Lindner definitely falls into the niche category, but the Austrian tractor maker uses this as a strength. A better understanding of its customer’s needs is why the firm has developed its most powerful tractor to date — the four-wheel-steer, CVT, 175hp Lintrac 160.
KEEPING IT BRIEF
- Lindner makes around 1,000 tractors and transport vehicles annually in Kundl, Austria.
- Lintrac 160 is the firm’s most powerful tractor with four-wheel steering, ZF box and an FPT engine.
- With this new addition, Lindner aims to not just appeal to mountain farmers, but also contractors.
The over 250 people working at the tractor factory in Kundl, Austria, are surrounded by views of the Alps. So, it is no wonder, given its location, that Lindner specialises in manufacturing tractors for farming in the mountains, and the firm intends to maintain that strategy.
Although it has looked at the UK market, and even exhibited at Lamma, the additional cost of shipping machines and delivering a top-class level of customer care since Brexit means it is off the cards for the foreseeable future — though David Lindner does add that this more powerful model could appeal even more to those farming on hillsides or steep coastal areas.
We haven’t been able to drive the new Lintrac, because the paint was still fresh as it stood inside the firm’s innovation centre ahead of its public unveiling at Agritechnica, but hopefully we will be able to get behind the wheel in the coming months. For now, we will have to be content with the technical details of the successor to the Geotrac 134.
FPT engine and ZF transmission
Lindner has long been an enthusiastic user of Perkins motors, but because it doesn’t offer a suitable engine within this segment, there is a 4.5-litre FPT providing a maximum of 175hp. That’s an increase of a substantial 40hp over the previous top Lindner model, the Lintrac 130.
The firm has, however, stayed loyal with its transmission choice and sticks with ZF in the form of the stepless Terramatic TMT 14 transmission. This has a top speed of 50km/hr with four auto-shifting ranges, and that means the German transmission hits 100% mechanical power at four points — ideal for hillside work and good efficiency. Then there is the automatic parking brake, active standstill and separate oil for the hydraulics and gearbox.
Four-wheel steering
Lindner manufactures the rear axle in-house, integrating the transmission and rear-wheel steering system. With a steering angle of up to 20° at the rear, the Lintrac is manoeuvrable, but not only that, it can counter steer uphill when in mowing mode, helping it to stay on course.
With a gross vehicle weight of 11t and an unladen weight of just under 7.0t, it has a payload of 4.0t. The steered rear axle is approved for 7.5t, while the Cat III N three-point linkage is designed to handle kit up to 7.0t.
Large cab, new armrest
The integrated “Edge” beacons, the typical LED light strip at the rear of the cab, and new design elements such as the bonnet and mudguards pay tribute to the designer Storz, who has been shaping and creating Lindner products for decades.
The 30% larger cab comes from Fritzmeier. It has a heated, laminated glass windscreen, a more powerful automatic air conditioning system and pneumatic suspension. There is an optional removable coolbox, but it only has room for half-litre bottles.
The armrest, too, was completely reworked. Here, Lindner veterans will find the familiar LDrive rotary push-button encoder and now also the practical LDrive stick, which quickly changes the travel range for the accelerator pedal.
Tradition also plays its part with the front loader, Lindner maintaining its relationship with fellow Austrian company Hauer. Front loader mode not only activates nifty quick steering but also allows drivers to change direction faster.
Lastly, the price for the Austrian newcomer is €175,800 which includes rear-wheel steer. So, around €1,000 per horsepower.
Tobias Bensing
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