From 1981-on, Renault was very well represented in the top of the tractor division with its large TX models. The TZ version takes things even one step further. For a short period of time, the rare 175.74 TZ is the absolute top-of-the-range model.
Bert Kemmere est l’heureux propriétaire de ce tracteur Renault 175-74 TZ. Ce passionné a acheté l’engin en Pologne, pendant la période de Noël 2017. Le tracteur avait alors environ 8.400 heures de travail au compteur. Le modèle a été acheminé chez lui par camion début 2018. Quelques jours après la livraison, le nouveau propriétaire débutait déjà la restauration de l'engin.
Bert Kemmere of Almkerk in The Netherlands is the proud owner of this Renault 175-74 TZ. He bought this tractor sight unseen at around Christmas 2017 in Poland, where the vehicle had made approximately 8,400 running hours. In early 2018, he received the tractor when it was brought over by carrier. He didn’t take half measures next and only a few days after it had arrived, Bert started the restoration of the Renault, full of energy.
Bert: “I was brought up with Renaults and our family had a 651, 80-14, 90-32 and 461 to name some. I repainted the 461 myself. These tractors also made me really appreciate their MWM engines. These machines really always do what they are supposed to do.”
But upon its arrival in The Netherlands, the 175-74 TZ did not want to come off the trailer. Bert: “Eventually we had to unload it with a telescopic handler. Apparently someone had pulled the handbrake rather fiercely, so it didn’t want to come off anymore. The good news was that the engine ran at the button; even the battery was still fully loaded.”
During his searches for a Renault TX or TZ, the exact model was not too important to Bert. He main goal was to find a 120 or 155, but eventually he ran into the considerably rarer 175-74 TZ. This tractor went into production in late November 1989 and took the lead in the Renault Agriculture program until the 180-94 TZ came to the scene.
The first phase of the restoration involved dismantling the Renault and the first problem that Bert encountered was the gearbox: “The first gear didn’t move and when it was forced in, it popped out as soon as the tractor started moving. This type of gearbox is different to that of the other models in the series as it comes from the Austrian Steyr. That also means it’s hard to find parts. Fortunately, a similar ‘box was used in the Deutz DX710 and in the large Steyr models, and I was lucky that someone nearby happened to own two of these Deutzes. We exchanged the gearboxes from one of these at a dealer, which gave me the necessary parts that I could use in the reconstruction of my gearbox. I overhauled this gearbox together with the dealer and after everything was disassembled, it was fully rebuilt. Fortunately new seal bushes were still available. In the end we used the housing of my own gearbox as that of the Deutz was broken.”
The engine caused Bert a lot less headaches. He fitted a new water pump as well as a dynamo and also water hoses. Furthermore, it was in an overall good condition. Just to be sure, the flywheel was machined and both a new clutch plate as a clutch release assembly were fitted.
After the mechanicals, it was time for the aesthetics. Bert: “I repainted everything that’s visible on the outside. Naturally I used the original orange and dark grey paint colours. The front wheels were okay, but I fitted different ones at the rear, as I simply preferred closed wheels. Their wheel size was slightly smaller, though, so I fitted taller tyres here. I also widened the rims of the front wheels by seven centimetres. That was quite a job, but it was worth it in the end and also very satisfying when it all turned out to be well.”
The Renault 175-74 TZ’s electronics all seemed to be working as they should, although some of the switches were gone. Bert is still looking for some of these. But in order to remove the cabin, the entire wiring had to be removed. All of the hardened wires then broke and so replacement was the only option left. Bert had already calculated this in advance and saw rewiring his tractor as another challenge. It did take him the necessary hours.
It was also his goal to be able to use the Renault in its most original shape. That’s why he started a search for the necessary decals. Several had to be remade, but the Hydrostable decal was still available, although delivery time took very long.
Bert: "I made a small change to the logo, changing that latest type. The load-lifting device was refurbished and repainted and after having filled it up with fresh oil the Tracto-Control functions just as it should.”
It is now Bert’s intention to use his Renault for the odd job. For that reason he has now fitted a mower arm, manufactured by Herder, part of the frame of this can already be seen in the photographs – it’s the arm seen on the right hand side of the Renault. Thanks to the large mast, he can use it to mow ditches and prune trees. He’d love to do that, initially as a hobby but later perhaps also as a contract worker.
Bert got the 175-74 TZ ready in just under a year’s time, saying he certainly did not work on it continuously. The project has been paused for a while, mainly due to the work needed on the gearbox. Bert: “I waited for the dealer and the dealer waited for me.”
But he now has a beautiful example of the rare Renault 175-74 TZ, as it was built in Le Mans between November 22, 1989 and February 4, 1992. A total of just 169 units were built. The 180.94 TZ made it to 352 units.
En détail...
Renault 175-74 TZ (R8352)
Engine:
Type MWM TD 226-B6, 6-cylinder in line, capacity 6.234 cc, bore x stroke 105 x 120 mm, in line injection pump, max power 170 CV (DIN) at 2.350 rpm, torque (DIN) 61,5 da Nm at 1.500 rpm, maxi speed 40,3 km/h, consumption 268 g/kW/h.
Transmission:
Type Steyr B43-01, 4 synchronized speeds, 3 forward/1 reverse ranges, speeds in km/h at nominal revs: 1st - 2,3 à 14,9 km/h, 2nd - 3,4 à 21,0 km/h, 3rd - 4,6 à 28,9 km/h, 4th - 6,4 à 40,3 km/h, reverse - 4,1 à 14,0 km/h.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase 2.760 mm, length 5.220 mm (with ballast), width 2.230/2,730 mm, track front 1.600 - 2.000 mm, track rear 1.700 - 2.200 mm, ground clearance 0,520/0,560 mm, height 3.120 mm (to the cabine roof), turning cycle 10,16 mètres (braked).
Chassis:
Tyres standard 16,9 - 28 front, 20,8 - 38 rear, oil-bath disc brakes type HKE 6220 on differential shaft, hydraulically operated. Mechanical park brake by lever. Trailer brake by hydraulic valve. Front axle axial motor, 50 degree steering angle, automatic Blocamatic engagement management. Rear axle: differential with 4 satellites, conical torque and epicyclic reductions, automatic differential lock management.
Weight:
Total with ballast 7.455 kg, ballast weight front 542 kg. Fuel tank capacity 225 litres.