On right track for farming
THE New Holland T9 SmartTrax II tractor was quite the spectacle at FarmFest this year.
The bright blue tractor is on display in the demonstration arena where spectators can see the machine in action.
Product manager for high horsepower tractors at New Holland, Marc Smith, said they’d had a fair bit of interest in the tractor.
“These sort of tractors with the track solutions have been increasing in popularity,” he said.
“In the last five years there has been about a 30 per cent uptake in the track solutions.”
New Holland offers two models of the T9 SmartTrax II – the T9.615 and the T9.670.
The standard track modules, fitted in the factory are designed with an agricultural lug tread on the T9.615 and T9.670 models. This lug has a tread height of 50mm, spaced 150mm apart offering improved traction over wheels in a variety of soil conditions.
Both the New Holland T9.615 and T9.670 SmartTrax II models offer a standard 36-inch-wide track, which provides 2800 square inches of ground contact per module, for a total footprint of 11,200 square inches.
Mr Smith said there were many benefits for the use of tracks versus tyres.
“There is a big increase and a lot better floatation,” he said.
“Which means there is a lot less soil compaction. It equates to better efficiency overall, less slippage and less fuel wastage.”
Mr Smith said with more brands offering a track solution for high horsepower tractors, the T9 SmartTrax II release had been a welcome addition to the New Holland T9 wheeled line-up.