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GrappleMax Grapple Bucket is designed to handle round or square bales of hay, silage or straw.
Hastings Manufacturing company Hustler Equipment has announced the introduction of the GrappleMax Grapple Bucket, designed to meet the diverse needs of livestock farmers.
With a width of 2.44m the bucket offers 1.2 cubic metres capacity, while with the grapple open to its 2.13m maximum opening, this increases to 2.47 cubic metres.
Designed to handle round or square bales of hay, silage or straw, its versatility is extended by its ability to also “grab and lift” other irregular shaped objects. The company points out that it is particularly useful for loading feed or mixer wagons, where its ability to hold bales securely means strings can be cut safely at ground, rather than at a raised position over the machine.
Equipped with five, fully fabricated grapple arms for increased strength, rather than the more common RHS stock section typically used, the triangular geometry offers improved clearance around bales. Cleverly positioned hoses at the bottom of and inside the arms prevents the risk of snagging, while robust metal shields serve to protect the hydraulic cylinder spears.
Constructed using high grade materials such as RockGuard 400 and 500 Series steels, the AR 500 grade wear plates should ensure an extended service life, while optional bolt-on teeth can be specified for dealing with tough materials.
Attention to detail sees a tapered bucket design to promote easier emptying and reducing clogging in the bucket’s corners, while a robust bonnet grille incorporates a larger mesh for improved visibility. Tipping the scales at 580kg, the GrappleMax is offered with a five-year warranty for peace of mind operation.
Hustler CEO Brent Currie says, “While the GrappleMax might show some similarities with other grab designs, our development team has prioritised safety and the use of high-grade steels to deliver a remarkable strength to weight ratio, ensuring that there is minimal downtime during operation.”
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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