Landini/McCormick: New compact tractors have grown-up features

A comprehensive range of nine models with 17 variants has been selected by Argo Tractors from the product range of its new industrial partner Daedong to form the line-up for the new Landini 1 Series and McCormick X10 Series.

Ranging from 22-91hp, the line-up includes models with a choice of open platform or air-conditioned cab, and hydrostatic drive or gearbox transmission. They represent a significant increase in the specification choice and power range available previously from GB distributor AgriArgo UK Ltd.

“The models and variants chosen by the Argo Tractors team avoids unnecessary duplication while ensuring we have a comprehensive range suitable for different applications in farming, horticulture and groundscare,” AgriArgo UK general manager and sales director Ray Spinks said, emphasising that buyers of the machines will benefit from the after-sales support resources of two major tractor manufacturers – Argo and Daedong Industrial Company.

“Apart from any spares stocked by our local Landini and McCormick dealers, we at AgriArgo UK have identified the top 100 fastest-moving parts and have added them to the comprehensive parts stock held at our Harworth base. We can also call on parts held by Daedong at its European facility in Holland, and on items in the Argo Tractors parts system in Italy.”

Tractors are shipped in from Daedong’s factory in South Korea to the Argo base in Italy, where they are kitted out with European-spec wheels, tyres and hitches. They can also be fitted at this stage with a hydraulic front-end loader and attachments sourced from Bonatti, a leading Italian supplier.

“We have also secured a supplier of rear- and mid-mounted grounds maintenance mowers to go with the tractors and will evaluate other suitable implements as volumes increase,” Mr Spinks added. “Of course, our dealers can also supply a range of implements for tractors of this size from equipment manufacturers they represent.”

The tractors are being sold in Great Britain alongside those built by Argo Tractors, including the 35-54hp Landini Mistral and McCormick GM Series that remain in production. They are distributed through the separate Landini and McCormick dealer networks that currently provide 102 outlets for sales, parts and service support.

Despite being small in size, the newcomers exhibit some grown-up features such as electro-hydraulic engagement of the front drive axle and rear power take-off; the part digital instruments fitted to some models; and the automatic control that stops and starts the PTO when a powered implement is lifted then returned to its working position.

“These features, together with the slick shuttle gearboxes and responsive hydrostatic drive, makes the Landini 1 Series and McCormick X10 Series tractors easy and productive to drive,” AgriArgo UK area manager Tim Lawrence said. “They’re also very practical; witness the smooth material used on the open platform and cab interior that allows them to be cleaned easily.”

The new ranges divide neatly into five platforms or families of similar size, design and equipment.

The smallest are the Landini 1-25, 1-30 and 1-35 and equivalent McCormick X10.25, X10.30 and X10.35, all of which of powered by three-cylinder Daedong engines. The outputs of 22hp, 28hp and 34hp respectively mark these machines out as ideal for maintaining areas of amenity grass too large or rough for a top-spec ride-on mower. They are also likely to be seen working in horticulture.

While the 22hp machine comes with two-speed hydrostatic drive or a six forward, two reverse gearbox, the 28hp and 34hp machines have three-speed hydro to make use of the extra power or a shuttle gearbox giving eight speeds in either direction. All three are available only with an open operator’s platform and roll-over hoop.

Next up come the Landini 1-40 and 1-50 and McCormick X10.40 and X10.50, which use Daedong 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre diesel engines developing 41hp and 49hp. Mechanical versions have a creep gearbox with extra-low ratios within the 24 speeds available in both directions. The hydrostatic version not only has three-speed hydraulic drive, but also the option of an air-conditioned cab to keep the elements at bay.

With simple, straight-forward controls arranged to the left and right of the operator to help keep the area in front of the seat clear, operators should find it easy to hop on and off both versions.

The Landini 1-50F and McCormick 10.50F is a single model designed for situations where room for access is at a premium. With 49hp from its 2.4-litre Daedong engine, the tractor has plenty of power for a host of jobs, but is only 1.4m wide (the regular 1-50 / X10.50 is 1.76m minimum). On top of that, it has a turn assist feature; pressing a button on the instrument panel engages a gear that speeds up the outer front wheel in a turn to pull the nose round and reduce the space needed to complete the manoeuvre.

“This feature mirrors the similar system on the Landini Alpine tractor and would be very useful when working in a confined space – inside a small building, for example,” Mr Lawrence said. “The narrow width of the machines makes it handy for different cropping situations from top fruit to ornamental tree nurseries.”

McCormick and Landini’s new compact tractors can be ordered complete with front-end loaders and attachments sourced from leading Italian supplier Bonatti.

Where more weight, a long and wider stance, and a bit more power is needed, the 54hp Landini 1-55 and McCormick X10.55 should fit the bill. It’s mechanical drive only, with a 12×12 dry clutch transmission, but like other models in the range it has an oil-immersed PTO clutch for smooth take up of power. The tractor’s Daedong 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel generates 54hp channeled. An open platform is available, but with its curved glazing, roof panel and mudguards, the optional cab is both stylish and in proportion with the tractor.

“Its flat, clear floor makes life easy for an operator who has to repeatedly get on and off his power unit, while the standard heating, air-conditioning, radio and roof hatch make it a comfortable place of work,” Mr Lawrence said. “Portal front axle drive, as on all these tractors, gives extra grip when it’s needed as well as good ground clearance, while the 1200kg of rear linkage lift gives it the capacity to handle a range of implements.”

At the top of the range sit two cab-only tractors – the Landini 1-75 and 1-90 and McCormick X10.75 and X10.90 with Perkins 4.4-litre engines installed beneath the one-piece high-lift hood.

“With 83-lit/min hydraulics, 2,400kg lift capacity and ground-drive PTO in addition to independent two-speed PTO, this is a very capable utility tractor with plenty of performance potential for its size and weight,” Mr Lawrence said.

Both versions weigh in at 3.5 tonnes, which can be concentrated on traction tyres for maximum grip or spread over flotation turf tyres for minimum compaction.

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