Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition
Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
The range of Kubota MGX front-end loaders has been extended with the arrival of two mechanical self-levelling units.
The X46 & Q5S are manufactured by Swedish industry leader ALO and branded in the familiar Kubota Orange.
The X46 is suitable for the M100GX and M110GX while the Q5S compliments the M126GX and M135GX tractors.
The new models are in addition to the Kubota-made LA1954 and LA2254 loader models.
These new loaders come standard with industry leading build quality and finish, third service, boom suspension, Euro Hitch, Ergo-Drive Joystick, flat-faced couplers and optional Hydraulic Quick Coupler. The latter is offered as standard on the Q5S model.
For the Q5S, an optional Electro-Drive Electronic Joystick takes operation to the next level, using a novel thumb control, mounted on a flexible joystick that can be moved out of the way when not in use.
Designed for strength, durability and all-round visibility, the loaders’ layout has curved 80mm-wide high-tensile steel loader arms with a round, low-set cross-tube for the best torsional force absorption. Cast or forged components are used in crucial areas such as the arm ends, at the “knee” of the loader and at the rear of the Q Link.
Durability is enhanced with all pipes or hoses running inside the boom profiles, which also provides obstruction-free forward vision to the implement.
Easily accessible greasing points, facing outwards, makes routine maintenance easy. The wide, stable parking legs are stowed under the boom for quick tool-free removal and re-fitment of the loader.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.

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