increase font size
The U10 Pro Highland comes with fully enclosed cabin and an impressive specification sheet.
A few weeks after driving the CF MOTO U10 Pro ‘entry level’ model, we’ve had a chance to test the range-topping U10 Pro Highland, with fully enclosed cabin and an impressive specification sheet.
We’ve already established that the new U10 Pro seems like a wellsorted platform, solid and stable enough to impress Waikato dairy farmer Dan Hinton, especially at the price point. All U10 Pro models come with a 998cc 3-cylinder, 90hp engine and CVT transmission, a power-train capable of towing 1134kg and tray payload of 454kg. Dan was surprised at how well it towed things like his large mobile calf feeder and effluent spreaders.
“It is a lot sturdier and more stable than I was expecting,” says Dan. “It towed everything, no trouble, especially in low range 4WD.”
He also noted the very tight turning circle, with the U10 turning in nearly the same space as his quad, and the fact that the tow hitch wasn’t tucked right under the back of vehicle, making it easier to lower drawbars onto.
The premium Highland model is mechanically the same as the ‘standard’ U10 Pro but comes with all the fruit, and some. All U10s have as standard, 29-inch tyres, the 8-inch MMI screen with Apple Play, proximity key, front and rear diff locks, auto-hold, audio system with roof mounted speakers, and an electric tilting tray.
The Highland adds a fully enclosed cabin, electric tilt-up windscreen, wiper/washer system, rear glass windshield with ‘trucker’ style slider window, colour-matched doors with glass power windows, heating and air conditioning, premium head-lining and audio system, Highland embroidery and badging.
Some buyers might feel the $6,000 upgrade to the Highland to get those extra features is unnecessary, given how well spec’d the standard U10 is. However, if you want to have the extra comfort and convenience, $29,990 (ex GST) is very competitive – so, why not have it all? The full weather protection may also have added appeal to buyers in more extreme climates.
CF MOTO’S Anton Giacon says a major selling point for the U10 Pro range is the electric push-button gear selection. Mechanical shift levers can be hard to move if the drivetrain is loaded up, such as when on a slope, he says. The push button system easily selects gears under such loads.
Rural News was also impressed with the strong engine braking of the U10, with none of the ‘letting go’ on steep slopes that you often experience in side-by-sides.
As in the lower spec’ U10, fit and finish, and quality of materials in the Highland feels premium. The U10 Pro we tested recently retailed at $23,990 plus GST. The U10 Pro Highland with all the fruit costs just $29,990 plus GST.
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
Becoming the norm in the automobile industry, but much less so in agriculture, Dutch self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Agrifac has developed a diesel-electric version of its Vanguard 55.
Building on the success of the existing Massey Ferguson 7S series, ahead of the upcoming EIMA Show, the manufacturer has announced the arrival of its new MF 7S MARK 2 range, offering six choices from 170 to 245hp, positioned between the current MF 7S and the MF 8S Xtra series.
French manufacturer Pichon has expanded its SV slurry tanker range with the launch of two new models.
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.
Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government to out of date regulations which have seen members hit with huge fines.
Alliance is calling for final applications for its 2027 Graduate Programme, with applications closing on Sunday 25 October.
Decades piloting planes has ensured vet and farmer David Hayes is focused on safety. So, after a serious accident while welding on farm, he is sharing his experience so others can learn from it.
Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Milk has confirmed Leon Fung as its chief executive officer.
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.
