Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
Front end loaders have become the mainstay of on-farm material handling, probably since Quicke released the first drive-in/detachable machines in the early 1960s.
Since then, operators have always been looking to solve that familiar problem when working with front loaders – just a few more centimetres of reach – especially when units are fitted to the increasingly popular 4-cylinder medium class tractors.
German manufacturer Stoll seems to have addressed the problem with an interesting concept that has been awarded a silver medal at the recent Agritechnica event, with a loader equipped with a telescopic swing arm and an ‘extendible joint’.
Designed for use with the already noted 4-cylinder medium class tractors, the swing arm can be extended 700mm that, working in combination with the extendible joint, enables the horizontal reach to be increased by 1m and the overall lifting height by as much as 1.5m.
The manufacturer suggests that the format could prove to be particularly interesting for farms that handle round and large square bales, but do not have enough work to justify a telehandler.
The overall electro-hydraulic actuation of the front loader can be used to oversee safety functions, including, automatic shut-off of the master cylinders in the event of excessively loads when the swing arm is extended. In addition, the joint means that the front loader is movable, which can help to improve visibility while in operation.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.