Test Drive: LS Tractor U60 Power Shuttle

Tested in a location that requires agility in maneuvering and a good turning radius, the LS U60 showed that its Power Shuttle transmission is an excellent tool to make the tractor more dynamic and efficient.

In general, Revista Cultivar Máquinas test drives are themed and involve the application of a machine in one or two specific operations. In this way, we seek to insert the machine into the real process in which it is being used and, therefore, carry out the evaluation in a specific condition identified with the situation and the production system. For this reason, it is completely impossible to carry out a test or a quantitative assessment, with technological resources available and used in scientific research. 

For the test of this edition, we went to the municipality of Carambeí, in Paraná, to carry out an evaluation of the LS tractor model U60 Cabinado, in an extremely particular situation, but which, without a doubt, will be very interesting for our readers and to be able to take information about this model that we had already tested, but which now comes to the market with an important new feature, the Power Shuttle electro-electronic reverser.
This model, which is new to the LS brand and will be presented at all events and fairs this year, incorporates technology that is very useful in many agricultural activities. 
The tractor is equipped with an agricultural LS engine, model L4AL, produced by LS itself, with four cylinders and four valves per cylinder, total volume of 2.505cm3, water-cooled, with direct injection by rotary pump and centrifugal turbo compressor (turbine) . The project includes a bleed pump, which has an electronic device for detecting water in the fuel, which warns the operator through a light signal on the tractor panel. The intake air is filtered through two dry paper elements, one primary and one secondary, which are under the hood, at the front of the engine.
The engine meets the Tier III regulations for atmospheric contaminants, something that has differentiated the brand since its arrival in the country and is not often found in tractors of this power. The engine, according to ISO TR 14396, reaches 65 hp of power at the nominal speed, which is 2.500 rpm, of which 57 hp reaches the TDP at this speed. The maximum torque of 209Nm is reached at 1.600rpm, reaching a torque reserve of 20%.
Nine liters of a water-based liquid are used to cool the engine temperature. To exchange temperature with the environment, two radiators are placed under the hood in front of the engine. The first is from the air conditioner and the second is from the engine coolant. To reduce dust reaching the radiators, there is a screen, which can be removed for cleaning when necessary.
To ensure good fuel autonomy, the tank has a capacity of 60 liters. Its position is at the bottom of the cabin, on the left side. 
The transmission is synchronized, called Power Shuttle in this version, with 16 forward gears and 16 reverse gears, using a reverse gear. There are four gears distributed in four groups. The gear selector lever is positioned to the operator's right and the group selection lever, used less frequently, is positioned to the left of the seat. Both have neutral positioning. Next to the steering wheel column, where the turn signal light lever (blinker) is normally positioned, the manufacturer positioned the most important lever of this model, which is the movement reverser. With three positions, forward, neutral and reverse, it can be moved without having to remove your hand from the steering wheel. Very ergonomic, it is very easy to move and is very helpful in quick maneuvers. We also noticed an interesting new feature of this model, which is the possibility of configuring the tractor's reaction when engaging the reverse. On the panel there is a switch that allows the operator to differentiate the reaction time from the reversal, depending on the operation being carried out and its effort requirements. Therefore, it is possible to configure faster maneuvers for transport operations and slower maneuvers for those with attached implements that require effort from the tractor. This is one of the differentiators of this model, which we were able to prove in a silage handling operation on the property. 

STREAMING

This model can also be equipped with the Power Shuttle transmission, which features a supercreeper, which provides an additional 16 ultra-reduced speed gears. 
In terms of power take-off (TDP), this brand has already brought something new to the country, which is the offer of three speeds of 540rpm, 750rpm and 1.000rpm. The speed of 540rpm in the PTO is achieved with 2.409rpm, and the speed of 1.000rpm is achieved at 2.381rpm of the engine. Alternatively, the brand has a speed of 750rpm, which is considered an economical form of TDP, achieved at 2.375rpm. A switch on the panel serves to electromechanically activate the power take-off (TDP), which can be used in manual or independent mode, depending on the position of the selector switch. When manual mode is chosen, the PTO disconnects when the clutch is activated. When the choice is for independent mode, the tractor automatically turns off the PTO when the arms of the tractor's three-point system are raised. To protect the user, the TDP features a fixed metal shield-type protection. As is common on many tractors, the same transmission lubricant is used for the hydraulic system, VCRs and steering system. In this tractor this fluid volume is 47 liters. 
The steering is hydrostatic and the front axle is driven, with auxiliary front-wheel drive and mechanical lever activation. A feature that differentiates this tractor and is adopted by the brand is that the front transmission uses conical gears, not a shaft with crossheads, which results in a smaller turning radius, according to the manufacturer. 
The three-point hydraulic system is category II, with a maximum total flow of 55 liters per minute, maximum pressure of 200bar and maximum lifting capacity at the ball joint of 1.754kgf. In the system there is the traditional position and depth alternative, in two levers, positioned to the right of the operator's seat. The remote control system is independent, with two VCR valves as standard and three as options, with a maximum flow of 36,4 liters per minute. To activate the system, two independent hydraulic pumps were mounted. One of them serves exclusively for the tractor's steering system and the other is used for the three-point lifting system and for VCRs. As a new feature, the system is automated, using a small lever, positioned on the right side of the operating station. With this automation, the operator can lift the equipment and, with just one touch of a switch, lower it to a pre-programmed vertical position. 
LS offers several wheel and tire mounting options for this model, in addition to the 11.2-24 specification front wheelsets and 18.9-30 rear wheelsets, fitted to the test tractor. There are still three more R1 options and an R2 high claw tire option for the rear. Our test tractor was equipped with six weights, each weighing 20kg, plus a 33kg support at the front. 

