Yamaha acquires NZ’s Robotics Plus, boosting agricultural automation
New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired by Yamaha Motor to form Yamaha Agriculture.
“We have had a relationship with Claas spanning over 40 years, so we are excited to be bringing these machines, not previously sold in New Zealand, to our market to extend our Claas range and offer further choice to our customers for their agricultural machinery requirements,” says chief executive, Richard Wilson.
“We know that we are bringing in equipment that is right for the farming conditions of our customers because we have already been selling both products in Australia for some time. We have already had considerable interest in the models in New Zealand and presold two 1033 units into South Canterbury.”
Founder Herby Whyte says, “We continue to provide the best equipment and backup support to our customers, and where we are able to, work with multiple brands to ensure that both Australia and New Zealand have the best global manufacturers, with the best machinery, that fit our trans-Tasman agricultural conditions.”
The Claas Scorpion telehandler has been developed and manufactured in a collaboration with materials handling specialist Liebherr, to deliver a range that spans six models, offering a maximum reach of 7 to 9 metres and a maximum lift capacity of 3 to 6 tonnes. Initially, the Scorpion 732 and 741 will be offered to the NZ market.
Both are equipped with a Deutz high torque four-cylinder, 136hp engine, delivering maximum torque of 500Nm. Offering 3.2 and 4.1 tonne lift capacity respectively, both machines lift to 6.93 metres and feature a hydrostatic Variopower transmission, featuring three ranges of 0-15, 0-30 and 0-40km/h, in addition to a creep speed function.
The Claas Torion range of agricultural wheeled loaders currently spans 11 models and three different series, from which Landpower will initially be introducing the 1913 and 1611 P units.
The 1913, fitted with a 4-cylinder Liebherr engine of 222hp, has extra torque at 1248Nm, and lift capacity required for grain handling or filling larger feeder wagons.
The 1611 P, utilising a Deere Power Systems, 6-cylinder engine of 228hp/ 970Nm, is a medium-sized machine that is more suitable for silage clamps and materials handling.
In operation, when loading heavy weights, the Smart Loading function provides active support by precisely managing the interaction between all functions needed to optimise loading cycles.
