PHOTO: ARGO TRACTORS


PARTNER FEATURE ▶▶▶


McCormick tractors power ahead with latest easy-use technologies


A BY PETER HILL


mass of switches, dials, levers and displays in a tractor cab may look impressive at first sight – but for practical day-to-day use, a large ar-


ray of controls can make life more difficult, not easier, for operators. So engineers at McCormick manufacturer Argo Tractors have continued to pursue the ‘simple but effective’ formula when incorporating ad- vanced control and information technologies into their latest models. With the new X7.6 VT-Drive tractors unveiled at Agritechnica, the constantly evolving Mc- Cormick range gains four models with proven continuously variable transmissions. Starting with the X7.620 VT-Drive at 180hp (plus 10hp boost for transport and pto-driven implements), the range culminates with the 230/240hp X7.624 VT-Drive – a finalist for the Tractor of the Year Award 2020. This model, with more power, torque and per- formance than any previous McCormick X7.6 Series tractor, taps into growing demand for relatively light-weight and highly manoeuvra- ble tractors with high performance potential. A fresh appearance distinguishes the new trac- tors, which have heavier duty rear axles and pto assemblies, and increased permitted maxi- mum weight to handle heavier implements and more ballast for optimum traction. New engine hood styling matches the bigger 264-310hp McCormick X8 VT-Drive models, and a sleek new cab roof panel houses 12 LED lamps to illuminate the work space all around the tractor. Inside the Premier cab, operators are present- ed with a modest collection of control buttons, switches and dials – modest, not because there are few features, but because McCormick engineers recognise that a simple, clear con- trol layout encourages operators to regularly make use of the technological features available to optimise performance. Most frequently used function controls are laid


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Technologies that ease an operator’s workload, improve productivity and increase comfort during the working day feature on new McCormick tractors.


out clearly and logically on a console mounted on the air suspension seat along with a 12in colour touch-screen display – one of the larg- est fitted to any tractor. For the ultimate in control flexibility, the new tractors have five MySwitch multi-function buttons on the VT-Easy Pilot controller that can be allocated one of several functions chosen by the operator. Following the same principle, the electrical- ly-operated spool valves can be allocated to a joystick, paddle switches and buttons according to the operator’s preference. Flow rate, timing and response are all adjusta- ble so that the ideal configuration can be set for every hydraulic cylinder on any implement, and this is done through the touch-screen dis- play, which also provides access to set up vari- ous tractor functions using a newly enhanced


layout of clearly understandable icons. The transmission section, for example, con- figures the powertrain to respond in the most effective, efficient and productive way for the implement being used and the work being done.


And a new headland management menu is used to store and recall different tractor and implement control sequences, all of which can be edited to fine-tune the finished sequence with the perfect timing for each step. With Isobus, fully integrated Topcon guidance, advanced precision farming apps and McCor- mick Fleet Management telematics available, the new McCormick X7.6 VT-Drive tractors can be equipped with all the essential tech- nologies – and all easily accessible through user-friendly controls to suit novice and experienced tractor drivers alike.


With guidance installed, operators of the McCormick X7.624 VT-Drive can adjust manual steer- ing response for headlands and hitching manoeuvres from three turns lock-to-lock to less than one and a half.


▶ FUTURE FARMING | 1 november 2019


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