Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
Kubota New Zealand is gearing up for the annual NZ National Fieldays, showcasing its new RTV520, M5-1 ROPS, and M7-2 models.
Kubota New Zealand product specialist Shaun Monteith said Kubota is proud to have the RTV520 on show at the event, featuring a host of upgrades, while building on many of the unique features first seen in the RTV 500.
“Our quiet and reliable Kubota petrol engine has always been a strong selling feature on the RTV500, but the new RTV520 has gained a bit of extra grunt; increasing from 15.8 to 17.4 horsepower,” Monteith said.
One of the more noticeable upgrades on the new model is suspension performance, with a new five link rear system that increases the suspension travel by 30%, complemented up front by an increase of 20%, both combining to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, even in the roughest terrain.
Also, on show is the M5-1 ROPS tractor, so with ROPS tractors making up 30 per cent of tractors in their horsepower category in New Zealand, the M5-1 series should fill a gap in the market for Kubota.
“We’re excited to bring the M5-1 ROPS model to New Zealand, where its advanced simplicity allows for easy movement and its short height increases its practicality, with more horsepower at lower speed means greater fuel efficiency and a longer working day before the need to refuel,” says Monteith.
Completing the range on show will be the second generation M7-2 tractor, that improves on its predecessors with a Closed Centre Load Sensing, an upgraded powershift transmission, and new electronic mapping on its 6.1 litre, 4-cylinder engine.
Said to be easier to use, with the improved performance bringing greater efficiency, the CCLS hydraulic system has a greater capacity than the M7-1, while the powershift transmission now offering 30 speeds (54 forward/27 reverse when a creep set is fitted) compared to the previous 24speeds, so allowing the operator to find the optimal gear for each job.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
Seed and grain companies share the concerns of arable farmers about the viability of their sector, says Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive Dr Sarah Clark.
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) says unnecessary changes to New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) will seriously erode investor confidence and result in significant reductions in forest planting rates.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.
A warning for New Zealand seed and grain companies – be prepared for an exodus of farmers from the arable sector.
Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Fencing Industry Awards, formed part of the proceedings of the FCANZ Conference, held in Nelson during August.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.