Sauerburger, from southwest Germany, has been making specialist slope tractors for over 15 years now. We were able to use its latest mountain climber without any steps to worry about.
KEEPING IT BRIEF
- The Grip 4-140 is the firm’s most powerful implement carrier for slope work.
- The CVT with three travel ranges, along with the axles, is all sourced from Dana.
- Weighs a good 4,000kg.
- F X S Sauerburger, from Kaiserstuhl, was founded in 1886, and the firm made its first narrow-gauge tractor in 1981.
Slope tractors are specialist bits of kits, but don’t think they are just for working steep fields on the side of a mountain — dykes, embankments and highway verges are also where you’ll find these niche machines.
One slope tractor maker is Sauerburger. This manufacturer has recently introduced its lightweight tool carrier — the Grip 4-140 — which tips the scales at just 4.2 tonnes, has a 142hp maximum output and a power-split transmission. It sticks with the low centre of gravity frame design that’s already used in the smaller Grip 4-70 and 4-75 models. The majority of the components sit below the central axle pivot at the front end, for a low centre of gravity and a reduced risk of tipping over. The engine is mounted on the right, but slightly to the rear … to ensure even weight distribution when an implement is attached up front. The lubrication for the Kohler motor is guaranteed even on steep 45° slopes.
With front loader
Sauerburger is promoting its newest model as a universal tractor for mountain farms and offers a bespoke front loader for these holdings. And, with the optional air brakes provided, the towing capacity is 20 tonnes. Handling this sort of load requires heavy-duty axles, which Sauerburger sources from Dana, and they are said to be fit to carry a gross weight of 8 tonnes. So, no worries on this end. Both axles can be locked and have oil-immersed disc brakes.
The four-wheel steer Grip 4-140 turns in tight 3.0m circles (measured on the inside wheel) with 500/45 R22.5 tyres.
As for steering options, the operator can select front axle, crab or ‘drift’ steering. For the latter, the driver steers the front axle with the steering wheel and the rear axle with the joystick to keep the tail end uphill —very nice … and certain to be appreciated by slope tractor operators!
Kohler engine
The 3.4-litre Kohler motor sends up to 650Nm directly to the new Dana transmission — a joint Bosch-Rexroth-Dana development that’s primarily pitched at telehandlers in the same power class.
The Dana transmission shifts automatically through all three travel ranges, covering a speed range from 0.05 to 50km/hr. The driveline runs down the centre of the vehicle.
A mountaineer
We tested the machine on rough Black Forest terrain, kitted out with a front topper. Although we were working on extremely steep side slopes, we felt safe in the Grip 4. The engine-gearbox control offers plenty of ways to drive it, but some minor fine-tuning is still needed from the maker. For example, we didn’t much like accelerating/decelerating by using the proportional rocker on the joystick. We preferred the pedal, which offers better modulation. The engineers are still working on this area.
Further details
- The front linkage shifts sideways and has an overall lifting capacity of 2.5t with hydro-pneumatic suspension.
- The radiator is encapsulated and forms a separate component. The fan is reversed hydraulically.
- The cab is spacious and delivers good forward visibility, thanks to the corner-mounted display. Driver view of the rear linkage is restricted.
- The armrest is tidily laid out and offers many functions — probably too many for most people, although operators quickly become accustomed.
- An optional, extra-cost mechanism tilts the operator’s seat automatically into a horizontal position at right angles to the direction of travel.
- Various tyre options have been approved.
Tobias Bensing
For more up-to-date farming news click here and subscribe now to profi and save.
