Buyer’s Guide
Valtra M Series
2003-2006
The introduction of the T series from Valtra in early 2003 put the company ahead in terms
of styling and design. Valtra decided to follow up the ‘T’ tractors with their smaller sibling,
the ‘M’ series. Ranging from 115 to 150hp, the M series used the latest in four-cylinder
engine technology to obtain high power from a compact machine. Only a limited number
were sold in the UK, but Howard Sherren shows us what to look for if you get the chance
to buy one.
Tractor & farm Trader
19
The M series was basically a compact ‘T’ series, a heavy-duty backend connected to a four-cylinder SisuDiesel engine.
C
laimed as ‘The world’s most powerful
four-cylinder tractor’, the M series had
high expectations to live up to. The M
series was claimed to be the first line of tractors
in the world offering 150hp from a four-cylinder
turbocharged engine. Revealed at the beginning
of July in 2003, the design of the M Series was
determined by three main demands: versatility,
efficiency and economy in their broadest senses
and combined in one tractor. The modern design
of the M Series continued the theme of the
internationally recognised and awarded S and T
Series machines launched prior to the release of
the M.
Powered by a series of diesel engines
designed and manufactured by SisuDiesel
the Valtra units were known for reliability
and excellent fuel efficiency and all M Series
engines featured electronic management
and air-to-air intercooling with viscous fans.
A powerful battery and electronic preheating
system guaranteed start-ups even in the coldest
weather. Standard fuel capacity was 165 litres
and this could be increased by specifying the
optional 170-litre reserve fuel tank.
At 115hp the M120 was fitted with a lowspeed engine that provided exceptional torque.
Long service intervals and low fuel consumption
made the M120 an economical and efficient
machine. The mid-range 130hp M130 could
be equipped with Valtra’s HiTrol turbine clutch.
This service-free clutch was a popular option
on many farms for front-loader work and other
shuttle operations and in grass fields, particularly
with heavy trailers, where a smooth start was
essential to prevent damage to the sward by
spinning wheels. The smooth starts possible
with HiTrol have also prove its worth during
forest operations. At 147hp the M150 was the
flagship of the range offering unparalleled power
reserves for use with large implements. The
M150 was highly manoeuvrable and put quite
simply, it was the world’s most powerful fourcylinder tractor.
The total lift capacity was a hefty 7.2 tonnes
and with Valtra’s Autocontrol with Drive Balance
Control, even the largest implements could
be used easily and in safety. With the main
Look out for front linkage and PTO as this is a
handy extra to have and to add value to your
machine.
Released in 2003, with many arriving on ‘53’ plates the range consisted of four models ranging from
the 120hp M120, up to the 150hp M150 flagship. Many M series will now be coming to the threeyear-old mark and due for replacement by an ‘N’ or ‘T’ series.
20
hydraulic controls located in the seat arm rest,
implement operation was simplified still further.
Uniquely, Valtra allowed the customer to choose
whether the control and armrest should be
situated on the right or left-hand side.
September 2004 saw the option of cab
suspension offered to the M and T series,
though Valtra had offered cab suspension as
standard equipment on S Series tractors since
2001. The suspended cab was attached to the
frame at the front using vibration insulation,
as before. At the rear, corners of the cab were
attached to the frame via two shock absorbers
and coils. A Panhard rod located on the right
side of the cab limited lateral movements, and
stoppers prevented excess movement of the
cab in dangerous situations. In normal fieldwork,
it was claimed that the suspension reduced
vertical seat movements by around a third and
in extreme situations, such as when harrowing
ploughed fields, by up to 80 percent. On normal
gravel tracks, the impact of small bumps was
reduced by around 15 per cent.
One way to describe the ‘M’ was as a small
Tractor & farm Trader
Beefy backend came from the larger ‘T’ series
and could lift an excellent 7.2 tonnes.
Up to four spools could be specified, though it
can be a pain to access them.
‘T’, or a ‘T’ series with a four- cylinder engine.
At 20cm less than its bigger brother, the M
costs less for the same hp and is far more
manoeuvrable and lighter. By using the same
high-specification cab, on top of a heavy-duty
back-end capable of lifting 7.2 tons, connected
to a ‘pokey’ four-cylinder SISU engine and plenty
of electronics, Valtra had designed an exciting
tractor. Sadly at the time, Valtra continued its
basic spec, ‘bullet-proof’ 6000 series and ‘C’
series which were considerably cheaper and
very simple and suited many livestock and
mixed farms. But arable farms and contractors
found the size and specification of the M most
appealing when compared to the likes of John
Deere’s equivalent machine. Unfortunately, many
buyers still thought they were paying a premium
for the model and this meant that not as many
of these models were sold in their three-year
production. The replacement ‘N’ series which
replaced both the C and M was launched in
November 2005 in production and half-way
through 2006. The new range consisted of six
models ranging from 101hp up to 150hp with a
160hp transport boost, and reports so far have
been excellent.
cylinder turbocharged and intercooled powerplant was connected to an electronic Bosch
VP30 fuel pump which was one of the first
units to be fitted to a tractor that was capable of
150hp. The mid-range M130 used the same setup to achieve 135hp. Torque figures were very
impressive, too, a maximum of 580Nm on the
M120E and M150, an excellent little performer.
