Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
The new generation Kuhn SB series large square balers are said to deliver high capacity and high bale weights combined with more driver convenience.
The new generation Kuhn SB series large square balers are said to deliver high capacity and high bale weights combined with more driver convenience.
At its heart, driveline upgrades makes the balers extremely robust and durable.
Meanwhile, a choice of four double-knotter models and three bale sizes offer a solution for every producer in all crop conditions.
The SB series consists of four models: SB 890, SB 1270 X, SB 1290, and SB 1290 iD, producing 80 x 90cm, 120 x 70cm, and 120 x 90cm bales, respectively. The SB 890, SB 1270 X and SB 1290 perform in all crop conditions. The SB 1290 iD provides high bale densities and is particularly suited to efficient logistics in shipping situations.
The SB series balers feature an improved crop intake system, starting with a newly-designed crop guard, a torque increase on the rotor and feeder fork driveline to ensure up to 15% higher intake capacity.
The KUHN patented torque regulation system on all models keeps the balance between capacity and density. This uses a crank angle position sensor and plunger rod load pins to measure the total machine load, throughout the complete plunger cycle.
The new design offers good accessibility for daily inspection and maintenance. While on the safety front, the knotter deck is equipped with solid stairs and a safety railing.
Other characteristics of the SB series include the integral rotor for consistent crop flow, featuring bolted-up Hardox rotor tines for durability and easy exchange. An active pre-chamber filling mechanism (‘POWER DENSITY’) with a newly designed mechanical feeder fork steering system is said to help produce evenly shaped bales. It also comes with a double knotter binding system and standard electronic monitoring adapted for extremely dense bales.
All SB models are fully ISOBUS compatible with an intuitive user interface, easy to control via the ISOBUS terminal of the tractor or via KUHN’s CCI 50 / CCI 1200 terminals. The machines also feature a load-sensing hydraulic system that is used for axle locking, knife steering and roller control.
For operator looking to achieve extremely high dense bales, the SB 1290 iD model produces square bales with up to 25% higher density than conventional 120 x 90 format balers. The Kuhn TWINPACT, double plunger system ensures efficient bale compaction, while avoiding high peak loads on the machine.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

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…