Case IH partners with Meet the Need
Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.
Farmers and contractors seeking to pack more material into every bale are offered a new way to to reduce handling requirements and transport costs.
A new model added to the top of the Case IH LB 4 XL (LB436 HD) large square baler range for 2020 embodies new designs and components and can make bales up to 22% more dense than the LB434 XL model (which produces the same 120 x 90cm bale size and remains in the range).
Uniquely, the LB436 HD includes a new main gearbox and mid-mounted gearbox with gearshift overload protection for high power transfer and driveline safety.
In addition, an innovative new twine knotter system, called TwinePro, is designed to boost productivity while eliminating field litter and bale contamination.
The LB436 HD is also fully ISOBUS Class 3 compatible.
The 2.35m pick-up has a mechanically driven top-assist roller and roller wind guard to ensure effective crop feed, and five tine bars are fitted with 5.5mm diameter items for a clean pick up at high speeds.
The LB436 HD is equipped as standard with Case IH’s Rotor Cutter chopping system: 29 knives with an adjustable knife selector allowing 7, 8, 14, 15 or 29 of the individually protected knives to be engaged.
In operation, when the PTO is engaged, the baler flywheel will speed up in two stages, from 0-684rpm and then from 684-1244rpm to its maximum 1445rpm at 1000 RPM PTO speed.
The LB436 HD has an adjustable precompression chamber with shear bolt protection and a plunger with a maximum speed of 48 strokes/min. The plunger stroke is longer and its force is increased by 150% over that of the LB434 XL model. The compression channel is longer and while existing models have two cylinders for compression the LB436 HD uses seven.
The new TwinePro knotter system offers a significant increase in tensile strength and increased daily productivity from greater baling efficiency with reduced twine breakage risk.
The system is combined with redesigned needles and a new needle yoke reclaim system and electric knotter fans keep the units clean.
Once the first standard knot is tied, a second knot is created for additional bale security, offering up to 30% more strength, says twine manufacturer TAMA.
A tandem axle is standard, set up to minimise minimise scrubbing when turning by allowing the rear axle to pivot by up to 15 degrees, but this can be locked as necessary.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?