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C B Norwood Distributors Ltd

The new Vaderstad Tempo makes its mark across the country this spring

PICHON SA is a family-owned company with more than 40 years experience in the design manufacture and service of a comprehensive range of agricultural machinery and handling equipment.

PICHON controls its complete manufacturing process, in order to guarantee the quality on which its reputation is based. Customer satisfaction is its guiding principle, from the definition of the user requirements, through manufacturing to delivery.

Located in Guipavas near Brest, France, PICHON has been active in the agricultural machinery market since 1970.

After initially developing cultivation and seeding equipment throughout its early years, a severe drought in northern France in 1975 and 76 forced the company to look at other opportunities and as such turned to the manufacture of slurry tankers and muck spreaders, an area in which it has remained a specialist ever since.

With its exclusive sales force and a network of distributors supported by agricultural machinery professionals, PICHON has become the European leading manufacturer of slurry tankers and muck spreaders.

Custom-built solutions are a key focus and bespoke designs incorporating specific customer and user requirements are a major part of the operation. At PICHON, every tanker is designed to strictly meet the user’s specifications. This approach includes listening carefully to what our customers need and with this both rigorous and focussed approach, the company is able to respond very quickly to even the most challenging demands.

More than 40 years of expertise in the improvement of spreading techniques has enabled PICHON to gain a foothold in 45 countries throughout the world.

PICHON SLURRY TANKERS range from 2,600 to 30,000 litres and are available in single axle, tandem or tri-axle variants with a huge range of options to specifically tailor each machine.

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>>A unique design

The TCI range (Tanker with Chassis Integrated) has been the trademark of PICHON for more than forty years. This exclusive feature increases both the stability and integrity of PICHON tankers. The tanker, in compliance with the pressure European Directive DESP 97/23/CE, is not fixed on an independent frame but is welded directly and integrated with the chassis, offering the lowest centre of gravity of any similar machine on the market.

The drum and the ends of each tanker are assembled side by side, and then welded completely inside and out by the SAW (Immersed Arc Welding) welding process. In order to maintain tank integrity and stability under both vacuum and pressure, PICHON uses a specially spun GRC (rounded end) for its tankers thus providing optimum strength and longevity.

Depending on the diameter PICHON offers various thicknesses of its tanker range from 5 to 8 mm. Steel is selected according to its

mechanical characteristics and its suitability for the galvanization process to which PICHON attach great significance in order to offer the ultimate in durability in its machines.

In addition each tanker can be equipped with brackets enabling additional equipment such as a rear linkage etc for injector systems to be fitted subsequently as required.

Recessed tankers are offered to facilitate the use of very large diameter wheels whilst preserving the total volume of the tanker. The loss of volume created by the recess is always thus compensated either by an increase in the length or the diameter of the tanker.

Spreading options

The PICHON spreader bar is fully galvanized and mounted on the hydraulic rear linkage. With a choice of nozzles or dribble bars, it is available in working widths from 9 to 28m with several possible options (eg either single or double distributors with or without macerator).

The injectors are available in five versions: the EL5 shallow disc injector with Ø 345 mm discs, the EL7 with Ø 640 mm discs, the EL8 Trailing Shoe, the EL61

with tines and the EL63 stubble injector. The choice of injector type is determined by the specific conditions of application and material being handled.

Spreading by rain gun is particularly useful on steep land, where the paddocks cannot be safely reached. Pumping is done by an auxiliary pressure pump in addition to the vacuum pump and spreading can be undertaken either through the rain gun, or through the conventional spreader plate.

PICHON MUCK SPREADERS range from 12.8 to 23m3 and standard equipment includes a fully galvanized chassis and spreader body of heavy duty construction, a recessed axle or bogie (depending on size) for improved stability, Ø16 mm bed

chains, large front protection frame with grille, straight body sides for easy cleaning, 70 mm wide bed slats, heavy duty chain tensioners, 10000 Nm oversized gearbox with hydraulic motor drive. The ultra-heavy duty rear beater system is available with reversible cutters and spreader plates.

