Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 366 i Farms and Farm Machinery

The focus for Case IH engineers in the United States, who spent about eight years developing this latest model, was on increased accuracy, with a flat bottom seed trench providing proper depth and more consistent seed placement, improved durability of its parts and better productivity — namely the speed at which farmers can plant their seed. Case IH has partnered with leading agricultural technology company Precision Planting to make the Early Riser 2000 Series the only planter engineered and built with Precision Planting components direct from the factory. Key among its features is the in-furrow liquid fertiliser delivery system, which helps to give each seed the best chance of successful growth. “This is an exciting new offering and we’re proud to be able to present a design and technology package…

Claas will start offering its Cargos 8500 forage harvesters with a tridem chassis and 30.5-inch (77.5cm) tyres in a move it says will help minimise damage to fragile soils. The dual-purpose wagon will be able to be fitted with sets of three tyres, rather than the previous two, up to a size of 710/50 R30.5, the company says, adding that this will be a unique combination in the market segment. The new model will be available in Australia and New Zealand for delivery in spring 2019. “The large contact area minimises compaction damage to soils that are moist or less able to withstand a load,” the company says. “In combination with the electrohydraulic positive steering, the loader wagon can also be operated in crab-steering mode. In this way, the area…

Making sure its lime and fertiliser spreaders are reliable and easy to use has been key to Bredal’s manufacturing process in its more than 50 years of operation. But the reliability farmers need today is not limited to being ready to work – it’s about being able to operate on the same terms in a variety of different conditions, whether they be natural or man-made. Bredal’s new XE spinner attachment uses a belt delivery system and fold-down wings to put the spreader’s dry spinners up to 6m apart. Ben Nichols, the company’s Australian distributor, says the XE spinner helps Bredal push its spreading width even further, even in windy conditions or while using fertiliser of poor quality. “The basic principle is we can add 6m to any conventional spread width,…

Six months after we got a sneak peek at AgFest 2018, the remote-controlled Green Climber LV 300 Pro mower is available to buy in Australia. The mower can be driven by an operator situated up to 100m away using a Bluetooth connection, while all movements are controlled by a single joystick; allowing the operator to always have a free hand to use for other machine commands. Designed to remove the danger from mowing steep slopes and inclines, its tracks enable the Green Climber to operate in all directions on slopes with an incline of up to 60 per cent. Distributor SME Mowers says its advantage over other slope mowers is the fact that its tracks can be widened on each side in order to increase traction. “In extreme situations if…

Held in Bologna, Italy last month, the 43rd International Exposition of Machinery for Agriculture and Gardening (EIMA) exhibition broke its previous visitor records by an impressive 11 per cent, with 50,000 foreign operators joining the crowds from 150 different countries. With the exhibition covering everything from irrigation machinery to planters and harvesters, I decided to do the rounds of this enormous agriculture extravaganza and cherry pick the machines that caught my eye. And trust me, it wasn’t easy – EIMA is huge; my GPS clocked me at over 20km in two days. LAMBORGHINI SPARK 130 VRT When in Italy, it would be rude not to experience the most Italian thing in the world… and I’m not talking pasta, I’m talking about a Lambo. At first glance, I thought it was…

A three-position adjustable steering column and super soundproofing are just some of the features that ensure Claas Lexion 700 Series operators have a comfortable cab in which to work for hours at ease. Claas says its latest generation Lexions give the operator greater freedom of movement, a clear control layout and excellent visibility on all sides while the air-conditioning maintains a consistent, comfortable atmosphere. The working area ahead of the combine is well illuminated by up to 12 work lights on the cab roof and a long-range work light with extended range for lighting up large areas. Claas combine product specialist Adam Hayward says that the total of 16 work lights, all with high-end LED bulbs, provide a bright working environment for the operator. “Our key features in the cab…

It was an idea sourced from close to home for Pakenhambased YTO Tractors, as the local tractor manufacturers considered what they could do to help farmers after drought and other poor weather conditions caught many off guard. Since September, the company has given away 50 tree seedlings for every new tractor sold – either gifting them to the buyer or arranging to plant them themselves. YTO marketing manager Sherryn Clarke says the company had been inspired in part by the example of her mother Kim, who had often taken her siblings and her on Landcare excursions as children – following a conservation effort by planting trees. “We decided we actually wanted to help the land we all use for farming instead of just selling tractors,” she says. “It is something…

Two higher horsepower utility tractors launched recently by Mahindra Ag & Auto Australia have a better ergonomic design to complement their increased strength, the company has announced. Mahindra’s new 7580 and 7590 4WD series tractors, with 80hp (59.6kW) and 92hp (68.6kW) respectively, are designed to build on its already successful Mahindra 8000 series, which has sold over 500 units in Australia to date. The company says both of the models, each weighing over 3.6 tonnes, are ideal for primary and secondary tillage, livestock operations, crop protection, haulage and loader applications and a myriad of other field applications. The new models feature a redesign of the fuel tank – easy to access on the left hand side of the tractor, and the battery box, accessible from the right. A flat platform…

