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Pioneer 1000’s cabin, a wide, comfortable bench seat offers accommodation for up to three passengers.
Honda's Pioneer UTV has a huge following on the farms and back blocks of New Zealand, no doubt driven by its reliability, but also by a host of technical features that makes it stand out from a crowded market.
At the heart of the Pioneer 1000 and 1000-5, a purpose-built 999cc parallel-twin engine is mounted longitudinally, a feature unique to Honda, that removes right-angles in the driveline and, it says, delivers more power to the ground.
The engine delivers its power to the industry’s first fully automated Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) that also incorporates a Sport Mode switch and manual paddle-type shifters for ultimate control.
Complementing the main transmission, a low-range sub-trans doubles the number of gears from six to twelve, while diff-lock and turf mode functions help to increase climbing ability and reduce terrain damage respectively.
Underpinning the unique design and helping to improve durability, the all gear design, with no belts, provides a direct, connected feel between the accelerator and the wheels, as well as reducing maintenance and transferring power efficiently.
Taking a closer look at the chassis, a purpose-built, dual A-arm design and fully independent suspension front and rear, offers 10.5 inches of travel up front, 10.0 inches at the rear back for a controlled comfortable ride.
On the five-person models, an automatic self-levelling rear suspension system maintains the appropriate ride height when fully loaded, using a series of hydraulic chambers to maximise ride comfort and maintain consistent vehicle handling.
At the rear, a large tilting cargo bed adds to the massive one tonne towing capacity.
As a bonus, the 5P model features the QuickFlip function, allowing users to quickly configure the machine for personnel or cargo.
In the Pioneer 1000’s cabin, a wide, comfortable bench seat offers accommodation for up to three passengers, with hand-hold straps and a shoulder belt for the centre occupant, while hard doors with nets on all models keep occupants safe from foreign objects. Ahead of the driver, large, easy-to-reach transmission and drive levers with positive detents make it easy to choose the selected gear and drive mode by sight or feel. The LCD multifunction display has a large screen, showing speed, odometer, tachometer, gear selection and a range of other key machine statuses
The Pioneer 1000 joins the well-established Pioneer 520, and 700 series.
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
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