Valtra proves longevity

23.10.2009

Some time ago, due to medical problems, Les Northcott found climbing into tractor cabs increasingly difficult. As a result Ian set about designing and building a lift on the farm’s 1997 Valmet 6400. “We’ve had the tractor for several years and it’s been highly reliable averaging 1000hr annually without problems.” What, at first sight seemed a simple design and build job turned out to be much more complicated. “The theory was simple enough however, getting around the practicalities was not quite so easy. For instance the front axle pivots which means the wheels move up and down and, for steering, from left to right. Then there are questions to answer – do we want to be able to fit over-size tyres at a later date? And sight lines from the seat; we didn’t want to restrict driver vision. Just some of the problems,” explained Ian.

Ian designed the lift to be self contained with the frame bolting to the loader mounting points. “There’s a hook on top of the mast top so the lift can be attached or removed as a complete unit quite easily.” The mast is located next to the cab front pillar. To this is attached a double acting hydraulic ram with 42inch of travel. A foot plate is attached to the bottom of the ram. Hydraulic power is supplied by a small electric pump, similar to those used to power tipping trailers used behind light vans. The pump and hydraulic reservoir are housed in a sealed locker which is also mounted to the frame. A wire connects to the tractor battery via an isolator switch and a pair of simple up/down buttons completing the controls. Les has simply to stand on the platform and press the up button to be delivered to the cab. A safety latch prevents the platform accidentally dropping, becoming damaged and marooning the Les in the cab. The return trip to terra firma is equally simple and if the tractor is to be used by fully able drivers it’s a simple matter to position the lift plate at the half way point, fit a locking pin and then use the platform as a conventional step.

Since manufacturing the lift, Ian has purchased a second Valmet 6400. A ’94 model with 10,000 hours on the clock this second tractor still operates reliably with no sign of a reduction in engine power. “We switched the lift to this tractor at the beginning of the year without a hitch,” reports Ian.

With a happy father and several years faultless operation in the bag, Ian was recently persuaded by his wife to enter the lift in the Farmers Weekly Inventions Competition where it made runner up.

 

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