The 8000 Litre Pegasus takes another step to satisfy the demand for larger
farming enterprises while keeping the proven simplicity and functionality that
is the hallmark of the Pegasus broadacre sprayer range.
Contact Ramsey Bros
and be one of the first to test drive the 8000L Pegasus, due for delivery in
August this year.
For information on the full range of Broadacre spray
equipment from Croplands, contact your local Ramsey Bros branch for further
details. Items from the Broadacre spray equipment range for Agriculture
include:
Pegasus - 4000, 5000 & 6000 Litre Trailing
sprayers from 21 to 36 metre boom widths
Pinto - 3000 and 2000
litre Trailing sprayer from 12 to 24 metre boom widths (and Gooseneck &
RowCrop options)
Brumby - 1000, 1200, 1500 & 2000 litre
traymount/truck sprayers with booms up to 18 metres
|
At its annual dealer meeting held last week, leading agricultural equipment
manufacturer, Case IH, has revealed its product roadmap for 2010, including the
introduction of the MAXXFARM tractor series and an entirely new product line,
the Scout utility vehicles.
"The focus for 2010 is on increasing
functionality, productivity and efficiency for farmers," said Case IH Marketing
Manager Stuart Brown. "From new, higher-horsepower models of existing workhorses
to advanced time-saving features on others, our product engineers have focused
on making great products even better."
Case IH Scout utility
vehicles
The new Case IH Scout utility vehicles are rugged, versatile
load carriers that can go where full-sized utes can't, according to Stuart.
Expected to be available in Australia at the end of 2010, the Scouts come in
three models: the 14-hp, two passenger petrol Scout; and the 4WD, 20-hp, diesel
Scout XL, available in either a two or four passenger
configuration.
New Tractors
Case IH has brought its
extensive experience in creating large, powerful tractors to bear in its new
range of smaller tractors, according to Stuart. "These new tractors - mostly
under 100 hp in size - are ideal for vegetable growers, horticultural
operations, orchards, plantations, livestock operations and various small farm
tasks."
Available in six models, ranging from the MAXXFARM 25 to the
MAXXFARM 60, the MAXXFARM range has the power to operate sprayers and high
powered tillers in horticultural operations as well as the compact size and
excellent manoeuvrability needed in orchards and plantations and the versatility
to handle a wide range of small farm tasks. Available accessories include mower
decks, the Maxx-Lift front end loader with standard or 4-in-1
buckets.
Created specifically for the MAXXFARM tractors, the new
MAXX-LIFT loaders are compatible with each MAXXFARM model and are available with
both standard and 4-in-1 buckets. They feature quick release buckets with Euro
couplers. They area also quickly released from the tractor, so the MAXXFARM
tractor can be quickly utilised in a variety of tasks with and without the
loader.
Two new JX High Clearance models (JX 80 and JX 95) for 2010 have
equal sized wheels and high undercarriage clearance, making them ideal for
row-crop conditions - particularly in field-scale vegetable crops - allowing the
tractor to travel safely over raised beds. They are available in cab or ROPS
configuration.
The new JXU 115 combines all the same efficient, cost
effective features as the rest of the JXU range but with more horsepower. All
JXU models now offer the option of a 20 x 20 creeper transmission, ideal for
vegetable growers. Turf tyres have also been introduced as a factory
option.
2010 also sees the arrival of the Quantum C series tractor, a
lightweight all rounder that combines the best of compact utility tractor
engineering with the advanced technological features normally seen in larger
machines. The Quantum C series comprises two models ranging from 86 hp to
97-hp.
Tractor upgrades
As well as introducing new tractors
to its range, Case IH has also added significant upgrades to its Maxxum and Puma
ranges.
"The Maxxum and Puma family have received a face lift with all
models gaining a new style bonnet complete with shark gills and a new headlight
design. Inside is a new seat fabric, which is more durable and more dirt
resistant. The lighter coloured fabric gives the cab a fresher feeling," said
Stuart.
"The most significant upgrade is the addition of the new
generation multicontroller armrest and ‘A pillar' instrumentation panel. This
offers a level of functionality never before seen in this segment and an
industry leading level of comfort and simplicity."
