New MF tractor series launched
Massey Ferguson has announced the launch of the new MF 9S Series, which includes six models with powers from 285hp to 425hp.
Graeme and Kay Murphy, of Murphy Contracting in Geraldine, South Canterbury, produce around 15,000 bales every season, entrusting this task to a MF 2250 medium square baler.
Used mostly to make grass silage, and also handling straw, hay, lucerne and whole crop silage, the machine replaced a previous MF 2150 model. Now with a season under its belt, Murphy says it fills the top of the chamber better than the old machine, which helps deliver a firmer and better shaped bale.
It makes bales 800 x 875mm, such packages proving easy to stack and truck. Its output is centred on producing a quality product at around 60 bales/h, although production up to 130 bales/h has been seen in large paddocks with big crops.
A 2260mm wide pick-up lifts the crop cleanly to feed augers, which move the crop smoothly into the bale chamber.
The operator can easily adjust the bale density by using the AgCommand monitor as crop or weather conditions change, as well as keeping details of individual jobs done during the day
Murphy says the machine’s suspended tandem axles make it very stable and easier to pull over rough ground.
And it has some neat features: good working lights for late nights, and a bale ejector system that brings the last of the crop out of the chamber. Maintenance is also said to be easy, with good access to all areas that need attention.
Anyone who has made bales will know that the presentation of the crop to the baler is the key to producing a well-shaped bale and achieving high outputs. At Murphy Contracting this task falls to the twin rotor, centre delivery RK 3875 rake, operating at widths up to 6.6m, but more importantly, swathe widths of 1.2 to 1.8m depending on the crop and conditions.
Much of the raking falls to Kay who uses the machine in grass, lucerne and whole crops. It is said to be better than the old V-rake as it has no tendency to ‘rope’ the crop as did the older machine.
As you would expect from a MF man, the Murphys’ tractors are also red, including a five-year-old 185hp, MF 7495 Dyna–VT with a variable transmission; this spends its life hitched to the baler.
Murphy says the stepless transmission is ideal for baling, allowing fine adjustment of speed and 50km/h on the road between jobs. Fuel consumption is pleasing, he says -- around 18L/h.
A four-year-old, 120hp, MF 5465 Dyna-4 offers a basic and simple solution for raking, wrapping and baling, while a recently landed MF 7614 (140hp) will keep Kay busy, but in an environment more comfortable and less noisy during the October-April season.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…