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.
Slovenian manufacturer SIP has released details of a new 10.2m disc mower conditioner combi, alongside two new ranges of twin rotor rakes.
Integral to the Disc- HD1000DFS (10.2m) disc mower combi, is the inclusion of cross conveyor belts that allows it to mow, condition and merge swaths in one operation, while 515mm of side-shift on each side of the cutter is useful when working on tight curves, field corners and across slopes.
Each disc assembly is fitted with the company’s DDSS (Disc Drive Safety System), dating back to 2007, that if subjected to an immovable object, breaks a shear pin integrated into a double flange layout.
As part of the package, Hydro Pneumatic Suspension is said to significantly reduce cutter-bar wear and fuel costs, while the aerodynamic shape of the newly designed skids and 409mm-diameter cutting-discs are said to prevent already cut material from accumulating in the cutter bar area.
In addition, an Overload Monitoring System delivers an early alert to operators as it monitors any rotation speed drops throughout the driveline.
On the rake/swather front, the Star R860/26TS (side delivery) and Star R930/28TC (centre delivery) are aimed at users looking for ease of use, transport and simplified routine maintenance.
Likely to be of more interest in New Zealand, with a working width from 8.15 - 9.25m and said to offer a capacity of up to 13 ha/hr, the Star R930/28TC sits between the existing Star 1000/30T and theR870/26TC.
The side delivery R860/26TS offers a maximum working width of 7.2m when creating a single side swath, or can pull together up to 15m of grass in just two passes, and offer raking capacities of up to 12.5 ha/hr.
Sequential Rotor Lift (SLR), standard on the R860/26TS, allows operators to customise the delay in partial lifting of the rear rotor.
Both ranges are available in standard or advanced ‘H’ specification, the former offering mechanical working height and swath curtain adjustments, while the latter is equipped with hydropneumatic rotor protection and hydraulic rotor height adjustment.
Other features of both ranges include the 155- degree turning angle of the pivoting linkage, integrated with a steering mechanism connected to the rear wheels of the transport frame, the design is said to result in maximum stability on the road with the 9.3m transport frame of the R860/26TS and 6.75m frame of the R930/28TC. Both units offer sub-3 metre transport widths.
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.
It was billed as a chance for all the political parties to woo the rural vote, but question marks hang over just how effective this was.
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.