It’s big and it’s powerful and some might call it beautiful. The Holmer Terra Variant claims to be Europe’s most powerful tractor, as Andy Collings reports

With 612hp under its bonnet, the Holmer Terra Variant 600 clearly has the power to achieve big things. Built in Germany, and marketed in the UK by Standen Reflex, the Terra Variant 600 is a multi-tasking tractor with forward control and a 10.5m long chassis on to which all manner of attachments can be fitted.

Power is provided by a Mercedes-Benz 15 litre, V8 engine, though there is also a smaller version called the 500 which has a 12 litre, V6 engine rated at 490hp.

The Holmer Terra Variant with its Zunhammer slurry tanker on board takes on a fresh load. Note the 6m wide injector unit.

Drive is taken through a 40kph Funk DF 500 powershift gearbox with 18 forward and six reverse gears and then, via propeller shafts, on to front and rear planetary steering axles.

There is conventional manual steering on the front axle which can be changed to crab steer by using a joystick to steer the rear axle to the left or to the right. Crab mode, which means the front and rear wheels run in different tracks, can be pre-selected to engage to a set position when required.

Four wheel steer, meanwhile, involves the rear wheels tracking the front ones to achieve tight turns. This gives an inner turning circle of 5.5m radius.

The Terra Variant is also equipped with front axle suspension that can be limited or shut off when driving on the road. In the field the suspension can use its load sensing system to maintain ground clearance at a constant height and it does this without affecting the stiffness of the suspension. When working on hills the front axles are stabilised to prevent undue movement.

The hydraulic system uses a load-sensing 190 litres/minute flow with the rear linkage working on a closed loop system. The cat 4H three-point linkage can be pivoted to the left and right to allow an attached implement to run straight while the vehicle is in crab mode. Draft control uses an electro-hydraulic sensing unit.

Other features include external lift and lower buttons on the rear mudguards and access to five spool valves having double acting, float and flow control capabilities. A 1000rpm pto is employed.

A climb up to the cab is rewarded with a generously dimensioned cab equipped with comfortable furniture and well-positioned controls. The view is panoramic and further pampering is afforded by automatic climate control and an air-suspended seat, plus MP3 and CD player.

The main control is the multifunctional lever, which provides all the key functions required to drive the machine, including speed and rear wheel steering control.

The 830 litre fuel tank and £220,000 price tag suggest this is a serious piece of kit that can be put to a variety of uses. So buyers can fit a slurry tanker complete with injection equipment, beet tankers, grain tanks, muck spreaders, seed drills and a wide range of cultivators.

The Zunhammer slurry tank is available with 18,000 or 21,000 litre capacity and a 9300 litre/minute pump should give speedy turnarounds.

Fitted snugly on to the Variant’s chassis is a 6m wide rear-mounted injector unit. If you want to deal with more solid manure, the Bergmann rear discharge spreader with 26cu m capacity should provide a powerful combination when fitted to the Terra Variant.

Muck is shifted to the rear spreading discs using slats and four chains and a spread width of up to 30m is possible. Six weigh cells provide the operator with application rate data and there is also an automatic lubrication system.

As with all chassis-mounted equipment, attachment is said to take only a matter of minutes. The Terra Variant is simply reversed under it as it stands supported in a frame.

612hp for Terra Variant 600 from a V8 Merc engine makes light work of hauling and injecting 21,000 litres of slurry.

Holmer facts

• Model: Holmer Terra Variant 500/600
  
• Engine: Mercedes-Benz 490hp/612hp
  
• Transmission: 40kph, Funk DF 500 powershift 18 x 6
  
• Steering: Three modes – front only, crab, four-wheel opposite
  
• Brakes: Hydraulic
  
• Pto: 1000 rpm
  
• Hydraulic system: Load sensing 190 litres/minute
  
• Tyre choice: 800/65 R32 XM 28, 1050/50 x 32 Terra, 710/75 R34 Twin tyres
  
• Dimensions: 10.25m x 3m wide x 3.89m tall