Canterbury Farmer Builds on 160 Years of Dairy Legacy
Gareth Hale is the current custodian of a 160-year legacy that saw his great grandfather dairying in Taranaki since the mid-1850s and grandfather dairying in the Waikato from the early 1900s.
The 5090R, 5100R, 5115R and 5125R tractors are all powered by stage IIIB compliant, 4.5L John Deere PWX engines (90, 100, 115 and 125 hp respectively). These ‘diesel only’ four-cylinder engines deliver an extra 10hp for transport applications via their transport power management (TPM) system.
JD says the engines deliver up to 8% power bulge to respond to tough conditions, and a torque rise of up to 38% as the engine drops below rated speed.
Three transmission options start with the entry-level 16F 16R CommandQuad Manual with four ranges and four powershiftable gears within each range. Also available are a 16F 16R CommandQuad and a 32F 16R Command8 transmission, with eight powershiftable gears and an ECO mode that enables a top speed of 40km/h at just 1759rpm.
All three transmissions have a fully automatic clutch, individual start-up gears, individually settable speeds and an electric park lock. Automatic shifting is standard on the Command8 and optional on the 16F 16R CommandQuad.
The transmission uses AutoClutch, so the operator no longer has to use the traditional clutch to stop or control tractor take off. But the traditional clutch pedal is still there for operators who prefer it.
AutoClutch “provides the ultimate in ease of use to stop, start, and modulate tractor take off using only the brake pedal,” says JD.
It allows the operator to stop the tractor without clutching but without overloading the engine, to inch or creep the tractor forward or reverse on a level surface or incline, and to accelerate the vehicle back to normal speed when releasing the brake.
For increased comfort and performance, front axle suspension and an optional mechanical cab suspension system are available. An air suspended Grammer seat, as fitted in the 6R series, has up to 15° of swivel, lumbar adjustment and optional heating.
Other new features include variable-ratio steering and the option to order tractors as AutoTrac Ready, allowing future use of the latest guidance and steering technologies as these evolve.
Built around a one piece, curved frame, the 5R series has a turning radius of just 3.75m, making it ideal for loader operation.
Options include a choice of mechanical or new ‘E’ joysticks, both linked to the tractor seat.
