Little tractor plays big role to maintain reserve

It is home to at least 700 species of native plants, 56 species of birds (including kiwi and blue duck), and other cool critters like tuatara, geckos and skinks. A visitors' centre focuses on education and conservation and prides itself on the reserve's accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers.

Along with the native flora and fauna, the reserve is home to an Iseki 22hp TM3245 compact tractor that works on tracks and pedestrian bridges.

Fitted with lawn tyres so it doesn't damage the tracks, the tractor has a hydrostatic transmission for stepless speed control, and like it's larger brother to the Iseki TM3245 – has front and rear hydraulics, a loader and uses the rear PTO to run a slasher mower.

Loaned by Goodmans Contracting who dug out the ponds when the reserve was first established in 1974, the tractor is owned by the contracting business which maintains it regularly, seeing this as a way to keep supporting the trust. The company also refurbished one of its old Iseki tractors for Nga Manu and has given them a tipping trailer and a shed. The trailer carts gravel for the tracks and supplies for building projects.

The tractor is ideal because it has to go over footbridges, and Nga Manu has a lot of peat and swampy areas where a larger tractor could get bogged.

The trust management said "we have had the Iseki since August and it's been used at least every second day. We have to clear away trees that fall on the tracks and trim trees near buildings. The Iseki is a great utility tractor, and fits the bill perfectly for Nga Manu. There will be a lot of operators, and with hydrostatic transmission anyone can hop onto it."

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