Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 348 i Farms and Farm Machinery

Claas has announced the Australian release of the Arion 400 tractor, part of its redesigned range of advanced technology machines. Like others in the new series, which includes six new models ranging from 90hp to 140hp, the Arion 400 has a number of features previously offered only in the company’s larger-horsepower tractors. These include optional front suspension, front linkages, automatic differential locking, automatic four-wheel drive and power take-off activation-deactivation. Claas Tractors group product manager Dave Knowles says the latest Arion series has had a total redesign. “Over the past few years, Claas has concentrated on modernising its offering in the medium- and large-horsepower tractors,” Knowles says. “Now, Claas is proving it is an innovative force in the lower-horsepower segment by completely redesigning the Arion 400 series.” The most notable change…

Croplands has enabled farmers to perform autonomous optical spot weed spraying by partnering with AutonoTrac to marry WeedIt technology with PhantomDrive, a driverless platform kit that can be added to current-model tractors with CVT transmission. The Australian-owned agricultural spray equipment manufacturer adopted the WeedIt technology for local broadacre conditions more than five years ago, and says it is now improving the herbicide spraying efficiency of many properties here. The benefits, Croplands says, have been chemical savings, combating hard-to-kill weeds, lowering weed seed banks and retaining soil moisture. The WeedIt sensors detect weeds by recognising living plants’ active chlorophyll. A signal is then sent to a solenoid to activate the correct nozzle as it passes over the target weed, which minimises the amount of herbicide that is applied to bare ground.…

Australian spray equipment manufacturer Goldacres is in the final stages of testing a new self-propelled sprayer and, if all goes to plan, will launch the new G4V spray rig within the next couple of months. The new lightweight narrow-track-width sprayer is specifically designed for use in the horticultural industry, but results from top-secret testing conducted in the Ballarat region are indicating that it is quite capable right across the farming spectrum. Boasting a completely new design, the G4V Crop Cruiser features a 165hp, 4.5-litre Cummins engine coupled to a unique hydraulic and mechanical drive line system. The dual drive line combines hydraulic drive from a Danfoss Hydraulic Transmission Pump to a two-speed transfer case, and mechanical drive from the transfer case to the wheels. The machine has inboard hydraulic brakes,…

The CSIRO has given a helping hand to companies developing an electric vehicle and a disruptive new class of insecticides as part of a scheme offering funding and expertise to innovative small businesses. The scheme, which offers dollar-matched funding for up to $50,000, has already helped out six Aussie start-ups with ambitious goals. One of the latest start-ups to be helped is Tomcar Australia, a Victorian vehicle manufacturer that is using the funds and CSIRO expertise to conduct feasibility research into electrification of its off-road vehicles (pictured). The CSIRO says the company will be able build on the scientific body’s expertise with electric motors to provide integrated systems solutions that are tailor-made for Tomcar’s vehicles. Following the feasibility testing, Tomcar plans to continue its collaboration with the CSIRO to develop…

Bosch Blue has added the GSA 18V-32 Professional Cordless Sabre Saw to its range of 18-volt power tools, saying that the new model delivers the same amount of cutting power as its corded counterpart. The ergonomically designed Cordless Sabre Saw is designed for a broad range of cutting applications from metal and pipes to wood and drywalls. Described by Bosch as one of the most compact, high-performance tools in its class, the $369 (RRP) GSA 18V-32 Sabre Saw is driven by a powerful brushless EC motor that allows for fast cutting progress and long runtime. “For maximum productivity, the Cordless Sabre Saw also features a high stroke rate of up to 2500 strokes per minute and a best-in-class stroke length of 32mm, resulting in super-fast cuts,” the company says. “This…

