The past few years have seen Valtra’s grip on the UK and Irish tractor markets tighten with an increasing share, thanks in the main to the revamped N- and T-series ranges. Now the Finnish company has its sights set on the lower end of the horsepower scale with a 16Fx16R powershift gearbox for its 100-115hp A-series machines, borrowed from sister brand Massey

In our last driving impression of the Valtra A-series our test crew agreed that the updated range had a certain something compared with what had gone before. However, there was a limiting factor — the simple 12F x 12R gearbox meant it wasn’t the versatile jack-of-all-trades that the Finish firm had it billed as.In our last driving impression of the Valtra A-series our test crew agreed that the updated range had a certain something compared with what had gone before. However, there was a limiting factor — the simple 12F x 12R gearbox meant it wasn’t the versatile jack-of-all-trades that the Finish firm had it billed as.

Valtra was, of course, aware of the issue and after just one year it presented its answer — two new HiTech4 models: the 75kW/101hp A104 and the 86kW/110hp A114, which are now available with a 16 forward, 16 reverse gearbox that provides four powershift steps and four powered range changes. Sound familiar? It should, as it’s the same mechanical workings as in Massey Ferguson’s Dyna4 box — more on that in a bit.

On the face of it the engine remains the same 4.4-litre, 44AWFC four-pot as before. Now badged as an AGCO Power motor, it’s actually built in China and boasts SCR exhaust after- treatment for Stage IV compliance. There are very few changes in terms of hydraulics, linkage, running gear, etc… These are still the same as on the A-series tractors we tested last year, so this driving impression focuses on the new gearbox.

The A-series shares the AGCO ‘Global’ platform with Massey Ferguson’s smaller tractors, so it made sense to source the new four-speed powershift transmission from the same place. Built by French company Gima — a joint venture between AGCO and Claas — the ‘new’ HiTech4 box is the same mechanically as Dyna4 and Claas’s Quadrashift gearboxes. Stepping up into the cab, the transmission changes aren’t immediately apparent.

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