Standard features for New Zealand models include galvanized sprung drawbar, PICHON in-cab electric control of bed speed, hydraulic guillotine type slurry door and door level indicator.

Options include a hydraulic jack, hydraulic deflectors (left and right) to accurately control the spreading width and hydraulic chain adjustment.

The Pichon range was launched at this year’s National Fieldays.

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JF-STOLL’s large range of 3-auger 29 cubic metre diet feeders is now extended with two new models. The models combine high capacity and low height for easy filling and are intended for beef and dairy farms.

The new low diet feeders can feed up to 220 dairy cows effectively in one mix. With this effectiveness the farmer can save valuable time every day. The power requirement is low which makes it possible to use a 110-120hp tractor.

The new models are available in two versions, of which VM 29-3 is a side door model prepared for use with the option of five different discharge openings. The number and placement of discharge doors varies according to the customer’s wishes.

VM 29-3 B which is equipped with cross conveyor and an extraordinarily big front door is intended for feeding of dry mixes with high content fibres.

Also on these models 8 mm high strength steel is used throughout the lower sides of the tub. The augers are made of high strength steel with 15 mm auger flights.

Wireless weighing system is standard

Feed Manager wireless weighing is standard fit for these new feeders and can be simply upgraded to the programmable Pro Feed Plus system which is a “one off” initial additional modest cost offering flexible ration planning and monitoring of mixes completed. This ration information is

transmitted wirelessly to and from the farm computer and to the main monitor normally mounted in the handler/loader tractor.

Eight weigh cells are fitted as standard, a unique number in this size of wagon as many others only use three, four or six. In this way a more accurate weighing is achieved along with a very solid wagon.

The new models are fitted with a twin axle spring-loaded tandem system and the standard wheel 435/50R19.5 which gives a total height of only 2.92 m. As a result JF-STOLL have created a unique high carrying capacity and a low overall height.

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JF-STOLL has introduced two new models of 3-auger diet feeders combining high capacity with low height.

Central Otago contractor Bede Ryan’s two Fella mowers cope well with rocky ground and have proved to be valuable additions to his machinery fleet. Bede Ryan Contracting Limited produces grass and lucerne silage and provides a range of agricultural services in the Becks and Omakau districts.

Bede has run Fella mowers for several years and currently has a 3.0 m Fella SM 310 FZ front disc mower and an SM 3570 TL rear disc mower which he operates on a New Holland TM165 tractor. The front mower has done two and-a-half seasons, while the back mower has just finished its first season.

“This new rear mower is a centre-pivot machine. It’s the same width at 3.5 m but it’s so much better handling than the other ones I’ve had because of the centre pivot,” Bede says. “The whole frame is a bit stronger and it floats better, as the tractor is holding the weight. We’re getting a bit less wear on the skids because of that. In Central Otago we run extra strong skids

because it’s quite abrasive ground. We’re getting quite good wear on them and that saves us down time. Without them we’d be wearing out the bottom of the mower.”

The centre-pivot SM 3570 TL rear mower is designed to closely follow ground contours and is equipped with a compensating hydraulic ram that prevents pivot movement on headlands. It features a floating cut TurboLift system, optimum guidance of the cutter bar and an impact guard with pivoting gearbox.

Bede is also very pleased with his SM 310 FZ front mower, which offers the greatest actuation available on the market and therefore outstanding ground contouring, even during difficult harvesting conditions.

The Fella front mower’s three-dimensional sensing of the ground contours allows the operator to mow a wide range of crops without losses. The mower can be moved laterally and has an infinitely adjustable cutting height and adjustable contact pressure. It features a tine-rotor conditioner

or roller conditioner.

“The front mower has a frame that pulls the cutterbar - it doesn’t get pushed! It floats along really nicely and holds the ground contours well. In two and-a-half seasons we haven’t really done anything to it at all.”

