Sonalika International Tractor launches the Trem-IV compliant Tiger tractor series. Sumesh Soman looks at the strategy to accentuate the heavy-duty range.
Sonalika International Tractors Ltd. (Sonalika) has launched the latest additions to the Tiger series. Aimed at turning Trem-IV emissions compliant and at the same time expanding its Heavy-Duty (HD) offerings on the upper end of its 20-120 hp range, the company recently launched the Tiger DI 75 and the Tiger DI 65 tractors. Launched at an introductory price range of Rs.11-11.2 lakh, their introduction coincides with the harvest of the Rabi, and the end of the winter solstice. The tractors are made available in both Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) and Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) variants to offer a choice best suited to customer requirements. The Tiger series sits atop the premium range of tractors from the manufacturer and targets customers in this upper end of the spectrum with HD requirements. Raman Mittal, Executive Director, Sonalika Tractors, mentioned on the Kisan Diwas (Farmer’s Day), “Our farmers put in praiseworthy efforts every single day and on the Kisan Diwas, we are launching our most advanced Tiger DI 75 4WD tractor with powerful and fuel-efficient CRDs which is a technologically advanced system that delivers twin benefit of power and economy.”
Claimed to have been built with the sole belief of delivering farm prosperity, affordably, explained Mittal that every new technology innovation at Sonalika is built with a clear focus to deliver outstanding performance for higher farmer productivity. In this case, the Tiger draws from its European pedigree since the 2019 launch there. As per Mittal, it makes the product mix with regional centric tractors like the Maharaja, Chattrapati, Sikander and Mahabal more comprehensive.
Features
The new tractors feature twin-barrel headlamps with DRL and lend to the chrome-finished front grille. The tail gets LED DRLs. Hop aboard the tractor and its premium standing is justified by the deluxe four-way adjustable seat. The tractors feature a fully digital CAN-based instrument cluster to aid the long and arduous onfield time backed by the power steering claimed to make manoeuvring an easy task. The XL wide workspace houses a multi-functional console and a high stance seating that offers the pilot a 180-degree peripheral view. The 5G hydraulic control valve offers 130 auto depth settings and a high lift capacity of 2.2-tonne for easy lifting of heavy equipment. Specially engineered gears on the Tiger make it suited to over 30 applications including a 4 MB plough, mulcher, reaper, 12-ft harrow, rotavator, baler, Tractor-Mounted Combined Harvester (TMCH) to name a few.
Tractor ability
The common denominator of the Tiger series driveline is the 4712 cc CRD engine coupled to a 12-speed (plus 12R) shuttle tech transmission. The DI 75 nomenclature denotes the 75 hp engine that delivers a peak rated torque of 290 Nm whereas the DI 65 engine churns out peak rated power of 65 hp and 258 Nm torque. The top speed of the DI 75 is limited to 40 kmph, while that of the DI 65 to 35.65 kmph. Mittal explained, “Our latest Tiger 75 4WD tractor complies with Trem-IV emission norms and offers the power of a 75 hp tractor with the fuel efficiency of a 65 hp tractor. Equipped with class-leading torque and speed, the new Tiger DI 75 and Tiger DI 65 is a way of Sonalika to reward the farmers for their hard work and passion.”
Bundled offering
Both the Tiger DI 75 and Tiger DI 65 tractors are equipped with ‘Sky Smart’ telematics system that brings onboard features like an engine immobiliser, real-time support for quicker turnarounds and higher uptime, vehicle geo-fencing and tracking to name a few. The company boasts its CRDs benefits and claims that the Trem-IV complaint tractors deliver a high power, and eight- to-ten per cent improved fuel efficiency. They also offer a 12-15 per cent higher engine durability.
Sonalika has upped the game with its aftersales service too. The company is claimed to offer a 3×2 service promise wherein a technician will be onsite at the owner’s doorstep within three hours and offer a complaint redressal with a two-day turnaround time. “Back in 2016, we were the pioneers from India to introduce newer technology like CRDi complying with European and American emissions standards and we will continue to introduce cutting edge technologies for farmers in India as well as abroad,” Mittal mentioned. Both new tractors will play a vital role in steering ambitious farmers towards a better tomorrow and further accentuate Sonalika’s HD tractor range for leading the Agri evolution in India,” he concluded. To mark the occasion, 44 Sonalika tractors were delivered to progressive farmers selected for innovation in agriculture at the hands of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath under the government’s flagship scheme ‘Krishak Uphar Yojana’.
