Field test with LS Tractor H125 tractor in rice cultivation

We accompany the LS Tractor H125 tractor, with mechanical transmission, in applications in irrigated rice cultivation, an activity in which this LS Tractor model is gaining ground thanks to characteristics such as resistance and agility

Rice is considered a staple food in the world and, in terms of cultivated area, is only surpassed by wheat, with Asia being the region where around 90% of production is concentrated. Of the rest that is produced outside Asia, Brazil individually is the largest producer. Its annual supply reaches, on average, 12 million tons of paddy rice, which represents around 1,5% of world production. As a food present on the table in all Brazilian regions, the majority of production is used for domestic consumption, with a small proportion destined for export.
In Brazil, approximately two million hectares are sown every year, with the majority, around 88% of production, under flood irrigation. Although the average productivity is approximately 6.000kg/ha, when it comes to irrigation systems it can easily reach levels close to ten tons per hectare. The South region, mainly Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, produces three quarters of the national production, generally of high quality and widely accepted by the national and world markets.
Due to this importance, we wanted to guide the testing of this edition specifically for this crop and in a representative condition for approximately 25 thousand rural producers who specialize in this crop, its technology and with intense use of mechanization.

Currently, there are several irrigated rice production systems in practice by rural producers in the South region. The first of them is a conventional system in which irrigation water retention structures are built, called rammed earth or marachas, which are built at a level to that can form a contour in equal dimensions. With this system, it becomes difficult to control the main invasive plant, red rice. Therefore, to reduce the incidence of red rice, the producer is forced not to repeat areas with the same crop, being forced to abandon them temporarily, generating crop rotation in the area, establishing what is called cuts. Therefore, in this system the producer divides the crop into plots, or cuts, and produces alternately year to year, in one plot and another, interspersing with soybeans or pastures. 

The second system is pre-germinated rice, in which, basically, the seed is placed in the already irrigated area with the germination process already started. This system is widely practiced, and requires better leveling of the area, generally in the frame system, where cuts and embankments are systematically made, forming geometrically regular plots, outlined by a higher rammed earth, called round. Its advantage is better control of the invasive plant, but its disadvantages are increased installation costs and intense work involving labor and equipment.

Finally, the direct planting system, or minimum cultivation, which could only be made possible by the introduction of mutagenic rice. In this system, sowing is done with minimal soil mobilization, to prevent the seeds of invasive plants from being placed in emergency conditions.

Our test in rice farming

To contextualize the test, in a typical rice growing area, we went to Fazenda Figueira da Timbaúva, in the municipality of Barra do Ribeiro, east of Rio Grande do Sul, in an area leased to the Ribeiro family, an LS client following the acquisition of a LS H125 tractor. Nazareno Ribeiro Filho, a 42-year-old rural producer, was waiting for us. Easy-spoken and very communicative, he told us that he inherited his vocation in the field from his father, who was always known as Leno, which is why, in addition to his profession and activity, he came to be known as Leninho. With his father already deceased, the partnership began with his mother and two brothers, one who is a student on the Agronomy course at Ulbra, in Canoas, in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, and another brother who works in the city. The municipality of Barra do Ribeiro had its ancestors as precursors and first inhabitants.
Leninho, his wife and nine-year-old daughter have lived on the farm forever. The daughter studies in the city and takes transport to school every day and is at home in the afternoon. The routine is, therefore, agriculture. She even told us that at certain times her wife helps on the farm, working with him on the tractors.
The family is from Barra do Ribeiro and the farming activity began with his grandfather, decades ago. The area used by the Ribeiro family within the Farm is 360 hectares, with 150 hectares of rice cultivated annually and the remainder with soybeans. Leninho told us that the family produced rice in the conventional system using intense soil mobilization, in a scheme that provided four cuts for use and fallow. Afterwards, the family adopted the pre-germinated rice system, but as the problem with red rice persisted, they adopted the direct planting system, with alternating soybeans and rice. Remember, also, that in the pre-germinated system much more work was done, with fewer machine and labor hours now required and productivity per area was maintained. 

It currently uses the Irga 424 seed and does not expand the area with rice, because there is limited water for irrigation. Its productivity in soybean areas is considered high for the region, reaching around 58 bags on average from the previous year per hectare and in rice an average of 160 bags per hectare.
In September, he performs the drying process, allowing the herbicide to act. In the summer, another desiccation is carried out and the rammed earth is built so that the sowing can then take place, preferably, if the weather permits, starting in October. A Tatu Marchesan sowing system with 19 lines and 15cm spacing is used for rice. Soybean sowing, also in direct planting, is done with a spacing of 45cm using a Massey Ferguson seeder, model MF 510 L45 with Micron Combat inoculant deposit. In this reservoir, the producer places the inoculant, cobalt and molybdenum. Graphite to improve seed flow is placed directly into the seed deposit.
For a day, we follow the work that the producer carries out, including activities in the rice areas and where he is rotating with soybeans. Soybean sowing was being carried out with the LS H125 tractor at 2.000rpm in 2nd gear. The fertilizer dose was 200kg/ha of MAP and 12 to 14 seeds per meter, due to late sowing, as, in October, the rate was eight to ten seeds per meter. Although the operational capacity for rice is lower due to the presence of rammed earth, with the whole it can sow 14 hectares per day.
When our visit occurred, the rice was emerging, ten days after sowing. The system used involves the construction of the rammed earth before sowing, so the tractor and the seeder have to pass over these structures, requiring good articulation from the seeder and mechanical resistance from the tractor. After sowing, approximately 30 days, a herbicide and urea are applied, followed by irrigation water. All spraying is done with a Columbia model Jacto sprayer with a capacity of two thousand liters. 