Following a dramatic downturn in September where sales of tractors dropped markedly, October has seen a steadying of the ship with a slight recovery in machine sales occurring. This was partly due to some ‘end of year financial planning’ from some manufacturers which may have overinflated the position a little. Overall, tractor sales were down around 2.5 per cent compared to last October and are now broadly in line with last year on a year to date (YTD) basis. Queensland and WA recorded slight improvements, up around 1 per cent each for the month – with WA up a healthy 8 per cent on last year, and Queensland still trailing, down 3.5 per cent YTD. Victorian sales continue to track last year while Tasmania (up 8 per cent), South Australia…

The Brisbane Truck Show is renowned as the place to be for the first look at the latest offerings from Australia’s wide array of truck and trailer manufacturers and distributors. Once those trucks are on the road and clocking up the kilometres, who is going to look after them to make sure they’re kept in tip-top shape? Australia’s best up-and-coming service technicians will put it all on the line in one of the most entertaining highlights of the Brisbane Truck Show. Nominations are now open for the 2019 Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) National Apprentice Challenge, to be staged live at the biennial event from May 16 to 19. HVIA spokesman Paul Woodland says that heavy vehicle mechanical apprentices at any stage of their study from across Australia have the…

When launched at Agritechnica 2017, John Deere billed its latest S700 Series combines as the most advanced grain harvesting technology from front to back. In Australia and New Zealand the series includes three new rotary combine models, the S770, S780 and S790, which Deere says incorporates the latest in automated harvesting technology. While they’re full of new features that allow the machine to use more automated functions, it was the cab that customers saw as being the main physical difference compared to the S600 Series. Better defined as the operator’s office, the cab on the new S700 Series has more space, better visibility and a touchscreen colour display for ease of use. The main features in the cab start with the redesigned CommandARM, which comes with all MY18 and newer…

Keen to get in the driver’s seat and see how the Claas Arion 660 performed on the job, it was with much anticipation that I headed to the Lincoln Dairy Farm in Canterbury, New Zealand to cultivate a paddock with it hooked up to a four-metre wide Amazone Cenius disc cultivator. ENGINE All four models in the Arion 600 range have stuck with the 6.8-litre six-cylinder DPS power tech engine, which has served the brand well in the past, with the Claas Power Management system controlling the engine to deliver maximum power and efficiency. The top-of-the-range Arion 660 I tested puts out 185 horsepower (138kW), and with a variable geometry turbo, there is a 20hp (15kW) boost, taking it up to an impressive 205 max hp (152.9kW) for transport and…

The Great Wall Steed 4WD dual-cab you see here sells for a current drive-away price (including rego and stamp duty) of just $24,990, yet it has features that you can’t get on most other utes at any price. It offers, for example, the safety and functionality of on-demand 4WD where even the most expensive Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger have to make do with relatively primitive part-time 4WD. It also comes with rear disc brakes, a feature only found on the most expensive Ranger, the $80K-on the-road Raptor, and VW Amarok V6 models, the least expensive of which is twice the price of the Steed. CLIMB ABOARD The Great Wall Steed isn’t notably big like some current generation utes, but more the size of the typical dual-cab of 10 years…

While water scarcity is a fact of life for many Australians, few face the challenges of the Heytesbury Cattle Company and the six stations it runs across the Northern Territory and eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia. In 2003, while working on a research project to help the cattle giant intensify its production systems, it soon became clear to Observant co-founders Matthew Pryor and Simon Holmes à Court that to help manage the stations, they would need to better manage the water. “If we are going to increase production rates and therefore need more water available, we don’t want to have to employ lots of extra people to have to drive around and manage water points,” Pryor told Farms & Farm Machinery. “That is really something technology could do.” The…

Kubota Tractor Australia says that its M5 series of mid-range tractors will offer buyers an all-purpose farming solution encompassing power, agility and reliability. The range will comprise the narrow-sized 78kW (105 horsepower) M5101, the standard sized, 82kW (110hp) M5111 and the 69kW (93hp) M5091 in both narrow and standard sizes. The standard-size tractors measure between 1,982mm and 2,174mm wide, while the narrow-size tractors measure between 1,432mm and 1,723mm with standard tyres. Powered by a V38 four-cylinder diesel engine, the M5 range boasts all-wheel drive, six synchronised gears with clutch and dual-speed controls and bigger fuel tanks – 105 litres on standard models and 76 litres on the narrow model. The tractors also offer a Category II three-point hitch that lifts 3,200kg at the rear (standard model) and 1,500kg (narrow models),…

