JCB expands new Texas factory after US tariff hike
Since Donald Trump’s import tariff announcement, the world has been on a wild economic ride.
JCB has given fans a glimpse of its new-spec agricultural Loadall at the recent LAMMA UK show.
The company says the new series 3 range brings together product upgrades from the last six years.
Key to the redesign is a new cab – Command Plus – claimed 50% quieter than the current model; and it’s longer and wider, has better layout, more storage space and much better forward visibility to the wheels and beyond, achieved by fitting a new low-slung dash panel.
Upward visibility to raised forks, buckets or grabs is also 15% better, by virtue of uninterrupted glazing up and over the operator’s head.
Other new features include optional Chassis Sway hydraulic levelling adjustment on the front axle, in-cab and external pressure relief when changing implements and an updated colour scheme.
Now in its fifth decade since being launched, the series 3 will have four new models with 200kg greater lift capacity than the current offering.
Models will be designated 538-60 (3.8t/6m lift), 532-70 (3.2t/7m), 542-70 (4.2T/7m) and 536-95 (3.6T/9.5m).
The high capacity, heavy-lift, bulk-handling 560-80 (6t/8m) will remain unchanged, as will the 537-70LP (3.6t/7m Low Profile) that uses a low-profile cabin for restricted height operation.
Variants will include Agri, Agri-Plus, Agri-Super and Agri-Pro options as previously offered with 4.4L and 4.8L JCB EcoMax motors delivering 75, 109, 125 and 145hp.
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.