Although he is a traditional producer, Leninho is very fond of new technologies and firmly believes that in the near future drones can be normally used in areas like the one he produces. He imagines that equipment like this could help the producer to mark the rammed earth, apply phytosanitary products to the rammed earth and in the general area autonomously. With existing technology, he could map the area and then carry out the spraying work without human intervention and direct contact with the product, thus improving safety.
Both the direct planting areas with soybeans and rice are harvested in April with two harvesters of their own, one MF 5650 and another New Holland 4040. The particularity is that the rice areas are harvested with the machine equipped with a conveyor belt, the which causes a great deal of land mobilization. The rammed earth is then dismantled and a harrowing operation is carried out to level it. When the weather permits, the soil surface is prepared in winter or spring. 
Currently, in his opinion, the greatest difficulty for rice producers is the selling price, which, in addition to being low, fluctuates every year. Furthermore, the price of inputs that are so expensive, such as soybeans, makes it unfeasible to invest safely. Another serious problem, in his opinion, is the resistance of horseweed (Conyza spp), which in recent years has been keeping many producers up at night. After 12 to 13 years of cultivating in direct planting, the advantages of producing today are all related to comfort and less rough work. Today, cab tractors are common and the supply of seeders, which - previously required the handling of bagged product, requiring a lot of labor - is done with a winch and bag. He also highlighted modern defensives. 
Remembering how the family became LS customers, Leninho said that everything happened because they were LS consortium customers. They had five tractors, a Ford 7830, a very old Santa Matilde, a Ford 4630, an MF 297 and they needed another tractor. They purchased a consortium of an LS 80 and then the possibility of purchasing another consortium already considered appeared and that was what was provided for the purchase of the LS H125.
As the tractor arrived recently, it was only used with the disc harrow, with the Jacuí brand mulcher with a wide base of ten discs and now in soybean seeding, currently totaling 300 hours of work.

The LS H125 tractor

The LS Tractor do Brasil H series was recently launched and is the one that brings together the brand's largest models, the H 125 with 128 hp and the H145, with 145 hp. These are tractors developed for the Brazilian market and sold, in addition to Brazil, to countries in America and Africa. 
The engine that powers both H Series models is from Perkins, model 1104D-E44TA, with four cylinders, 4.400cm3, 16 valves, with turbo and intercooler. The maximum power of the H125 is 128 hp at a speed of 2.200 rpm. Maximum torque is 560Nm and occurs at 1.400rpm. 

The tractor that was purchased with specifications for irrigated rice has a synchronized mechanical transmission combined with a mechanical inverter, which is the standard for this model, called Synchro Shuttle, which allows 12 forward and reverse speeds. The combination is made with a four-position gear lever on the right console and another three-position lever for the groups (L, M, H). The mechanical inverter, in this case, is installed on the front panel to the left side of the steering wheel. The movement reversal system is a necessity in rice, as it is often necessary to maneuver in confined spaces. The alternatives that could be chosen for this model would be to add a super-reduction (Creeper), which increases to 20 forward and reverse gears or to purchase the model with the optional transmission, called Power Shuttle, with a hydraulically driven inverter. , which allows 24 forward and 24 reverse gears, and if the super-reducer is added, it reaches 40 speeds in both directions, forward and reverse. In this version, in addition to being easy to activate, the reverser can be configured to vary the reversal reaction time, thus, in faster maneuvers, the reaction time can be reduced. It is located on the left side of the steering column and can be operated with just one finger. The producer explained that in rice production, due to intense use and difficult conditions, mechanical transmissions are preferred, in addition to it being a tradition to buy tractors that are as mechanical as possible.
One of the new features brought to this model is the Cruise Control system. With it, it is possible to control the angular speed (rotation) of the engine, choosing two engine rotation options, one for work and the other for maneuvering. Once the user makes the pre-adjustment with a simple touch of the Cruise control selector, the engine will adopt one of the pre-adjusted speeds, for operation or maneuvering. This will result in a gain in fuel economy, greater operator comfort and greater operating efficiency. 

