Fendt Unveils Next-Generation 600 Series Tractors
Taking pride of place at Central Districts Field Days, the new 600 Series was Fendt’s incarnation of a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor in the 150-200hp sector.
Keep an eye out at the Central Districts and South Island agricultural field days for the new range of Suzuki KingQuads.
Major upgrades are seen in both the 500 and 750 models following months of onfarm testing in New Zealand. This is on top of evaluations made by technical staff from Japan visiting NZ to test prototypes.
Suzuki NZ has also commissioned two test units for ongoing use on Kiwi farms for extended monitoring.
Other than changes to the machines’ physical appearance, the biggest changes to the new KingQuad are the way they ride.
Revised suspension and gas filled shock absorbers are connected to a chassis with greater rigidity, achieved by using thicker wall section for the main frame rails.
The rear sway bar set-up has also been redesigned for a more stable ride but still retains the smooth ride all Suzuki ATV’s are renowned for.
Improvements to the electric power steering system makes for less rider fatigue and raises comfort for long days out working.
The fuel injected, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine remains unchanged on the 500 and 750; the only differences are in the CVT transmission on the 750.
Engine-braking is reckoned class-leading on all Suzuki ATVs, whether towing a trailer or descending a hill.
Towing capacity has increased to 600kg on the 500cc and 750cc – up 150kg from the previous models.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

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