McCormick previews new tractor flagship

McCormick has broken new ground with its new X8 series, which comprises three new models offering outputs of 264, 286 and 310hp. The new flagship model is blazing a trail for the manufacturer, being its first model to fall into the high-horsepower category (over 300hp).

The X8 made its public debut at the 2015 Agritechnica agricultural trade fair in Hanover, Germany, before making its way to the FIMA and Fieragricola trade shows in Spain and Italy in early 2016.

Argo Tractors SpA Director of Corporate Business Simeone Morra says the launch is part of the company's product strategy presented two years ago to renew the entire McCormick range with more modern designs, new features, greater comfort and more power.

"We have delivered our plan with the stylish X4, X5, X6 and X7 families from 64hp to 212hp, and now also the X8 Series – the flagship of our new line-up of modern tractors," he says.

"This program represents an investment of €75 million (approximately AUD$116 million) in R&D over three years, 5.5 per cent of our turnover, which demonstrates the commitment of the Morra family as owners and the company as a whole to the Argo Tractors enterprise."

The new X8 series tractors are powered by six-cylinder 6.7-litre Betapower Fuel Efficiency Tier 4 Final engines. An electronically controlled turbocharger with variable geometry manages power and torque outputs to deliver excellent low-speed response, says McCormick, plus high levels of torque starting at low revs for strong pulling power and excellent fuel efficiency. The engines also feature a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) exhaust gas after treatment system.

The new range comes with a ZF four-stage continuously variable VT Drive transmission. This delivers a 40km/h ECO top speed at 1300rpm and a 50km/h ECO top speed at 1600rpm.

An integral three-point linkage and PTO assembly is a new feature of the cast steel load-bearing frame that forms the front half of the tractor's chassis.

It enables the X8 VT Drive to work effectively with implements at the front and the rear while keeping the machine relatively compact and very manoeuvrable for its power.

Its closed-centre hydraulic circuit has a 157 litres per minute load-sensing pump (a 212 litres per minute pump is available as an option) and can handle up to 10 electro-hydraulically controlled valves, with each valve capable of handling 140 litres per minute.

The electronically controlled rear hitch offers a maximum lift capacity of 12 tonnes. A five-tonne lift capacity front hitch comes standard while a front PTO (1000rpm) is available as an option.

For added traction the McCormick X8 VT Drive can be equipped with 900/60 R42 rear tyres, which can be used at modest inflation pressures to protect the soil.

The front axle has a parallelogram hydraulic suspension system that helps deliver efficient traction, while an air seat and active hydraulic cab suspension provide a comfortable ride.

Standard on the X8 tractors is an ISOBUS system that handles the operation of compatible implements via a dedicated menu on the 12in Data Screen Manager colour touchscreen.

Argo Tractors says it plans to start production of the McCormick X8 VT Drive in the second half of 2016.