Avatar mans up for farm duties
When Klaas and Janny Akkersma arrived in New Zealand from Holland in 1998 they brought with them a bucketful of hope and limited funds.
A NEW supplier in the side-by-side farm utility market, Avatar, offers two models: an 800cc an 1100cc, both with EFI petrol engines, CVT auto transmissions and, most importantly for hill country farmers, engine braking.
Built in China, these are designed and built for our arduous conditions. The fit and finish seen was much better than on previous machines from China. Their stylists are still copying some popular machines from America and Japan, but they are better at it.
We saw machines looking like a cross between a Can Am Commander and a Honda Big Red, in 2WD, 4WD and diff lock systems. With a solid looking chassis and suspension in an attractive durable plastic body, the machines look the part.
Suspension components, double A-arm setups front and rear, are solid and designed for work rather than a soft riding sports. Brakes are 4-wheel discs with a cleaning disc to help brake longevity. On display were components used in the Avatars, solid and substantial.
The display machines (2-seaters) had ROPs cabs with 3-point seatbelts. The base machines cost $14,995+GST for the V-twin 800cc model and $16,500+GST for the 1100cc.
The larger machine has a 4-cylinder engine from the Daihatsu Cherry car made in China.
A roof and windscreen are options for $1500 extra, and power steer is a $700 option.
Tel. 06 9748152
www.avatar-products.com
New Zealand farming is riding a high, with strong prices, full feed covers and improving confidence lining up at the same time.
Manawatu Mayor Michael Ford says the district sees itself as the agribusiness capital of the lower North Island.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is looking forward to connecting with farmers, rural professionals and community members at this year's Central District Field Days.
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
The head of Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment, Professor Paul Kenyon, says the outlook for the primary sector is positive with record numbers of students enrolling for Massey's range of undergraduate courses in the primary sector.

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