Valtra T-Series tractor 2021 Review

In the rolling red-soil fields of North East Tasmania, a majestic white Valtra T-Series tractor rumbles along, hard at work.

Its good looks and sturdy design has won it several prestigious international machinery awards including Machine of the Year, Tractor of the Year and Best Design awards.

But what makes the Valtra T-Series stand out from the crowd is its connectivity and smart features.

Under the sleek curved bonnet sits a 7.4-litre engine that delivers just the right amount of power to the Powershift transmission for the most economical operation.

The big white Valtra is a beast. As soon as the key turns in the ignition, the engine roars into life in a way that tells the operator, "I'm ready for work".

The Valtra T-Series’ engine is manufactured at AGCO Power's plant in Linnavuori, Finland. The facility, which has been making engines for over 70 years, enjoys a proud reputation as one of the world's leading engine builders, employing 700 people and producing more than 30,000 engines per year.

The US Tier-4, Euro Stage V-compliant engine in the T-Series uses SCR (selective catalytic reduction) and AdBlue to reduce engine emissions. The large 70-litre AdBlue tank only requires filling after every third or fourth fill of the 380-litre main diesel tank, making light work of maintenance.

Other features include 2000 bar injection pressure, optimised cooling package, high pillar air intake, electronic viscous fan control and enhanced heat removal, all of which help to reduce fuel consumption. Maximum engine torque is achieved at a low 1500RPM.

In addition, the engine's unique Sigma-Power feature gives up to 36 additional horsepower for PTO work when required which is especially useful when working with demanding implements such as chippers, mowers, or power harrows. 

The marriage of the AGCO engine and the Valtra Powershift transmission resulted in one of the most economical, versatile and smoothest shifting transmissions on the market. In automatic mode, the tractor gear shifts automatically based on acceleration and torque requirements at the time. It constantly fine-tunes the fuel delivery and gear selection to provide the most efficient operation with minimum fuel usage.

The T-Series runs a five-step Powershift transmission in HiTech, Active and Versu configurations. Which configuration depends on the operator’s needs, with the HiTech version providing more basic controls while the Versu offers all the bells and whistles including SmartTouch user interface and load sensing hydraulics.

When combined with the two creeper ranges, the Valtra T-Series has 30 gear ratios available in either forward or reverse. The gear lever is ergonomically placed in the armrest for easy access.

Included with the Powershift transmission is a Hill-hold feature that enables the machine to start smoothly, even uphill, with just a tap of the accelerator without any roll-back.

The transmission is incredibly easy to use. As the machine's default gear mode is set to Auto, all operators have to do is select the direction of travel and the transmission will automatically make the optimum gear shifting decisions based on the load, speed and gradient.

In fact, when the Powershift is in Auto mode, gear shifting is so seamless it almost feels like a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Valtra Powershift also features a ground-breaking, patented hydraulic assistant that automatically delivers supplementary hydraulic output, either while stationary or driving, with no adverse effect on driving speed.

The Valtra T-Series cabin is not the biggest on the market, but its clever design that bulges in the middle and narrows at the top affords the feeling of a very generous operating environment.

The narrow five-pillar cabin design with a slim exhaust pipe gives operators excellent view out of the cabin, which is especially handy for loader and reversing work. The 270-degree sweep front wiper keeps the heated front windscreen clear in all conditions. A sky-view roof window lets operators keep an eye on the front loader bucket in a loading application.

A unique black panel mode, which allows the interior to be dimmed for maximum outside visibility, comes in handy during low-light or night operations.

An optional rear-view safety camera provides unimpeded view of the hitch or implements at work.

The Valtra T-Series has a 2995mm wheelbase which provides good stability and a smooth ride in the roughest of paddocks. Thanks to the cleverly designed steering geometry and narrow engine, this machine is very agile, with a turning radius of only 5.25m. There is plenty of ground clearance too with 600mm of space between the ground and the bottom of the tractor.

The T-Series delivers excellent traction thanks to its front and rear weight distribution of 40 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.

Its rear lift capacity of 95kN is one of the highest in the market for this size machine, while its lift height of 890mm allows for easy utilisation with a wide range of implements. The T-Series comes standard with a two-speed PTO (540 and 1000RPM), but can be optioned with a three-speed, electrically controlled PTO or a Ground Speed PTO if required.

As previously mentioned, the beating heart of the T-Series is its technology suite which has been designed in-house by AGCO.

The product suite consisting of Auto-Guide, ISOBUS, AgControl Section, AgControl Variable Rate and TaskDoc are all controlled via the SmartTouch terminal (in the Versu model).

These systems work together seamlessly to guide the tractor and implements in a farming operation. The result is improved accuracy, reduced working time, better yields and better return on investment.

Auto-Guide utilises positioning signals from satellites to map fields and guide the tractor so it will be precisely where it needs to be in the field.

By using satellite maps and ISOBUS control, each implement can also be automated in their applications. For example, AgControl Section automates implement section control functions while AgControl Variable Rate controls variable rate application functions.

Best of all, the intelligent farming systems beam their information up to the 'cloud' so operators can access data anytime, anywhere. Operators only need to open up the Valtra Connect app on their mobile devices to access information such as tractor activity and GPS coordinates which helps for when scheduling maintenance and servicing.

Another great feature of the Valtra T-Series, in my opinion, is the separate transmission and hydraulic oil reservoirs and long servicing intervals. The extended intervals of 600 hours for the engine oil, 1200 hours for hydraulic oil and 2400 hours for the transmission oil are massive time and cost savers and help lower cost of ownership.

The Valtra T-Series is a seriously impressive machine. It is exceptionally well-made, comfortable, spacious but most of all, very easy to use and operate.

Not to mention the view out of the cab was exceptional.

While the fine weather conditions I was operating the tractor in meant the 270-degree windscreen wiper and heated windscreen didn't get a workout, I have no doubt they will be popular functions in the cooler winter months.

Find Valtra tractors for sale

Valtra T-Series

Engine: AGCO Power 74 LFTN-D5

Capacity:7.4 litres

Emission Control: Euro Stage-V

Power:175HP – 235HP (129kW – 173kW)

Torque: 545 lbs-ft – 686 lbs-ft (740Nm -930Nm)

Transmission: Powershift 30-speed

Wheelbase: 2995mm

Length: 5800mm

Height: 3130mm

Turing Radius: 5.25m

Fuel Capacity: 380-litres

Ad-Blue Capacity: 70-litres

Ground Clearance: 600mm

Weight: (full tanks): 7300kgs

Weight Distribution: 40/60

Max Front Axle Weight: 5500kgs

Max Rear Axle Weight: 9000kgs

GVM: 13500kgs

Powerlift: 78kN x 868mm

Smart and stylish new Valtra crowned Tractor of the Year

Valtra G series utility tractors break cover

Valtra announces sleek limited-edition tractors

Valtra unveils 5th gen workhorses