A big celebration at McCormick USA: first anniversary, 100-dealer mark, new models, new lines.

For a parent, the first birthday of a child is a special day. Not because the child recognizes any special significance, but as a milepost in your own history. There will be time enough for the child to appreciate its own life. The inevitable conflicts, joy, disappointments and pride in your child's accomplishments are still far in the future.

The first birthday is a time for the parent to enjoy the fact that this creation is on its way to making a life of its own.

This must be how the folks at McCormick feel, having successfully reached the first anniversary of the line, having surpassed their goal of signing up 100 dealers and reaching first year wholesale and retail sales goals.

And for a piece de resistance, the company has introduced a host of new models, and two new lines, giving McCormick market coverage from 21 hp to 195 hp, with rumors of larger models yet to come. Outside the U.S. there is even a line of combines, balers and planters. Not a bad start for a one-year-old.

Following the Plan

They don't plan to rest on their laurels, however. Their ultimate goal of 500 U.S. dealers remains... so that customers have to travel no more than an hour to reach a dealership... and there are more new models to come.

This past November, I had the opportunity to view, firsthand, the new models being introduced, the manufacturing facilities at Doncaster, and to chat with company officials from the U.K. and the U.S. According to Roger Purdy, managing director of McCormick Worldwide, the company's mission statement is, "Build tractors right the first time off the assembly line and deliver them to the customers on-time... and remain financially stable for our future success and commitment to the tractor market" And they seem to be following that plan.

New Models Introduced

G Series

Those who need a 4WD compact tractor with all the features of bigger models should be excited by the upcoming launch of the G Series from McCormick.

These low horsepower units are available with a cab, and will be fitted with a loader and mower shortly. The G25 uses a 21 hp Kubota engine and the G30R features a 24 hp Perkins. The most striking option, however is the G30R with a reversible drive station.

GX Series

Three new models (GX40 - 38 hp; GX45 - 44 hp; GX50 - 49.5 hp) for the landscaping, grounds maintenance and small farm markets kicked off the new model introductions.

Each is powered by a Yanmar diesel (38 hp--3 cyl.; 44 and 49.5 hp--4 cyl.) that is both emission compliant and fuel efficient. Available with mechanical (GX models) or hydrostatic (GXH) transmission, these models are available with either 2WD or 4WD, and front (opt.), mid (opt.) and rear (std.) PTOs (1000/1000/540 rpm), two hydraulic valves with twin pumps (10.8 gpm combined) and a Category 1 three-point hitch with a 2,645 lb. lift capacity. A belly mower is available now and other attachments are on the way.

At present, these tractors come with RPO, but a cabbed version should be out next year. (It was on display at the Royal Smithfield Show in London.)

VF Series

2002 marked the introduction of the new VF series tractors, with 54, 65, 68, 80, 88 and 93 hp models divided into two ranges, V for vineyard and F for fruit/orchard. Highly maneuverable, these models are designed from the ground up to match the special needs that fruit and grape growers have for power and versatility with a slightly reduced size.

T Series

Designed for the needs of specialized markets (mountainous, orchard, difficult field conditions) the steel-tracked Trekker series is offered in 67, 78, 88, and 93 hp models.

Power 6

For general purpose and row crop use, McCormick is launching two new members to the MC Series. Dubbed the Power 6 models, the MC12O and MC135 are powered by new generation Perkins 110 series six cylinder engines--the first agricultural tractors to employ these advanced Tier II compliant engines with electronic fuel management.

The MC120 (114 hp) and MC135 (130 hp) offer MTX-type power in a slightly smaller package... both lighter and eight inches shorter. They are available with the new Speed Sequencer transmission, in 2WD or 4WD. An extended axle is also available, allowing the use of rear duals. A new suspended front axle option should smooth out the ride nicely.

MTX200

Lastly, the new 195 hp MTX200 is the new power leader at McCormick. Available by mid-year, the MTX200 is the most powerful tractor ever produced at the Doncaster plant.

The MTX200 is agriculture's first tractor to employ the new Cummins QSB engine, featuring an electronic fuel management system that provides increased power, improved fuel economy and greatly reduced emissions.

This tractor features a two-speed PTO and an independent front axle suspension is available as an option. A rugged four speed power-shift transmission with combined range shift and fourth range soft shift allows shifting at the touch of a button, and the optional Speed Sequencer transmission provides a higher level of sophistication.

More to Come?

There are suggestions that even more high horsepower models are on their way in the near future. All in all, in the words of Ray Spinks, sales director for McCormick International, "McCormick has come a very long way in a very short time."