Glacier FarmMedia – In a press event streamed live online from Europe last year, senior executives from New Holland announced the introduction of the new, 14-model line of T7 Heavy Duty series tractors, which join New Holland’s larger T8 and T9 series tractors by coming from the factory with the brand’s digital Precision Land Management (PLM) Intelligence built right in.
“The T7 Heavy Duty with PLM Intelligence series was developed with the customers’ needs at the forefront,” says Ken Paul, high horsepower marketing manager for NH Agriculture North America.
“We listened and addressed first-hand feedback from operators in what key items they are looking for in their equipment. Integrating the new generation of PLM Intelligence to the T7 HD only elevates the tractor. Farmers now can easily do more in their operations and be remotely connected to dealers and support services, increasing overall efficiency and profitability.”
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Of course, the new T7 HD models get some other design improvements, too. Most notably, the new Horizon Ultra cab, which is the result of a major design rethink.
“The T7 HD might seem the same from outside, with the same compact, stylish appearance, but it’s totally new inside — just two per cent of (the cab) parts are carry-overs from the previous model. It is more connected than ever and sets a new record as the quietest in the industry, with just 66 decibels. We believe it is going to transform our customers’ experience when they work in the field,” explains Oscar Baroncelli, the brand’s global tractor product management leader.
The new cab gets lengthened and its B pillar moves to the rear corner, so it can now accommodate a wider door for easier entry. The dashboard digital display moves to a unique location in the centre of the steering wheel for unimpeded visibility. And the Sidewinder control arm has been reconfigured to make it more ergonomic and to allow for more customization to suit operator preferences.
With more overall cab square footage comes more floor space, so having a passenger riding along won’t result in the same crowded feel. There’s room for other things as well, with the 30-litre storage area behind the seat and a cooler with a 12-litre capacity. Another covered storage area behind the passenger seat includes a USB charging port and standard voltage socket. There are also open storage trays on the right side of the cab, and a netted storage bin within the roof bezel.
The redesign improves visibility to the front and down to the rear hitch and implement, while available cameras can keep watch on areas all around the tractor. The cab can be outfitted with a new work light package that has up to 24 LED lights.
The surfaces inside have a new, smooth appearance and the new Sidewinder Ultra armrest boasts a user-friendly IntelliView 12-inch display.
To keep operators cool, the new, automatic climate control system with zone selection has 35 per cent more capacity than the previous model, and there is a “top-of-the-range” Auto Comfort seat. Advanced connectivity lets an operator’s mobile device automatically connect to the screen and can be operated with a button on the armrest.
Servitization and digitalization
At the press conference, brand executives referred to the upgraded digital capabilities of the next generation onboard PLM Intelligence as a move toward “agriculture 4.0.” That’s the brand’s vision of a fully interconnected high-data future, where “precision and interconnected farming assists farmers to plan all operations in advance, manage in real time the performance of each machine, and achieve maximum precision and efficiency.”
“These new developments are the result of New Holland’s strategy to be more and more connected to our customers,” said Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president. “Servitization and digitalization are the gates to the future. They have made it possible to integrate the physical presence at the wheel with an array of digital services that mean we can always be at our customer’s side, helping them to get the job done.”
(If you’re wondering, servitization refers to the industry trend of including an increased level of ongoing support and services for a new machine rather than just making a one-off sale.)
As part of that servitization trend, next-generation PLM Intelligence will be included in all New Holland next-generation models, so that customers will find all machines have a familiar feel and data access.
Through the MyNewHolland app, customers can register their machines and retrieve technical information and access the MyPLM Connect portal. There farmers can manage their fleet and farm data from a single location. The MyPLM Connect system enables farmers to receive information in real time from individual machines at work in the field and quickly analyze the data to make informed decisions.
Also introduced on the T7 HDs is the new PLM Cygnus receiver, which is a core part of the enhanced auto-guidance system. The receiver can support New Holland’s satellite-based correction sources, in addition to RTK correction distributed through the brand’s PLM RTK+ network.
If desired, a dealer can monitor the location and status of registered, connected units. The dealer can also conduct remote diagnostics via the New Holland Remote Assistance tool. The operator in the cab can get remote support with the IntelliView Connect feature, which allows for shared screen sessions.
– Scott Garvey is a machinery reporter for Glacier FarmMedia. His article first appeared in the Jan. 4, 2022 issue of Grainews.