Look out for the170 litre auxiliary fuel tank,
the maximum fuel capacity was a handy 335
litres with it fitted – the standard 165 litre tank
was considered to be too small. SisuDiesel
engines are known for their excellent reliability
as many machines on the market are now
fitted with this unit. Electronic hand throttle
was standard and all M Series models were
available with Cruise Control as an option, which
allowed the driver to choose either a set driving
speed or set engine speed. Service intervals
on the engines were at 500 hours, similar to
most modern tractors currently available. The
reliability and cold starting of the SisuDiesel
engines is excellent and hardly any issues have
arisen with them to date, with some of the M
series tractors reaching 5,000 hours without any
glitches. Check for a service history, as keeping
the engines maintained is very important due to
their high specification.
gear lever and they can set automatically to
shift to a higher or lower gear as necessary. You
could let the system shift according to the preprogrammed factory settings, or you could easily
programme your own settings according to your
experience and needs, based on the RPM.
Options included a 50kph top speed, and
it is worth noting that the first gear of the top
range could be a bit too high and the medium
range may be needed to pull away on the road.
An additional useful transmission feature was
that the four-wheel drive engaged when the
tractor started off moving or changed the driving
direction. This eliminated the wheel slippage
that can break the field’s surface. The shuttle
lever located on the left of the steering column
operates the parking brake and the unique
traction release system. This allowed you to stop
the tractor by pressing the brake pedal or by
letting the revs drop below 1,000 RPM, and then
start off again by pressing the accelerator or
removing your foot from the brake pedal.
Many drivers appreciated the straightforward
mechanical gear levers, but the range lever was
a bit of the stretch and the three powershift
speeds would have been more effective with
four. No major problems have been reported
with the transmission so far; just check each
gear engages and drives.
Engine
The Ms belonged to a range of four-cylinder
engine models, powered by SisuDiesel unit
capable of achieving up to 150hp when fitted to
the top of the range M150 model. All models
used the 44EWA 4.4 litre engine, which had a
108mm bore and long 120mm stroke. The M120
and M120E were classed around or just under
120hp; the Economy model produced full power
at 1,800 rpm, as opposed to 2,200 on the other
models thus potentially saving fuel. The four-
The ‘M’ series was available in up to ten different
colours. Metallic paint schemes such as gold
or silver are worth finding as it can make your
tractor stand out from the crowd. This particular
model is in Claas colours, when Valtra was sold
by Claas dealers.
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Gearbox
When it comes to the transmission it is identical
to that seen in the larger T series. This was a
36F x 36R Powershift transmission equipped
with a programmable forward-reverse shuttle,
including an electronic parking brake, electronic
hydraulic control, load sensing, armrest control
and a hydraulic output of 91 litres per minute.
The Powershift was changed via buttons on the
Rear linkage and PTO
Dromone hydraulic hitches are worth finding –
check for the usual linkage abuse and loose or
broken pick-up hitch bolts.
Check over the standard axle for plenty of
greasing, and it is certainly worth seeking out
models fitted with the Aires suspension.
The Category II linkage was capable of lifting
7,200kg on all models, which meant the smallest
M120 could lift the same as the range-topping
M150. This put the smaller Valtra M series ahead
of most of the competition. A 3.5 tonne front
linkage at £2,420 and a PTO was offered as
factory-installed option and is now a useful extra
t
The bonnet lifts high and side panels are
removable to access the SisuDiesel 44EWA engine
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The steps are very well positioned and strong,
but aren’t particularly good at self-cleaning.
The usual Grammar seat welcomes the driver into
the bright and spacious cab; very few issues to
worry about here.
The dashboard uses both dials and an LCD
display to show the vital information – a very
clear design and extremely easy to read.
to be found fitted. The linkage was controlled by
the electronic ‘Auto Control’ fitted to the armrest
and ‘Drive Balance Control’ was a standard
feature that provided linkage damping when
an implement was in the raised position. The
linkage was a robust design and the stabiliser
bars were simple and strong. The pick-up hitch
was regarded as a weak point by a few users
who bought the tractor for transport work.
