increase font size
Kawasaki reports that its Mule SX-XC Bigfoot is finding favour with many dairy operations around the country for its no-nonsense specifications, ease of use and low running costs.
Call them what you will, but UTV’s, side by sides or ROV’s have certainly found a place in much of New Zealand’s rural sector.
With a range of engine sizes from 400 to 1,000cc and a myriad of specifications, many farmers are finding the genre much more useful than a basic quad or ATV.
Kawasaki reports that its Mule SX-XC Bigfoot is finding favour with many dairy operations around the country for its no-nonsense specifications, ease of use and low running costs.
Taking much of its design detail from the larger Pro Series, the SX centres around a tubular, ladder-style chassis which offers rigidity and a comfortable ride.
That ride quality has also been improved by increasing the pre-load on the springs up front for a more level ride, with a softening of the rear to improve user comfort. At the rear of the machine, the swingarm carries the engine and rear wheels on a separate subframe/cradle, pivoted centrally to remove vibration.
Power comes from a 400cc single cylinder, air-cooled unit with standard carburetion and whilst not offering stunning power delivery, it is certainly enough for the normal fetch, carry and move on a typical dairy farm.
In use, the engine starts and comes to a constant idle quickly, before selecting the choice of high, low, neutral or reverse via the central dash-mounted lever. Drive is taken from the engine by the belt-driven automatic unit, with a heavy-duty transfer case taking care of 2 or 4-wheel drive selection. Maximum speed is limited to 40km/h and it’s interesting to note that the machine can be started in-gear, if the brake pedal is depressed.
The front axle incorporates a limited slip differential, while the rear utilises a lock-up unit activated by the dashboard control and aimed at pushing through tough conditions.
Bigfoot is easy to live with, offering good access because of a slightly higher stance, delivered by the 26-inch rubber mounted on 12-inch rims. This set-up also helps deliver a big tyre footprint, offering improved stability, greater traction and increased ground clearance.
The machines can tow up to 500kg at the trailer hitch, while the well laid out cargo tray has a capacity of 180kg. Equipped with a drop-down tailgate, the tipping tray incorporates a 1.5mm diamond plate floor for strength and a 25mm tie-down rail around its upper edge.
Dual seats with inertia reel seat belts offer comfort and safety, while ahead of the driver the dashboard offers comprehensive information, accompanied by easily understood controls for gearshift, 4WD and diff-lock selection.
Rack and pinion steering delivers precision with low effort, with good manoeuvrability with a tight, 3.6 metre turning radius. Bringing things to a stop is the job of drum units on all four wheels, each protected from ingress of water and mud by triple lipped labyrinth seals.
Creature comforts include a glovebox, radio mounting position, halogen headlights, DC power socket and not forgetting a pair of cup-holders. Add to that the current special offer of a glass windscreen, with wiper and a moulded roof, then Bigfoot offers good value.
While Nokia is more likely recognised for mobile devices, a major investment of €70m (NZ$126m) by global farm machinery brand AGCO at its facility in Linnavuori, in Nokia, will see the plant establish a new laboratory for testing combustion engines running on alternative fuels, alongside a range of electric solutions, including hybrids, fuel cells and high-voltage battery technology.
Evan Paxton and his family at Riverview Farms, Dargaville, are one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of kumara.
There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally created in 1948 to deal with the population boom after the Second World War.
Think of a RAM 1500 or a Chevrolet Silverado and compare them to a Ranger or a Hilux: One is obviously a truck, and the other is a ute.
With effluent management never far from the thoughts of legislators and farmers becoming increasingly aware of the nutrient values of dairy effluent, innovate ideas for the convenient storage and subsequent discharge are always of interest.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.
