increase font size
Farmers or landowners could be responsible – under the Health and Safety at Work Act – if an employee is injured by a faulty airbag activation.
While the Takata Airbag recall issue is well known, possibly affecting 100 million vehicles globally, closer to home, unregistered vehicles or those ‘retired’ to a farm hack or paddock basher may still have unmodified air bag systems fitted.
Takata’s airbag systems have the potential to cause serious injury if activated, which can happen with any sudden impact above 15km/h. Farmers or landowners could also be responsible – under the Health and Safety at Work Act – if an employee is injured by a faulty airbag activation or where the user was too close to the airbag or had equipment resting on the airbag cover.
This situation arises because unregistered vehicles cannot be traced by distributors when owner data is gathered from Land Transport NZ. Therefore, if there is no registration there are no owner details available.
If you are using an ex on-road vehicle for on-farm or off-road situations, which does not have a current registration, it is important to be aware that there are several active recalls on older vehicles for airbag systems. These may have deteriorated and have the potential to cause severe injury in the case of an activation.
If the vehicle is equipped with safety features such an air bag (SRS) system, these need to be either de-activated or monitored for recalls, to ensure they remain in a safe condition. Airbag systems contain explosives, so get professional advice about disabling or removing these from vehicles, as incorrect handling can also result in injury due to an accidental deployment of the airbag.
Airbag systems are designed to operate in conjunction with the correct use of seat belts — even if the vehicle being used on farm or off-road and does not have any recall issues. An airbag activation, when not using seat belts, could also result in injury if the user is too close to the point of deployment, for example, a child sitting on an adult’s knee when travelling.
Most vehicle manufacturers have links on their websites to look for any outstanding recalls on their vehicles or you can use the link for the LTNZ Safety Recall site at: https://www.vehiclerecallsafety.nzta.govt.nz/
Global tyre manufacturer Michelin has extended its agricultural trailer tyre range, with the introduction of its new WorkxBib series, designed for tipping trailers, slurry tankers and manure spreaders.
Following the record-breaking success of its hydrogen-powered Hydromax, JCB is ramping up its investment in the business, key to the first major change at the executive level of the business, with George Bamford stepping up to the post of joint chairman, alongside his father Lord Bamford.
During calf rearing, logistics can play an important role in getting the job done quickly and efficiently.
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
Farmlands has reported higher operating earnings and a profit before income tax of $4.5 million, up 118.9%, for the year ended 30 June 2026.
AgriZeroNZ has invested a further NZ$17.7 million in methane vaccine developer ArkeaBio and NZ$5.1 million in BioLumic, a New Zealand-founded company that uses ultraviolet light to develop low-emissions pasture..
Good news for Fonterra farmers. The co-op has raised this season’s farmgate milk price mid-point by 25c to $9.75/kgMS.
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
In farming there are external factors that can influence behaviour of a whole herd, such as a bad weather event, triggering false positive heat detections or health attentions.
For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
