Exclusive Test Drive with the Plus 80 Citrus tractor from LS Tractor

The location for this edition's Test Drive, with the LS tractor, model Plus 80 Citrus, could not be more interesting. We went to Avaré, in São Paulo, and from there to Paranapanema, to follow the model's work routine on the Farms of Grupo I.B. Agro, owned by Irmãos Bardin. A hint of rain worried us from the day before until the morning of the test, however, we ended up experiencing a sunny day, with clouds, enough to learn about citrus farming and learn about the activities in which Plus 80 Citrus is involved.

Since the arrival of LS Tractor Brasil, the company has conquered its space, using a lot of creativity and knowledge of the market and bringing its offer closer to what the producer really needs. In this sense, alternatives and options were developed in the brand's tractors, for horticultural and fruit crops, but also for very specific sectors such as intensive livestock farming, floriculture and work in confined spaces, such as poultry farming. This strategic attitude opened up the market and, from an unknown brand, LS is currently present in the tractor market as an important manufacturer. The assembly of the factory in Garuva, Santa Catarina, in 2013, demonstrated the brand's intention for the national market.

The South Korean origin brings good genetics to the product, as this Asian country is quite technologically developed and recognized in the world for the production of quality automobiles, components and electronic products. The brand operates in several countries in Europe, Africa, Oceania and the United States, mainly with small and medium tractors from the J, S and G series and the compact R series. In Brazil, there is a series developed exclusively for our agriculture that is H. The dealership that serves the region where we carried out the test is J.A. Máquinas, with a main store in Jaú (SP).

Motorization

Although this tractor previously used an engine from another brand, it is currently assembled with the reliable and highly developed four-cylinder Perkins engine, with turbocharger and direct injection, model 1104D-44T, 4,4 liters, which features a standard Tier 3 emissions control. With mechanical injection via an injection pump, it provides 80 hp (ISO TR 14396) of maximum power at 2.200 rpm and a maximum torque of 352 Nm at 1.400 engine rpm. It is a very durable engine that has been, and continues to be, used by other brands of tractors in Brazil and abroad.

Transmission

This model offers two transmission system alternatives, which the customer can choose according to their needs. The first is the Synchro Shuttle, with 12 or 20 speeds, which uses a synchronized direction reverser. Speed ​​variation is done by combining four gears and three speed ranges (high, medium and low). Reverse gear specifically does not exist, because there is a reverse lever, placed on the left side of the panel. To select each speed range it is necessary to stop the tractor, while the four gears, as well as the reverser, have a synchronized exchange, making the tractor easier to handle.

The second alternative is the Power Shuttle transmission, which provides 24 or 40 speeds with power shift reverser, which does not require a clutch to change gears. In both alternatives, this model is offered with a multi-reducer, creeper, which provides reduced speeds for work in operations that require slow movement.

The TDP, used to drive equipment that requires power in rotating form, is independent with three rotations, the standardized ones of 540rpm and 1.000rpm, and a third of 750rpm that can be used as an economical TDP.

Hydraulic system

The hydraulic system used by the three points is category II and has a total flow of 86 liters per minute at a maximum pressure of 190bar, which results in a lifting capacity at the ball joint of 3.600kgf, but which can reach 3.800kgf, as optional configuration. In the implement drive system using remote control valves (VCR), the maximum pressure is 190Mpa and the maximum oil flow is 62 liters per minute, reaching 70 liters per minute, as an option. In the standard version, three VCRs are offered.

Weights, dimensions and capacities

The shipping mass of the Plus 80 is 3.210kg, and can reach 4.400kg weighted. The wheelbase is 2.375mm and the front and rear tracks can be adjusted, reaching at least 1.687mm on the front axle and 1.560mm on the rear axle. To increase lateral stability and suitability for planting lines, the maximum gauge values ​​achieved are 1.979mm on the front axle and 1.815mm on the rear axle.

An optional fuel tank capacity is also offered, which can be 170 liters as an alternative to the standard 100 liters.

