Valtra is renowned for producing great tractors, and it has just gone one better with the new Valtra T162 Versu tractor, designed to be easier to drive and even more reliable
- Improved five split-shift transmission
- Excellent radiator access
- Good LCD display/controller
- Spec’d with six forward and six rear lights
- Separate transmission oil and hydraulic oil
The highlight of the Valtra T162 Versu tractor is the new transmission unit with five split shifts, replacing the manual gear change with two/three split shifts.
For the Valtra farmer it means they don’t have to stop and manually change gear on a steep hill with a baler, or a rough section in the paddock while using a power harrow.
Engine and power
While I can’t comment on power because I couldn’t get the diesel engine to struggle going up small slopes, I can say that the 6.6-litre motor has plenty of torque.
I thought the turning circle was OK until Waikato Tractors technician Gerard Skinner said he hadn’t shifted the steering stops out yet on this new tractor – they still had a way to go.
Valtra has replaced the gear levers with a five-way, electronically controlled split shifter.
Valtra has been using the successful low revving AGCO Sisu Power (formerly SisuDiesel) powerplants for some time. EcoPower saves on fuel, especially with today’s high level of electronics to control the direct common rail fuel injection system.
Waikato Tractor’s technician Gerard Skinner explains, “A normal rated engine is at 2200rpm. It drops 400rpm, it keeps the rated engine horsepower the same, but it is rated at 1800rpm for a 10 percent fuel saving and reduced noise. It increases the torque by about 100Nm.”
To keep the same horsepower, level the electronics pump in more fuel for the lower revs.
“Per injection it injects more fuel at 1800, but because it’s doing less rpms, it’s squirting in less often.”
The four valves per cylinder, intercooled turbocharger 6.6-litre AGCO Sisu Power engine produces 167hp at 2200rpm, and 159hp at 1800rpm.
The maximum torque is 675Nm at 1500rpm and 790Nm at 1100rpm.
All AGCO Sisu Power engines in the T and N series have manufacturer approval to run on 100 percent biodiesel.
On the control panel are two rocker switch Modes. Mode 1 for the pre-set engine revs and Mode 2 for ground speed.
Transmission
The 50kmh speed matching transmission has 30 forward and 30 reverse speeds with a five-way split shift over four ranges, plus 10 creeper gears.
The “4WD” system has three positions, 2WD, full-time 4WD or automatic 4WD, where it will cut-out when the steering wheel reaches a pre-set point. The front and rear wheel sensors will engage auto 4WD when they sense if any of the wheels are skidding. As usual, the forward/reverse shuttle was set perfectly on this Valtra.
Speed control
The Auto rocker switch controls the two speed systems. Auto 1 is set for automatic speed changes, and Auto 2 enables you to program exactly where you want the speed changes.
Climb in, set the mode and push the accelerator. As soon as the engine revs reach your pre-set speed the clutch will automatically engage, and off you go. And when you brake, the clutch automatically disengages.
Below the Mode rocker switch is another switch that allows you to manually alter your ground speed (by 1kmh increments) or engine revs (by 50rpm increments). There are also a couple of cruise speed adjustment buttons on the armrest.
The cab
The cabin is quiet and above average roomy because of the reverse steer option. This allows the operator to turn 180 degrees and work a small steering wheel to drive “backwards”. The trade-off is a lack of places to put things.
New for this model are two LCD displays. The “A” pillar screen displays which of the four transmission ranges you’re in, and gear, speed, engine mode, PTO speed, outside temperature and the time – not all at once.
The main LCD display homepage allows you to navigate through all the various control set-ups, such as the hydraulics, linkages and PTO.
Below the armrest screen is a dial where three different implement hydraulic actions can be programmed in and pre-set into memory. A headland management system allows the operator to programme the proper sequences into the computer, activated by an armrest button, along with an interrupt button.
The up/down shifter buttons are operated with the driver’s thumb while the four range changes are done with the driver’s index finger.
A big change comes from the separation of the transmission and hydraulic oils, with the transmission oil change intervals now at 2000 hours and the engine oil every 500 hours.
The hydraulics are controlled inside the cab by a series of armrest mounted levers. The four hydraulic outlets are capable of up to 115L/min capacity.
The Valtra system for checking and cleaning the radiator system is probably one of the quickest and easiest of all that I’ve seen.
Our test T162 has large heated exterior mirrors, which are also electrically adjustable. Other features of the T162 Versu include two heaters, steel valve stem protectors, additional small rear guard mudflaps, wheel weights, and cab suspension.
Read in-depth machinery reviews in the latest issue of Farm Trader magazine, on sale now.
See a range of used Valtra tractors for sale.
Photography: Terry Stevenson