New Holland launches Straddle Tractor concept for vineyards

New Holland Agriculture has released its fair share of concept tractors in the past including the methane tractor and NHDrive autonomous tractor but its latest project, a vineyard straddling tractor, is arguably the most stylish one of all.

That is because New Holland teamed up with famed Italian design house, Pininfarina, to come up with this concept that combines style and substance.

The Straddle Concept Tractor was officially unveiled at the recently concluded SITEVI 2021 viticulture and horticulture trade show held in Montpellier in the south of France.

New Holland said it specifically designed the unit to meet the demanding requirements of the narrow vineyards typical of the premium wine growing regions such as Champagne, Médoc and Burgundy.

These operations produce high-quality, high-value wines from grapes grown in rows less than 1.5m wide, often on steep slopes and on small vineyards. In these conditions, grapes are often picked by hand. Vine maintenance is done using specialised tractors and implements but operators often can’t see over the vines as they travel in between the rows.

New Holland’s Straddle Tractor concept, as its name suggests, straddles the rows of vines as it travels along the vineyard with the tractor cab sitting well above the ground and the vine rows.

Pininfarina, which is an expert in automotive and industrial design, developed a futuristic looking machine that is not only cool to look at but is highly functional and sustainable.

The design of the front of the machine is inspired by the shape of a champagne flute – tall, wide at the top and tapering down at the bottom – paying tribute to the premium wine growers that will be its main customer base.

That, combined with wraparound glass, provides the operator with exceptional visibility of the vineyard. The overall exterior design is automotive-inspired with sleek lines and curves. The exposed frame confers a sporty look while the aerodynamically shaped cab aids in travel and speed.

The operator’s seat is easily accessible thanks to the large single door and rotating seat. The use of wood in the cab contributes to its luxurious feel, and is a nod towards its customers’ winemaking businesses and their wooden wine barrels.

“Our ground-breaking straddle tractor concept offers a glimpse into the future that premium wine growers with narrow, high-value vineyards can aspire to,” said New Holland Brand President, Carlo Lambro.

“It is the result of New Holland’s long history of excellence in vineyards across the world, combined with the inspired innovation of legendary design house, Pininfarina.

“It is testament to New Holland’s constant striving to develop new solutions to meet the most specialised needs of our customers and foretells a further expansion of our extensive offering – the widest in the industry.”

Pininfarina Chief Creative Officer, Kevin Rice, said his team of designers leveraged over 90 years of car designing skills and experience to create the Straddle Tractor concept, all while keeping operator experience front and centre.

“In New Holland, we have found a partner who shares our values and our innovation-oriented approach; we are confident that the new concept will be able to mark the future direction for this sector,” he said.