Many people turn their noses up at Zetor, but the Czech manufacturer retains a faithful following who will undoubtedly be interested in the latest flagship addition that’s already winning customers in the UK. This month the 95kW/129hp Forterra 135 is subjected to our full monthly tractor test treatment – to see if relatively cheap can still be cheerful.
ICzech tractor maker Zetor took a step down the horsepower scale when the Stage II six-cyl SAME-powered Forterra 11741 was given an emission legislation death sentence. Today, though, the company is climbing back up the ladder with its Forterra 135. Launched at the end of last year, the 135 now becomes the figurehead for the five-model Forterra line, whose members span 74kW/90hp to 95kW/129hp (ECE R24) and source their power from Zetor’s own 4.2-litre Stage IIIA four-cylinder engine. While it continues to be fuelled by the traditional mechanical in-line injection pump, the key Forterra 135 difference is that it has four valves per pot.
We were keen to see just how effective this old/new combination could be, so handed our test subject over to the DLG. Rigged up to the dyno, the Forterra 135 managed to send 85kW/116hp to the shaft while the four-potter worked at its rated speed of 2,200rpm. Then as the engine revs pulled back to 1,800rpm, it mustered a further 5kW/7hp. The perky Zetor motor produced a torque rise of 47% and a constant power range of nearly 30% – all very respectable figures. In fact the Forterra proved to be quite a blast, and it was only in the lower speed ranges where the engine started to struggle; culprit here was a 96% start-off torque.
For more up-to-date farming news click here and subscribe now to profi and save 47%.
