MTX135 - A M Sibbald
Inspiring power from McCormick six-cylinder tractors
For some operators, the thrum of a six-cylinder engine will always beat the rasping sound of a four-cylinder turbo every time.
But often there is also a case to be made for the performance characteristics of a six pot tractor over a four; and this is what really appeals to brothers Alec and Robin Sibbald at Greenrig near Falkirk.
In recent years, their front line tractors for A M Sibbald & Sons’ 600-acre dairy and arable unit have been traded up to six-cylinder machines.
“I don’t care what anyone says, in my view you can’t beat a six-cylinder tractor for its easy performance,” says Robin Sibbald. “You get plenty of torque and the extra length in the wheelbase is an advantage for stability, especially when using mounted implements.”
Today, two McCormick six-cylinder tractors supply the farm’s main power requirements – an MC135 Power6 purchased in 2010 and a new-generation MTX135 delivered in spring 2011. Both tractors were supplied by Hamilton Tractors at Carnwath.
The MC Power6 was the first new tractor launched under the McCormick name that was not inherited from the Case IH product range. It was introduced for 2003 with an ‘electronic’ 6.0-litre Perkins engine but this was replaced by a 6.7-litre BetaPower diesel with mechanical fuel injection in 2008 when production moved to the ARGO Tractors plant in Italy.
The bigger engine was tuned to develop the same 126hp peak output but with better power delivery characteristics and more torque.
At Greenrig, the MC135 Power6 clocked up just over 940 hours in its first 12 months by taking over duty on the front of a JF trailed forage chopper at silage-making time. It also tackles slurry tanking and cultivation with a 4m power tiller, as well as routine grassland work.
“It’s got enough power for what we needed, it’s easy to drive and it’s not unwieldy around the yard or in smaller fields,” says regular driver, Alec’s son Ross.
Encouraged by its performance, the Sibbalds planned to add a second Power6 tractor to their fleet earlier this year – but discovered its eight-year production run had come to an end.
Two alternatives were available to Robin and Alec Sibbald – a four-cylinder McCormick MC130 with the same 126hp output as the Power6, and a new-generation MTX135.
The popular McCormick MTX design was given a thorough make-over in spring last year when it gained the same modern styling as its more powerful XTX and TTX cousins, along with their new-design four-post cabin.
A mechanical fuel injection version of the 6.7-litre six-cylinder BetaPower engine is used but with output for the MTX135 uprated to 133hp.
“Farmers may dismiss the MTX because they perceive it to be a much bigger, much heavier tractor than the Power6,” says Paul Wade, product specialist at McCormick distributor AgriArgo UK. “But actually they are quite similar in several respects, with the MTX also having a number of features that put it ahead of the older tractor.”
Similarities first: the Power6 and MTX share the same 16x12 transmission with four-speed powershift, and the same pressure- and load-compensating piston pump hydraulics system, which only ever pumps as much oil as implements demand.
As far as weights and dimensions are concerned, the MTX135 tips the scales only 290kg heavier than the Power6 before ballast weights are added but it can carry more front ballast when needed, which gives it more traction potential and added stability with rear-mounted equipment.
“The engine installation is one of the most significant differences between the two tractors,” adds Paul Wade. “For the MTX135, the engine is located on isolation blocks in a strong cast frame rather than forming a stressed component of the tractor’s chassis.”
Apart from the strong loader and front linkage mounting provided by the chassis, this approach results in less noise and vibration making its way into the MTX135’s cabin – which is a quieter design anyway, and one that gives better visibility to either side thanks to its four-post frame.
Alec Sibbald, the MTX135’s regular driver at Greenrig, likes the new design, even though he misses the opening side windows; it means the air conditioning and blower have to be on all the time, he points out.
“Visibility is very good and I like the comfort of the cab suspension, especially the way it works with the independent front axle suspension, which is brilliant at smoothing out the ride,” he says. “The axle has a lot of grease nipples on the wishbones at each end but they’re easy to reach so greasing up isn’t a problem.”
The new MTX took over the JF chopper for the summer 2011 silage-making season and has also been on a slurry tanker emptying the farm’s stores. It will also take its turn ploughing and power tilling.
“The longer wheelbase and extra front-end ballast effect should help keep the tractor stable when I’m ploughing or tilling some of our steeper banks,” he says. “Overall, though, the tractor’s not a lot heavier, which will be good for treading lightly but with good traction from decent tyres on our wet, heavy land.”
Although the jury is out as far as long-term reliability and durability are concerned, everything is positive so far when it comes to summing up the MTX135 as an alternative to the Power6.
“We were disappointed that the Power6 was no longer available,” says Robin Sibbald. “But the MTX135 has turned out to be a more comfortable tractor with some good features, and it wasn’t much of a jump in price, either.”
Compare the McCormick MC135 Power6 and MTX135 here
(Above) From left: Alec, Robin and Alec's son Ross Sibbald with the two McCormick six-cylinder tractors that handle most of the field work at Greenrig.
(Above) The tractors take on another load from the slurry store; Alec and Robin Sibbald like the performance edge of a six-cylinder tractor over a four pot of similar power.
(Above) The McCormick MTX135 and MC135 Power6 spreading slurry from the dairy unit's storage tanks. The MTX135 has since been kitted out with wider tyres for optimum traction and ground pressure.