The standard hitch was Valtra’s own simple
drop-down affair which worked extremely well
and was one of the best available in terms of
strength and reliability. It was perfect when
the tractor was used predominantly on trailer
work as it was an integral part of the tractor
and around 75 per cent of tractors in Britain had
them fitted. Unfortunately it lacked a push-out
feature which many other manufacturers had
available. The answer was to fit a Dromone
hydraulic hitch as an optional extra which was
considerably easier to use. It was found that
extra lugs were required to strengthen it after
problems occurred with bolts coming loose.
Check the hitch bolts regularly and look
for cracks and wear while checking it over.
There was a choice of two PTO speeds, the
combinations were 540/1000, 540/540E and
540E/1000. These were engaged by a rocker
switch and selected by a large protruding lever
on the side console.
Hydraulics
The same hydraulic system from as far back
as machines from the early-1990s is the
basis of the latest version with its electronic
sophistication. A single 91-litre per minute
fixed displacement pump provided the loadsensing system with oil pressure of 196 bar.
The M Series can be equipped with four valve
blocks, which can be programmed to meet
implement needs or according to the operator’s
requirements. The system allows four valves
to be controlled using either push buttons or
the joystick mounted on the armrest which
also came in useful for the control of a front
loader or front linkage for an ergonomically
correct working position. The spool settings
could be changed via a series of dials under a
fold-down panel on the side console, simple
and straightforward. This set-up was ideal if
you were a contractor or arable farmer, but the
mixed and livestock men didn’t need these
fancy electronics and sadly no manual, lever
operated options were available. Occasionally
hydraulic pumps can go, but check the steering,
spools and linkage to assess the condition of the
system.
Axles and brakes
The side console can be quite confusing at first
glance, but the array of rocker switches and dials
is straightforward once you have found your
way around it.
Air-conditioning and heater controls are basic –
check that it cools effectively.
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The front axle could be fitted with Aires air
front suspension if required or when the 50kph
transmission was specified. This improved
the ride quality drastically, while adding cab
suspension improved it further. The £2,200
option of suspension is definitely an added
extra worth tracking down, even if it has a top
speed of 40kph. A 4.7m turning radius was the
same for all models when fitted in combination
with the front suspension. The rear axle brakes
were multi-disc wet brakes, which weren’t
power-assisted so required that little extra effort
to apply than those power brakes of the close
competition. No big problems found here if
the tractor’s trailer brakes have been effective
when on road work duties. The brakes are fairly
easy to replace and they only warp in extreme
conditions, unlike some of the competition
which break up and contaminate the whole
Parts
M130
Engine Oil Filter
Fuel Filter Primary
Fuel Filter Secondary
Hydraulic Filter
Inner Air Filter
Outer Air Filter
Fan Belt
Starter Motor
Alternator
Water Pump
Hydraulic Pump Exhaust Silencer
Exhaust Pipe (All)
Mirror Glass £11.25
£26.00
£27.00
£21.50
£47.00
£70.50
£25.00
£160.00
£170.00
£414.00
£357.00
£139.00
£765.00
£18.25
(All retail prices excluding VAT from a Valtra dealer.)
Comments
Likes
4 Weight distribution
4 Power to weight ratio
4 T series cab
Dislikes
8 No manual spools option
8 Standard 165 litre fuel capacity
8 Original price tag
system. When testing the tractor be prepared
for a little braking effort due to the lack of power
brakes. But the system will be a little more
effective than the ‘T’ series thanks to the ‘M’
weighing less at five tonnes. Check for signs of
grease around the front axle.
Cab
The ‘T’ series cab fitted to the ‘M’ was an
improvement over the last models and the C
or 6000 series which was sold alongside. The
side pillar exhaust and the backwards-narrowing
bonnet helped forward visibility, although the
crossbar in the middle of the front screen and
wide ‘C’ pillars hindered it slightly. Wide and
deep steps provided excellent access to the
flat deck floor. A well-known Grammar air seat
was standard equipment and the new armrest
mounted controls on the electronic models
provided a comfortable working environment.
The dashboard consisted of three simple
analogue dials, engine rpm, fuel level and
temperature, with a series of warning lights
located underneath. The M Series instrument
panel was connected to the transmission and
engine electronic management systems.
This allowed the panel to display information
about all vital functions of the tractor and it
could also show the area covered and distance
travelled, and the size of display graphics was
adjustable to meet individual requirements. The
small trademark Valtra steering wheel improved
visibility of the dash and made steering from
lock to lock faster. The air-conditioning and heater
controls were mounted in the roof next on the
right-hand side along with the all-important radio.
The passenger seat located in the rear behind
the driver was rather small and uncomfortable.
