Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
French machinery manufacturer Kuhn has expanded its range of mower-conditioners fitted with rollertype conditioners, with the addition of the new trailed FC 3155 TLR and FC 3555 TLR models.
These have working widths of 3.10m and 3.50m respectively.
The side-pull drawbar units, with hydraulically offset mowing elements, feature Kuhn’s SquareFlex roller conditioners that incorporate mechanically driven 240mm diameter rollers that are claimed to be synchronized for life.
The unique profile of the polyurethane rollers ensures that plants and stalks are crimped, irrespective of the direction the crop is presented.
Driven by a gearbox to rotate at 780rpm, the pressure exerted by the rollers is easily adjusted, while also allowing them to move apart to allow foreign objects to pass through.
The layout is said to be suited to dealing with crops such as alfalfa, clover and lucerne or any crops where there is a risk of leaf shatter or those with thicker stems.
Both models are fitted with the Opti- Disc Elite cutter bar, fitted with the Protecta- Drive safety system that, when an impact occurs, sees the shaft above the bearing “shear” through a pre-determined groove to allow the disc to freewheel and protect the gear train.
The “sealed for life” cutter-bar requires no maintenance and is equipped with large diameter gear assemblies and double-row angular contact ball bearings for robustness and durability.
Equipped as standard with the Fast- Fit quick knife release system, a leaf spring layout ensures that there is constant pressure on the blade securing pin, with rapid change of any blunt or damaged blades.
A spring suspension system ensures efficient ground pressure reduction of the mower unit while also ensuring positive ground contour adaptation.
The clever Gyrodine headstock ensures that the PTO input shaft remains straight when undertaking tight turns, allowing the machine to manoeuvre tightly in narrow plots or irregularshaped paddocks.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.