Amicale du Tracteur Renault

1985 - 1995

Extracts taken from the CD-Rom "Amicale du Tracteur Renault" (1999 - Jacques Gouet)
and extracts from the "Encyclopédie du Tracteur Renault"
Three volumes (1919-1970) - (1971-2000) - (2000-2005) Editions ETAI
(Reproduced on this site with permission of ETAI)

At the end of 1984 Mr Georges Besses replace Mr . Hanon at the managing director.

It was at a board meeting on 2^nd September 1985 that the company name SMATP, created in 1965, was changed to Renault Agriculture.

In the light of this a document of transfer from the DMA to Renault Agriculture was signed on 3^rd September by Mr. Georges Besses. Renault Agriculture became an independant company, within the Renault group.

Since the introduction of the high range in 1981 Renault Agriculture had placed a greater accent on research into onboard electronic systems and in 1986 introduced TractoControl Electronique TCE.

To replace Ecocontrol introduced in 1983 Renault Agriculture developed ACET « Aide a la conduit economique du tracteur ». The new TX16 and TS16 ranges were fitted with this device.

This year also saw the reintroduction of Perkins engines, abandoned since 1968, on the SP range

Another important development took place in 1986 with the Vinyard and Orchard range. In colaboration with Carraro, Renault redefined this range. The range was built at the Carraro factory at Rovigo and the tractors with engines from KHD Deutz who had recently taken over MWM.

In 1987 Mr Levy replaced Mr. Georges Besse as managing director of the Renault group, following the assination of Mr Besse. At the 1987 SIMA show, seated at the wheel of a new model fitted with a hydrostable cab, Mr Levy stated the importance of its tractor subsidiary to the Renault group.

On 13^th October 1987 Renault Agriculture transfered its interest in Riviere Casalis to the Vicon group to allow the company to focus on tractor production.

During this period of falling sales Renault Agriculture, in common with many other companies in the agricultural machinery sector, was to face a loss making situation for several years.

Due to its independance Renault Agriculture was able able to carry out a major restructuring, product range ralionalisation, cost reductions, stock reductions and increased production efficiency in preparation for the future.

After several years of effort Reanult Agriculture was at last able to return to a profitable situation in 1988.

In 2 years the tractor range had been completely renewed, with emphasis on the low, medium and vinyard/orchard ranges. Major improvements were made in operator comfort, appearance, safety and braking with the introduction of oil immersed brakes.

The introduction of white tractors, as a special series, coupled to an agressive marketing policy greatly improved sales.

Following on from this success Renault Agriculture added the Tracfor range to its price list, these tractors were recognised as good value for money.

In 1989 Renault Agriculture introduced the M and P ranges with a new cab design which would, in future, be used on all the high range tractors.

1990 saw the introduction of Tractoradar, this improved working efficiency by regulating the speed of the tractor via an active wheelslip control system.

The beginning of the 90’s saw the arrival of Power Shift transmissions with Renault Agriculture. Renault had lacked this type of transmission but this was rapidly rectified, between 1990 and 1994, with the introduction of :

TRACTOSHIFT in 1991

MULTISHIFT in 1992

TWINSHIFT in 1993

TRACTONIC in 1994

Other technical developments should also be noted such as :

- cataphoretic paint treatment for cabs to improve corrosion resistance

- under load engagement of the front axle on high range tractors

- re-designed gear levers on the medium range to facilitate gear changing

These developments demonstrate Renault Agriculture’s objectives of efficiency and useful technology.

In 1991 Renault Agriculture launched the Nectra range, this top of the range model was fitted with all the latest developments as standard and had metalic gold paintwork which distinguished it from all the other tractors on the market. This was a limited series which was terminated in early 1994.

With the Nectra Renault Agriculture introduced the Tractoshift gearbox with 3 speed splitter and hydraulic reverser, the first time Renault had offered this type of transmission.

Below the control box Multishift

As Renault had no transmissions suitable for tractors over 150 HP the 180-94 TZ tractors introduced in 1992 were fitted with a SLH gearbox known as Multishift.

During this year the Renault logo was modified as shown in this photo.

On the 22 October 1992 Mr Bruno Morange suceeded Mr Gilbert Guez who moved to another part of the Renault group. Mr. Morange was not unknown at Renault Agriculture as, some years previously, he had occupied the post of financial director.

The increasing use of electronic equipment on the tractors required effective diagnostic equipment. After several years of combined effort the Research & Development and Service departments introduced an expert diagnostic system known as Metadiag. This system, which is installed on a portable computer, is connected directly to the TCE, Tractoshift or Multishift systems allows the technician quickly diagnose faults on the tractor.

Metadiag was introduced at the SIMA show in 1993 and distributed to the dealer network in the same year.

Metadiag is a part of the Meta project which was started in 1991 and includes Metadoc, the electronic parts catalogue which was introduced to the dealer network in 1998.

Both of these applications were developed « in house » by Renault Agricultures own staff.

Jeremy and Jacques Gouet designers/directors

METADOC

In 1993 Renault Agriculture launched the Ceres range, this was an important point as this range of tractors, which included both design and technical innovations, covered thethe greatest part of the French market.