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The new LDV T60 Max Plus.
While it wouldn’t be unfair to call the LDV T60 “the poor man’s ute”, a change of distributor in 2023 has seen the brand raise its profile, while the recent arrival of the new LDV T60 Max Plus, will undoubtedly open the door to a wider audience for the brand.
Offering the same 2-litre, 4-cylinder, twin turbo diesel powerplant, delivering 160kW/500Nm, mated to an 8-speed, ZF-sourced transmission with on-demand 4WD and hi/lo options, the rest of the vehicle has been brought right up to date.
Distributor Inchcape’s head of marketing Daile Stephens says they offer a vehicle that is put together well, offers outstanding specification and offers excellent value for money.
Indeed at $55,990, with a 7-year, 200,000km warranty, roadside assistance and annual WOF inspections, the T60 Max Plus offers a compelling argument that if nothing else will make other players think about continuously increasing prices.
Having spent a week with vehicle, there is much to like and little to criticise. Visually, the front end has been squared off with a bold front grille and bumper assembly, while black styling detail is found on the wheels, wheel arches, door trims and running boards. The rear well deck features a spray-on liner and multiple tie-down points, a lockable tailgate and 830kg payload and 3000kg towing capacities.
Looking to the interior, changes include leather, heated and power adjusted seats and an uncluttered centre console with a wireless phone charging pad. Ahead of the driver, twin, 12.5- inch touch screens offer control of entertainment and machine functions, with standard specification including auto wipers, auto headlights, with high beam control, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree surround view camera.
Shift selection is column mounted, alongside the heated steering wheel, with easy access to the controls for hill decent, hill hold, rear diff selection and hi/lo modes. Safety assistance takes the form of Land Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Out on the road, the T60 Max Plus is easy to live with; the engine might sound a little harsh, but this is countered by smooth delivery and plenty of torque, with the transmission being silky smooth, with unnoticeable shifts.
The only real complaint might be transmission ratios, where trying to maintain 50km/h at low revs in built-up areas, tended to cause the “hunt” between speeds. Comfort is right up there, with very supportive seats and while some might comment on a “choppy” ride - a common trait for any unladen ute - the upgrade to a multi-link, coil sprung rear suspension for the T60 Max Plus reduces the effect, but importantly means the truck remains planted through bends, particularly those with a poor surface. Certainly, one to watch at <www.ldv.co.nz
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
Becoming the norm in the automobile industry, but much less so in agriculture, Dutch self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Agrifac has developed a diesel-electric version of its Vanguard 55.
Building on the success of the existing Massey Ferguson 7S series, ahead of the upcoming EIMA Show, the manufacturer has announced the arrival of its new MF 7S MARK 2 range, offering six choices from 170 to 245hp, positioned between the current MF 7S and the MF 8S Xtra series.
French manufacturer Pichon has expanded its SV slurry tanker range with the launch of two new models.
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.
Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government to out of date regulations which have seen members hit with huge fines.
Alliance is calling for final applications for its 2027 Graduate Programme, with applications closing on Sunday 25 October.
Decades piloting planes has ensured vet and farmer David Hayes is focused on safety. So, after a serious accident while welding on farm, he is sharing his experience so others can learn from it.
Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Milk has confirmed Leon Fung as its chief executive officer.
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