Innholdsfortegnelse for 330 i Farms and Farm Machinery

The new 6365 model self-propelled sprayer is the latest model in the well-known Nitro range, which is distributed in the country by McIntosh Distribution. According to Miller, the 6365 features a new propulsion system that allows the machine to operate at maximum power with minimum fuel consumption. McIntosh Distribution spray division manager Jon Bent says the new model features all the components growers have come to expect from a Nitro, such as the front mounted design offering great visibility, high underframe clearance, industry-awarded Hydralink suspension, and the versatile quick attach system. The major difference between the 6365 and similar machines on the market, according to Bent, is the innovative drivetrain system which optimises its performance. “The new drivetrain has been completely redesigned with variable displacement hydrostatic drive system and planetary…

Since purchasing a JayLor 5650 twin auger mixer several months ago, the Krichauff family in South Australia is seeing increased herd performance and higher quality products on their farm. Michael Krichauff and his father Peter farms dairy, sheep and beef on 607 hectares of land on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula. Prior to buying the 5650, the Krichauffs were feeding out in the paddocks with a JayLor 445T single auger mixer for six years until they designed and built their own 1100sqm feedpad a year ago. Then three months ago they bought the JayLor 5650 twin auger mixer from G & J East at Strathalbyn in order to mix feed rations for 270 cows. JayLor says its 5000 series twin auger mixers are used in dairy, cow-calf operations and feedlots ranging…

“Though the name may suggest otherwise, the REEFA is 100 per cent legal” Climbing off the plane onto the Cairns Airport runway in mid-January is a real shock to the system when you’ve just left the cooler southern Victoria only three hours earlier. The humidity is oppressive and immediately saps every ounce of energy from you. It is this sort of climate that increases my admiration for the farmers who continue to labour in such a challenging environment. Far North Queensland is known worldwide for having some of the most spectacular scenery and destinations to spend vacations at, but it’s purely business that brings me to this magnificent part of Australia. I’ve heard about a new piece of equipment called the REEFA, which is operating on a sugar cane farm…

“The team at Waller Direct Drilling in Geraldine has just purchased their third Duncan Enviro 3000e drill” I have tested enough Duncan Ag drills in Farms and Farm Machinery for you to know this is a name synonymous with build quality and strength. The company has a long heritage dating back to the pioneers of rural New Zealand, when it was known as the Clough brand. Australia has numerous divisions going strong in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales, but the equipment is still proudly made in New Zealand. On a recent trip to the South Island’s central region of Canterbury I caught up with the team at Waller Direct Drilling in Geraldine, who have just purchased their third Duncan Enviro 3000e drill and are more…

Off-road vehicle manufacturer Polaris’ latest release, the General side-by-side, has been designed with farmers and recreational hunters in mind. Polaris says the General UTV combines the hard-working attributes of its best-selling Ranger range with the sporty quality of its RZR series. The new model has carried over the Ranger’s 272kg rated dump box, a towing rating of 680kg via a standard 2-inch receiver, and electronic power steering. It also features an engine braking system (EBS) and all-wheel drive (AWD) for optimal traction and control on all kinds of terrain. On the other hand, the General has borrowed the RZR’s suspension travel of 311m front and 335mm at the rear. It sits high on independent double wishbones at each corner for an impressive 305mm ground clearance. It also features anti-sway bars…

JCB’s Fastrac 4000 series tractors offers 42 per cent more torque compared to previous models, as well as a new Tier-4 engine. The line-up is now available in the country, in particular including the most powerful vehicle in the range - the Fastrac 4220. According to JCB Construction Equipment Australia (CEA), the new series has been designed around core Fastrac features with a host of enhancements to make it even more comfortable and productive. This includes multiple mounting points, faster field and road speeds, and more sophisticated all-round suspension and braking for stability, safety and comfort. Power output is now available up to 235hp and torque up to 950Nm, 42 per cent more than previous Fastrac models. The updated range also features a new 6.6-litre Tier-4 engine emissions standard compliant…

VIDEO: NO MORE RUTS If you practice controlled-traffic farming on your property, you’ll be familiar with the wheel ruts that inevitably form as a consequence. To solve the issue, Victoria-based TPOS Fabrications created the Flatrac wheel track renovator which repairs such ruts without disturbing the soil structure. In fact, it is so innovative that it bagged the 2015 Henty Machine of the Year award at last year’s Henty field days. Tom Dickson checks it out in the video. VIDEO: HAY HAULIN’ When Matt Wood bought a 1989 Toyota Hilux from his neighbour, a brilliant idea popped into his mind. Why not put the old rig head-to-head with its brand new 2015 successor on a 3000km hay hauling mission? It may sound almost impossible for a 25-year-old, 2.4-litre petrol powered two-wheel-drive…

“This is a place where genuine farmers are using their years of experience to design and construct equipment to suit Australian conditions” If you practice controlled traffic farming on your property, you’ll be familiar with the wheel ruts that inevitably form as a consequence. The Flatrac is a 6m wide machine used for repairing such ruts. The machine consists of a centrally located hydraulic pump operating a horizontal twin auger system. Two large wheels trail at the rear to leave a smooth and compacted wheel track. Currently there are two models available. The larger works in 3m wheel spacings, while the smaller machine is suited to 2m wide wheel tracks.The three point linkage mounted machine impressed the judges so much at the Henty field days that it was named 2015…

