Test Drive with Hortifruti Tractors

The production of vegetables and fruits requires well-designed tractors that can carry out activities in confined spaces and often on uneven terrain. And it was under these conditions that we monitored the performance of the U60 Cabinado, R65 Cabinado and R50 Platformado tractors in operation in Serra Gaúcha

Even with all the threat posed by the coronavirus, agricultural production continues to march forward, producing food for the population. At this time when the economy is suffering, the countryside is what supports and contributes to ensuring that the current state does not worsen further. Care recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus have been the subject of measures by government officials and the population elsewhere, in isolation, suffers and worries about the possibility of shortages, which thanks to the continuous work of rural producers did not occur.

With that said, Revista Cultivar Máquinas, taking all necessary precautions, traveled to the Serra Gaúcha region to monitor the mechanized work of the vegetable and fruit production activity, with customers of the LS Tractor brand. We continually use masks, maintain the recommended distance of 1,5 meters, avoid greetings and use alcohol gel as a sanitizing element during all movements in and out of properties. Furthermore, we do not share the same vehicle, traveling three people in three cars throughout the day. At the end of each visit, we avoid the traditional photo, with the producers, used by the magazine in tests.

During the intense work day, we contextually evaluated three models of tractors from the LS brand, the U60 Cabinado, the R65 Cabinado and the R50 Platformado.

LS U60 Cabin Tractor

We monitored the use of the LS tractor model U60 Cabinado, in the town of Nova Palmira, District of Vila Cristina, in the municipality of Caxias do Sul, where 24 hectares of area are cultivated exclusively with vegetables on the Papke family property. The family of German origin, like most of the region, welcomed us to tell us about their experience with this new tractor and show their intense work routine.

We were received by producer Rodrigo Papke, who works with his father Helio Papke, his mother Hermínia Papke and his wife Tatiana Papke, in an area located next to the state highway RS-452, which connects Caxias do Sul to Vale Real, a city close to family residence. 

In a completely flat area, between the road and the Caí River, the family produces leafy crops in winter, such as cabbage, lettuce, chicory, which are planted in February and harvested now. It also grows plants such as peppers and zucchini, which are planted between now and August and harvested at the beginning of summer. In the off-season, corn is still produced, which is used only for own consumption in the production of animals, such as chickens and pigs, but which requires the use of mechanization to dismantle beds with a rotary hoe, sowing and cultural treatments. Corn is harvested using a single-row harvester attached to the tractor.

But it is when the corn comes out, in February, that the vegetable season begins and the intense work of setting up new beds and transplanting seedlings, where the manual work proves to be the hardest.  

The arrival of the LS model U60 Cabinado tractor on the property represented, according to producer Rodrigo, a radical change, especially in terms of comfort. He told us that he got to know the tractor through a demonstration given by the dealership that serves the region, to one of his neighbors. The purchase decision, six years ago, came instantly through the Mais Alimentos Program. The main reason for the acquisition and mainly for the Cabinada version was to meet the application of chemical protection products to crops. 

The U60 model uses an LS engine, model L4AL-T1-Tier 3, with four cylinders, with 2.500cm3 and turbocharger, with four valves per cylinder, which develops 65hp of power at a nominal speed of 2.500rpm according to the ISO TR 14396 standard. Maximum torque is 203Nm at 1.600rpm.

The transmission of this model is synchronized, called Synchro Shuttle, with 32 forward and 16 reverse gears with creeper and mechanical reverser. The power take-off (TDP) is independent, with electro-hydraulic drive at three speeds, 540/750/1.000 rpm. The 750rpm speed can be used as an economical PTO. The front axle is driven, with mechanical drive. 

The three-point hydraulic system is category II and has a total flow of 55 liters per minute. The system's maximum pressure is 167kgf/cm2 and the lifting capacity at the ball joint reaches 2.200kgf, in the optional version. There are two control valves (VCR) in the standard version and three as an option, with a maximum flow of 36,4 liters/minute.

The field test was carried out during the site assembly operation. Firstly, the producer told us that in the summer, after removing the corn, a scarifier and a rotary hoe are used to mobilize the land and chemical and organic fertilization is carried out using chicken manure. He showed us how to assemble the construction site structure with a rotary hoe, with a MEC-RUL brand garden bed. The dimensions we saw during assembly are of a bed measuring 1,20m wide and 30cm high, which ends up being consolidated with a final dimension of 1m and a height of 20cm. This bed is used for crops that require plastic covering or not. 

