New Pottinger Novacat comes with automated curve control
Triple 'butterfly' or dual mower combinations have become increasingly popular, offering increased output and better utilisation of tractors that keep gaining horsepower.
Pottinger has introduced upgrades from the large trailed HIT tedder series to smaller 8-rotor models with working widths of up to 8.86m.
The headstock features a sturdy three-point pivoting headstock with absorber struts as standard and the best tracking performance prevents the tedder from jolting during operation are for working well on slopes. The horizontal headstock guidance provides high clearance at headland turns and prevents under-running on slopes.
The newly designed DynaTech” rotor unit and tine arm has been introduced, using smaller rotor diameters and either five or six curved tine arms and a new tine design to ensure optimum tedding quality and perfect ground tracking for a superior spread pattern for a more quicker and uniformed wilting of the forage resulting in higher quality.
This unique rotor geometry ensures forage cannot snag or wrap around the tine arms, and a gentle uptake by the trailing, sweeping arms ensures the crop is subjected to less damage between the tine arms, and results in less crop losses. Spreading angles can be adjusted on each rotor in three steps without tools, and all rotors are equipped with 16 x 6.5-8 tyres, which are even better protected from contamination thanks to a newly designed axle. An optional front jockey wheel system is available which ensures optimum ground tracking for ideal protection of the sward and forage.
The new HIT 8.91 T trailed version has transport wheels which fold up hydraulically over the rotors during operation, achieving an optimal centre of gravity and preventing oscillation while in work, and making it ideal for use with smaller tractors.
Operation is straightforward and is activated using a double-acting connection with sequential control.
Fenceline tedding systems are also available for all models to clear the crop away from fencelines.
The chair of Beef + Lamb NZ, Kate Acland says the rush appears to be on to purchase farms and convert them to forestry before new rules limiting this come into effect.
New Zealand farmers will face higher urea prices this year, mainly on the back of tight global supply and a weak Kiwi dollar.
Andy Caughey of Wool Impact says a lot of people in NZ have been saying it's crazy that we are not using natural fibres in our buildings and houses.
Former chief executive of Beef+Lamb New Zealand Scott Champion will head the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) from July.
Avian flu getting into New Zealand's poultry industry is the biosecurity threat that is most worrying for Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
The annual domestic utilisation of wool will double to 30,000 tonnes because of the edict that government agencies should use woollen fibre products in the construction of new and refurbished buildings.