Valtra offered the TwinTrack two-way driving
system on the range allowing reverse drive to
be achieved. There are a handful of machines
with this fitted, so keep an eye out for them as it
can be a very useful option. Look out for rusting
wheel rims and some of the metallic paintwork
occasionally starts to lose its lacquer.
Tractor & farm Trader
Watch out for flaking lacquer on some models,
vigorous steam cleaning often persuades the
paint to part company with the tractor.
Model identification is via badges on the bases of
the doors, if they are missing identification won’t
be so easy.
Battery and toolbox access is very good; the
toolbox can also be quickly removed.
Verdict
The M Series is a very misunderstood tractor
thanks to the short production run and the C,
T, XM and 6000 series all covering the same
power bracket. Too many models meant it was
confusing to decide which tractor would be best
suited, but the N series launched later solved
this. The M150 was the first, 150hp four-cylinder
tractor with a huge specification. The machines
are well-equipped and excellent for most
operations, but less weight, shorter wheel base
and less grunt may persuade buyers to opt for
the larger ‘Ts. There should be quite a few M
series being chopped in for the latest examples,
with anything from 1,000 hours up to 6 or 7,000
on the clock. Pricing these models can be quite
difficult, but low-houred models should fetch in
the region of £30 to £35,000, with the majority
of average-houred models around £27,000 and
the earliest, high-houred tractor will be priced at
the late teens or early twenties. n
Acknowledgements
How
much?
Model
Year From
Year To
N
1
2
3
M120 ECO
2003
2006
£43,700
£32,000
£26,500
£16,500
M120
2004
2006
£43,700
£32,000
£26,000
£16,500
M130
2003
2006
£45,800
£34,500
£28,000
£17,500
M150
2003
2006
£52,000
£37,000
£30,000
£18,500
(Guide – N: Last New Price, 1: Excellent condition with no faults and low hours, 2: Tidy condition
and usable, 3: Rough condition with high hours.)
Specifications
Model
M120 Eco
M120
M130
M150
Engine make
SISU
SISU
SISU
SISU
Engine model
44 EWA
44 EWA
44 EWA
44 EWA
Engine Power (hp)
115
118
135
150
Rated Speed @ (rpm)
1800
2200
2200
2200
Thanks to Brian and Christine Robinson for their
help in compiling this guide.
Contacts
Brian Robinson
Agricultural Machinery Ltd
Northallerton, North Yorkshire
01325 378 552 www.brianrobinson.co.uk
Christian Smith
Liskeard, Cornwall. 01579 320 945
www.christiansmithagriculture.co.uk
David Eaton Tractors Ltd
Stone Road, Fradswell, Stafford, ST18 0HA
01889 502 422 www.davideaton-tractors.co.uk
David Evans Agricultural Ltd
Max Torque (Nm)
580
500
510
580
Old Middle Hill, Walterston, Llancarfan
Barry Vale of Glamorgan CF62 3AD
01446781711 www.davidevansagricultural.co.uk
Torque @ (rpm)
1200
1400
1400
1400
D W Toppin Agri
Number of Cylinders
4T
4T
4T
4T
Displacement (cc)
4399
4399
4399
4399
Bore (mm)
108
108
108
108
Stroke (mm)
120
120
120
120
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litre)
165
165
165
165
Standard Transmission
36F x 36R
36F x 36R
36F x 36R
36F x 36R
Semi-Powershift Semi-Powershift Semi-Powershift Semi-Powershift
Lift Capacity (kg)
7200
7200
7200
7200
Turning Radius 4wd (mm)
4700
4700
4700
4700
Length (mm)
4878
4878
4878
4878
Width (mm)
2338
2338
2338
2338
Standard Weight (kg)
5130
5130
5130
5450
Std. Tyre Size Front
14.9 R28
14.9 R28
14.9 R28
16.9 R28
Std. Tyre Size Back
18.4 R38
18.4 R38
18.4 R38
20.8 R38
Cab noise level dB(A)
71.5
73.5
75
74.5
Tractor & farm Trader
Green Lane Work Shops, Langwathby
Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1NB. 01768 881 770
John Bownes Ltd
Winsford, Cheshire. 01606 592 639
www.johnbownes.co.uk
Lower Quinton Garages Ltd
Goose Lane, Upper Quinton CU37 8SX
01789 720265 www.lqgltd.co.uk
Ross Agri Services
Turriff, Aberdeenshire. 01888 568 444
www.rossagri.co.uk
R C Setchfield Ltd
Grantham, Lincs NG31 9ST 01476 560784
Staveley, Chesterfield S43 3LH 01246 475315
www.setchfield.co.uk
S T Gowan Ltd
Unit 5, Pexton Rd Kellythorpe Ind Est,
Driffield. YO25 9DG
01377 249 909
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