Profi 2/2015 special reprint

SPECIAL REPRINT
from 02/2015
special reprint
from 02/2015
Valtra T173 HiTech long-term test:
Simplicity works best
Never before has a long-term test tractor logged so few repairs as
this 132kW/180hp Valtra T173, which clocked more than 1,300
hours working at a contracting business for 1.5 years without any
major hiccups. This in part is attributable to its level of specification
which – although its 'HiTech' badge might suggest otherwise – is
relatively simple.
Hubert Wilmer
E
njoying the reputation of being a
sturdy and dependable tractor, the
inconspicuous Finn did in fact live up
to that image. The tractor was operated by a contracting business for more than
a year, during which it clocked more than
1,300 hours, pulling round and square balers as well as maize trailers and halfpipe
dumpers (see the workload panel). So, on
the whole not exactly a stroll in the park.
During this time, the 7.4-litre engine
from Agco Power (formerly Sisu) was
on its best behaviour on all aspects – very
quiet, powerful and above all frugal. Naturally, the Nordic powerplant needs to feed
on AdBlue to comply with the emission stage
IIIB standards (Tier 4 i). The SCR system with
24-litre AdBlue tank never caused any trouble during our long-term test. Excellent.
The tractor's consumption was about 10
litres per hour when pulling a round baler
whereas when hitched to a high-capacity
maize trailer, the T173 guzzled an average
of 12 litres per hour (not least courtesy of
engine rpm dropping dramatically at 40km/
hr). Good stuff.
was the only one which made the gears feel
notchy. Along with four speeds and three
(silky smooth) powershift steps all this adds
up to 36/36 speeds – which admittedly is
not state of the art in the realm of gearbox
technology. But anyone looking for more
sophistication can opt for the 'Versu' box
(powershift transmission with five steps) or
the infinitely variable 'Direct' transmission.
All these gearboxes share the excellent shuttle control, a small lever underneath the
steering wheel to the left. The shuttle not
only worked in exemplary fashion but
also offered an integral park lock that
also controls the trailer brake simultaneously. Exemplary, too.
Less exemplary is the level of pto specification, because buyers must make a
choice between two speed options –
540/1000 or 540E/1000. Unfortunately,
operators need to activate the external
control first in the cab before they can
operate the pto from the ground.
Moving on to the hydraulic system, there is more to say than
about the gearbox. The
'HiTech' T models are
available only with a
fixed gear pump, which
supplies an oil flow of
73l/min or 90l/min
as a maximum. The
maximum number of
rear couplers is four;
Cue gearbox: The test
tractor was fitted with
the
entry-level
'HiTech' gearbox,
which offers three
groups including
the creeper, which
Long-term test:
1 3 2 1 , 0 h:
profi 2/2015
The six-cylinder, 7.4litre Agco Power engine
impresses by virtue of
its quiet running and
high output. Fuel economy
is good too; and
engine issues – also on
earlier Valtra
machines –
are unheard of
at this particular contractor's.
Valtra T173 HiTech
Workload
Forage harvesting
Krone Comprima 180 round baler,
Krone BigPack 1270 square baler
Haulage
40m3 maize trailer (Bergmann HTW 40),
12.5m3halfpipe (Brantner Halfpipe)
Photos: Stefan Tovornik
Repair log
Valtra T173 HiTech
1 1 2 0,0
Hours
Clear lacquer peels off
in some areas
1 3 2 0,0
Operator comfort is
superb, courtesy of the
air-suspended front
axle and despite the
protruding front linkage.
Hours
Defective bulb in rear light
Maintenance costs
Valtra T173 HiTech
Engine
Oil and filter change intervals
500 hrs and 1,000 hrs (19l)
€394
Gearbox and hydraulic system
Oil and filter change intervals
500 hrs and 1,000 hrs (65l)
€407
Maintenance costs
per operating hour
€1.31€/h1)
1)
incl. VAT, excl. labour
and these are mechanical and double-acting (only the first spool offers flow control).
But this is absolutely OK for all types of
work that are commonly asked of a tractor.
