The Turkish tractor manufacturer previewed its first Stage V models at the recent Italian EIMA show. Part of a plan to position Hattat as a global brand, the main target markets for the new tractors are Europe and North America.
Hattat entered the tractor business in the early 1970s, and since 2008 has been a Massey Ferguson licensee. The Hattat Holding also has a long-standing relationship with numerous well-known tractor manufacturers, supplying them with a wide range of components.
Hattat also makes complete tractors, and before the introduction of Stage V engine emissions produced the Valtra A series for all global markets. Also, it used to make tractors for Ursus, before this company was declared bankrupt.
However, Hattat’s ambitions extend well beyond making tractors for other manufacturers, and 2007 saw the launch of the first Hattat branded tractors for global markets. At EIMA, the company launched its first Stage V tractors; the C3000 (compact) series and B3000 (orchard) range, and the T4000 (68-122hp), 4wd models for the livestock and arable sectors. All three ranges will be in production early next year.
A new T4000 series tractor on the test track at the Çerkezköy production facility. A 12fx12r mechanical transmission lies inside the T4075 (68hp) and T4085 (75hp). The mechanical box in the other four models, the T4095 (91hp), T4105 (102hp), T4115 (113hp) and T4125 (122hp) doubles this to 24fx24r.
It was the refreshing styling of the T4125 on display at the Italian show, the flagship of the new six-model range of four-cyl FPT-powered (68-122hp) tractors, that captured our imagination. The T4000 has been around since 2015, but never progressed past Stage III engine emissions.
The new exterior styling and update is not the only change on the new Stage V models, which are fitted with a new transaxle with powershift and powershuttle. Many of the components, including the hydraulics, axles, transmissions, gears, shafts, cab and steering wheels are all made in-house by Hattat Group subsidiary Hema.
Hattat Traktör is a subsidiary of the Hattat Holding, which with 3,500 staff, is active in the energy, real estate, automotive and coal mining sectors. One of the largest corporations in Turkey, the company’s dozen factories (Hattat tractor assembly building and 11 Hema Industries plants (includes a casting foundry for engine blocks, axle, clutch, transmission housings and oil sumps) are all located at the Çerkezköy production facility.
On the right, one of the new T4000 series models, and on the left a Hattat Classic series model. The tractors look completely different, but under the skin share all the same technology. The two tractors are pictured here with Serkan Ergul, marketing director of Hattat Traktör.
One of Turkey’s largest manufacturing sites, the covered factory area alone covers 22ha, and with 50ha of additional outdoor production area, there is plenty of room for a hotel with swimming pool and restaurant, tennis courts, health centre, helipad, tractor test track and even a mosque.
Hattat tractors are assembled in one of the largest buildings, which is flagged up as one of the most modern assembly and paint shops in the country. With 350 staff, the plant is capable of producing up to 60 tractors a day and while geared up to assemble 22,500 tractors a year, can easily increase the numbers. There is still a long way to go to reach the current maximum capacity though, and the plan for 2023 is 8,000 units.
The Turkish manufacturer already exports its tractors to 85 countries on four continents, and Serkan Ergul, marketing director of Hattat Traktör, feels that the goal to become a truly global player is realistic. “We are able to offer non-emissions tractors for the African market, Stage III to some other markets (includes South America) and now Stage V tractors for Europe and North America.”
The Hattat Classic series peaks with the six-model range of Stage V FPT-powered 200 and 300 series models from 68-122hp. The exterior look is from the 70s, but on the inside the six models share all their spec with the T4000 series.
He agrees that to grow the volume the company will need to offer more powerful models than 122hp and Hema’s R&D department has developed a transaxle and three-stage (32×32) powershift for a more powerful 150hp six-cyl model and a four-stage (36×36) powershift for a 175hp six-pot model.
Already in a tractor, the two gearboxes have reportedly passed all internal test with flying colours and have secured all the necessary certificates. There is more because the company is keen to up the power still further and is working on a range of tractors that exceeds 175hp.
Before transferring to Hattat, Mr Ergul headed a project at Hema to develop an in-house made CVT. More powerful Hattat tractors will come first, but you can be sure that the in-house made CVT will find its way into a Hattat tractor at some point. Looking further into the future, Hema’s R&D department has been asked to develop a range of electric tractors.
Back to today and the T4000 series. The European market is saturated with tractor manufacturers all looking to take a slice of the cake. Despite this, Mr Ergul is confident that Hattat Traktör has an opportunity to sell its Stage V tractors in Europe.
Stage III C3000 (Compact) series tractors are still coming off the assembly line. Production of the new Stage V models starts in January.
“Our main advantage is that we manufacturer all strategic parts within the Hattat Group,” he says. “Also, we are close to the markets and can deliver a tractor anywhere in Europe within 4-5 days.”
The company has already taken orders to sell its Stage V tractors through distributors in numerous European countries, including France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Italia, Austria, Poland, Hungary, but currently lacks a UK and Irish importer.
This is something Mr Ergul is keen to change. “We were contacted by some potential importers/dealers at EIMA. The discussions continue and we hope to ship one of the new T4000 tractors across the North Sea early 2023.”
The ambition is to grow its Stage V tractor business, but Hattat is not forgetting markets where Stage IIIa engines can still be sold. “We are key partner with Perkins and this will continue,” concludes Mr Ergul.
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