We saw during operation that the tractor requires free space to avoid touching the bed and torque in the engine to drive the rotating hoe, the traction and the effort that the side deflectors make when assembling the structure. Furthermore, we saw how important the presence of the super-reducer in this tractor is, which allows work at very low speeds, which even allows the formation of drains, which are so necessary in these flat areas, with horticulture.

Talking to the Papke family, we saw a lot of satisfaction and the importance of this acquisition six years ago. The tractor, which now has 458 hours, is now responsible for the main and most qualified activities. It is the tractor for phytosanitary treatments and corn harvesting, but it also sets up the beds and meets other needs.

Rodrigo explained to us that only he and his father use the tractor and for him there is only praise. They consider that the biggest advantages are the direction reversal, as only one forward or reverse gear is used, and the reduced turning radius, which helps in maneuvering in the small spaces between the beds, allowing you to leave a bed and now enter the following. This, according to them, causes less loss of time compared to the tractors they used previously. As for maintenance, the producer explained that there was no unexpected maintenance and only oil and filter changes were carried out. 

Finally, there was praise for the cabin, which for Rodrigo is very comfortable and easy to get into, and also for the air conditioning. He told us that it seals out dust very well and prevents chemicals from entering during applications, maintaining operator safety and comfort. For them this is an important attribute.

LS Tractor Model R65 Cabin

Leaving horticulture, we went to meet a fruit producing family of Italian origin, in the town of Vila São Roque, Fazenda Souza District, in the municipality of Caxias do Sul, heading East, along the RS-453 highway, known as Rota do Sol. There , we were welcomed by the Cantelle family, owner of an LS tractor model R65 Cabinado. The owner, Mr. Antonio Cantelle, his daughter Aline Cantelle Castilhos and her husband, Francis Castilhos, were working on the production of persimmons, pears and plums. Although she was not on the farm on the day of our visit, Neiva Josefina Scariot Cantelle, Mr. Antonio's wife, also works in production. The family, who are native to the area, have been working with fruits for many years and the young couple took on the responsibility of inheriting the family's customs and work 15 years ago.

We found Aline pruning the persimmon plants together with her father, while Francis worked with the tractor to apply systemic copper to the persimmon to control anthracnose.

The family manages two orchards, the first in the town of Vila São Roque, where the Cultivar Máquinas team was, and the other smaller one, which is close to the family residence, a few kilometers from the first. There are ten hectares of total area, approximately eight of which are dedicated to fruit production, with these three crops. 

The work routine in the activity is quite intense. In the winter months, pruning and phytosanitary treatments are carried out until August. When spring and flowering begin, specific treatments are carried out, and when the fruits appear, thinning must be carried out to increase the quality of the fruits that remain. At the beginning of summer, the plum harvest begins, extending to other crops until reaching the end with the persimmon harvest, which ended recently. The harvesting operation requires assistance from external workers, being an activity very dependent on physical effort and long hours, sometimes with very cold weather, due to the geographic location of the region.

The family has been an LS customer since last year, when they purchased this model, R65, through the Mais Alimentos Program. Previously, he was a customer of another brand, of which he has three more tractors. After its arrival, the new tractor was destined for more noble tasks and the older ones were in charge of more rustic activities such as crushing pruning remains and clearing vegetation.

The engine that equips this model is from the LS brand, model L4AL T1- Tier 3, has four cylinders, with 2.621cm3 and 16 valves, with turbocharger, which produces a maximum power of 65hp at 2.500rpm (ISO TR 14396 standard) and torque maximum 203Nm at 1.600rpm.

The Synchro Shuttle synchronized transmission offers 32 forward and 16 reverse gears with creeper. The power take-off (TDP) is independent, with electro-hydraulic drive with three speeds, 540/750/1.000rpm. The front axle is mechanically driven.

The hydraulic system has a total flow rate of 46,8 liters/minute and the category II three-point hitch system reaches a maximum pressure of 167kgf/cm2, with lifting capacity of up to 2.100kgf at the ball joint, as an option. The remote control is independent with two remote control valves in the standard version and three as an option, with a maximum flow of 31,2 liters/minute.

