increase font size
The Swadro TC1570 four-rotor centredelivery rake is said to be an ideal fit for highways in paddocks.
Controlled Traffic Farming (TCF) systems see arable operators, using tramlines as “highways” for moving through a crop.
Then, use machinery with specific operating widths to ensure there is no need to move off these tracks, thereby limiting compaction to the tramlines, rather than across the whole paddock.
While CTF has never really been used in dairy operations, German manufacturer Krone suggests this is changing as forward-thinking dairy farmers strive to limit compaction, particularly in wetter seasons.
The company suggests that with a maximum working width of 15.70m, the Swadro TC1570 four-rotor centredelivery rake is said to be an ideal fit for such operations.
Wider than the existing four-rotor TC1370, the V-frame concept on the newcomer is said to be an adapted version of the six-rotor TC2000.
Featuring 15 tine arms on each of the rotors, the mechanical driveline sees the front two rotors rotating about 25% faster than the rear units, which the company suggests promotes optimum forage flow through the machine to create tangle-free, box-shaped swaths. Operated via an ISObus terminal or in combination with an ISObus joystick, overall working width is adjusted by the two front rotor arms, while final swath wide of 1.40 to 2.90 metres is hydraulically adjusted via the rear pair of rotors.
The main frame can be lowered hydraulically to reduce the transport height to below 4.0m without the need to fold or remove any tine arms. The transport chassis is equipped with 710/40 R22.5 tyres as standard, or optional 800/35 R22.5 units, while infield stability is improved with the use of wide 16 x 9.50-8 tyres on the fourwheel rotor chassis’ and the 15/55-17 support wheels on the two front arms.
Electric height adjustment allows individual or simultaneous rotor adjustment, will the choice of two preselected heights to be saved on the terminal and activated at the touch of a button.
At headlands, the rotors can be set to lift just over existing swaths, while the lift delay of the rear rotors is also adjustable, and the automatic Soft- Down mechanism slows the speed of lowering just before the rotors touch down. Section control is also available to lift/lower the rotors automatically using GPS.
While feeding dairy animals in New Zealand is largely centred around feed trailers, mixer wagons or baleage, one wonders whether there is a place for robotic feeders, particularly in South Island locations, where cows are housed during winter or full time.
Founded in Germany as recently as 1977, today, the Fliegl Group employs more than 1100 workers, offering an expansive range of transport solutions, from their base in Bavaria.
Case IH is expanding its popular Puma range in New Zealand, with a new model that was released at Fieldays.
It seems that tractor manufacturers will go to great efforts to promote the versatility and durability of their offerings, a recent example being a Massey Ferguson with an 8S tractor entered into the Morocco Desert Challenge.
As if there wasn’t enough choice in the New Zealand ute market, LDV New Zealand is expanding its offering, by showcasing the all-new Terron 9 Elite at Fieldays.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its…
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content…
