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The Kubota RTV-XG850 Sidekick has been a game changer for farmer Edwin Douglass.
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, Edwin Douglass decided to leave his residence in Switzerland and come home to his family run property, Glen Alton Forrest, in the Clarence River Valley.
Best described as remote, the property is isolated further following a bridge connection to the local town falling in the last earthquake, the lack of phone reception and poor wireless internet connectivity on the property.
It’s no surprise then that property’s Kubota RTV-XG850 Sidekick is more than just a side by side to get from A to B, helping Edwin and his family to stay connected to the community around them.
“My Kubota RTV-XG850 Sidekick has been a game changer. It’s light, easy to operate, zips around forests and the narrow profile means it’s small and can go anywhere,” Edwin said.
Living on such an isolated property brought with it challenges, not least the lack of consistent mobile phone coverage or Wi-Fi that Edwin needed to manage his team across the other side of the world.
The solution was to install an internet repeater station on a hill next door to his property.
“Even then, the repeater would cut out in the middle of the night, often with the system needing a reboot, so I had to drive up the hill to repair whatever needed fixing. Navigating the uneven terrain is so much easier and quicker with a side-by-side than a heavy four-wheel drive,” Edwin said.
“We bought the Kubota RTV-XG850 Sidekick in early 2021, having noticed that my neighbours all had side-by-sides for their properties, usually preferring the format to heavier four -wheel drive vehicles, so I thought I’d also give it a go.”
Equipped with a CVT Plus transmission, the rugged, liquid-cooled engine of the Kubota RTV-XG850 provides plenty of torque for a quick and smooth take-off, perfect for the type of terrain found in the Clarence River valley.
The type of landscape Edwin’s property sits on means that he needs a durable and reliable vehicle, especially when he needs to visit his partner at the end of the road and the other side of a river crossing.
“Getting there on my Kubota Sidekick means the journey is simpler and easier, while the purchase and service support offered by local dealer Norwood Blenheim, means everything is convenient and perfect for fitting into my lifestyle.”
Side Specifications
* Twin cylinder Subaru liquid cooled - 48hp
* CVT transmission with downhill braking-top speed 64kph
* Independent suspension using dual A-arms and coil springs
* Selectable 2 or 4WD and diff lock
* 799kg kerb weight with 907kg towing capacity
* Electrically assisted power steering
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The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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