Thursday, 05 November 2020 10:29

All smiles tackling hill country

Written by  Staff Reporters
Kevin Barrett is happy how his Kubota RTV-X1140 handles the steep country on his farm. Kevin Barrett is happy how his Kubota RTV-X1140 handles the steep country on his farm.

A Kubota RTV-X1140, the highest horsepower RTV in its class, has been tried and tested by Taranaki farmer Kevin (Smiley) Barrett – who also happens to be the father of three well-known All Blacks.

Barrett, an organic dairy farmer, farms in a rolling coastal environment in Taranaki.

“The X1140 performed exceptionally well,” he says. “I tested it out on a few hills, activated the diff-lock control, took my foot off the accelerator and was surprised at how well it held on the hills – no slippage at all.”

Designed around a longer wheelbase and utilising a hydrostatic transmission, the RTV is particularly stable on rolling country. The tractor also offers good accessibility, making it a breeze to get in and out of the vehicle. 

“If you’re struggling to get your leg over a bike these days then this little beauty is for you,” Barrett claims.

The four-seater option has proven ideal for taking staff or the grandchildren out onto the farm, with four seatbelts making sure that everyone is secure. While the dual seat arrangement makes engine access easy, another unique feature is the ability to fold the seats up and extend the tray capacity, offering a payload of up to 700kg. Barrett says it has got a very spacious tray with the tipping option.

“This proves ideal for loading up with standards, reels or bales of hay,” he adds. 

“I also worked out you can get nine kegs of Guinness on there – if you really want to get serious!”

More like this

H is the 1!

OPINION: Good on Miraka for eschewing electric power for its future tankers, opting for the much more practical heavy-vehicle ‘green’ choice, hydrogen, putting NZ’s first H-powered tanker on the road.

Box Blade carves precise grading

Kubota NZ is continuing to improve its equipment attachment range with the BB30 Box Blade, said to be ideal for landscaping grading operations, using a skid steer or tracked compact loader.

Featured

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from  all walks of life – the governor general,  politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and  friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter