Versatile and easy to handle, the specialized Kubota M5002 Narrow series aims to ensure faster production cycles
In recent years, specialized agriculture has been one of the few segments of the Italian primary sector experiencing constant growth. This positive trend, however, is undermined by the growing challenges facing Italian wine and fruit producers, forced to contend with a challenging economic climate. This translates into unstable product prices, especially for fruit, and a constant imbalance between production costs and company profitability.
To protect the latter, viticultural and fruit-growing companies have increasingly emphasized the need to maximize their production cycles, a path that obviously cannot ignore the use of machinery capable of both simplifying and speeding up field operations and reducing operating costs. It is no coincidence that the “M5002 Narrow” series of specialized tractors is designed precisely to achieve these objectives. Now in its second generation, these tractors benefit from mechanical and structural developments that go beyond the engine upgrades to Stage V regulations pursued by the Japanese manufacturer’s engineers when they first developed the “M5001 Narrow” models.
The changes encompassed the entire structural and stylistic design of the machines, optimizing visibility and maneuverability. This evolution, in practice, resulted in both a 17-centimeter increase in length, with the same wheelbase, compared to previous-generation models, and a stylistic redesign of the hoods, which take on specific shapes based on the type of machine.
In the case of the five available cab versions, the hood curve is particularly accentuated towards the front to ensure maximum forward visibility for the operator. While on the three open models, the line is almost uniform to reduce vertical bulk, reflecting a mission profile often oriented towards canopy crops. In both cases, the shapes are functional to accommodate the post-treatment systems which, as previously mentioned, ensure stage V homologation for Kubota’s three-litre, 800cc four-cylinder units which provide a maximum power range of between 74 and 115 horsepower.
Kubota M5002 Narrow series
Operating on the basis of high-pressure common rail fuel systems, four-valve per cylinder distribution and supercharging served by intercoolers, the engines interface with synchronized transmissions with three ranges and six gears which, flanked by a hi-lo, provide operators with 36 forward and as many reverse ratios, with the latter engaged via an electro-hydraulic reverse shuttle.
This solution, in addition to simplifying the management of direction changes, especially facilitates maneuvering into and out of rows, areas in which the machines do not pay the price in terms of maneuverability despite their increased length compared to previous-generation models. This is thanks to the support offered by the “Bi-Speed” system which, during steering, engages a dedicated clutch to activate a mechanical unit that doubles the speed of the front wheels, allowing the machine to complete the trajectory with a smaller turning radius.
A suspended front axle, which can be activated and deactivated manually or automatically, also optimizes the machine’s maneuverability and grip for different terrain. A closed-center hydraulic system provides up to 63 liters per minute for open models and 69 liters per minute for cab versions. Powering five distributors and a rear lift with a maximum capacity of 2,300 kg. Finally, the aforementioned cab, a pressurized, high-visibility compartment incorporating a mechanically suspended seat and a heating and cooling system designed to make even the longest and most demanding work cycles physically sustainable, is designed for operating comfort.
Faster
The new “M5002 Narrow” specialized tractors offer the “Geocontrol” system integrated into the seven- and twelve-inch “IsoMatch Tellus” monitors as standard. Working in combination with a GNSS receiver that receives and processes satellite data, the system allows for autonomous end-of-field maneuvers and automatically manages pesticide treatments in vineyards and orchards via the isobus protocol, also varying product delivery based on preset parameters.
This results in both faster work times and a rationalization of the quantity of pesticides used, an advantage that translates into lower production costs and a reduction in the environmental impact of the applications performed.
Title: Kubota M5002 Narrow series: The good turning point
Translation with Google