Operator station

Very positively mentioned by the I.B. Agro team, the LS Plus 80 operator's position is really quality. Engine maintenance is facilitated by a tilting hood, which opens and lifts, providing access to engine components.

Inside the very spacious cabin, a non-slip mat was placed and the entrance door opens wide enough for safe entry. An instrument panel with a tachometer, thermometer and fuel level gauge was placed on the steering wheel. The operator's seat is very comfortable and several controls are operated by switches, replacing levers, which is an ergonomic advantage. A highly valued point in fruit growing and other activities where limited space is an additional difficulty is the direction reverser, which provides forward and reverse movement, activated synchronously in this version we tested.

Citrus production at I.B. Agro

In 2021, approximately 75 million tons of oranges were produced worldwide, with an average productivity of 19 tons per hectare. Brazil is the world's largest producer and was responsible for more than 20% of this production, achieving higher average productivity, around 28 tons per hectare. In addition to oranges, other citrus species are important, especially lemons, pomelos and tangerines. Within Brazil, the largest orange producing region is the Southeast, with more than 80% of national production, with the state of São Paulo being the highlight, with more than 12,5 million tons of this fruit, which is the most produced citrus fruit.

In the system adopted by I.B. Agro, the spacing between rows of plants is 7m, with 2m between plants. When implementing the company's areas, the system begins with heavy harrowing in the line and furrowing, with fertilization with simple superphosphate. As this is an operation with a high demand for power, the largest tractors are chosen.

After this stage, the seedling is introduced, acquired from suppliers and, in the first year, production begins. In the third year, there is already considerable production, which reaches its peak in the sixth harvest and continues until the age of 16. From then on, production begins to decline, which requires plants to be replaced after they are 20 years old.

During the plant production period, several care operations are carried out, mainly phytosanitary. Without a doubt the most intense is done with sprays against insects, caterpillars and fungi. In the past, fungi were the most important problems. Currently, due to greening, which is the effect of a bacterial disease transmitted by a psyllid insect, spraying is more frequent and care is taken. Therefore, treatment against fungi follows the insecticide, which is the main and biggest problem in the national citrus industry. Citrus canker, which was a problem decades ago, is now controlled through coexistence management, which makes it less of a problem.

The psyllid insect is called Diaphorina citri and the bacteria of which it is the vector is Candidatus liberibacter spp. Greening is the effect of disease that causes irreversible loss of the plant. The damage caused by the insect is not important economically, but the fact that it becomes contaminated by bacteria, and as a result, begins to contaminate healthy plants.

The only solution found is to eradicate the plant with mechanical equipment, such as those used to manage secondary forests, which were developed to prevent fires. There are several manufacturers in the country. The equipment cuts and crushes the remains of vegetation and, at the site, a new plant is placed.

But during the production cycle, pruning is also carried out to clean and guide the plants, both on the lateral side and on the horizontal plane, lowering the top of the trees. These operations are fundamental for the work of applying phytosanitary products and moving machines between rows of plants, but also to facilitate the harvesting of fruits manually. Thinning, as a way of improving the individual quality of each fruit and also the final production, is only done in mandarin, bergamot, murcott and ponkan.

The harvest is carried out throughout the year, by outsourced companies and also with its own labor. The diversification of varieties and the scaling of production mean that there is always fruit to be harvested. In I.B. Agro areas, the 2022-23 harvest is currently ending and the 2023-24 harvest is beginning.

Although there is a team in the company with professionals from different areas, which develops controls, at I.B. Agro and throughout the citrus sector in the state of São Paulo, support is received in studies carried out, mainly by Fundecitrus, which is a private association, without economic purposes, which works in teaching and research on the topic of citrus farming.

Company I.B. Agro

The company I.B. Agro, owned by the Bardin brothers, has been a customer of the LS brand for several years. Of the 50 tractors that currently work in the Group's areas, 15 are from the LS brand, Plus 80, 90 and 100 models. The brand's entry into the group's fleet occurred as a result of tests, which were provided by the dealer on other farms owned by the Bardin brothers. , who have since become customers and intend to purchase more units in the future.