Both mowers have quick-change blades, which Bede really likes. “The mowers are a spindle drive setup and if we have any problems with any of the modules it isolates each module. We just replace the module and we keep going. We haven’t had to replace one yet anyway but I like the concept of it. It seems really reliable and we haven’t had any trouble.

The back mower has a drive shear protection system (DriveGuard) on the disc hubs but, again, we haven’t actually sheared one off yet. They’re totally user friendly mowers and are really easy to use. Norwood Farm Machinery Centre in Mosgiel gives great backup service for parts which has consisted mainly of blades and skids so far.”

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Grass machinery specialist FELLA are pleased to announce their new TH 13010 Trans tedder – a manoeuvrable machine with a 12.70 m working width that can be transported quickly from A to B.

Compact with a generous working width is the best way to describe the machine. The new tedder with transport running gear is characterised above all by its low transport length of 5.60 m, achieved by the double folding of the two halves of the frame. When being transported, the compact machine lies horizontally on the chassis, a benefit which is particularly striking during road transport – the TH 13010 Trans is easy to steer despite its considerable working width of 12.70 m.

In contrast to the previous eight-rotor models, the new tedder has ten rotors, two more, each with six arms and the tine securing system as standard.

Another advantage is the main axis, which lies along the centre of gravity of the machine. This reduces the drawbar load on the tractor, enabling smaller tractors to be used and substantially reducing the energy consumption.

The transport wheels of the new tedder act as guide wheels in the working position and adapt

perfectly to the ground conditions. This means the machine runs more smoothly, which in turn protects the stubble. The freedom of movement of the individual machine parts provides for better scanning and outstanding ground following.

The new FELLA tedder is fitted with a fast chassis enabling more efficient working. The machine not only has excellent stability on the road, but also on sloping terrain.

“Here at FELLA, we have built on the success of the tedders with transport running gear by working intensively to develop a model in this series with improved technology,” says Bernhard Kohl, Design Manager at FELLA.

The TH 13010 Trans is a successful combination of pioneering technology with an attractive appearance in line with the new FELLA designs – and it goes without saying that the machine has all the equipment customers have come to expect from FELLA.

The name FELLA has been synonymous with innovative agricultural machinery from Germany for over 90 years. FELLA-Werke GmbH of Feucht near Nuremberg currently holds a top position in the demanding crop harvesting machinery sector. With a comprehensive range of drum and disc mower units, tedders and rakes, FELLA is in an excellent position to enjoy sustainable growth on the world market.

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Horowhenua contractor Gavin Teal has a whole range of Fella equipment, as well as a Vaderstad Rapid system disc drill that he wouldn’t be without.

Gavin, his wife Christine and their son Daniel operate Gavin Teal Contracting Limited from their home at Waitarere Beach, just south of Foxton. They offer a range of services including round and medium-square baling, direct drilling, mowing, raking, tedding, hedge cutting and boom spraying.

Gavin is a big fan of Fella gear and runs two Fella mowers – a one-year-old 3.0 m SM 3060 TL and five-year-old 4.0 m SM 401 semi-mounted with a conditioner. “The SM 401 is brilliant and we don’t seem to be able to wear it out. The only issue we’ve ever had was hitting a pile of concrete posts. We broke one module but Norwood Farm Machinery came out and put another module in and it was going again within three hours,” Gavin says.

He particularly likes the SM 401’s manoeuvrability and says it is easy to transport behind the tractor. “When you get to the paddock it swings out beside you. It leaves the grass in two small rows, rather than one big row, and when you’re doing baleage you get a better wilt through the grass.”

Gavin says his new Fella SM 3060 TL mower is just as good. “It’s a non-conditioner mower. Once the grass hardens off later in the

season we find we don’t really need to condition it as much. It complements the big mower. If we’ve got a lot to mow we can rush in with the two of them but if we need to get into somewhere with tighter areas or access it’s a lot easier.”

Gavin Teal Contracting runs two Fella TS 801 swathers, and they are good at following ground contours. “The oldest one is about eight years old and it’s still got some original tines on it. We just don’t break them. That’s why we purchased the second one three years ago: there are no problems with them,” says Gavin.

