Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
Available in seven, eight and nine furrow variants, the Tyrok 400 series semi-mounted plough range is suitable for tractors in the 400hp class.
German cultivation and seeding manufacturer Amazone has launched a new semimounted plough range, suitable for tractors in the 400hp class.
Available in seven, eight and nine furrow variants, the Tyrok 400 series features the Speed- Blade plough body. This incorporates a patented, extra-large front shinpiece that helps to reduce wear rates across the main body of the plough – thereby reducing wearing- metal costs.
Other new features include SmartTurn; where at the headland, the turnover cycle – which takes just nine seconds – is slowed at each end of the ram stroke to create a damping effect. This reduces stress on the frame of the plough.
Meanwhile, AutoAdapt automatically adjusts the front furrow hydraulically, after the overall ploughing width is adjusted, to accommodate changing soil conditions or sloping ground.
The machine offers mechanical furrow width and hydro-pneumatic suspension on the transport wheel as standard. There are also a wide range of options, including hydraulic working width adjustment, hydraulic overload protection and traction control. The latter uses a hydraulic cylinder to transfer weight to the tractor’s back axle, helping to reduce wheel slip and overall fuel consumption.
A selection of solid or slatted mouldboards are complemented by a range of skimmers, trash boards, landside protectors and sword landsides for stony ground. It also comes with a disc coulter assembly for the last furrow and a swivel press arm for working with packer assemblies.
As we go to press, Rural News understands that the NZ importer Landpower is reviewing the new range with regards to introducing it to the New Zealand market.
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.

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