The practical application of new technology in the form of a continuously variable transmission has been recognised by a prestigious Tractor of the Year award.

The 130hp McCormick X6.440 VT-Drive was judged the best entry in the category covering four-cylinder multi-purpose tractors of 70hp or more and was presented at the Agritechnica international machinery show in Germany.

Apart from the compactness, manoeuvrability and overall build integrity of the McCormick X6.4, the judges highlighted its VT-Drive system as providing the advantages and benefits of a continuously variable transmission in a size of tractor commonly used on mixed enterprise farms, by dairy and other livestock farmers, and in horticulture.

Normally, such technology is confined to more powerful arable cropping tractors. The award is especially satisfying for McCormick engineers because the new transmission is their first attempt at such a design.

Ray Spinks, sales director and general manager at AgriArgo, the UK and Ireland distributor for McCormick tractors, explained that with a conventional gearbox, speed control is regulated by the number of gears available. He said: “Even with the most generous manual or powershift gearbox, operators can find themselves being unable to drive at the optimum speed for a particular task. VT-Drive combines mechanical and hydraulic drive in a way that delivers infinitely variable speed control and ultra-fine speed adjustment, so the optimum speed is always available.”

To drive the tractor, the operator selects forward or reverse with the shuttle, then uses either a joystick or the accelerator pedal to move off and speed up or slow down. Engine revs and transmission ratio are automatically balanced by the control electronics according to the load on the tractor.

When a fixed engine speed is needed to operate a pto-driven implement or a consistent ground speed is required for a particular operation, appropriate modes can be selected that instruct the control system to manage the powertrain accordingly.