Cobra hits the spot
Launched in 2012, the Cobra irrigator, designed and manufactured by Hi-Tech Enviro Solutions, quickly became a farmer favourite for its efficiency and ease of use, says the company’s business manager Rob Johnson.
Hi Tech Enviro Solutions, Waikato, spurred by the success of its Cobra travelling raingun, has upgraded the technology, producing a new model – King Cobra.
Designed to pull more drag hose, work on more challenging terrain, and travel slower when required, the King Cobra is said to be tougher and to offer more options for users.
It can carry up to 400m of wire rope, or 300m in difficult terrain, and now has a 6-speed gearbox versus the 3-speed unit on the standard Cobra. It has a high/low speed selector, the latter allowing very low speed when required – good for the low travel speeds required for water irrigation.
Other key changes: the impellor in the drive unit is repositioned to face outwards, making access and maintenance easier; a wider front wheel; and a socket on the handle to turn the rope drum, allowing users to easily undo the bolts holding the faceplate of the impellor drive.
Third-year student Cady Burns has won the Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science for 2024.
The Rural Change programme, providing free private mental health professional sessions to the rural industry, is set to continue its next chapter within Rural Support Trust from 1 July 2024.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor will step down in July.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.