CABINS
The cab is of good quality, supported by four cushions, two front and two rear, to reduce vibration, with an operator entry door on both sides and a tilting rear window. The sides are glazed and promote visibility, especially in intensive operations and in limited space. To filter the air inside the cabin there is an activated carbon filter, which the user can purchase as an option. The gas discharge pipe is positioned behind the cabin column and is well protected, to prevent burns from anyone who may inadvertently lean on it. 

As is standard in this class of tractor, the project provided for increased operator visibility, providing the tractor with two side mirrors and one inside the cab. For nighttime lighting, two headlights were placed on the top of the cabin and four headlights built into the hood, in addition to two work lights that can be directed on the handholds to access the cabin. The rear lights are placed on the fenders, along with the direction indicator lights. 
As required by Brazilian and global standards, the tractor has a rollover protection structure (EPC) built into the cabin. The manufacturer declares the effectiveness of the structure, indicating that it has undergone testing according to the Asae J2194 standard. Inside the cabin, we find all the required features such as the air conditioning, with outlets on the front and side of the roof. Also on the roof, but on the front left, are the ventilation and air conditioning controls, as well as a CD-Player. On the left side of the cabin, built into the columns, are other features, such as the 12V power point for charging portable equipment such as notebooks and mobile phones and the switches for the cabin's internal and external lights and windshield wipers. 
The main side console is positioned to the right of the operator and contains an object compartment, the gear levers, the PTO rotation activation (choice) lever and the VCR activation levers, the three-point system activation. and determining the working depth of the implement coupled at the three points. Also noteworthy, in orange, is the small lever for memorizing the adjusted position of the three-point system, mentioned previously.
The parking brake and gear group selector lever (four groups) are located on the floor to the left of the operator's seat.
In front of the steering wheel, a small front panel was placed, where various operational functions of the tractor can be viewed, such as the analog and digital tachometer, the record of the total hours worked, an indicator of the engine water temperature, the fuel level and lights indicating the condition of the alternator, oil pressure, parking brake activation and warm-up before starting the engine. 
The steering wheel has position adjustment and, next to it, we have the accelerator on the right and the reverse lever on the left, which is the highlight of this model. 
On the platform floor, for the operator's control, are the clutch pedals, brakes, foot accelerator, differential lock and TDA activation.
The operator's seat has armrests, a seat belt and can be adjusted in three ways: distance, backrest position and vertical oscillation.
The hood is tiltable and greatly facilitates maintenance and cleaning operations on radiators and other engine components. The brakes are disc, immersed in oil, using three units on each side, with hydraulic actuation. 
As for dimensions, the tractor has a wheelbase of 2.047mm and a total length of 3.759mm. The maximum height is 2.454mm and the free span is 420mm.