Anew team player for electric construction machinery has emerged onto the market with a prototype telehandler. Joining forces, Manitou and German engine specialist Deutz have introduced two telehandlers; one as a hybrid and another as a full electric system machine to meet increasing demand for such vehicles. This is the first time Deutz has incorporated prototype electric drives into Manitou equipment and as a result the Manitou MT 1135 has now been launched as a prototype. Deutz say it has provided a modular product portfolio for electric drives, which allows customers to choose the combination of combustion engine, electric motor, battery and power electronics best suited to their needs. Plus, should the customer require it, a pure electric drive system is also available on request. Both manufacturers say their goal…

Wider than before and with a new super roller conditioner, the Krone BiG M450CR mower is now available for pre-order from Australian Kubota distributors. With an 11.2-metre cut width, the mower offers a slightly wider cut than the BiG M450CV, released in 2017, with a flail conditioner at a 9.95m cut width. Kubota Australia’s senior product manager for Krone Lars Pasedag says the machine is tailor-made for the Australian and North American markets. “We haven’t seen a mower like this in Australia before. This CR model offers a new super roller conditioner. It’s called an M-Roll, as the lug of the roller has two pressure points to give the crop extra crimping while it travels through the roller,” he says. “This process delivers quicker drying time for the crop in…

Preparing for his presentation to the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture In Focus event held in Brisbane in late November, farmer Mark Branson went through the books to see what years of effort in precision agriculture added up to. And it is no small figure. According to his calculations, precision agriculture saves Branson Farms $87.42 per hectare for additional expenses of $14.39/ha – an annual saving of $65,727 across the board, or $73.03/ha for the 900ha of farmed land on his 1,200ha property. Speaking with Farms & Farm Machinery before the event, Branson said the extent of the savings was largely due to the fact that precision agriculture was heavily integrated into his farming practice. “I am probably the only one who is doing it in a big way…

iKISAN 2019 Hi Tech Agri Fair WHAT: Held in Bhuj-Kutch, Gujarat, India, this agriculture and dairy industry event describes itself as being “an excellent platform to build business alliances and increase channels to better expand the prospects in this region”. Exhibitors will be showing equipment ranging from feeding machinery and storage to waste disposal and IT solutions. WHEN: January 5-8 MORE INFO: http://tradeshows.tradeindia.com/hi-techagridairyexpo IDW Australia WHAT: Australia’s International Dairy Week, held in Tatura Park, Victoria, is a forum to showcase the latest developments in Australian dairy cattle, farming practices, dairy knowledge, breeding and genetics, machinery, equipment and technology, environmental management and services. Held during the third week of January each year, IDW is the place to be for all dairy farmers, breeders, producers, companies, organisations and others operating within the…

Case IH says the cab on its Case IH Axial Flow 250 Series of combines offers operators the best environment to work in. Behind the cab door operators can find ample space and storage, with excellent comfort, further enhanced by an ergonomic layout, an air suspended operator seat, low noise levels and unrestricted views. When harvest extends late into the night, the combine rolls on as halogen stadium lights are fitted to the Axial-Flow 250 series roof to illuminate the working area ahead of the machine. As extra options, the operator can choose a High Intensity Discharge (HID) stadium lighting package, which consists of halogen and two HID lights. Another option is a complete set of six high definition HID lights; or a distance option adding two LED lights that…

Suzuki doesn’t brag about its Kingquad range of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and it doesn’t seem to advertise much either, yet the 500 we tested would be on a par with anything from any global manufacturer. It’s a mid-size machine so one of its most useful characteristics is manoeuvrability; it’ll get in and out of tight spots that would have a larger Polaris Sportsman 570 backing and filling. It handles nicely, steers accurately and is small enough to fit in the back of a Toyota Hilux. It’s also totally unintimidating. Outstanding! But one thing will hobble this likeable ATV: at $13,500, it’s too expensive. I don’t know how distributors work out their retail pricing – maybe with the same voodoo magic they work out tow ratings – but the Honda 420…

Irrigators are constantly striving to enhance their water use efficiency and to maximise performance in bales per megalitre. One of GVIA’s primary areas of research has been the system comparison trial, which started in 2008, run at Keytah, near Moree, by Sundown Pastoral Company. The trial focuses on the primary commercial drivers for irrigators – performance optimisation, water use efficiency, cost effectiveness and return on investment. When we talk about performance optimisation we focus on efficiencies with regard to water, which has limited availability and low reliability in many areas, and labour, which is becoming increasingly difficult to source, especially in the more remote regional centres. The GVIA research found that all four irrigation systems – siphon, bankless channel, lateral move and subsurface drip – have the capacity to produce…