For the second consecutive year, McCormick has been victorious in the utility category at the annual TOTY awards. Last year, the X6.414 P6-Drive turned the judges’ heads and this year, it was the turn of the X5.120 P3-Drive. Described by TOTY as ‘compact, robust, versatile, and connected’ the McCormick X5.120 P3-Drive is deemed the ‘ideal utility vehicle for daily use on the farm’.
Double success
Argo Tractors’ Landini Rex4 120 GT Roboshift Dynamic won the Best of Specialized award at TOTY 2024.
The TOTY utility category is open to multi-purpose and utility tractors, above 70hp, with a maximum of four cylinders, a maximum operating weight of 10,500kg, and a maximum horsepower (hp) of 150. The X5.120 P3-Drive, which beat off strong competition this year from the Claas Axos 240 and the Soliz X90, comes in at 114hp due to its four-cylinder FTP F36 Stage V 3.6L engine. It has an empty weight of 4,000kg, with a maximum allowable load of up to 7,000kg. So, with those boxes ticked, what are some of the highlights of the McCormick X5.120 P3-Drive?
Winning features
TOTY judges were impressed by its automated powershift transmission which allows for automatic shifting through up to 12 gears, both in the field and on the road, controlled by the ergonomic SmartPilot joystick – more about this later. The onboard technological package also includes the Advanced Driving System (ADS) dedicated to advanced steering functions, including automatic wheel realignment and direction maintenance on uneven terrain. The axle and cabin are suspended to ensure maximum comfort in any application, and a factory-fitted front loader is available. The TOTY judges found the digital equipment to be impressive, with integrated functions for Isobus connectivity, precision steering, fleet management, and remote diagnostics.
The main innovation of note in the X5 range is Argo Tractors’ P3-Drive transmission, which made its debut on the X5.120, and which would have aided its progression to Best Utility finalist, and overall winner. The 36+12 or 48+16 transmission with creeper, designed and manufactured entirely in-house by Argo Tractors, allows a combination of 3 PowerShifts (HML) with four robotised gears for each range, offering 12 automatically controlled ratios. Everything is conveniently controlled via the SmartPilot joystick, taking advantage of the Auto PowerShift (APS) function that automatically engages the gear as speed increases in both field operations (AutoField) and road transport (AutoRoad). Housing the joystick that, in addition to the transmission, controls other functions including the rear hitch and PTO, is the new right-hand console, revised in terms of control ergonomics and designed for greater operator comfort.
Introduced for the first time on this model is the ADS+, which allows advanced management of a number of steering functions, including, according to the company, automatic wheel realignment in road mode, ‘effortless’ steering on uneven terrain, and a system that increases steering-wheel stiffness as speed increases, to ensure automotive-style driving comfort.
What makes this model unique compared to the competition, according to McCormick, and ensures high operator comfort, is the combination of suspended axle and cab.
Considered design means that the exhaust gas aftertreatment system consisting of DOC, DPF and SCRoF is housed entirely under the bonnet to ensure greater visibility. The bonnet itself, made in one single piece, offers a wide opening for easy maintenance and cleaning of the radiators.
The open-centre hydraulic circuit with an 82+32 L/min triple pump guarantees high performance with the loader, rear and front hitches and implements that can be connected to the vehicle’s five-spool valves. The electronically controlled category 2 rear-hitch with 4,500kg capacity is precise and easy to use thanks to the SmartPilot joystick and right-hand console, while the category 2 front hitch has a lifting capacity of 2,200kg. And, the M20 front loader, 100 per cent compatible with the front hitch, is easily controlled with the dedicated ergonomic joystick.
The tractor is prepared to accommodate a rear Isobus socket, PSM (Precision Steering Management) satellite guidance and is equipped as standard with the McCormick Digital Solutions: McCormick Fleet Management for optimal management of the tractor fleet in terms of telematics, and remote diagnostics and McCormick Farm, an innovative App that manages the entire agronomic part of the farm, collecting data and making them available to the activity log and warehouse.
‘Wind in our sails’
Kevin Phelan, country manager for Argo Tractors Ireland Ltd – officially launched at the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Machinery Show this year – said seeing McCormick claim this award category for the second successive year is ‘tremendously satisfying’.
“From Argo Tractors Ireland’s perspective, winning this accolade less than five months on from our official Irish launch is a tremendous confidence boost that will put further wind in our sails as we move into 2024,” he said.
“We have an internationally acclaimed brand, committed to delivering the best in efficient and contemporary products, combined with its focus on top-class customer service, environmental protection, along with technological and digital innovation.”
Argo Tractors is headquartered in Fabbrico in the northern Italian province of Reggio Emilia, 60 kilometres northwest of Bologna.
TOTY WINNERS
Tractor of the Year
The overall 2024 Tractor of the Year award went to the Claas Xerion 12.650 Terra Trac, which is the most powerful continuously variable transmission tractor in the world.
Best Utility
The McCormick X5.120 P3-Drive was deemed the ‘ideal utility vehicle for daily use on the farm’.
Best of Specialized
This category was won by Landini’s Rex 4-120 GT RoboShift Dynamic, a tractor designed for vineyards and orchards.
Sustainable TOTY
With a power output of over 60hp, the Fendt e107 V Vario took the win in this category.