After taking everything it knows about narrow tractors has brought New Holland to a point of re-design not seen previously in a vineyard model
What started out as fancy concept sketches between New Holland engineers and automotive design house Pininfarina to develop an electric tractor for vineyards now appears to have more thrust with a 2023 German Design Council Award to its credit.
Many originally dismissed the futuristic design as another drawing board fad that would never see a production line.
But according to the German Design Council, New Holland’s Straddle Tractor satisfies all special requirements posed when working in narrow vineyards, and in a design that has never been presented to the market previously, including an electric power source.
Behind the futuristic design, with Pininfarina involved certainly combines form and function, and has also created a model ready for electric power traction for more productive and sustainable agriculture.
The Straddle Tractor has been designed to improve production by taking the difficult restrictions posed by small vineyards into account.
This tractor is expected to appeal to vineyard operators known for producing high-quality, high-value wines from grapes grown in rows that are less than 1.5 meters wide and most frequently on steep slopes.
In these conditions, the grapes are most often picked by hand and the only mechanical vine maintenance work is done with a tractor travelling over the top of the rows.
Pininfarina’s futuristic design combines advanced safety, comfort, and technology with inspiration taken from the shape of a glass of Champagne – tall, wide at the top, and tapering down at the bottom – as a tribute to premium wine growers from Champagne, Médoc, and Burgundy.
The visual concept is clear from the very first sight, the cab is completely encased in glass to give the operator unparalleled visibility of the vines and all other surroundings.
The glass adds a further dimension to the operator’s view as it is angled in the direction of travel, offering a sense of anticipation for the job ahead.
Entry is through a large single door to further the impression of a spacious cab where there is a rotating seat waiting to ensure the operator always feels in full control over the rows.
Once inside, the Pininfarina touch of style comes forward quickly with wood panels inserted appropriately to further contribute to the cab’s luxurious feel. Formed it is said, from inspiration found in the wooden wine barrels in the vineyard cellars.
But at the source of the Straddle Tractor is a drive-line ready for the electric traction, for a future of alternative energy-fuelled models that vineyard owners are expected to be first to embrace.
Cab made entirely of glass
With an all-glass moulded structure to work from, the operator is provided with the most unobstructive view of the vines ever offered from a driver’s seat.
In addition, the front screen is angled in the direction of travel, adding much more anticipation with the work appearing to come toward the operator.
The robust rounded glass enclosure with its tapered shape at the Straddle front-end is supposed to remind us of a champagne flute according to Pininfarina designers.
While in reality, the round glass is a much cleaner and more seamless reimagining of the square framed glass on current-generation New Holland grape harvesters.
And the blue paint is similar to the tone and finish that many current New Holland models wear, but just a deeper shade of royal azure that accentuates the free-flowing curves of minimal body panels.
Once inside the Cabin
A wrap-around glass door swings out for the operator to gain access and then delivers a clear view of the surroundings on all sides.
The single rotating operator chair holds a prime position inside the cab as it sits front and centre.
The operator will get a quick glance at the surrounding wood trim before they are drawn to the headliner where a digital widescreen provides cabin controls for access to HVAC and audio.
Pininfarina was given a brief to develop a futuristic design around a high-comfort, high-safety cab, so the feedback from operators will be very important to see if the cab design has the glue to gain acceptability for this concept model.
Moving forward with electric traction
The overall exterior look has not been seen previously in a vineyard tractor design and as a result the Straddle Tractor certainly stands out with its flowing and dynamically inspired lines.
In addition, the Straddle Tractor has been designed ready for electric traction, and that’s ideal for high-value wine growers who revel in green and clean production processes.
And while the company cannot be drawn on all specifications at this stage, we do know enough about the Straddle Tractor to confirm it could build a market very quickly with vignerons.
The Straddle Tractor earns its name from its ability to adjust its working width at the push of a button.
The Straddle Tractor is the first time a genuine attempt has been made for a perfect vineyard machine
It can extend its wheels out to straddle multiple rows while a further rear module can also extend independently several rows wide as required, like a pair of wings.
This gives the Straddle Tractor the ability to operate across multi-row sweeps for each pass.
Another important inclusion has been fitting airless tyres to eliminate any hold-ups from flats.
Prior to production runs, New Holland will reveal more details about the mechanical specifications.
One point the company does confirm is that everything is compatible with electric powertrain technology, to shift agriculture away from fossil fuel dependence and toward more sustainable energy solutions.
See more about New Holland’s Straddle Tractor for vineyards at this link.
