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Waikauri View Farm manager Tony Marshall with the MF4708.
Brian Mason and his staff milk 1000 cows at Waikauri View Farms, Wellsford, Northland, running Massey Fergusons for the last 10 years because they are “common-sense tractors” ideal for a dairy farming operation.
Their latest addition is a MF 4708, delivered in October, and a second identical machine will arrive in August.
Wanting an upgrade from his previous MF 4245 tractor, Mason looked at several models before buying the first MF 4708, picking the tractor for its up-to-date technology and its fitness for general dairy farm jobs -- hay and silage feeding, spraying and loader work.
One of Massey Ferguson’s Global Series, the MF 4708 is said to offer high performance and strength; it is one of a straightforward range offering efficiency and being a ROPS tractor it suits operators getting in and out throughout the day.
Built for reliability, ruggedness and fuel economy, it is powered by a 4.4L AGCO Power four-cylinder engine that delivers 85hp, matched to a new synchronised transmission with 12 forward and 12 reverse speeds in two ranges.
The MF 4708 has a 65L/min, open-centre hydraulic system with two gear pumps providing rear lift of 3000kg.
Mason says the MF 4708 is safe and suitable for all his staff to use.
“It has a low centre of gravity and is very stable on hill country. The wheels are set wide so it’s safe and well balanced.
“It’s very user friendly, which is important as various staff members drive the tractor; they all comment favourably about the loader and powerful hydraulics.”
Massey Ferguson has announced the introduction of the MF 5M Series, offered over six horsepower steps from 95 maximum hp, to a new 145hp model, with 14 unique variants depending on the cab and transmission type.
The drawn out separation of global giant AGCO and its Indian partner TAFE seems to be ending.
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.
AGCO has released details of the new SB.1436DB small square, or conventional baler, that rather unconventionally, produces two rows of bales per field pass, so doubling the output over a traditional single baler producing 14-by-18-inch bales.
Recently launched to complement the existing DM 8612 TL and DM 9614 TL machines, Massey Ferguson has added the heavy-duty 9614 TL and 10114 TL butterfly mowers to its DM range, with working widths of 9.6m and 10.1m respectively.
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In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
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Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
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Alliance is urging its farmer-shareholders to have their say on the proposed $250 million strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats Group.
