Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition
Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
The range of Kubota MGX front-end loaders has been extended with the arrival of two mechanical self-levelling units.
The X46 & Q5S are manufactured by Swedish industry leader ALO and branded in the familiar Kubota Orange.
The X46 is suitable for the M100GX and M110GX while the Q5S compliments the M126GX and M135GX tractors.
The new models are in addition to the Kubota-made LA1954 and LA2254 loader models.
These new loaders come standard with industry leading build quality and finish, third service, boom suspension, Euro Hitch, Ergo-Drive Joystick, flat-faced couplers and optional Hydraulic Quick Coupler. The latter is offered as standard on the Q5S model.
For the Q5S, an optional Electro-Drive Electronic Joystick takes operation to the next level, using a novel thumb control, mounted on a flexible joystick that can be moved out of the way when not in use.
Designed for strength, durability and all-round visibility, the loaders’ layout has curved 80mm-wide high-tensile steel loader arms with a round, low-set cross-tube for the best torsional force absorption. Cast or forged components are used in crucial areas such as the arm ends, at the “knee” of the loader and at the rear of the Q Link.
Durability is enhanced with all pipes or hoses running inside the boom profiles, which also provides obstruction-free forward vision to the implement.
Easily accessible greasing points, facing outwards, makes routine maintenance easy. The wide, stable parking legs are stowed under the boom for quick tool-free removal and re-fitment of the loader.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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