New MF tractor series launched
Massey Ferguson has announced the launch of the new MF 9S Series, which includes six models with powers from 285hp to 425hp.
AGCO's Massey Ferguson DM TL-V Series offers greater mowing widths, powered by tractors of ‘reasonable’ size.
AGCO’S Green Harvest range has evolved as tedders, rakes, loader wagons and baler/wrapper combinations.
Now for 2019 comes a new range of disc mowers – the DM-TL-V series made at the Feucht factory in Germany, of interest to operators wanting greater mowing widths but powered by tractors of ‘reasonable’ size.
Available in three models, the DM 265, 316 and 367 TL-V offer working widths of 2.6m, 3.1m and 3.6m, respectively, in 5-, 6- and 7-disc configurations, each carrying two quick-attach blades. (A KC-designation indicates a rear conditioning element for rapidly increasing dry matter content.)
The designation TL-V shows that the mower is equipped with the Turbo Lift hydro-pneumatic lift system -- with vertical folding for transport -- that allows the mower to fold to 30 degrees past the vertical, centring its mass over the three-point linkage and the centre line of the tractor.
This is said to allow safe, comfortable transport between jobs, and it minimises overhang beyond the rear fenders of the tractor.
The layout sees a heavy-duty headstock, with the cutter mounted at a centralised pivot position, allowing ground adaptation up to 28 degrees above horizontal and 20 degrees below.
A hydro-pneumatic circuit can be steplessly adjusted to ground pressure, depending on terrain and forward speed and to minimise damage to the turf.
The heart of the machine -- the cutter-bar -- has a flat profile protected by large hardened steel wear plates and a sealed-for-life oil bath needing little or no maintenance. Large, hardened spur gears work with oversized disc drive gears with always three teeth engaged, resulting in minimal gear backlash and quiet running.
A heavy-duty driveline takes power to the first disc assembly, with protection from overload and a free-wheeling clutch for controlled wind down after the PTO is disengaged. A separate, protected drive-line is used for powering the conditioner.
In the paddock, the integral Safety Swing function allows the mower bed to move up and over obstacles, making use of a patented pivoting gearbox to prevent damage to the drivelines. Reset is achieved by gravity, without the operator having to leave the tractor seat.
Set-up is said to be particularly easy, only needing setting of the tractor’s lower links, from where the TL system is used for lifting and lowering via a single-acting hydraulic connection.
The operating position is set by centralising two marker arrows on the mower frames; a compensation cylinder sets up the machine for contours of +/- 13 degrees and locks out the cutter-bar for headland turns.
Standard equipment includes quick attach blades, a rear-mounted toolbox, safety lock and integral parking stand. Optional conditioner units are available with spring steel tines or roller elements for general or delicate crop types.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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