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Sir David Fagan says that once you try a CanAm, you don’t go back.
Sir David Fagan, world-renowned competitive sheep shearer with 642 shearing titles worldwide and a knighthood to his name, now runs beef and dairy operations near Te Kuiti with wife Wendy and son Jack.
Farming in the region brings its share of challenges, especially the unpredictable climate, extended droughts and hilly terrain.
In light of these challenges, Sir David relies on a fleet of Can-Am side-by-sides, including a XMR Defender HD10, a Defender HD10 and an XT Defender HD10 Limited.
Having discovered the Can-Am brand after being encouraged by his local dealer to take a Defender test drive, Sir David was impressed by the superior design and performance of the Can-Am side-by-side, allowing himself and his family to get necessary tasks done around the farm, from carrying equipment to moving stock.
The enclosed cab ensures that everyone stays warm and dry during the area’s cold winters.
And ever practical, Sir David keeps a toolbox and a selection of tools under the front seat for any maintenance jobs around the farms.
The Visco-Lok autolocking front differential, which is customisable for different terrains, helps maintain control in slippery or uneven conditions on his undulating property.
Performance is also important, and Sir David knows the Can-Am Defenders are more than capable of handling any tasks in tough New Zealand conditions and can be relied on.
Recognising the importance of regular maintenance and valuing the relationship he has with his local dealer, he appreciates the fact that the 200-hour service intervals mean there’s less down time between visits.
“Once you try a Can- Am, you don’t go back,” says Sir David, who is optimistic about the future of farming, citing the essential role farmers play in food production and New Zealand’s agricultural exports.
Sir David Fagan is a rural ambassador of Can-Am and will be appearing on Can-Am’s Fieldays site (G66-68) throughout the event.
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.
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For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?
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