Valtra HiTech tractors introduced at Siuntio

Valtra introduced new HiTech tractor models of between 100 and 200 horsepower at Siuntio.

"This is our company´s biggest investment for years," says Jouko Tukiainen, Valtra´s president. "HiTech includes, as its name implies, new technology that controls the tractor´s forward and backwords and speed. This has been a big challenge for our product development and production departments. I´m proud that the entire development process has been taken through in accordance with the ISO 9001 quality standard."

According to Tukiainen, the development of the HiTech transmission has brought Valtra a great deal of new know-how that will also be needed in the development of the next generation of tractors. High technology was also taken into consideration in the production. After assembly the transmission is flushed carefully. Afterwards the transmission and the computer that controls it are adapted to each other in test equipment.

"We´ve furthered the driver´s health and safety in the HiTech range. Change of direction is made without the use of a clutch. The handbrake is controlled with the fingertips by a small lever that´s placed under the steering wheel, which increases safety. The use of the clutch pedal is restricted to a minimum, which reduces wear and tear on the knee joints. There are also other innovations in the updated range. In the six-cylinder models we´re introducing the Aires air suspension, which is the first in its field. The performance of the four-cylinder models reaches 120 horsepower. Also new is the forest cabin where visibility through the roof upwards has been greatly increased," Tukiainen says.

Production of the HiTech range will begin gradually at the turn of the year. The production tempo will be raised in the spring. The present Mezzo and Mega models, which are equipped with synchronized shuttle, will still remain in production.

Last year the number of tractors manufactured by Valtra was 14,000. With this volume the company achieved market share of more than 23 percent in South America and 26 percent in Scandinavia. Valtra is seizing the European market from its competitors, last year its market share was 8 percent in the category above 70 horsepower.