Yamaha acquires NZ’s Robotics Plus, boosting agricultural automation
New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired by Yamaha Motor to form Yamaha Agriculture.
Already well respected in the UTV sector for performance, reliability and a competitive price point, CFMOTO has upped the ante in the middleweight sector with the arrival of the UFORCE 600 Farm Spec model.
Featuring the same specifications as the already established 600 Plus model, Farmspec adds several features that increase the day-to-day practicality of the machine, making it a comfortable environment to spend a long day out on the farm.
Those features include a factory fitted, automotive- grade, full length glass windscreen, which can be tilted open to increase airflow into the cabin, while also incorporating wipers and washer jets.
A pair of rear hinged, half doors, featuring a heavy-duty alloy frame, skinned with impact resistant polyethylene panels, offers occupants protection from debris and mud while also allowing a good airflow through the cabin. An impact-resistant polycarbonate rear screen provides excellent visibility and protection, while also being UV resistant.
Elsewhere, front bumpers protect the nose of the machine from impact damage, a 12-volt bus bar offers a reliable power source, while the special Velocity Grey paint scheme makes the 600 Farmspec stand out from the crowd.
Power is provided by a 580cc single cylinder, 4-stroke engine with EFI that delivers 41hp/46Nm torque, with selectable Normal and Work modes. This is mated to a CVT transmission, equipped with electronic descent control, to take the drama away from travelling downhill. 2WD or 4WD can be selected to suit differing terrains, while lockable front and limited slip rear differentials maintain traction in the toughest conditions, while also minimising turf damage.
Suspension is taken care of by a double A-arm layout at the front and rear, complemented by coils springs and oil filled dampers with five preload settings. Bringing things to a halt falls to hydraulic brakes on all four corners. Equipped with 25-inch, 6-ply tyres fitted to alloy wheels, manoeuvrability is made easy with electronic power steering.
Tipping the scales at 640kg, the Farmspec offers a 250kg tray and 680kg towing capacity, 96 litre stowage capacity, mainly under the two-person bench seat, alongside easy service access under the front panel, with engine access under the tipping load bed, that tilts to a 50-degree angle, that further helps with load discharge. The UFORCE 600 Farmspec is offered with a 2-year comprehensive warranty.
www.cfmoto.co.nz
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.