Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
A recent upgrade of the cabin air filtration system on Landini Rex 4 tractors now offers Category 4 protection against spray contaminants.
It also means the added convenience of an easy changeover between regular and carbon filters. Rex Series 4 tractors with the optional CAT4 cabin allows both types of filters installed at the same time, so operators can select either type at the flick of a switch.
This solution is said to provide convenient access to the maximum level of protection from potential contaminants while spraying. It also optimises the service life of the special carbon filter.
“This is a pragmatic solution typical of the innovative thinking that goes into Landini products by engineers at Argo Tractors,” says Gayne Carroll AGTEK – distributor for Argo Tractors in NZ. “It simplifies things for the operator while also cutting filter replacement costs to a minimum.”
The filtration system layout sees filter housings on each side of the cabin roof panel. This is complemented by an airflow diverter inside the external air intake assembly located at the back of the roof panel.
Incorporating a general- purpose filter in one side and a carbon filter in the other, allows operators to switch between the two as appropriate. With the cab pressurised to the level required to prevent ingress of contaminants through door or window seals, filter status information is displayed on the tractor’s instrument cluster. The information displayed includes the carbon filter’s status, airflow speed and cabin pressure.
“This filter arrangement is clearly more convenient than having to physically change one filter for another,” Carroll adds. “This convenience means operators are more likely to take advantage of the higher-level protection provided by carbon filtration.”
He also points out that, with single element filtration systems, once the carbon filter has been installed for spraying, it tends to stay there when the tractor is being used for non-spraying work and continues to degrade. With the Landini system, the carbon filter needs only be ‘active’ when required.
The Landini Rex Series 4 tractors are available in several width and wheelbase configurations, with six power outputs from 80-120hp. The ‘F’ and ‘GT’ versions are also suited to yard and light field work on livestock farms – especially where limited space or accessibility excludes larger tractors of similar power.
Options include a newly-introduced front axle suspension system, transmission options including two or threespeed powershift and Roboshift, four-speed pto, as well as a cabin with a flat floor.
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