The Power Take-Off (TDP) is independent, activated by a switch and provides two angular speeds of 540rpm and 1.000rpm. The 1.000rpm speed is used as a super economical 540rpm speed, for operations that require little torque demand.
As for the three-point hydraulic system which is category II, it is based on a gear pump. The maximum flow rate is 112 liters per minute and the maximum pressure reaches 170bar. The operation is conventional with two levers, one for position and the other for depth adjustment. The maximum lifting capacity of the lower arms of the three-point hydraulic system is 4.800kgf at the ball joint, reaching up to 5.500kgf if the customer so chooses. 
Activation of implements by remote control can be done with the valves regardless of whether the three-point system is used. In the standard version there are three valves and four as an option, with the customer being able to choose valves for use with continuous oil flow. The maximum flow rate of the systems in the standard version is 80 liters per minute and 110 liters per minute as an option.
Highlighted by rural producer Leninho as one of the strong points of this tractor, the driver's position really sets this model apart. According to him, modern tractors equipped with a cab provide comfort and, therefore, quality of life.
To access the cabin, you can either go up and down on the left side (conventional) or on the right side, using a three-step ladder. The doors are wide and open well. But, without a doubt, the best impression is when you sit on the pneumatic seat and look ahead and to the sides, as there is a huge visible area, with no obstacles to your vision. Although the engine is cross-flow and therefore the intake is on the opposite side, which means that the large air intake pipes on the left side and exhaust pipes on the right side are hidden behind the front pillars of the cabin. Something unusual in other tractors is the presence of a hatch, which serves as a “sunroof”, which makes it easier to see the operation when front loaders are attached, closed with a curtain. The pneumatically cushioned seat is also standard in the standard version.

The model and context of the test referred to a tractor aimed at the rice area and, therefore, with a specification to meet operations in a rustic and highly demanding environment. However, it must be remembered that in any version, if the customer wishes, the model can be equipped with the technologies offered by the brand, which are telemetry and the electronic engine protection system. Telemetry through the system developed and produced by the Argentine company Colven, facilitates access to vehicle positioning information and offers other operational information. The engine monitoring system informs the user about engine temperature limits, oil pressure and battery voltage, and can even, if configured, issue alerts or even turn off the engine, when it is in a situation that could compromise its components. .
The LS H125 has a 300 liter diesel fuel tank located under the cabin and with a filler on the left side. This tractor that we tested is a rice farming version, so it was equipped with Pirelli 14.9-28 PD22 tires on the front axle and Goodyear 23.1-30 Superarrozeiro tires on the rear. At the front there was a ballast comprising a 110kg support plus 16 plates of 40kg each. Rice tires, which are not necessary in direct sowing operations, are essential in soil preparation operations and for humid places.

Working partners

The experience of spending the day with this producer and the Globalmac team was very interesting. Producer Leninho is very communicative and his production system is very interesting. We also like to know that in addition to the intense work, from 6 am until dusk, the producer also practices a sport closely related to his rural work routine, which is participating in rodeos, shooting roping and that he really enjoys riding horses. A rural producer, a neighbor of the property, Mr. Renan Pires da Costa, who established a partnership and exchange of services with the Ribeiro family, was participating in the sowing. Also Carlos Salazar, a resident of Barra do Ribeiro who worked as an assistant on the day of the tests.
Finally, a mention from those who have been carrying out these field tests for many years, in the most different regions of the country and with different manufacturers. The team spirit of both the LS technical staff and what was transmitted to the dealership teams is impressive. Perhaps the success of this brand and its growth in our country lies in recovering this value, which in many companies has already been lost, leaving only professionalism, without enthusiasm for the brand and for working with the producer and their activities. Congratulations to everyone involved. Representing the manufacturer and the dealership were Mr. Cesar Scartezini, Sales consultant at the Barra do Ribeiro unit, and Mr. José Antônio Cabreira, manager of the Barra do Ribeiro branch.

In other words, the customer

The customer highly praised the tractor's maneuverability, mentioning that it has “game” and exemplifying with the rammed earth construction operation with equipment called a rammer, with ten 20-inch discs, in which the LS worked, highlighting that it can handle doing the curves and does not cross, obeying the direction. In terms of consumption, the LS H145 tractor brought another advantage, which is that it is much more economical than what was used before.
At the end of the working day we asked what the reasons were for purchasing the LS H125 tractor. With great ease of expression, he mentioned the ease of negotiating with the concessionaire, which seemed very simple and unbureaucratic, as needed by a producer with a lot of activity like him. He said that, from the brand, he only distinguished the small LS models and did not know the H Series either.
As for the advantages he recognizes today, after purchasing and using the tractor, he mentions the proximity and agility of the dealership and its good technical assistance, even though the tractor did not require any corrective maintenance. He sees the tractor as robust, as required in rice fields and operations, the biggest advantages are the ease of maneuvering, the speed of the hydraulic system and the traction capacity. To give an example, he commented that as soon as the tractor arrived, to test it, he had it pulling a 56-disc harrow from the Tatu Marchesan brand, when the recommendation was a 42-disc harrow, and the test result was encouraging. Finally, he even with a certain affection said that the weight distribution is so good that the tractor works “quietly”.
Although this tractor arrived at the property this year and was used for just 300 hours, Leninho noticed an improvement after the break-in period, recording that it no longer consumes oil and performance has improved.
Finally, he said that its operator really likes the vehicle and the family already has plans to purchase another tractor from the brand, now an LS Plus 80 to work with the sprayer. Currently, the LS H125 is the largest tractor on the property.