HiTech is one of the four transmissions Valtra fits to its tractors, the others being Active, Versu and Direct. It is distinguished by mechanically controlled hydraulics that deliver up to 73 litres a minute, or 90 litres with the optional pump.
Valtra HiTech at a glance
| Type | transmission option, not a model |
|---|---|
| T series models | T144, T154, T174, T194, T214, T234 |
| N series models | N104, N114e, N124, N134, N154, N174 |
| A series models | A83 and A93 |
| Hydraulics | mechanically controlled |
| Flow | 73 l/min, 90 l/min optional |
| Alternative Active | five-step Powershift with automated main gears |
| Alternative Versu | load-sensing hydraulics, up to 115 l/min |
| Alternative Direct | stepless transmission, introduced in 2008 |
| Maker | Valtra, Finland |
HiTech is a transmission option rather than a model; the figures come from the transmission chapter of the Finnish Wikipedia article on Valtra and the model lists in the English and Finnish articles.
History of the Valtra HiTech
Four transmissions
Valtra offers its tractors with a choice of transmissions, and the four options are named HiTech, Active, Versu and Direct. They differ mainly in the hydraulics and in how the gears are changed. HiTech is the option with mechanically controlled hydraulics, Active brings a five-step Powershift whose main gear changes are automated and needs no gear lever, since every function is operated from buttons on a fixed handle, while Versu has load-sensing hydraulics with separate hydraulic oil. Direct, introduced in 2008, is a stepless transmission developed and manufactured by Valtra itself; unlike other continuously variable transmissions it has a ground-speed PTO option, works as well in reverse as forwards, and keeps separate oils for the hydraulics and the transmission.
What HiTech offers
With HiTech, the hydraulics are mechanically controlled and produce a maximum of 73 litres a minute, or 90 litres with the optional pump. That is less than the 115 litres a minute of Versu and Direct, but it keeps the system simple and mechanical. HiTech is also the transmission offered on the widest spread of models: every T series tractor from the T144 to the T234 could be ordered with it, as could every N series model from the N104 to the N174, and among the compact tractors the A83 and A93.
Choosing between the options
The other transmissions were not available across the whole programme. Active could be ordered on all T and N series tractors except the N104, N114 and N124. Versu, with load-sensing hydraulics of up to 115 litres a minute and 160 litres as an option, was listed for the T144 to T234 and the N134, N154 and N174. Direct, with the same 115 litres a minute and 160 litres optional, was offered on the T144 to T214 and the N134, N154 and N174, but not on the T234.
The rest of the range
The transmissions are matched to the four Valtra ranges, which from smallest to largest are the A series, the N series, the T series and the S series. The T series is the six-cylinder line, while the A series covers the compact tractors of 50 to 101 hp. The name Valtra has been used on the tractors since 2001, and the company has been part of the American AGCO Corporation since 2004.
Design and features
- Mechanical hydraulics: simple control, up to 73 litres a minute and 90 litres with the optional pump.
- Widest availability: offered on every T and N series model and on the A83 and A93.
- Clear alternative to Versu: Versu adds load-sensing hydraulics and separate hydraulic oil at 115 litres a minute.
- Below Direct: the stepless Direct of 2008 is Valtra’s most advanced option and is not offered on the T234.
Valtra HiTech versions
- HiTech on the T series: T144, T154, T174, T194, T214 and T234.
- HiTech on the N series: N104, N114e, N124, N134, N154 and N174.
- HiTech on the A series: A83 and A93.
- Versu: load-sensing hydraulics, 115 l/min, on T144–T234 and N134–N174.
- Direct: stepless transmission from 2008, on T144–T214 and N134–N174.
HiTech is most often found on the Valtra T series, and it was also offered on the compact A series. More tractors are in the Valtra collection.
Sources
- Valtra, Finnish Wikipedia: transmission options, hydraulics and model availability
- Valtra, English Wikipedia: Direct transmission, model lists, range order