The company is a partnership of five brothers from the Bardin Family: Antonio, Donizete, Elso and Paulo Bardin. From street market traders, since 1980, they started producing citrus, as small producers in Mococa (SP) and today they are important in the production of Sicilian lemon, tangerine and orange for juice and table, in addition to a coffee area which they use to diversify their activity.

Currently, the group produces citrus in five units, formed by neighboring farms, with a total planted area of ​​approximately three thousand hectares in total. In the unit where we were for the LS Plus 80 field test, six farms are grouped together, with an approximate cultivation area of ​​1.400 hectares.

We began our visit at Fazenda Las Palmas, located in the rural area of ​​Paranapanema (SP), where we were welcomed by manager Valdirene Aparecida Alves, a graduate in Administration, and by the phytosanitary administrative supervisor, Adir Lopes, who is also an Agronomy academic. We noticed a lot of enthusiasm for the activity from the beginning. Valdirene told us that she worked in the livestock sector, mainly in meat production and insemination, and that she has only been working with citrus for three years, which surprised us, such resourcefulness and involvement in production. Adir told us that he works very closely with agricultural engineer Eduardo Bardin, who is the son of one of the company's partners and nephew of the other brothers who make up the company. The entire prescription of products to be applied, the combination of products and the timing are determined by the technician responsible, and the operationalization of the application is the responsibility of the supervisor, his team of machine operators, suppliers and inspectors. It was also possible to learn about the work of Mr. Pedro Morales, who is general manager and had important information about the company's processes.

Throughout the day we had the opportunity to meet another part of the Bardin family, such as Eduardo himself, his sister Viviane, Adilson Bardin's children, and cousin Mariana, Donizete Bardin's daughter, who actively participate in administrative and operational processes. The company's headquarters are in Paulínia, 300km from this farm, where there is also a packing house unit, which centralizes and stores the product before being dispatched by trucks to all eight states in Brazil that purchase the company's production. The market reached by the company is the national citrus market, mainly table, although part of the production is strategically destined for juice production. Within the scope of the Brazilian market reached, São Paulo is the most important.

Currently, the company has two workshops for machine maintenance, with more than 300 people involved in the production and administration process, 200 of whom are monthly payers.

Agricultural women

In addition to the female partners, who work directly in the administration of the business group, and the farm manager, approximately five years ago the group began to include women in the task of tractor operators. Based on the positive experience of training women for field activities, such as pest inspection and refueling machines, supervisor Adir began training for operation, mainly tractors, a measure that ended up becoming a success.

With the lack of manpower of male operators in the region, the alternative of offering a primarily male vacancy to women worked out and is now proudly presented as a solution. In addition, some important details are visualized, in which female operators contributed, such as the implementation of the initiative, the quality of the work and the care with the equipment.

It was an attempt to see a difference in an opportunity, which ended up being very positive. A period of adaptation and training preceded direct work, and after a few weeks there was already confidence that other women could perform equally, including with advantages, in relation to traditional male work. There have already been four women working in this role and, currently, three tractor operators carry out practically all operations on the farm. The supervisor's enthusiasm is highlighted by his care for the equipment, cleanliness, and his dedication to doing good things, especially when maneuvering in the field.

The first operator to accept the challenge was Mabrie Eduarda de Paula, who has two children, had started as a manual worker in the company and soon accepted to become an operator. According to her report, there was no difficulty, even though she started out a little suspicious about whether it would work or not. She reported that there was full acceptance from fellow operators, and she even received and still receives help and advice from seniors in the profession. Her husband also works as an operator on the farm. She recognizes supervisor Adir as an encourager and tutor in the activity. Currently, she loves her job as an operator and highlights that the LS tractor helped her a lot in adapting, as she considers the cabin to be very good and comfortable.

Another tractor operator we met on the same farm was Lídia Maricato Florencio, who was also working in phytosanitary control. To work in the new role, which was an old dream, she also received training from her supervisor and her husband, who is also a machine operator.

