Kubota joins forces with Hurricanes
Japanese agricultural equipment maker Kubota will have its stamp on the home jersey for the Hurricanes.
A Kubota RTV-X1140, the highest horsepower RTV in its class, has been tried and tested by Taranaki farmer Kevin (Smiley) Barrett – who also happens to be the father of three well-known All Blacks.
Barrett, an organic dairy farmer, farms in a rolling coastal environment in Taranaki.
“The X1140 performed exceptionally well,” he says. “I tested it out on a few hills, activated the diff-lock control, took my foot off the accelerator and was surprised at how well it held on the hills – no slippage at all.”
Designed around a longer wheelbase and utilising a hydrostatic transmission, the RTV is particularly stable on rolling country. The tractor also offers good accessibility, making it a breeze to get in and out of the vehicle.
“If you’re struggling to get your leg over a bike these days then this little beauty is for you,” Barrett claims.
The four-seater option has proven ideal for taking staff or the grandchildren out onto the farm, with four seatbelts making sure that everyone is secure. While the dual seat arrangement makes engine access easy, another unique feature is the ability to fold the seats up and extend the tray capacity, offering a payload of up to 700kg. Barrett says it has got a very spacious tray with the tipping option.
“This proves ideal for loading up with standards, reels or bales of hay,” he adds.
“I also worked out you can get nine kegs of Guinness on there – if you really want to get serious!”
OPINION: The shakeup to the science sector with the proposed merger of four ag related crown research institutes (CRIs) into one conglomerate has drawn little public reaction.
Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.
The countdown is on to be one of the most anticipated events in the sheep and beef industry, the East Coast Farming Expo.
Applications for the 2025 intake of Rabobank's Farm Managers Programme (FMP) and Executive Development Programme (EDP) are now open.
Dean Smith has been in the role of CEO of Summerfruit NZ for about four months, having succeeded Kate Hellstrom at the end of September.
Beef + Lamb NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial eczema (FE) at the farm level.
OPINION: Ruth Richardson, architect of the 1991 ‘Mother of all Budgets’ and the economic reforms dubbed ‘Ruthanasia’, added her two…
OPINION: Why do vegans and others opposed to eating meat try to convince others that a plant based diet is…