He’s had a Fella TS 1101 tedder for two seasons and says it’s just as good as his other Fella gear. “It turns and scatters the grass out very evenly so we get good drying with it. I would never go to any other make, as Fella is just so easy to use. My wife Christine does all the rowing up and she never has a problem with it. They are simply awesome machines.”

The Teals purchased a Vaderstad Rapid 300C system disc drill two years ago from Norwood Farm Machinery Centre in Palmerston North. They were running a Duncan triple-disc drill but wanted something bigger and better. After looking at various models they chose the Vaderstad 300C for its versatility and the additional options if offers.

“Anything you can do with another drill, you can do it and more with the Rapid,” Gavin says. “You can go into existing pasture for oversowing, into partially worked up ground or into ploughed ground with this drill. It discs the ground and then has levelling boards in front of the seeders. Behind the seeding units are press wheels and harrowing tines.

In autumn this year the Rapid planted oats and peas straight into ploughed ground with outstanding results, and we also direct drilled maize this year with favourable results. It’s an awesome machine. We love the options that you have with it and it does an excellent job.”

Gavin mainly uses the Vaderstad Rapid 300C for sowing small seeds, including turnips, brassicas, grass and oats. It is also extremely low on maintenance. “The Vaderstad system with the bearings is awesome compared with other drills,” he says.

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Many farmers still consider HORSCH to be a manufacturer of agricultural machinery for large farms. But the technical solutions also fit medium-sized working widths – a fact that is well proven by the HORSCH Express three point mounted seed drills.

For a long time HORSCH has been discussing the launch of a three point linkage version of the well-proven trailed Pronto seed drill. The Express 3 TD is similar to the trailed Pronto in that it cultivates, consolidates, seeds and presses in one single pass.

To achieve this, track eradicator tines are used first, followed by a disc system (identical to the Disc-System of the Pronto), and finally there is a FarmFlex packer with a wave-like profile that carries the major part of the seed drill’s weight while working.

The ability to work in wet and therefore far from ideal conditions was reinforced recently when the soils of the test farms were saturated and thus, very cloddy. The Express TD however, had no problems to sow on light and

medium soils after one pass with a cultivator.

The high working speed that was possible with the Express was fantastic. Even under the conditions described, speeds of up to 15 kilometres per hour were no problem at all. Even higher speeds would have been possible without affecting work quality.

According to HORSCH approximately 130 horsepower is the minimum power required by the Express provided the tractor is weighted appropriately.

There are many similarities to the Pronto. The system is controlled by the DrillManager ME. This control unit is used for all HORSCH seed drills. It controls and operates all functions of the machine. The control terminal is comprehensive but not complicated, with individual elements marked with symbols which are easy to follow.

As the metering unit is driven by an electric motor, the operator can change the seed quantity on the move via the terminal – the ideal solution if you wish to change seed rate to suit the various soil

conditions on the move.

For changes in seed type, the metering roller can be replaced easily in just a few minutes and prior to sowing the system only has to be calibrated once. There is no need for several calibration tests thus saving time.

The tramline system of the DrillManager is very convenient too and various tramline rhythms can be programmed easily with the most popular tramline settings pre-set via the terminal. When sowing the tramline, the seed quantity is reduced automatically and seed return to the hopper is not therefore necessary.

TurboDisc coulters place the seed into the soil. The coulters can move upwards and downwards within a range of about 15 centimetres. High capability with precise depth control is a key feature and the high pressure of the individual coulters (up to 120 kilograms) also contributes to the excellent precision of the seed placement and seed to soil contact for optimum germination.

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B & B Contracting relies on its large fleet of machinery supplied by Norwood Farm Machinery Centre, Masterton to keep its busy agricultural operation running smoothly. B & B Contracting is run by Richard Blundell and Sandy Bidwill and offers a range of services throughout southern Wairarapa. These include ploughing, cultivation, mowing, baleage, drilling and harvesting.

