To say the new New Holland is becoming increasingly customer-driven would be an understatement, says Todd DeBock, North America platform marketing manager for the company's new TS-A Series tractors.

“Our customers told us they wanted higher horsepower units, but with the same maneuverability and comfort features they find in their big class TS tractors, so we've introduced two new models to meet those needs,” DeBock said in a media briefing at the Memphis Agricenter.

Such comments were repeated frequently over the next hour as DeBock and fellow New Holland marketing specialists described how they had designed not only the TS-A Series but also two lines of economy tractors — the TB and TT Series — with the customer in mind.

The briefing focused on two new models: the TS125A at 105 PTO horsepower with what DeBock called “the finest power plant in this horsepower segment” and the TS135A at 115 PTO horsepower.

“We believe these are tremendous products because we spend a lot of time talking to farmers about what they want in their tractors,” said Allen Rider, vice president of New Holland's North American Agricultural Business unit.

Rider said the current business climate requires that New Holland get closer to its customers.

“We believe there will continue to be consolidation in agriculture,” he told a group of editors. “Ten years from now the value of agricultural commodities may be the same as it is now or even less. Thus, farmers will have to become bigger and more efficient.

“Farmers will have to demand better equipment,” he said. “They will have to have it to be competitive in this era. We have to learn how to deal with fewer farmers and to provide them with better equipment.”

To meet that challenge, New Holland is launching more new products than ever, he said. “By the end of the year, we will have changed our lines of equipment by 100 percent from what we started with when we merged with Case in 1999.”

The TS-A Series, a new line of versatile 80- to 115-PTO horsepower tractors which will replace New Holland's TS Series of tractors, are designed to meet the needs of multiple operations — from farmers who do haying and loader work or produce row crops, to municipalities and roadside mowing contractors.

“We at New Holland are the material-handling specialists,” said DeBock. “You will be seeing the TS-A Series in those applications. You will be seeing them utilized by ranchers and farmers; you will be seeing them utilized in row crop applications because of that 115-horsepower availability.”

This is not a small market we're dealing with, he noted. “Running from 80 to 115 horsepower last year, there were over 22,600 units in that market, and we plan on getting a big chunk of that with out TS-A Series of tractors.”

DeBock said that both the TS125A and TS135A tractors feature electronic engine power management that provides a power boost of up to 25 horsepower to maintain rated PTO horsepower in challenging terrain or difficult conditions. “Until now, this power boost was only available in New Holland's higher horsepower models,” he said.

Besides the TS125A and the TS135A, New Holland is offering the TS100A with 80 PTO horsepower and a four-cylinder engine and the TS115A with 95 PTO horsepower and a six-cylinder engine.

Four transmission choices are available: The economical 12×12 Synchro Command transmission with mechanical shuttle (TS100A and TS115A only) offers four gears in each of three ranges.

The 24×24 Dual Command transmission with power shuttle, available on all models, doubles the speed choices with an under-drive gear for each forward and reverse gear. It allows operators to use a push button to make clutchless, on-the-move powershift changes in forward or reverse. The 24×24 transmission features the durability of a wet clutch.

The 16×16 Electroshift transmission with power shuttle (TS100A and TS115A only) provides touch-button powershifting through the four gears in each range, and clutch-free range shifts from 4 to 5 and from 12 to 13.

The 16×16 Autoshift transmission (optional on TS100A and TS115A and standard on TS125A and TS135A) also provides automatic upshifting and downshifting in the field or on the road. Operators can program the shift point to match different applications. Programmable reverse and electro-hydraulic power shuttle are included with both 16×16 transmissions.

All transmissions have a dedicated, column-mounted, left-hand shuttle lever. Creeper versions are available for slow speed applications on all transmissions.

DeBock said impressive three-point lift capacities adds to the functionality and versatility of the TS-A tractors. Lift capacity reaches as high as 12,185 pounds with the TS135A model, 9,620 pounds for other TS-A tractors with electronic draft control, and 9,285 pounds for models with mechanical draft control.

The high-capacity hydraulic system uses two pumps — a 10.5-gallon pump plus a separate pump dedicated to implement function. Depending on model and configuration, an open-center 19.8 gallons-per-minute system or a 26.5 gallons-per-minute closed-center load-sensing system is used.

Another plus for the TS-A tractors is the wide choice of axle options. In addition to the 2WD or FWD axles, the Deluxe models also offer a choice of the tight-turning SuperSteer FWD or Terraglide suspended FWD. The SuperSteer axle provides an unmatched 65-degree turn angle. Terraglide offers maximum stability and control in any terrain, even in high speeds. Optional Comfort Ride cab suspension provides a smooth, even ride on bumpy terrain.

The Custom Headland System (CHS) option takes the work out of making turns by memorizing and repeating actions with the push of a button. With CHS, even less experienced operators can drive with the same efficiency as experienced ones. (Available only on Deluxe, cab, FWD-equipped units.)

For row-crop operators, TS-A tractors offer an optional bar axle in place of the standard flange axle.

Loader productivity

The dedicated left-hand shuttle, high-visibility roof panel, high flow hydraulics and heavy-duty front axles make the TS-A tractor a highly productive loader tractor when paired with a New Holland 56LB loader. Available with standard or mechanical self-leveling linkage, this state-of-the-art loader is designed exclusively for the TS-A tractor. The TS-A can also be factory-ordered with a two- or three-function mid-mount valve and seat-mounted joystick control.

The TS-A tractor is available with a cab or ROPS. DeBock says the spacious, flat operator platform with a foldable ROPS is an efficient place to work with plenty of legroom. Clutch and brake pedals are suspended for an uncluttered path on and off the tractor.

Besides an expansive windshield and two wide, full-glass doors, the Horizon Cab features a unique overhead visibility panel with built-in sunshade that allows the operator to see above — a great aid for keeping the bucket in view during loader work.

“All of the operator controls are on the right side in response to another request from our customers,” said Larry Lanie, product marketing manager for the TS-A Series tractors.

TS-A tractors feature a one-piece hood which raises to a full 90 degrees on gas struts for unobstructed access to engine components. The oil cooler and A/C condenser slide out for easy cleaning and the 58.1-gallon fuel tank (46.7 on the TS100A) can be easily filled from the ground.

A superior lighting package, with eight lights in the front and four in the rear, makes night work a pleasure on cab tractors. (Four lights in front and two in rear on ROPS tractors).

e-mail: [email protected]