For one mixed farm, Valtra's new G Series is proving to be a capable all-rounder, turning its hand to any task with aplomb. Alex Heath reports.
When it was launched in 2020, Valtra said its G Series was designed to fill a void in its portfolio, by bridging the gap between the A and N Series.
For father and son, Nigel and Henry Gibbs, farming 105 hectares in Betton, on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, this is definitely the case.
A total of 70ha of the mixed farm is in an arable rotation, growing wheat, barley and fodder beet, with the remaining ground down to grass, supporting an 85-ewe pedigree Texel flock and a 32,000-bird free-range laying enterprise.
Faced with an ageing Valtra 6550, which although had never any major problems was coming to the end of its useful life, the pair started discussing their options with local Valtra dealership Edwards and Farmer.
Nigel says: "Having a good dealer is everything with tractors. The trust between the farmer and dealer must be shared, so when we needed a replacement for the 6550, we went to the dealer who had always served us well.
"Although we wanted a direct replacement for the 6550, we also needed something more modern which would future-proof our farm, but at the time Valtra did not really offer anything suitable.
"The A Series was just that bit too small, lacking in power and specification, while the N Series we had on demonstration was physically too big, especially when it needs to fit in sheds to be stored overnight when fertiliser spreading or spraying.
"However, Valtra then released the G Series and Edwards and Farmer had ordered a model which would suit our requirements. So a deal was struck and it arrived on-farm earlier this year."
The model in question is the largest in the range, the G135, and came with Active specification, as well as the additional Technology package, which includes front axle suspension, suspended cab and seat, Trimble GPS and IsoBus compatibility.
Being an Active model, it comes with a 110-litre/minute load sensing pump, three mechanical spools and an armrest from which most tractor functions are controlled from, including the transmission, which is a 24-speed powershift, with four ranges and six shifts in each range.
Henry says: "We are the target market Valtra was going after when it released the G Series and it is everything we hoped it would be. In my mind it is the perfect cross-over between an arable and livestock tractor. Its standard power is 135hp, but it boosts up to 145hp.
"It has more than enough power for ploughing and subsoiling, enough weight to hold its own when fertiliser spreading and spraying, but it is not too big for jobs such as topping or getting into sheds.
"It is our main workhorse, with our loader-equipped N121 now used mainly for handling and trailer work.
"For this reason, we chose to go with GPS for the first time. It opens up more options for us when it comes to field work and definitely helps productivity as you can focus more on the implement, rather than keeping a straight line. The integration into the tractor is seamless and it is easy for both of us to set up and use.
"It is also the first tractor we have had with a front linkage and, again, the option of when to ballast the front end is really useful.
"So far, the tractor has performed faultlessly and we are surprised just how much power in has. We have a four-furrow plough, but will look to swap it for a five-furrow in the near future as it will man it."
Both agree the cab is a comfortable place to work. With its sloping bonnet, they says visibility all round is very good and accessibility is also commended, with a wide opening door and deep steps.
Nigel says: "The cab is suspended and we have a seat upgrade, which is very comfortable. The cab is slightly smaller internally than our old tractor, but because everything is close to you on the armrest and fender, it feels bigger and is in no way cramped. Everything is at your fingertips or falls to hand easily.
"The main downside we have found in the cab is its lack of a buddy seat. Most of the time it is not a problem, but if you do need to take a passenger to the field, they have to perch on the fender, which is not ideal.
"It would still be a handy feature to have. The only other thing I do not like is the fuel tank warning light, which is very hard to see."
Henry says the tractor's backend is well laid-out and easy to access. The tractor is equipped with three mechanical spools, air and hydraulic brakes and has a push-out hitch.
He says: "The view to the hitch is excellent. I also like the fact there is an LED light pointing at the hitch, which comes in handy when swapping implements in the dark. It is touches like this which make is the perfect all-rounder for a mixed farm."
Servicing is also easy, he says. "To top the hydraulic oil up, rather than a jug and funnel, the tractor will pump oil into itself, using an attachment. It just makes the job easier and cleaner. It also has airline valves around the tractor which make cleaning off debris and checking tyre pressures easy."
Overall, the Gibbs family is pleasantly surprised at the versatility of the tractor.
Henry says: "We took a bit of a gamble buying the tractor as we had not even seen one in the flesh. However, it is everything it was sold to us as being and more.
"We are both surprised at just how much power it has and the jobs it will do. Valtra aimed this tractor at farms like ours, and has hit the spot just right."
