New Holland Unveils Two New Tractor Series

New Holland Unveils Two New Tractor Series TRACTORS New Tractors 20-2-39 FARM SHOW recently traveled to Orlando, Florida, along with more than 6,000 New Holland dealers from all over the world to get a look at two new tractor series. For the first time, New Holland now has a full line of tractors ranging from 56 hp to 425 hp. The new "Gemini" 60 Series features four models ranging from 90 to 130 pto hp. The new 35 Series ranges from 56 to 86 hp. The tractors join New Holland's 70 Series "Genesis" tractors, introduced two years ago, that range from 145 to 210 hp., and the Versatile 82 Series of 4-WD's which run from 260 hp. to 425 hp. The Orlando meeting was the largest get-together in the company's history. New Holland is now owned by Fiat in Italy and the CEO is an Italian - Riccardo Ruggeri. The company has now settled on its original name - New Holland - after using a series of names over the past decade (Sperry New Holland, Ford New Holland, etc.). The Ford name still shows up on the sides of tractors but even that will be phased out by the year 2001, according to head of North American operations Tom Kennedy. There are no plans, however, to change away from the traditional blue Ford color. Following are some observations made by members of New Holland's senior mangement during the meeting in Orlando: • New Holland currently has 1,400 dealers in North America and has no plans to increase that number. • New Holland recently purchased Ford's credit company. After the deal is finalized next year, company officials say they will be able to offer more flexible equipment financing programs. • In response to customers who say they want a "no frills" lower cost tractor, New Holland dealers can sell Mexican-built Ford tractors in the 35 to 65 hp. range that "come from a generation back" but which are still good machines. According to Tom Kennedy, head of North American operations, the Mexican-built tractors can be ordered from any New Holland dealer at a price about $2,000 less than comparable new models. • New Holland has no current plan to come out with a narrow row cornhead on its combines, but is looking closely at the idea. • The company is currently "freshening up" the Versatile bi-directional tractor with new features but the same basic design. • New Holland has no plans to come out with a rubber-tracked tractor, according to Al Rider, vice president of product development. • New Holland's new silage baler, which has a slicer attachment up front that chops hay into pieces as it bales, can also be used on cornstalks. • New Holland sells one out of every five tractors in the world. Other new products introduced by New Holland at their world meeting include: • New roll-belt balers, each with three choices of wrapping systems. •Disc mowers with individual drive modules so if one disc is knocked out, the whole cutterbar is not disabled. • New 320 hp. and 450 hp. self-propelled forage harvesters. • Discbine mower-conditioner also features new modular cutterbar design. • "Silage Special" baler is designed to bale forage at 50 to 65 percent moisture. A retractable knife system chops up crop material as it enters bale chamber.

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