At Fazenda Santa Maria we went to meet the company's third machine operator, Cratieli Silva. In addition to being a tractor operator, she drives a truck and works alongside her husband Fernando, who is also a machine operator. She told us that she has been in the role for three years and thinks it is a wonderful opportunity. She said that at first there was some distrust, but now there is full acceptance. One fact that helped her is that her father and brother are also operators. The husband, however, learned and started later, but today they exchange experiences during their conversations.

Evaluation of Plus 80 in activity

For the field test with the LS Plus 80 model, we took two units equipped with the Natali turbine sprayer, manufactured by this company in Limeira, SP. The equipment is large and is part of a two thousand liter tank to apply the product, with air flow provided by a turbine and flow conduction through side deflectors. The equipment is connected to the tractor via the drawbar and is activated via the power take-off.

We set out for two areas, one at Fazenda Orvalho and the other at Fazenda Serra Velha, to apply insecticides to control caterpillars and insects. This operation is the most frequent within the production system, being carried out throughout the year. For this, the 3rd gear of group L was selected, at an engine speed of 2.000rpm, with 540rpm at PTO, to achieve an application rate of 2.400L/ha.

Although the spacing between plant rows is quite wide, headland maneuvers can be tricky with a large mechanized array like this. Therefore, the standard direction reverser on LS tractors is very useful. During the observation we saw the usefulness of this device. When the machine travels between the rows of plants, it is recommended that the machines do not collide with the branches and especially the fruits that project towards the center, which is why it is still necessary to take measures to reduce the width of the machines. The first measure is driving pruning and the second is adapting the machines. In the case of the LS tractor, the adaptations were minimal, because it is a compact and reduced-width equipment, even so, the mirrors were brought within the projection line of the cabin and the exhaust system tube was moved to the lower side of the vehicle. tractor.

We also moved to Fazenda Santa Maria, to see another operation where the LS Plus 80 is used, in conjunction with a central brush cutter, used to control vegetation between the rows. Especially in rainy seasons and with great vegetative development, this control is necessary quite frequently. For the central brush cutter, the gear used was 2nd in group L at 2.000rpm. In the same area, other complementary equipment is used, which controls the vegetation in the line, complementing the ecological mowing system, applying the herbicide using a bar placed in front of the tractor. The bar acts close to the line and keeps the straw on the surface, avoiding the problems of bare soil.

We had support during the visit and field test of the LS Plus 80 tractor from Rodrigo Silva, commercial coordinator of LS Tractor Brasil for the state of São Paulo, and LS Marketing & Sales Manager, Astor Kilpp.

Final considerations

During the tests, we tried to get the impression of operators and administrators about the work of LS tractors, mainly the Plus 80 Citrus model. The conclusion is that the tractor fulfilled all expectations that existed at the time of acquisition. The most mentioned features were the comfort, especially of the cabin, the controls, the dimensions of the tractor - which make it compact and easy to maneuver in restricted space environments - and the ease of maintenance, as we were told that the dealership company is very present and the availability of maintenance parts is great. In fact, the company adopts a system of using truck trips to obtain supplies from the brand's various dealerships in the region.

Regarding the system adopted on the Group's farms, we noticed extreme care with the sustainability of production. Lots of native vegetation maintained, preservation areas and reserves in large quantities, especially close to the main spring in the region, which is the Jurumirim Dam. We also noticed a great involvement of the Bardin family, both in the management of the company and in monitoring the operational activities that provide production.

We could not fail to mention the success of inserting women into a predominantly male activity, which is operating machines and tractors. The development of mechanization and the evolution of the quality of tractors, with the improvement of ergonomics and safety, combined with modern administration to take this important step. All the problems and difficulties in acceptance are in the past and today there is harmony between operators of different sexes. To the virtues of male operators, women brought attention to detail, commitment and care to this important role in agriculture. Today, it is clear that moments of coexistence, such as meals, have helped to improve this coexistence, and companies that follow this path can benefit.