THE TESTS

We divided our test into two parts. The first was inside the pavilion that houses the cows during the bed-turning operation. This operation is quite heavy, as it is necessary to move a mass of soil, mixed with sawdust and animal waste. We carried out this turning using a Mec-Rul rotary hoe, 1,20 meters wide, positioning the tractor in second gear of group 1, with an engine speed of 2.200rpm, to establish 540rpm on the PTO. This turning operation must be done slowly, as the condition is essential for the quality of the work. However, the total operation time, in this situation, should only take 20 minutes, as the cows that were taken to milking will soon be returning and will want to lie down on the bed that has already been turned over. Therefore, while slowness is a premise for the quality of the revolving, the total operation time is restricted, forcing the mechanized set to be efficient in maneuvers, the loss of time is less and the efficiency of the operation is the best possible. 
But this is not the only requirement for a tractor to be recommended for this work. In addition to requiring the tractor to have an excellent turning radius, to facilitate the return and finishing maneuvers, it is ideal for it to be silent, to avoid stress on the herd that remains in the installation. It is also necessary that the tractor's design has accessible and easy-to-operate controls, as is the case with the reverser, which we mentioned earlier. Finally, to move the mass of the bed, which is quite heavy, the engine must deliver adequate power and torque to drive the equipment that homogenizes the bed. Ultimately, not just any tractor can meet all these requirements and can be recommended for an intensive operation like this.
The second part of the test was carried out on a silage area. To compact the silo, we performed a back and forth operation on the vegetable mass, taking advantage of the reverser functionality. On this occasion, we tested the reversal reaction fixation system present in this model, which was found to be quite effective.
At the end of the test, we saw that the tractor adapted very well to these requirements and left the producer very excited about purchasing this model. 

TratorSul Dealership
The TratorSul dealer, who helped us carry out the test drive, is the LS reseller for the Campos Gerais Paranaenses region, which serves several municipalities in the region. We were at the Ponta Grossa headquarters store, finding a new building, with a modern layout and a very beautiful and organized look. 
The new store, which is four years old, has a well-equipped services and parts section, with service throughout the entire region. In addition to the excellent structure and support for this test, the dealership had a technician, Aglado Queiroz Naldo, who is the company's Sales consultant and who was very knowledgeable about the region and the equipment being tested.
From LS MTron Brasil we had technical assistance from Astor Kilpp, who is the company's commercial director and who is always close to the knowledge and application activities of the machines that the company sells.

Test location

The location of our test was on the rural property of the Gerrit family, in the town of Santa Cruz, which is located in the municipality of Carambeí, almost on the border with Ponta Grossa. The area that the owners call a farm totals 60 hectares, but reaches 180 hectares including the food production area, where intensive dairy farming is practiced, in the Compost Barn system. 
We were welcomed by the family of Willen Kastelijn Gerrit, who manages the activity together with ten other employees and family members, including his father, who is responsible for producing the immense amount of food that the cattle consume. The Compost Barn module that the family manages is made up of covered pavilions 110 meters long by 50 meters wide, where 300 dairy cows live and feed, the vast majority of the Holstein breed. Attached, there is an installation with 14 milking machines, where even groups of seven cows take turns.
Activity is intense all year round. During the day there are three work shifts to reach an average of 30 liters of milk per cow, per day, in three milkings. There is a lot of knowledge involved to deliver the best product, free of impurities and with the correct fat content. They explained to us that the fat content is controlled with the presence of some individuals of the Jersey breed, which provides fattier milk than that of the Holstein breed. On average, eight thousand liters of milk are produced per month on the family farm.
The food offered is based on feed, mixed with crushed corn silage and beans, available in sufficient quantity to exceed the demand generated by the animals.
In the intense work routine, there are several mechanized activities. In addition to turning the bed, where the tractor works with the rotating hoe, where we tested the LS U60, we identified several other operations. A set consisting of a small tractor and a specific implement scrapes the floors around the installation, removing animal waste, and when feeding the cattle, it repositions the food that was removed by the animal, next to the trough. There is also a set that uses a medium tractor and a mixer that treats the animals, depositing a strip of food next to the installation, along its entire length. On the other hand, there is intense work to prepare the food with cutting, silage, compaction and desilage, generally carried out by tractors equipped with front shovels. We saw that in most operations there is a need to reverse movement and that a tractor equipped with an agile and precise system becomes essential.

What is Compost Barn
Compost Barn is a dairy cattle confinement technique, created in the United States in the 1980s, but which is only now arriving in Brazil. Although recent in the country, its adoption is increasing a lot, with several good projects being successfully executed, mainly in the state of Paraná.
Technically, it is an installation made up of covered pavilions, with a resting area for the animals on a soft floor formed by a bed. This bed is based on the soil itself, and is constantly being added by animal feces and urine and other compounds, such as fine wood chips and sawdust.
This bed, however, to be homogenized, needs to be turned over at times when the group of animals that occupy this area is directed to milking. In general, this turning is done with mechanical equipment, such as a rotary hoe, although special equipment is available.
The animals are fed outside the rest area in areas covered in concrete on the sides of the pavilion.
The high ceilings and bed provide comfort for the animals, who rest and eat, leaving two to four times a day for milking. For all these reasons, a project needs to be well done, with good ventilation, measures to drain excess humidity and correct positioning in relation to the movement of the sun during the day.