Axial-Flow
combines
"This year will see the introduction of a new, 35-foot 3050
Vari Cut Auger Head that can extend and retract the knife on the go, making it
ideal for growers who wish to direct head canola," said Stuart. "We've also
introduced two completely new corn heads for 2010: the 3200 Series for older and
newer combine models; and the 3400 Series with a 12-row head, suitable for
Axial-Flow 7088 and above."
A new, optional hydraulic activated grain bin
cover/extension will be offered as a factory-fit option from 2010. It allows
farmers to operate the grain bin extension from inside the cab rather than
manually, saving time for farmers who transport their combines
regularly.
Precision farming
A feature than can be
enabled on Case IH base stations is remote monitoring. By adding a cellular
modem, the base station can report on the status of the base statuion and local
conditions such as signal strength. Remote monitoring means farmers or network
technicians don't have to drive all the way out to a base station to see why
it's stopped working, then potentially have to drive all the way back to the
farm or dealership to get the right parts or tools to fix it, then drive all the
way back out again. The remote diagnosis means the farmer or technician may
only need to visit the base station once, saving a great deal of time and
energy," said Stuart.
|
A recent poll conducted by Case IH revealed that Australian farmers who haven't
already adopted precision agriculture say their dream tractor accessories are
GPS and auto steer. However, for many Australian farmers precision ag is a
reality not a dream, According to Steve Purcher, Dealer Principal of Case IH
dealership, Purcher International, more than 95 per cent of farmers in his
Western Australian district have adopted precision ag technology on new
equipment purchases.
"We find that, as more people start using precision
ag tools and start seeing benefits, word of mouth spreads," said Steve. "We've
installed precision ag technology in approximately 60 older machines in the past
couple of years as the whole idea of precision ag has become
demystified."
New South Wales Case IH customer, Mark Bender, agrees. Mark
and his parents, Keith and Lindy, have implemented precision ag technology and
practices on their New South Wales wheat, barley and canola cropping enterprise
at Lockhart. With Case IH equipment including a Steiger STX 450 tractor and
Axial-Flow 2588 combine harvesters, the Benders also use the Case IH AFS Pro 600
display along with the AFS desktop software to manage their seeding, harvest and
spatial data. They also use a Case IH AccuSteerTM system combined with an RTK
(Real Time Kinematic) network to set up and maintain a controlled traffic
environment with full stubble retention and inter-row sowing to retain more
moisture and minimise unnecessary machine movements. They used the information
collected by their Case IH 2588 combine's inbuilt yield mapping capability to
create prescription maps that would allow them to take advantage of variable
rate seeding technology.
"Once we pinpointed potential efficiency gains,
we decided to realign and move some fences and change our travel direction,
which would allow us to operate between parallel fences rather than between
out-of-square tree lines," said Mark. "In 2009 we installed the RTK AccuGuide
system along with the AFS Pro 600 display in our Case IH Steiger STX 450
tractor. I thought our previous 10 cm EZ-Steer unit was alright, but it has
nothing on the accuracy of the RTK system!"
With the near two-centimetre
accuracy of the RTK system, the Benders have drastically reduced overlap and
gaps.
"The data is telling us our paddocks are between four and six per
cent smaller than they were six years ago! This reduced overlap quickly adds up
to reduced input costs. On top of that, the extra savings through variable rate
application of fertilizer at seeding are worth chasing. The savings could mean
the difference between that new machine or land purchase, or even being able to
go on a well-deserved holiday."
A few simple tips
By
following a few simple tips, farmers can reap massive benefits from their
precision ag technology, according to Case IH Marketing Manager, Stuart
Brown.
"Take advantage of the technology that comes standard with your
equipment, like yield mapping. If you're not sure what comes with your equipment
or how to use it, your dealer can help you," advised Stuart.
"Plan for
your property's unique needs by using yield maps to see how management
techniques can be improved. Don't be afraid to make changes based on the
information from your precision ag technology - the savings could be
significant. And start with the most advanced system you can afford to avoid the
need to upgrade too soon. Remember, the initial set up costs will be repaid
later in savings you make through reducing your input costs and labour or
increasing your yields."
|
