TURKISH built ArmaTrac tractors made their UK debut at LAMMA, in January, where three models were displayed.

Powered by Perkins and Deutz engines, the 50 to 110hp ArmaTrac range is designed and manufactured by Erkunt Tractor Industries Inc. based in Ankara.

General manager Zeynep Erkunt-Armagan, who is currently establishing ArmaTrac Limited in the UK, said: "We are actively seeking dealers in the UK and looking forward to introducing our robust ArmaTrac range to British farmers, for the first time, this coming spring."

Mrs Erkunt-Armagan founded the company with her husband Tuna in 2003, as an offshoot of Erkunt Industries Inc which has been producing metal castings for over 60 years, with customers including John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Steyr, SAME and Valtra. They now build 6,500 tractors a year and have risen to number three out of 32 active brands in the Turkish market.

Transmission options include ZF of Germany or Carraro from Italy, offering 16 forward and 16 reverse gears, with power shift, forward/reverse shuttle and four-wheel drive. Four different PTO speeds are available, 430, 540, 750 which can also be run in fuel economy mode at 540, and 1,000rpm which has a 750rpm economy mode.

"ArmaTrac tractors are designed, engineered and built with simplicity and efficiency in mind," said Mrs Erkunt-Armagan. "We are always listening to farmers' needs, wants and dreams and try to apply their thoughts to our innovations and developments. A simple example is ArmaTrac's exceptional fuel economy, consuming less than one litre of diesel to plough 920m2.

"Erkunt Industries produced hundreds of thousands of parts for other tractor manufacturers before we began building our own so we know very well how to make high quality, reliable machines that meet the needs of modern farmers," said Mrs Erkunt-Armagan.

For further information contact Kevin Brewer at Broglio, 01570 434 745; kevin@broglio.co.uk