To see the LS R65 tractor at work, we went to the persimmon area where Francis, Aline's husband, was applying systemic copper with a Jacto brand sprayer, model Arbus 1000 turbo, to the persimmon plants. 

During the assessment, Francis told us that he worked for many years as an industrialist and that only 15 years ago he became a farmer and that is why he considers himself a little different from other producers. He analyzes the operation and knows the mechanical systems very well and tries to interpret the machine's responses. He also said that he evaluates the work and measures performance parameters, such as fuel consumption. He reported that the LS R65 tractor in its particular conditions of use, equipped with a cabin and with the air conditioning on, was evaluated by him in two different working conditions. 

When applying chemicals with a turbo atomizer, with the air conditioning on, at the standard rotation of 540rpm at the power take-off (TDP), diesel consumption was around 4,5 liters per hour, and when it used 750rpm, considered a Economical TDP, obtained approximate values ​​of 3,5 liters per hour. But, according to him, the relief and terrain conditions do not always allow the use of economic rotation and the producer must control and understand this.

When we asked him about his impressions of the tractor that had been acquired by the family, he explained that, from the beginning, the motivation for the acquisition was to have equipment that could safely apply phytosanitary treatments to the operator, which is why the option for cabin. But, as a technician, he said that dimensional aspects and which options to choose were also considered.

After starting to use the equipment on the property, several positive aspects were discovered. One of them is the cabin, which, according to him, is of a superior level, providing comfort - mainly due to the air conditioning - and safety, as it is pressurized, preventing the entry of noise, dust and suspended liquid from applications.

He told us that even the silence inside allows him to make and receive calls on his mobile phone, in addition to being able to work without uncomfortable personal protective equipment. 

With this convenience, there was an increase in quality of life and more time was left for the family, as they were able to carry out treatments during a working day, which previously took more than a day.

Being curious and creative, he made some accessory moves, such as side mirrors and tractor signals, and narrowing the sprayer diffusers to reduce the total width of the set and adapt to the inverted cup (or open vase) format traditionally used in the persimmon tree. and which makes mechanization difficult. Pruning measures are already being taken in younger plants to free up space for machine movement. 

It was also mentioned by the producer that after 95 hours, in almost a year of use, one of the biggest advantages seen is maneuverability. He thinks that, due to the reduced turning radius and weight distribution, the tractor was agile and stable. The transmission also helps in this aspect, as you can select the ideal gear for the chosen speed and use the reverse gear at the end of the journey. Using his previous knowledge, Francis explained that he made a comparison between the tractor used previously and this one and concluded that only by using time with maneuvers did he gain an hour a day.  

In his opinion, the large number of gears present in this LS model requires the user to evaluate the working conditions, mainly the slope and the equipment being used. The producer also has to evolve along with the machines.

He highlighted an important option that was acquired, the electronic engine protection system, which gives the user peace of mind that everything is fine with the engine during operation. This system monitors the engine temperature and completely shuts it down if the coolant heats up, preventing any damage.

LS Tractor Model R50 Platform

Traditional culture of Serra Gaúcha, the vine could not be left out of our evaluation. We went to visit an LS customer, owner of an R50 Platform model. To do this, we traveled to the community of Travessão Porto, municipality of Caxias do Sul, where two producers from the region, brothers-in-law Rogério Borth and Sergio Dall Alba, were waiting for us with the help of Mateus, Rogério's son. They have maintained a partnership of over 20 years, and currently only grow grapes on four hectares on their own land and a further ten hectares in partnership with other producers. The grape produced is burgundy, suitable for table wine and juice. 

The vine production system to produce grapes for juice and wine in the South region is very traditional. They use the trellis plant training system, where the branches are led to a horizontal wire trellis located at a height of between 1,80m and 2m from the ground and where the branches are tied to wires. The support posts support the structure.

The fact that the machines need to work under this plant roof requires the tractors to be low, which means they do not use cabins. They must also be small in width to move and maneuver between the rows of plants which, in general, are spaced 2,5m apart, with plants every 1,5m in the row. The LS R50 has a minimum width of 1,32m.

But even with all this restriction on the size of the tractor and its equipment, the engine must have the necessary power to work with the turbo atomizers, coupled to the hydraulic system and the PTO, and must be able to generate the air current necessary to transport the product being applied. 

