Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
While the task of moving wrapped bales in New Zealand normally falls to trucks of flat bed trailers, in Europe, probably due to very strict secure load regulations, many trailer manufacturers are now offering more specialised trailers with hydraulically clamped side bars to keep load secure.
Those looking for greater daily outputs and greater load security are starting to see even more dedicated solutions.
Irish company SAMCO, regular visitors to the Irish Pavilion at National Fieldays and well known for their machines for sowing maize under plastic, have recently released details of the new CTS1600 Bale Chaser.
Said to enable one operator to load 16 netted or wrapped bales, without the need for a loader, in around eight minutes, a hydraulically actuated “squeezer” grabs, lifts and rotates the bales up onto the trailer. Designed to “load” itself automatically, the machine places two bales side by side and two bales high, before the “stack” is moved rearwards along the trailer body, using rollers.
Once loaded, the 16 bales are held securely by caged sides that squeeze inwards to secure the load, working in combination with gripping bars along the upper edge and the rear, to keep the load safe during transport.
Using a Danfoss load sensing hydraulic system to control the main functions, eight bales (four stacks of two bales) can be unloaded simultaneously, before the trailers needs to move forwards to discharge the remaining eight bales.
With an overall length of 7.3 metres, the chaser is fitted with tandem, air-braked ADR axles, with a range of options including oversize tyre and a steering axle set-up.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.