Taking into account everything from horsepower and performance to specifications and price, the Case IH Puma 240 CVT is one of the best – if not the best – value-for-money tractors on the market. From operator environment, transmission, engine, hydraulics, linkage, and performance, as well as price, there’s so much to like about this tractor – it backs up its specs and data with performance and ease of use. My colleague Mark Fouhy did a Case IH Puma 240 CVT tractor test when it was new to the market around this time last year, but we made the decision to revisit it while testing a bunch of other machines equipped with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs). ENGINE At the heart of the Puma 240 is a 6.7-litre, 24-valve FPT motor pumping…

NOT TOO SHABBY Sure, the BT-50 isn’t new. This current generation shares its platform with the Ford Ranger, which must smart a bit for the Zoom-Zoom company. For over three decades, Ford was dependent on Mazda for its commercial vehicle platforms. The one time that Mazda uses the Ford platform it’s left looking dowdy, while the Ranger looks set to dominate the ute market locally. This particular BT-50 XT-R, I have to admit, doesn’t look half bad. The addition of the blacked-out bar, light-force driving lights and the blacked-out fake beadlock 17-inch rims does give this Mazda a tougher, more purposeful look. Early bar work for the BT-50 tended to make it look like it was wearing grandma’s glasses. The town of Boort in regional Victoria would have to be…

Quick Search To find these products online, go to TradeFarmMachinery.com.au and enter the TA or DIY code shown below in the Keyword search panel. Massey Ferguson 7600 Series Eight new models from 135hp to 235hp (ISO max). Lightweight and versatile - ideal for all applications from cultivating and crop establishment through to haulage. Qld 07 3073 8162 $120,000 2008 Massey Ferguson 7495 Dyna VT Ex Government, immaculate condition, Dyna VT transmission, 4WD, 185hp. $69,500 + GST NSW 02 9518 8211 $69,500 Massey Ferguson 7495 Dyna VT 2006 build, in excellent condition, always shedded. 85% tyres (650 rear & 600 front), front axle suspension, 50km/hr transmission (Fendt Vario), cabin air suspension, 3x remotes, 230hp, linkage comes with tractor (rear linkage). Vic 03 8373 7341 $110,000 Massey Ferguson 7700 7700 New Massey…

Quick Search To find these products online, go to TradeEarthmovers.com.au and enter the TA or DIY code shown below in the Keyword search panel. 1986 International 1850D Perkins turbo diesel, 8.1m long steel tray with removable stock crate, Hiab 650AW crane, many uses!! Qld 07 3073 8117 $17,600 1988 International T2670 Fitted with L10 Cummins, Road Ranger gearbox, 44,000lb Rockwell diffs on Hendrickson, fitted with 9m tray with container pins, ready for registration. NSW 02 4721 7889 $44,000 2003 International Acco 2350G 250hp turbo Cummins, Allison auto, 6x4 on airbag suspension, fitted with a steel 6.8L x 2.4W tray, 24,000kg GVM, showing 227,000km. NSW 02 6171 3989 $49,500 1998 International S-Line 3600 Prime Mover with 106 tonne road train rating, double chassis, 46,000lb diffs on six rod suspension, 18 speed…

Yamaha Motor Australia has introduced a new mid-sized 4x4 ATV based on farmer feedback – the fuel-injected, CVTdriven Kodiak 450. The new quad-bike replaces another ATV named after a bear, the Grizzly 450 workhorse. Yamaha says that the feedback from its ag customers showed that they wanted more off-road capability, more comfort and more convenience. To deliver this, the company says its engineers started with a new chassis, a wider footprint and a roomier riding position designed to accommodates larger riders. “In addition to a roomier riding position, the new chassis features great weight distribution and light steering,” it says. “New responsive dual A-arm suspension provides a wider track width – up to 80mm wider than the previous Yamaha 450 ATV – for a more stable footprint. “The new nimble…

New Holland is reporting significant progress in the testing and development of its innovative 100 per cent methane-powered tractor, with a second-generation T6.180 Methane Power prototype completing extensive testing across Europe and a first-gen T6.140 beginning a new testing cycle in Brazil. The company says the second-gen prototype has been extensively tested by customers in Italy, Spain, the UK, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. The first-gen T6.140 Methane Power tractor is involved in a joint project between New Holland and clean and renewable energy producer Itaipu Binacional, touring farms and agricultural cooperatives in the West Paraná region in Brazil. “It is being field tested to collect data on the viability of bio-methane as a fuel for agricultural equipment,” the team at New Holland says. “The Methane Power project also includes…

A plan to establish a $100 million fund to boost Australian agriculture and protect it from climate change and disease has been released by the Australian Academy of Science. The 10-year plan is one of five developed by the academy and outlines a variety of strategies to capitalise on emerging technologies to create digital paddocks that optimise planting, water, fertilisers and herbicides for crops by drawing from a range of data sources. This, it says, would help boost productivity and profitability while future-proofing Aussie farmers against climate change factors and major disease outbreaks. Dr Jeremy Burdon, the chair of the academy’s National Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, says the proposed translation fund, if supported by private and public equities, will fast-track investment into the industry’s development of applications. The…

The CSIRO is developing Fitbit-esque devices for sheep ... though this doesn’t mean there’s going to be a Biggest Loser: Sheep TV show coming anytime soon. The idea of a Fitbit-like device that monitors the day-to-day lives of sheep, however, could have a lot of practical applications in the field. According to the CSIRO there are roughly 74 million sheep in Australia, and keeping track of them all is a desperately difficult job for farmers. Now imagine if farmers were able to monitor the health, whereabouts and behaviour of their flock 24/7 using GPS and accelerometers that measure 3D movement. That is exactly what the CSIRO is trying to accomplish. “Farmers generally rely on gut feel, rules of thumb and visual observations to manage their livestock,” CSIRO senior research scientist…

Terex Cranes has made multiple product updates to the Demag AC 100-4L all-terrain crane, including a new design that improves lifting performance, especially when working at steep main boom positions. One of the most compact cranes in the 100-tonne class, the redesigned AC 100-4L crane includes the Demag IC-1 Plus control system, which instantly calculates the machine’s maximum allowable capacity, based on the slewing angle, for any crane configuration. This means the maximum lifting capacity is no longer limited to a pre-calculated, 360-degree load chart based on the most unstable position of the crane. ”This advantage is particularly useful when working with reduced outrigger settings and reduced counterweight,” Terex says. “In fact, it enables the Demag AC 100-4L to perform jobs where higher capacity cranes are typically needed. “This comes…

Quick Search To find these products online, go to TradeFarmMachinery.com.au and enter the TA or DIY code shown below in the Keyword search panel. 2010 Case IH Puma 210 MFWD, 2565 hours, 480/80R/46 duals, single fronts, good rubber, cab suspension, 3PL, guidance ready. NSW 02 9199 7760 $139,900 Case IH Steiger 400 Rowtrac Tractor, 2140hrs, 18 tracs on 3m centres, 3PL, 1000rpm PTO, power shift, Pro 700 guidance package, luxury cab with cab suspension. NSW 02 8315 0150 $352,000 2011 Case IH Puma 225 FWA Tractor with est 1400 eng hrs, mid June arrival. CVT transmission with LHR, front tyres 380/85R34 rear tyres 480/80R46, 3PL front axle suspension, 3 remotes, dual PTO approx 1500hrs Trimble FM1000 display, RTK receiver included. Vic 03 8373 7134 $170,500 Case IH Puma 195 Tractor,…

When I was offered the chance to test one of the Boxer compact track loaders, I jumped at the prospect as I could see an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone with a job of my own. Living as I do, deep in the hills of the Waitakere Ranges near Auckland, New Zealand, I’m always building walking tracks and gardens in the bush, and I often joke that it’s hard enough to steer an empty wheelbarrow downhill, let alone push a full one back up the slope. I had started digging a short track by hand a couple of weeks before, and I came to a part of the job where I could’ve thrown a day or so at digging out part of a small hill. CONTROLS Even…

