fbpx
Print this page
Friday, 05 August 2022 09:55

Coast contractor favours Fendt

Written by  Mark Daniel
Von Ah Contracting's trio of German-built 720 and 724 Fendts are reliable and productive tractors and play a key component in the business's ongoing success. Von Ah Contracting's trio of German-built 720 and 724 Fendts are reliable and productive tractors and play a key component in the business's ongoing success.

The name Von Ah Contracting gives a clue to its origins.

It all started when Marty von Ah’s father emigrated from Switzerland to New Zealand in 1976 and started sharemilking at Waitara, Taranaki. After Marty was born in Taranaki, the family moved to the South Island’s West Coast region in the early ‘80s to milk cows.

Unfortunately, they were hit by the tragedy when Marty’s father was killed in an accident, meaning he and brother Werner took over the running of the farm. Over the ensuing years, von Ah did some local contracting work before setting up the business in 2009.

In 2020, he moved away from the farming side of the business to concentrate on contracting operation with his wife, Nicky. They have built up an extensive operation that specialises in feed production, mainly for the dairy farmers in the region. The business leases around 500ha, while also owning 30ha adjoining their operating base in Kokatahi, near Hokitika.

Operating over a 30km radius from their base, the businesses focuses on feed production – including cut and carry operations, grass and maize silages and baleage for the region’s herds. It also overwinters dairy cows and followers.

Additionally, the operation also offers cartage, ploughing, cultivation, crop establishment, slurry and manure spreading, track maintenance and land clearing.

As one would expect of such an extensive operation, reliable and productive prime movers are a key requirement. In the case of Von Ah Contracting, this is a trio of German-built 720 and 724 Fendts. Marty von Ah praises the functionality of the brand, particularly in the area of the transmission and engine. The former offers stepless control, allowing the operator to match the speed precisely to the job and “tweak” that speed as conditions change.

“The Fendts are really user friendly, easy to drive and make most jobs very easy to complete,” he says. “If you dig deeper into the operating system, the technology includes things like the ability to have operating profiles set up for each of the implements we use.”

Von Ah says this means job commence more quickly, leading to better operational efficiency.

With the three tractors each clocking up between 1,200 and 1,400 hours every season, fuel efficiency is also a major consideration.

The tractors’ ability to operate at set speeds with minimal engine revs sees the Deutz-engine machines take a wide berth of the local fuel pumps.

Von Ah also likes the fact that if there are any problems with electronics, most functions can still be operated manually. He says this means a job can be finished, the tractor then taken home and a repair organised.

On the safety side, all the tractors are fitted with air braking systems. This is a must for the slurry tanker, trailers and loader wagons – all used extensively throughout the year.

Additionally, the tractors ISOBUS systems mean that machine functions are immediately visible in the Varioterminal. This means adjustments can be easily made, while also removing the need for multiple control boxes in the cabin.

When it comes to servicing, the majority of this is carried out inhouse. The only need to call the supplying dealer is to clear or interpret error codes.

What about the future? Probably more Fendts joining the fleet, but in the short-term more efficiency and accuracy and a job well done.

“Despite rising costs for most inputs, dairy farmers are looking like they are in a good space,” von Ah says. “So, they are happy to pay for a job well done with modern equipment.”

More like this

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of Ashburton on 6-7th April.

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’ manufacturer have mutually decided to wind up their long-standing agreement.

JD introduces new S7 Series headers

John Deere says its S Series combines have been redesigned and optimised with innovative technologies to build on their proven performance in Australian and New Zealand conditions.

Rubber mats keep pushy cows steady

Waikato farm manager Grant McLaggan knew he had a problem two years ago when a few pushy cows ended up in the pit of his 30-aside herringbone milking shed.

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…