Last summer, Winnipeg-based Versatile announced it had re-jigged its high-horsepower tractor lineup for the 2022 model year. New model designations will debut with their respective engine ratings matching the new model numbers (except for the new, more powerful flagship 620, which offers slightly less at 616).
The previous seven-model line of wheeled, four-wheel drives, which used to span the 380- to 610-horsepower range, will now drop to six models from 405 to 616. (The addition of the 365 MFWD model has apparently made the smallest four-wheel drive a bit redundant.) The company will continue to offer three DeltaTrack models, but their horsepower ratings will now match the three largest wheeled tractors, jumping from the previous 520 through 610 to 530 to 616.
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On the biggest model of both the wheeled and DeltaTrack lines, peak horsepower ratings jump from 650 on the previous top-of-the-line 610 model to 665 on the new 620, although the power bulge rating changes from 49 per cent at 1,400 r.p.m. on the 610 to 34 per cent at 1,500 r.p.m. on the 620. Across the full range of new models, crankshaft torque ratings go from 1,600 pound-feet in the 405 to 2,066 in the 620.
To make servicing those engines easier, engineers moved the engine oil filter location to a new spot to improve access.
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Cummins engines
Versatile has had a long relationship with Cummins engines, and don’t expect that to change with the updated models. All three DeltaTracks will still come with a Cummins X15 diesel under the hood, while their companion wheeled versions with the same horsepower ratings will use the X15, too. The wheeled 405 to 460 models will rely on a smaller Cummins X12. The three big tractors in both ranges will get larger cooling systems and an increase in airflow.
Several years ago, Versatile worked with Caterpillar engineers to tweak Cat’s powershift transmissions so they would seamlessly mate with the Cummins power plants. In the new models, Versatile will stick with the same Cat TA19 or TA22 powershift transmissions, depending on the tractor size, but the company says the TA22 has had some recent upgrades. It now has less restrictive torque protection in lower gears, a more consistent inching pedal and increased torque ratings. The clutch capacity has also increased, which results in three per cent more torque in third gear, five per cent more in fourth gear and 10 per cent more in fifth gear.
To make the tractors more capable when it comes to powering implements, all models will get an advanced hydraulic configuration with centre-located connections, six hydraulic couplers, one three-quarter coupler and a case drain.
Optional features include two additional three-quarter couplers, dual case drains, and the brand will continue to offer both the 401-litre high-flow hydraulic system option or the 201-litre standard version. The 401-litre output will certainly enhance the tractors’ performance when powering large air drills.
To make life more comfortable for the operator, the brand is making some changes to its cab design as well. Although the cab size, which has 175.5 cubic feet (4.9 cubic metres) of interior space and 85.9 square feet (eight square metres) of glass, won’t change with the new models — they now get a more comfortable seat, audio system enhancements and an available 12-inch monitor.
Additionally, the options list now includes dual rotary beacons, cellphone holder and front toolbox. New LED lighting packages provide almost three times more lumens on the deluxe package (than the standard) and more than four times the lumens on the deluxe plus package, which includes 21 lights producing more than 45,000 lumens in total. These upgraded lighting systems obviously improve nighttime visibility substantially.
The new high-horsepower tractors get an updated paint scheme, too. The biggest change is the frame colour, which goes from red to black. And on their flanks are new, splashier decals, which the brand says gives the tractors “a modern and aggressive appearance.”
The new models are available for order now.