VIDEO: East Wind DFS454 tractor review In this video, Technical Editor Tom Dickson checks out the 45hp East Wind DFS454 tractor, a low-cost premium model developed by Queensland-based Midway Sales. “There are no frills and no bells and whistles on this one,” Tom says. “It’s just a good, honest performer … that has everything the small farmer really wants in a tractor.” To watch the video, browse TradeFarmMachinery.com.au  or type http://bit.ly/TradeFarmEW into your browser. VIDEO: Big Bud tractor restoration There’s not much that’s better than a massive Big Bud tractor, and there’s not much that’s worse than one that’s falling apart, so the boys at Montana’s Welker Farms decided to restore their 1978 525hp Series 2 KT450 model and transplant the engine from a 1984 Versatile 1150. To watch…

Last year 10 Australians were killed in quad bike-related accidents, with half of those occurring in Queensland. “The safe operation of quad bikes is required in all situations,” the Queensland Government says. “Owners of quad bikes should provide users with appropriate information and training, ensuring that a quad bike is the right tool for the task.” With this in mind, it has compiled this list of 19 indispensable dos and don’ts: YOU SHOULD • Complete a quad bike training course • Never allow passengers on the quad bike unless it has been specifically designed to carry two people • Wear a helmet and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when practical to do so • Make sure all cargo is secured before riding • Undertake ‘active riding’ techniques • Carefully descend…

John Deere has launched a new series of nimble utility tractors designed to meet the requirements of small and medium sized agricultural, dairy, livestock, viticulture and local government operations. Building on the strengths of the previous 5R models, John Deere’s new 5R Series tractors have been designed to provide enhanced levels of comfort, compactness and performance. With an optimised wheelbase of 2.25m, the new 5R family combines a one-piece curved frame design with a low centre of gravity to facilitate front loader installation on-the-go, while still being highly manoeuvrable with a turning radius of 3.75m, even when fitted with a loader. “It’s perfect for operators who work in tight spaces but also need power to get through varying loader tasks,” John Deere tactical marketing segment manager Fraser Scott says. Designed…

The new John Deere 4640 Universal Display gives tractor operators the ability to use the company’s most common and popular applications, including AutoTrac, documentation and Section Control, in a portable display. The new Generation 4 operating system is designed to improve data collection and application functionality. “Some enhancements built into the display include more on-screen help and diagnostic information to keep operators running and informed of their display capabilities, simplified Work Setup app with page-by-page navigation, and greater user customisation of run pages,” John Deere production and precision ag marketing manager John Mishler says. The 4640 display also provides documentation for high-speed planting and nutrient applications, together with data syncing functionalities. The display is designed to import new customer and product information without the risk of overwriting existing client, farm…

Vermeer has introduced the WC2500TX tracked whole tree chipper, a compact machine with a tracked undercarriage to aid manoeuvrability on tough land-clearing sites. Although compact in design, the WC2500TX packs a 448kW diesel configured to US Tier 4 Final/EU Stage IV emissions standards. A US Tier 3/EU Stage III version is also available for markets without more stringent regulations, such as Australia. The chipper can be equipped with either a ‘microchip’ drum that produces chip sizes between 3.2mm and 15.9mm, or with a ‘macrochip’ drum producing chips between 15.9mm and 31.8mm. Vermeer says the addition of WC2500TX greatly expands the variety of jobs its machines can perform. “The release of the WC2500TX continues to solidify our presence in the biomass and land-clearing markets,” Vermeer product manager Matt Hutchison says. “The…