Operations manager Tim Linton says Richard and Sandy have invested heavily in top-quality gear in recent years.

The business has been running a 5.0 m Vaderstad Carrier seed drill for the past seven years and has done about 6000 hectares with it. It is used in conjunction with a Vaderstad BioDrill bought at the same time. “The Vaderstad Carrier is still going strong. We like the build quality of the levelling boards and the small discs,” says Tim. “The accuracy is second to none and it’s a really good machine. We use it for drilling mainly grass and brassica crops.”

B & B Contracting bought a new seven-furrow Lemken Vari

Diamant 10 plough last year and it is the first semi-mounted plough that they’ve owned. “We used to have a fully mounted plough and chose it because we could operate a larger plough more efficiently and without having to run a bigger tractor”, Tim says.

“We wanted to go to a Lemken plough. We like them because of their strength and the job they do. Fitted with the new Lemken W52 bodies this Vari Diamant leaves a much wider furrow bottom which means we can run much wider tyres. Tractor tyres have been getting bigger, and that’s been quite a problem.”

A New Holland T7070 tractor pulls the Lemken Vari Diamant and Tim says it is a good match. “The T7070 copes with the plough very well and it does a really good job. It is a much longer mouldboard, so it really gives good inversion with a level consolidated finish. It’s also good on hills.”

B & B Contracting also bought a 6.0 m Lemken Rubin 9 intensive disc cultivator just over a year ago. Tim says they chose it because of the size of the large scalloped discs

and the angle they work. “That was a big factor for our autumn work. It’s been really good. The rubber roller on the back of it is pretty unique and the strength of the discs makes it go well in hard stony ground.”

Another implement the contracting operation has been running is a Vaderstad RX620 roller with a StocksAG seeding unit. Tim says it’s been a really good roller and is strong and reliable, while the seeding unit is very accurate. “It’s also simple to use, which is one of the key factors for our operators. We have a variety of operators who use this gear. It’s all user-friendly and easy to learn.”

In addition, B & B Contracting operate a Horsch Pronto DC6 drill which is their second Pronto and carries out the bulk of the drilling operations.

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(from left): Matt Purdy (B & B Contracting), Aaron George (Norwood Farm Machinery Centre, Masterton), Tim Linton (B & B Contracting) and Richard Blundell (B & B Contracting).

Over 20,000 VÄDERSTAD Rapid seed drills, the company’s bestseller, have been sold to date. These Rapid machines have drilled a combined area of 52 million hectares. That represents over half the arable acreage in Europe and can produce enough grain to make 300 billion loaves of bread!!

Increased food production

“The world’s population is increasing and this, together with a higher standard of living in developing countries, is leading to an increased demand for food” said Fredrik Lundén, Director of Marketing at VÄDERSTAD-Verken. “There is huge potential in many parts of the world to further increase the efficiency of agriculture and machinery with

a high capacity is an important element in meeting the increasing demand for food”.

From Sweden to Sudan

Rapid seed drills are sold throughout Europe and also in other parts of the world including New Zealand. Rapid has been shown to be particularly good in countries where access to water is a problem. A number of machines were recently sold to Sudan.

“The drill slices the seed down into the soil, which lowers the seed rate and the tillage and irrigation requirements”, explained Managing Director Christina Stark, who has visited Sudan to see the Rapid at work.

“In Zambia, for example, it is still

possible to increase yields. The first Rapid seed drills sold there are now in their second year and yields in the first season increased by 500-700 kg per hectare, according to the farmers”, said Fredrik Lundén.

“The success of Rapid lies in its ability to carry out several operations at a time. It can cultivate, fertilise and drill seed in a single pass, which saves time and fuel and also protects the soil”, said Fredrik Lundén.

This is how we calculated:

For wheat, average yield is around 6 ton/ha, which would mean around 300 million tons, or 300 billion kilograms. 1 kilogram of wheat gives approximately one loaf.

