Case IH Unveils Next Generation Puma Series Tractors
Case IH has unveiled its redesigned next generation Puma Series tractors, said to offer improvements in connectivity, operator comfort, fuel efficiency and drivability.
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.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.