Designed for professional fruit growers and vineyards, the new T4 Auto Command range packs a lot into a small frame.
Taking part in the Tractor of the Year Specialized category is New Holland’s T4.120F, fitted with a brand-new Auto Command continuously variable gearbox, which provides a 50kph top speed – said to be a first in this segment.
It tops out a four-model range, running from 86hp up to 120hp, all powered by a four-cylinder FPT engine which offers 518Nm of torque at just 1,300rpm. When in transport mode, the machine runs in Eco, providing 40kph speeds at 1,500rpm and the maximum speed at 1,780rpm.
A large cooling package has been integrated into the engine compartment, with the option of a reversible fan that can be set to run automatically at timed intervals or can be activated manually.
For operator comfort, hydraulic front axle suspension is equipped, and the standard front axle can be swapped out for a SuperSteer variant that reduces the turning circle from 3.9m to 3.3m. When this is optioned, the fuel capacity of the machine is impacted, with a 95-litre tank equipped instead of the standard 104-litre tank.
Mechanical and semi-active hydraulic cab suspension systems are available, as well as a suspended seat with additional forward and backwards movement to dampen undulations.
At the rear of the machine, the hydraulics package is designed to handle high-power implements. A closed-centre, load-sensing pump provides 115 litres/min to a maximum of five electronic valves at the back, and up to two at the front. The rear linkage has a maximum capacity of 2,520kg, while the optional front linkage can lift up to 1,450kg or 1,480kg when the SuperSteer axle is fitted.
Smart farming
In the cabin, New Holland have integrated a compact version of the SideWinder armrest with a multi-function joystick that includes transmission controls and paddles to activate the spool valves. The IntelliView 12in display is fitted as standard, mounted on a rail so that it can be moved out of the operator’s eyeline when not required.
A full package of New Holland precision farming systems is available; telematics and connectivity to the FieldOps mobile app are standard, and operators can upgrade their systems to full IntelliSteer guidance, IntelliTurn headlands turning and the Headland Turn Sequence II, which uses GPS triggers to automatically adjust the implement when approaching the headland.
It’s also fully Isobus compatible, with Tractor Implement Management, which enables smart implements to adjust the tractor to suit conditions. Another function brought down from the larger ranges is the intelligent trailer braking system, which will automatically apply the pneumatic brakes of a trailed machine when the operator slows the tractor using the transmission. This will stop the trailer from pushing the tractor.
Because of its position within the specialised market, the T4 is a narrow machine, with a maximum width of just 1.77m – with the possibility to bring it down to 1.5m.
Testing the T4
During the pre-Agritechnica event, the Tractor of the Year jury were given the opportunity to test the T4, both on the road and down a series of runs designed to imitate a vineyard scenario.
Despite being a narrow machine, it’s comfortable, and visibility is good. Having the display on a rail was a particularly good design choice as it does encroach on the operator’s space when placed in the eyeline – an unavoidable consequence of putting this much technology into such a small cabin.
Operation of the tractor will be familiar to those who have used an Auto Command machine in the past, and the acceleration for road work is fast without the tractor ever feeling unstable.
For field work, the machine was easy to set up. The row guidance system keeps the machine within the rows without veering too close to the crop, making this system ideal for high-value produce. Up to three target speeds can be set and activated from the joystick, with the display indicating the percentage of that speed the machine is currently running at.
The only minor we found was that the Auto Guidance stiffens the steering to such an extent, that you have to exert quite a lot of force at the end of the row to knock it back into manual at the end of the row. This won’t be an issue on fully specced machines with IntelliTurn, and it makes sense as it limits the risk of deactivating the system accidentally. It was significantly stiffer than the previous machines we’ve tested as well.
Overall, it’s a very impressive package of technology, integrated into a tractor that is compact enough to work within the specialised market. And while the price might put off those working in vines or soft fruits in a small way, or who have only recently diversified into those markets, large-scale operations will find a lot of benefits in this easy-to-use, advanced tractor.