitted with a LOVOL-branded front loader
Both these machines have a four-cylinder engine with the 404 and the 704 having 40hp (Tier 2) and 70hp (Tier 3) respectively. The main difference from an operational perspective was that the 704 had engine start/stop on the key, while the 404 had a mechanical pull stop cable.
Both have high torque figures at low rpm, which was evident particularly on the 704 with the mulcher. At no time did it feel out of power, and it certainly didn’t slow down at all with the heavy mulcher on the back, despite mulching a combination of grass and pruning clippings (which is the main task for that machine).
Transmission
Both models have similar transmission features also, with a top speed of close to 30km/hr dry clutch with a mechanical F/R shuttle on the left-hand (dash mounted), a single lever 1-2-3-4 with high/low. The only difference (and I’m not sure exactly why) but in the 704 it goes 2-1-4-3 on the H pattern and in the 404 it goes 1-2-3-4 on the H pattern. Both have two double acting rear spools but the 404 doesn’t have the double acting rear linkage. Both have a two speed PTO of 540 and 1000 with ground speed.
Operator station
As you can see from the pictures, the 404 has a cab that is equipped with air-conditioning. Thankfully (as it was a very hot day when I visited), I can tell you first-hand that the air-conditioning worked fantastically. Visibility from the 4-pillar cab was excellent and although it was a small cab, for that size tractor, I suspect that it was at least above average, and I didn’t feel overly cramped in it with plenty of head room.
The 704, being open station, had more room for a tall operator like me. I didn’t at all feel like my knees were around my ears and if I compared the two in terms of layout, the accelerator position in the 704 felt in a more natural position for your right foot, but often that’s personal preference.
Summary
The LOVOL tractors are perfectly suited to the range of tasks at Blueberry Country; good mechanical tractors that are basic to drive, and this suits an operation where there are often a variety of skill levels across operators – from those who have never driven a tractor to ex dairy farmers with plenty of experience.
The 704’s power was impressive and with its large footprint (thanks to its customisation), it’s fantastic for early season mulching. Suited as more of a general workhorse machine, the 404 with its cab and loader has main duties of fertiliser spreading and spraying at Blueberry Country. For the purchase price and its ability to do the job, the 404 is also well suited to the lifestyle market, offering great versatility.
Blueberry Country are delighted with these additions to their fleet and feel like they’ve had fantastic service from LOVOL brand MeTrade (metrade.co.nz). Both the 404 and 704 are living up to all expectations.
Video: LOVOL TE404 and TE704
| Make and model | LOVOL TE404C |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4-cylinder/2.31L |
| Rated horsepower | 40hp |
| Emissions level | Stage II |
| Hydraulics | 24L/Min |
| Transmission | 8F+8R with shuttle shift |
| Service interval | 50/200/400/800/ 1600 |
| Warranty | 3 years/2000-hour |
| Make and model | LOVOL TE704-EF |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4-cylinder/2.84L |
| Rated horsepower | 70hp |
| Emissions Level | Stage III |
| Hydraulics | 24L/Min |
| Trasmission | 8F+8R with shuttle shift |
| Service interval | 50/200/400/800/ 1600 |
| Warranty | 3 years/2000-hour |