increase font size
Matthew Sanford says the M7152 is extremely versatile and can complete any job that his larger tractor does like carrying medium square baler.
Based at Waipu Northland, Coastal Contracting offers a broad range of services including cultivation and hedge trimming over a 40km radius, encompassing Mangawhai to the south and Whangarei to the north.
Initially only operating a few months of the year with a single tractor and machine, the business now operates year-round, employing full-time and seasonal part-time staff.
The nature of the business means that owner Matthew Sandford requires well made, reliable and productive tractors and machinery he can rely on.
Having purchased a Kubota M7152 Premium KVT with front linkage and PTO two and half years ago, brought on board to replace an older tractor, he has been delighted with the purchase.
“The one thing I would say about the Kubota M7152 is that it is a very surprising machine and while it doesn’t look like a lot, it has really blown me away,” says Sandford.
“As the business has grown, the Kubota tractor has become a machine that we can always rely on, has never broken down or seen us forced to wait for parts or service support.”
Equipped with Kubota’s own 6.1-litre, four-cylinder engine, delivering 148hp with up to 20hp extra boost, is mated to a stepless, variable transmission delivering precise control between 0-50km/h. The cab and front axle suspension offers adaptation over all types of terrain. “We really enjoy driving the Kubota, as it’s quiet and comfortable, while the excellent visibility makes it easier to drive, but is a great safety feature too,” says Matthew.
At the business end of the tractor, a closed centre, load sensing hydraulic system offer up to 110l/min hydraulic flow, lift capacity is over 5.3 tonnes, while the four-speed PTO system delivers 120hp at the shaft.
Despite being initially purchased to replace one of the businesses smaller tractors, Matthew says the M7 certainly pulls its weight amongst the larger tractors, indeed taking on jobs that other tractors can’t do and completing them in record time.
“The M7152 is extremely versatile and can complete any job that my larger tractor does, whether that be driving double mowers, towing the round combi-baler, medium square baler, seed drill or roadside mowing,” Sandford says.
“Kubota has done an excellent job in making their tractors economical without compromising their performance. I honestly can’t fault it – they’ve done it right and I haven’t had to go back to them about anything at all, so we’re now looking to buy another,” he says.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has announced that, from the New Year, it is officially authorised to sell Krone Forager Harvesters and Kubota Tractors across the Southland and Otago regions it represents.
Increasing its offering in New Zealand’s utility vehicle market, Kubota has unveiled its new RTV-X CAB and Long Bed models, purposebuilt to tackle tough farms, job sites and large-acreage properties.
Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
Kubota has announced plans to start field testing the autonomous hydrogen powered fuel cell tractor it recently unveiled at Expo 25 in Osaka Japan.
Kubota is thrilled to unveil three new models at National Fieldays this week.
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