A real drawback though is that it is not possible to simultaneously supply oil to the
linkage and to one spool.
In all other aspects, the linkage and hydraulics are on equally good behaviour as the
engine and the gearbox. Okay. And then,
flicking the spool control to the side rather
than fore or aft seems to be just a matter
of habit after all. Apart from that, we did
miss a few details such as a depth indicator
on the linkage.
The access to the cab is OK although the steps
are not protected from mud at all. The AdBlue
filler neck is located on the left machine side
and the Stage IIIB SCR catalyst on the right
side down in front of the cab.
profi 2/2015
Operators appreciate the small and handy
steering wheel and especially the small shuttle
control with integral parking brake (including
trailer brake control).
Coming round to the cab, the operator platform on the T-series is a
little long in the tooth, where stowage
room, passenger seat, etc. have some catching-up to do. To make up, the solid doors
with frames and the smooth and easy-cleanwww.profi.de
The 'HiTech' specification is a spartan one,
but all operators get
to terms with it first
time. There are only
three powershift steps
and two pto speeds.
Another awkward
detail is the fact that
the mechanical spools
are flicked sideways.
Data sheet
Valtra T173 HiTech
Engine
132kW/180hp rated output (ISO 14396),
140kW/190hp maximum (boosted) output,
AgcoPower 74 AWI-4V, 6 cylinders, 7.4l
capacity, turbocharger, intercooler, SCR
exhaust technology with AdBlue, Emission
Stage IIIB (Tier 4 i) compliance, 335l fuel
tank, 24l AdBlue tank.
36/36 speeds, three groups, four speeds,
three powershift steps (two steps with
auto functions), powershuttle with integral
parking brake, 40km/hr maximum speed,
540/1,000 (or 540E/1,000) auto selection
via linkage movement.
The passenger seat is
uncomfortable and
stowage room is
scarce. To make up,
the sturdy trim puts
up with a lot of rough
treatment.
Linkage and hydraulics
73l/min gear pump (90l/min pump option),
max. 6 spools (4 mechanical at the rear, 2
electric at front), 1 spool offering flow control, 8,100daN rear linkage capacity,
3,500daN front linkage.
Running gear
for the gearbox / hydraulic oil. Hence, the
costs for oil and filters (without labour)
amount to €1.31 per hour, which is not
exactly cheap.
Further criticism goes for the absent engine/
hydraulic oil filler neck. In fact, it really
requires a pump to top up the oil through
the return line of one of the rear couplers.
Furthermore, it takes a ring spanner to get
at the battery terminals.
Flanged axles, pneumatic front axle suspension; Michelin 650/65 R 42 (rear) and
540/65 R 30 (front) tyres; 6.1t kerb
weight, 12.5t GVW.
Manufacturer information
Summary: The Valtra T173 HiTech passed
Buyers can order a Valtra in many different
colour schemes. The only flaw on our test candidate was clear lacquer peeling off in various
areas.
ing cab floor are all good stuff. Lastly, we
need to point out flaws such as the socket
for the trailer power line connector, which
is in an awkward position on the rear wall
and the rear window, which could benefit
from opening up a bit higher.
The linkage is completely removed for haulage
work. Except for a single defective light there
was little to grumble about at the rear. One
drawback is that the linkage and spools cannot
be operated simultaneously, because the
'HiTech' models have only a gear pump.
profi 2/2015
our long-term test with flying colours, finishing as the first tractor with such a short
repair log. However, this fact is of course
also attributable to its relatively basic level
of specification. Yet, it's a fact that it is its
simplicity and ease of operation that makes
the T173 so attractive for contractors who
rely a lot on temporary staff. And the shortcomings – such as lack of stowage room,
uncomfortable passenger seat and low-output hydraulics – have meanwhile been
addressed, as evidenced by the new and
most recent T-series models (profi 12/2014).
Last of all, a few words on service
and maintenance (see table: 'Maintenance costs'): Oil change intervals for the
engine oil are 500 hours and 1,000 hours
www.profi.de
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Gearbox