A spacious cab with opening front and rear windows for added ventilation has been developed for the Valpadana Series 6500 four-wheel drive tractor to broaden the appeal of this multi-function machine.

“In its native Italy, where the summer weather is mostly very pleasant, operators are not so bothered about cabs,” says Adrian Winnett, Valpadana sales manager. “But here, drivers expect protection from the elements - which is why we're introducing the new cabbed model.”

The Valpadana Series 6500 tractor is a low-slung highly stable and manoeuvrable design available in a number of configurations - with a 46hp or 54hp Yanmar diesel engine; front axle steering and either small front wheels or same-size wheels all-round; equal wheel articulated chassis steering; or as a two-way tractor with reversible driving position.

The tractor can be fitted with turf tyres or agricultural pattern tyres for specialist farming and horticultural operations.

“As the most versatile model in the range, we believe the top-spec 46hp 6550 and 54hp 6560 two-way tractors with equal size wheels and axle steering will be the most popular in Britain,” adds Adrian Winnett. “The turntable that carries the seat, steering wheel and instruments is very easily and quickly reversed so that the operator can work in whichever direction best suits the implement and work he's doing.”

Both models come with a 16-speed creeper gearbox as standard, together with a hydraulic shuttle that helps the operator make smooth and easy changes of direction. Four-wheel drive can be switched in and out using an electro-hydraulic control and the wheels are kept firmly in contact with the ground over rough terrain thanks to a pivoting chassis.

Added security, both off-road and during road travel when driver can make the most of the tractor's 40kph gearing, comes from the true four-wheel braking system.

Operators are presented with a neat control and instrument pod beneath the steering wheel that rotates with the seat and major controls for two-way operation. The new cab does not impede the two-way change-over in any respect but provides the driver with a comfortable environment and excellent visibility through large opening curved windows front and rear and the all-glass doors. Air conditioning is optional.

Prices for the two Series 6500 range-topping models are from £16,979 for the 46hp Valpadana 6550 ISR-REV and £17,662 for the 54hp Valpadana 6560 ISR-REV. The new cab adds £3496 in each case or £4529 with air conditioning.

Full details on Valpadana products are available via the information hotline 01302-733573 at distributor Landini UK.

Valpadana Series 6500 - ISR-REV specification

Engine                       Yanmar 4 cylinder, liquid cooled

Performance          6550 - 46hp @ 2800rpm; 6560 - 54hp @ 2800rpm

Gearbox                    Creeper plus hydraulic shuttle - 16 x 16 speeds

Drive                          Electro-hydraulic engage 4wd and diff locks

Steering                    Front axle

Hydraulics                Implement lift 28 litre/min; steering 19 litre/min

Implement lift            1700kg with draft control

Power take-off            540rpm, 750rpm, ground speed; electro-hydraulic control

Driving post            Open platform or cab; roll-over protection; reversible seat, instruments and major controls

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