Representing a much coveted segment of the tractor market among tractor manufacturers, we test drive Valtra's latest G Series addition. James Rickard puts the new contender to work.
As discovered with our recent test drives of New Holland's T5 Dynamic Command and John Deere's 6M Series tractors, the 100-140hp tractor market is a highly desirable place to be for manufacturers.
It is a demanding segment to be in as well, with tractors having to match up to the hugely diverse nature of its customer base, from simple, low-spec tractors for yard work, to machines specced with all the bells and whistles, affording precision farming tasks.
Keen to capitalise on this segment, Valtra recently introduced its brand new G Series, slotting neatly in between its simple A Series and its higher-spec N Series. Within the G Series range there are four models from 105 to 135hp (rated power) and like its bigger brothers there are various specification levels to choose from; HiTech, Active and Versu. These primarily relate to differences in controls and hydraulic performance.
To delve deep into the tractor's capabilities, we test drove the series flagship, the G135, complete with the firm's top-spec Versu package and a mind bending wealth of optional extras, courtesy of the manufacturer's Unlimited Studio. In addition, the tractor was equipped with a colour-matched factory-fitted loader.
In reality, our extravagant test spec is unlikely to make it onto most British and Irish farms, but it did show just how far you could go with the spec on this tractor.
To give the tractor a good workout, we gave it a fortnight's worth of silaging duties to carry out including mowing, raking, round baling and bale shifting.
Overall, the G Series should satisfy many potential customers in this segment, but as we are finding, there is some seriously tough competition in this segment.