Marketing is a strange beast and the birth of the 570cc ATV proves it. About a year ago, Polaris introduced a 570cc engine to its ATV range. It wasn’t a Polaris engine but one made by a German company, Weber Motor. Weber claims that its four-stroke engines have a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of a two-stroke engine, “but without the typical disadvantages of high fuel consumption, noise, emissions and short service life”. That’s quite a claim. There was a time when, cc for cc, no four-stroke could match it with any two-stroke in a horsepower shootout. Anyhow, Polaris called on Weber to develop the 570cc engine for its Sportsman ATV range, and in doing so killed off the 500cc engine that had worked so hard for so long. 500cc,…

“In Bolivia it is known as the achachairú, meaning ‘honey kiss’ in a local native language” An achacha tart recently took the prize in a popular national cooking program. Meanwhile on a farm near Giru in North Queensland, a husband and wife of 49 years were witnessing another step forward in their venture to commercially producing the virtually unknown fruit, which is native to Bolivia. The achacha tree is similar in appearance to the mango, and from a distance they meld into the local environment where mango plantations compete with fields of sugar cane. It can grow to 10m, but for ease of picking the tops are trimmed to 3.5m and bases are ‘skirted’ to access the sprinkler system. Its origins are in the tropical lowlands of the Amazon Basin…

Pottinger’s latest mower, the Novocat 352 V has a width of 3.52m and comes without a conditioner. Its vertical transport position is ideal for narrow field entrances and work in tight corners. A central feature of the 352 V is the unique hydraulic lower linkage arm that enables easy mounting without having to adjust the tractor linkage drop arms. Using the hydraulic hitch and mow lower linkage arm, the headstock can be brought into the correct horizontal position at any time, independently of the geometry of the tractor linkage. In addition, the system optimises weight alleviation and provides excellent ground clearance (50cm on the inside) for headland turns and transport on the road. During transport, the mower is folded to the side and raised to an angle of 115 degrees,…

Case IH is the latest agricultural brand to partner up with local analytical technology manufacturer Next Instruments to offer its 3000H Near Infrared (NIR) Grain Analyser on its range of combine harvesters. This follows an earlier announcement by New Holland that the company will be updating all of its CR Series combine harvesters ordered for delivery in 2016 with the same technology. The Australian-designed and developed grain analysing technology – an award winner at the 2015 Wimmera Machinery Field Days – allows operators to monitor grain protein in cereals and oil percentage in oilseeds in real time while harvesting. Case IH Hay & Harvest product manager Tim Slater says the new technology is a breakthrough for farmers, allowing them to improve productivity and maximise profit by efficient management of protein…

Canadian tractor manufacturer Versatile is turning 50 in 2016 and will be celebrating the milestone by releasing a series of retro-themed limited edition tractors. The Legendary Limited Edition (LLE) series will be available in two configurations – articulated four-wheel drive and DeltaTrack. In addition to sporting a special paint job featuring the company’s historic yellow and red paint scheme, the limited edition range will also carry special decals, a customlogoed leather seat, and a special serial number on each model. Buyers will also get a plaque with their name on it as well as a trip to Winnipeg in Canada in July to attend a special VIP event at Versatile’s factory. Interested buyers can place their orders in January for delivery in mid-2016. Versatile will also be displaying its LLE…

“Unlike other FPT engines, which rely on high boosted power to reach their maximum output, the new Axion has the power all the time” Given the opportunity to head into New Zealand’s deep south to test the latest mid-horsepower CVT release from Claas, I jumped at the chance – so quickly in fact, that I forgot to pack my sunblock. Considering that every other time I’ve visited it turned out to be raining or snowing, I thought it was a pretty safe bet. Turned out to be a rookie mistake and I returned home red-faced. Fortunately, the chance to test drive the new Claas Axion 800 series made it worth the effort. The engine change is the most noticeable addition, with the ‘old’ Deere Power System (DPS) power plant being…

“Queensland!” exclaimed the fella in the bush hat. “That ute hasn’t been past Hurstbridge for over 15 years!” My neighbour Adrian is aghast. I bought his beaten up old 1989 Toyota Hilux off him as a wood getter for $1000, and now I’m also telling him I’m taking it on a trip to drought-affected outback Queensland with a load of hay on its back and a couple of big bales towing behind on a trailer. To be fair, Adrian had purchased it new back in 1989 and put over 300,000km on the clock. It still even has the owner’s manual in the glove box. It just looks a little … used! “Well,” I reply, “they reckon these old bangers are pretty tough, so I guess we’ll see just how tough.”…

One of the things I love about this job is driving around rural New Zealand and taking in the scenery. On my most recent road trip to Otorohanga, New Zealand’s official ‘Kiwiana’ town, I am in for a treat. En-route to my destination I witness some real kiwi battlers, decked out in full wet weather gear, whitebaiting in the swollen and dirty Mokau River. I know little about whitebaiting, but I’m pretty certain your chances of catching anything are considerably reduced in August/September after significant winter rainfall. However, it is entertaining viewing all the same. Once I make it to Otorohanga, I head inland to the rolling hill country of South Waikato to check out a machine which may not be Kiwi-made, but is right at home on the rolling…