WESTERN PRODUCER — Its corporate cousin under CNH ownership, Case IH, has offered rubber tracks on its Quadtrac four-wheel drive tractors for decades, but New Holland went its own way with tracks on its four-wheel drive T9s.
Initially, NH offered bell-shaped tracks sourced from another manufacturer on its largest models. For the 2012 model year, it introduced its own SmartTrax modules for the two largest T9 models.
For the 2025 model year, the T9s with PLM Intelligence get the latest upgrade to their SmartTrax system, which will be available on the five largest models. Along with that update, the tractors get more horsepower to turn those tracks. Newly upgraded axles designed for tracks allow a significantly faster road speed, too.
“On our tracked tractor we’ve improved the situation in four areas,” said Sean Dorosz, T8 and T9 product manager, at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky in February, where the updated T9 SmartTrax with PLM Intelligence tractors made their debut.
“With the track modules themselves, we now have the proper axle, so we can go with a ground speed of 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) instead of 19. So, we’ve picked up our ground speed just over 35 per cent.”
The track modules get a number of improvements. New oscillating roller wheels and vibration dampening mount suspension provide for a smoother ride and should help prevent uneven track wear during roading.
The modules incorporate clear hubcaps to see oil levels and an automatic track tensioning system, which should extend the life of the track and eliminate the need for manual adjustments.
Track widths of 30 and 36 inches are available from three different brands.
With boosted horsepower ratings, the five T9 with PLM Intelligence tractors now range from 475 to 645 horsepower.
With its new rated engine horsepower of 645, the flagship T9.700 model gets a peak horsepower rating of 699 at 1,900 rpm.
“This is still a 13-litre engine,” said Dorosz. “We’ve just been able to turn up the horsepower. Our top model went from 620 rated horsepower to 645.
“Our fuel economy only went up a half a per cent. So, depending on the job you’re doing , it’s going to be pretty much the same. We’re using the same engine technology. We’ve improved our exhaust after-treatment system. We used to have a big pipe right in the front corner of the cab. That’s now streamlined, so the exhaust can flow better.
“If you think of a diesel engine, having better flow with less back pressure you get better fuel economy. So, we gained horsepower without really sacrificing fuel economy.”
To keep that engine fed, the new T9s get bigger fuel tanks as well.
“We’ve added fuel capacity by being able to fit our saddle tanks onto the machine,” he said. “That gives us another 45 per cent more fuel capacity and longer runs in the day. On the prior tracked unit, the tracks got in the way. They (tanks) were a different design.”
To improve cab access, the tractors use a pivoting ladder, which moves as the tractor articulates, even when the tractor is steered to the left. To make it easier and safer to clean the windows, there are grab rails all around the roof perimeter.
“The other big thing we’ve done is we also increased the number of work lights on the roof for added visibility,” said Dorosz.
“We added four in the front of the cab. It used to be zero. The work lights on the back of the tractor pointing toward the implement also have stronger lumens. So they’re much more powerful. You can see out to the end of those 100-foot air drills.”
The order book for the tractors opens this summer.