If these requirements were not enough, it must still have the stability to move on the huge slopes characteristic of the region, depending on a low center of gravity and considerable gauge. You also cannot neglect the free space, as in addition to the undulations of the terrain, there are stones on the path that move from the landings or that, due to their size, cannot be removed. 

During the year, mechanization activities are quite intense. There are several applications of different pesticides to protect against insects and diseases and also many mechanical practices, such as distributing fertilizers and cleaning vegetation with a brush cutter. Currently, the crop awaits the next activity, which is pruning, which begins in mid-July.

At the end of the process, the harvest is done manually and the grapes are transported to the receiving unit in the family's own truck, in bulk, with the body covered with a non-toxic tarpaulin. 

However, both Sergio and Rogério explained to us that, for them, mechanization is the only way to maintain the production of this crop in the region and retain people in the countryside. They say that there is little renewal in producing families and the majority of farmers are old, as young people no longer want to carry out manual, labor-intensive activities. They said that several neighbors ended up abandoning the activity, migrating to the city. 

Their experiences as LS customers began with a visit to a neighbor who had an LS model G40 tractor, during a demonstration carried out by the local dealer. They, who had been hugely disappointed with their previous tractor, from another brand, saw the opportunity to put an end to the series of inconveniences and unexpected maintenance. They purchased, through the Mais Alimentos Program, in 2017, an LS R60 tractor with 56 hp of maximum power at 2.600 rpm, which currently has 1.318 hours. The process of acquiring the R50 model was based on loyalty from the dealer and in October of the year they purchased it, currently with 191 hours. 

The LS model R50 tractor uses an LS engine, model Tier III – S4QL, four cylinders, with 2.505cm3 and natural aspiration, which develops 44hp of power at the nominal speed of 2.600rpm referenced by the ISO TR 14396 standard. 

The transmission is synchronized Synchro Shuttle with 32 forward and 16 reverse gears with creeper and mechanical reverser. The power take-off (TDP) is independent, with electro-hydraulic drive at three speeds, 540/750/1.000. The 750rpm speed can be used as an economical PTO. The front axle is driven, with mechanical drive. 
The hydraulic system has a total flow rate of 47 liters per minute, with category II coupling in the three-point system. The maximum pressure is 200kgf/cm2 and the lifting capacity at the kneecap is 1.800kgf. There are two control valves (VCR) in the standard version and three as an option with a maximum flow of 31 liters/minute.

To test the LS R50, we moved to two of the family's own areas with a Bravo 400 turbo atomizer from the manufacturer Vêneto Máquinas Agrícolas. The first area was excessively steep, perhaps the greatest slope ever achieved in Revista Cultivar's machine tests. The second, more recently opened, was better structured and flatter. It was noted that it was very difficult to maneuver the tractor with the equipment attached in such a small space and only the operator's skill was enough to maneuver and move in these conditions. They talked about accidents that occasionally occur in the region due to the conditions of the terrain.

During the test, Sergio told us that last harvest they carried out some diesel consumption measurements working with the U60 model and managed to determine that hourly consumption levels are between 1,9L and 2L per hour during spraying activity.

From the beginning of the visit we concluded that there is a lot of satisfaction with the choice of brand. Rogério told us that, after other experiences, his opinion is that the LS tractor is complete. He also values ​​the adequate weight, which makes the tractor stable, even in the arduous conditions of the property, and concludes that the highlight of both models is that they have the direction reverser and the transmission, which with their greater number of gears allow greater adaptation to work. For him, good brakes also help with safety. As an important option, they highlight the electronic engine protection system, installed on the R60, which automatically turns off the tractor engine in the event of overheating of the coolant or a drop in oil pressure. For them, this gives them peace of mind and avoids spending on engine rebuilds.

The brothers-in-law agree that it is perhaps the only tractor that has so many features in its category and power range and that competitors offer simpler products with fewer features to adapt to the work that the situation requires. 

Throughout the day of intense movement and testing we had the valuable support of the local dealership, Trator Serra, and the manager of the main store in Caxias do Sul, Julio Cesar Carniel. He explained to us that since the store opened in April 2013, close to a thousand tractors have been sold and that the brand grows every year in the region. Trator Serra has a main store in Caxias do Sul and outposts in Veranópolis and Vacaria.