THE HEAD-TURNER on the Valtra part of the new AGCO stand at the Highland might be the customised pink Valtra Unlimited N Series tractor – but there’s also a host of new tackle there too.

‘Pinkie’ will take in the Highland as part of a nationwide tour of agricultural shows and country events across the UK, with a mission to raise as much money as possible for the Breast Cancer Care charity.

The tractor itself is a 155hp N154 – from the award-winning fourth generation series – finished in its distinctive pink by the Valtra Unlimited Studio facility in Suolahti, Finland.

But also being seen for the first time will be Valtra’s T and N Series and the SmartTouch armrest, plus its latest A-series machines (as reported in February).

It has expanded its fourth generation N and T Series ranges upwards with the introduction of new high output models, with the SmartTouch armrest on all Versu and Direct models. These also have 60 km/h transmissions available.

The SmartTouch is a ‘user interface’ that integrates the ergonomic armrest with a multi-function drive-lever, valve switches, rear-linkage and pto control, a touch screen terminal and push button control pad. This brings all tractor functions within easy reach of the operator.

The only thing it doesn’t control, is the driver’s seat and air conditioning.

Functions can be accessed with a maximum of two swipes or taps, and Valtra said the design makes it impossible to get lost in the menu, as also seen on the S4 Series, launched in Paris in February.

It also continues to develop its powershift gearbox, giving it CVT-like capabilities. Speed can be increased by pushing the lever and decreased by pulling, while at the same time controlling the strength of acceleration or deceleration. There is no need to change between lever and pedal mode.

Drive lever driving is not possible with any other powershift tractor except for the Valtra Versu Series, it pointed out.

At the top end, the max-output of the N174 model has grown, with a two-step boost to 201hp, which helps with heavy-duty pto work and haulage.

The T Series has been expanded with the addition of new models – the T234 Direct and T254 HiTech, Active and Versu. These also have the two-step boost.

Deliveries of the N4 and T4 series models – Versu and Direct – with SmartTouch start in August.

n Donations for the pink tractor campaign can be made through a Justgiving website – www.justgiving.com/ValtraPinkTractor – and at the end of its nationwide tour, it will be auctioned with the profit realised going to the charity.