South Tyrol, Italy’s northernmost province, is about one-tenth the size of Finland in both population and agricultural land area. Of the mountainous region’s population, 60% speak German, and 80% of its cultivated land consists of permanent grasslands. More than 10% of the area is dedicated to fruit and wine production—meaning it exceeds traditional annual crop farming. Apples, in particular, are a very important crop for the region. If you’re looking for similarities with Finland, forestry plays a major role here, and winters often bring snow. Another commonality in 2024 was that Valtra was also the best-selling grassland tractor in South Tyrol!
Five years ago, Valtra sales in the province were taken over by Hell Profitechnik GmbH. Founded in 1979, this company serves its customers fluently in both German and Italian. Led by Andreas Hell, the company is now one of Valtra’s most important dealers in all of Italy.
Farm sizes in the region are relatively small, so the most popular model ranges are G Series and N Series. The A Series is also sold, but local customers are demanding, and many need more advanced features. This high level of expectation is especially evident in the F Series, whose technology does not meet the needs of all fruit and wine growers—they require continuously variable transmissions and a comprehensive range of equipment. The new CVT option in the G Series is therefore a very welcome addition.
Tractors with CVT transmissions and ground-speed PTO conquer hilly terrain
South Tyrol’s alpine landscapes are stunning, but they also mean that fields, farm roads, and especially forests are hilly. Every day, work is done on slopes that are hard to imagine for those living on flat terrain. Agriculture here is largely about logistics, and to make material transport easier, not only forestry trailers but also regular tipping trailers and even slurry tankers are equipped with mechanically driven axles. The ground-speed PTO available for Valtra’s G, N, and T Series is essential here. In Finland, ground-speed PTO has been considered a feature for large tractors. But in Italy, it’s standard across all power classes, and most G and N Series GS PTOs are delivered specifically to Northern Italy. Hell also occasionally installs an Eddy-current brake on tractors sold for forestry use. This “retarder,” connected to the front PTO, works like an exhaust brake, making steep downhill driving easier and saving the vehicle’s service brakes.
Field farming in South Tyrol is based on livestock and efficient forage production, as the land use clearly shows. These customers need a wide range of grassland machinery, while grain-growing equipment or ploughs are rarely needed on most farms. In addition, Hell serves a broad range of municipal customers, with dedicated team members, and has quickly become one of Valtra Unlimited’s key clients. In winter, operations often take place well above the snow line— where Valtra truly excels.
Valtra tractors support farm diversification and agritourism
Farmers in South Tyrol also strive for maximum profitability. Farm sizes are small, and land is expensive, so speciality crops are used to boost income. Agritourism is also supported by the region’s natural beauty. Efficient production requires good machinery and reliable service. In this respect, Valtra dealer Hell and Valtra have met the region’s needs very well.
Looking for a compact, agile tractor with both smart farming features and a CVT transmission? Check out the new Tractor of the Year 2026 Utility category winning Valtra G Series CVT model.
