Success for Argo tractors
The judges at last year’s Agritechnica event picked the Italian-built Landini Rex 4-120GT Robo- Shift Dynamic as the Best of Specialised category at its Tractor of the Year 2024 Awards.
With Agritechnica 2019 behind us, Dairy News can report it was a case of high-tech, automation and an eye on the future.
Among the eye-catching exhibits for those into ‘heavy metal’ was the stunning Steyr concept tractor.
Steyr tractors, products of CNH Industrial, are sold, particularly in the northern hemisphere, as the group’s premium offering alongside better-known New Holland and Case IH machines.
The concept tractor has a diesel-electric hybrid drive train -- a 4-cylinder 150kW/204hp FPT engine mated to an electric generator. The generator powers four independent electric wheel motors and a fifth motor that drives the PTO system.
The tractor, said to deliver 250kW at peak, also has a battery system with a capacity of 30kWH or 60kWH.
With an eye on the future, the tractor is also set up to power the electrically driven implements starting to appear in the market, via 48V or 700V connections.
The tractor can also communicate in real time with a drone to gather and process field data.
As part of the driveline, regenerative energy recovery stores power in the battery during braking or when travelling downhill.
Neat design touches include doors that open and steps that swing out electrically, and the driver’s seat swings through 90 degrees to greet the operator as he climbs into the cabin.
Environment Canterbury has confirmed a surge in interest in new dairy conversions, with four effluent discharge permits for conversions granted since the start of the year.
Probably the smoothest season growers can remember. That's how Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond describes the situation with fruit picking just past its peak.
The golden weather of international trade is well and truly over, according to New Zealand's top trade negotiator.
A record $10/kgMS opening forecast milk price for the new season means more money into Fonterra farmers pockets early, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre.
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says the consenting experience facing some high-country Canterbury sheep and beef farms is "bloody tragic" and vindicates the Government's move to abolish the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Farmers appear to be backing the Government's recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms announcement.
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