The Deutz-Fahr Land tractor factory in Germany has come on line, producing the company’s 130hp-plus 6 Series, 7 Series and 9 Series tractors for the worldwide market. Three years in the planning and construction, the new tractor factory sits on a plot of 150,000 square metres adjacent to Deutz-Fahr’s existing premises and has a covered area of 42,000 square metres. The company says it uses state-of-the-art technology in the areas of assembly and painting and for hydraulics, electronics and chassis tests for quality assurance. Together with the new customer centre, the Deutz-Fahr Arena, the overall investment of 90 million euros is the largest individual investment in the company’s history. Planning for the new factory began in 2013, with a team consisting of factory employees and advisers spending several sessions pacing…

The 2016-17 year has been great for Australian farmers, with record production, exports and profits. These records have been driven largely by good weather, in particular a wet winter in 2016, which led to exceptional yields for major crops. Unfortunately, these good conditions go very much against the long-term trend. Recent CSIRO modelling suggests that changes in climate have reduced potential Australian wheat yields by around 27 per cent since 1990. While rising temperatures have caused global wheat yields to drop by around 5.5 per cent between 1980 and 2008, the effects in Australia have been larger, as a result of major changes in rain patterns. Declines in winter rainfall in southern Australia have particularly hit major broadacre crops (like wheat, barley and canola) in the key southeastern and southwestern…

A slasher is quite possibly the most undervalued piece of equipment on a farm, with most being found stored behind everything else in the shed or rusting away under a tree. For the operator who takes pride in going the extra mile towards a tip-top-looking property, however, the slasher is a must-have piece of machinery. The Emu ESA-150 is a 1.5m-wide linkage slasher which is manufactured in Korea before being imported, assembled and distributed throughout Australia by Midway Sales. Emu specialises in the manufacture of small- to medium-size implements for the lifestyle and hobby farmer market. It has a galvanised deck, Cat 1 or 2 linkage and a 40hp central gear box running a single dual-blade spinner. It’s not a heavy-duty machine, but the ESA150 is perfect for fence-line slashing,…

While the Massey Ferguson 7700 series is a relatively new model, it is largely just a continuation of the popular 7600 series with a few tweaks. The range stretches from 140hp to 255hp with two different spec levels – essential and efficient – and three different transmission options – Dyna-4, Dyna-6, and Dyna-VT. I’d say that covers all the bases. For this test I had the 7720 Dyna-VT in the efficient spec. ENGINE Under the bonnet is what used to be a SISU engine. This was recently renamed an AGCO Power engine. It is a 6-cylinder, 6.6-litre turbocharged common rail engine rated at 200hp with an intelligent EPM (engine power management) that delivers an additional 25hp when demanded. As we have noticed in the past and again this year, these…

Quick Search To find these products online, go to TradeFarmMachinery.com.au and enter the TA or DIY code shown below in the Keyword search panel. Hysoon Mini Digger Mini Loader Joystick control, Hiflo pump. Powered by a Japanese made 23hp engine V Twin air cooled B&S, SWL 200kg, Operating weight 890kg, hydraulic system. Vic 03 8373 7168 $16,750 Toro W320D For sale is this used Toro W320D diesel wheeled mini loader with 730hrs showing. This unit is complete with a 4in1 bucket in working order. NSW 02 6171 3260 $16,000 2009 Vermeer S400TX Petrol Mini Loader, low 901 hours, rubber tracks, 1060mm GC bucket, aux hydraulics, L: 2700mm, W: 850mm, H: 1200mm. $17,900 + GST. Vic 03 8373 7167 $17,900 2017 Hercules Midget New Hercules Wheel Loader! Briggs and Stratton 23hp…

I swear that there are some trucks that were deliberately engineered to be fallen out of. The best example I can think of is the International T-Line cab. If you’d been poking around the ‘burbs in an ACCO and the boss then chucked you the keys to a T-Line, chances are that the first thing you did when you got to the other end of the journey was plummet to the ground, scrabbling for grab handles and steps that weren’t there. I’ve also been told that the Mack Ultraliner was another serial offender when it came to drivers plummeting from the cab and landing on their arses in front of an audience. I’ve found that there are a couple of ways you can react after an undignified exit from the…