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>> The first Rapid seed drills sold in Zambia are now in their second year and yields in the first season increased by 500-700 kg per hectare according to the local farmers

In early June seven Arable Y’s members including myself left Christchurch on a three week study tour of the UK and Europe. The focus of the trip was to attend Cereals, the UK’s premium cropping field day in Lincolnshire, England. Field days, farmer visits, flour and malting mills, research institutes, agrichemical companies, seed manufacturers and machinery factories took us through England, France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark.

The Cereals event covered 64 hectares of industry, research and machinery display sites. All there to showcase and provide information to the 26,000 people who attend over the two days. It was a great place to network and take away ideas that could be applied to the New Zealand farming system.

While travelling through England the main stand out point was farmer subsidies. Most farms were subsidised for a 6-10 metre buffer strip around each paddock to encourage and supply an environment for wildlife. Due to a wet autumn/winter paddocks had been hard to get on, resulting in late establishment of crops and in some cases a non-existent herbicide programme. As a result of the weather, harvest yields will be down on previous years.

France, Belgium and Germany allowed the group the opportunity to tour the Sulky and Lemken machinery factories as well as the

New Holland combine factory. These visits provided us with a better understanding of the automotive process and quality control that goes into the building of our arable equipment. While in Germany we also visited the Bayer CropScience headquarters. This was a great opportunity to understand the process, time and money involved in developing a new product from the initial identification of a compound through to trials and eventually, registration.

We finished the trip with a grass seed focus in Denmark. Again subsidies and restrictions seem to overpower the farmer’s decision making process, while restrictions on chemicals and nitrogen limit the farmer’s flexibility. In most cases, because of the limits, some crops are sacrificed so others can benefit from higher application rates. A visit to DLF Seeds showed us the sheer size of the grass seed industry in Europe and their

systems for cleaning, packaging and distribution.

The chance for sightseeing also allowed the group to experience some history and warm beers. The group definitely took away ideas to benefit their own farming practice and I think the key thing we all took away from the tour is that we are very lucky to be farming in New Zealand.

Huge thanks to sponsors C B Norwood Distributors Ltd and Bayer CropScience who arranged and covered the cost of some transport, meals and accommodation associated with the trip.

Other groups who supported us while in the UK and Europe include: the British Home Grown Cereal Association (HGCA), The National Institute of Arable Botany – The Arable Group (NIAB TAG), Flach and Le-Roy, Sulky, Wiltshire farmer Harry Parker, DLF Seeds and Lemken.

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Taranaki contractors Marc Gopperth and Andy Davy have three new Fella tedders that play a critical part of their efforts to make the best bale possible. Marc and Andy operate Gopperth/Davy Contracting as a partnership. Between them they offer a broad range of services including full grass harvesting, cultivation and seeding.

The business has three 6.6 m hydraulic folding Fella TH 6606 six-rotor tedders, which they purchased from Norwood Farm Machinery Centre in Hawera. The pair bought one of the new tedders two seasons ago, and they purchased the other two last season. They previously had another Fella tedder, which they traded in. They have stuck with Fella because they have been very pleased with the performance.

“We went to three new identical machines to streamline our gear

for servicing and spare parts,” Marc says. “We’ve had a few different types of tedders but the Fella was one of the most reliable ones that we’ve had in terms of the way the machine lasted. They are well built and their strength-to-weight ratio makes them very long lasting.”

Marc and Andy went up to the six-rotor models to cover the ground quicker. “The other reason is so we aren’t running on top of the rows. We can take three mower conditioner rows and we are straddling over the top of the middle one.”

Marc particularly likes the tines on their new Fella tedders, saying they are very durable and spring-loaded compared to other rigid models so they very rarely break. Fella tedders are renowned for their tines, which pick up the forage and gently turn it without causing any damage. A light, loose and well-mixed mat of forage is created, leading to top-

quality forage material.

“Fella tedders are also very good value for money. There are a lot of them around here now. If something did go wrong there are a lot in the district that you could borrow, beg or swap” Marc says.

Gopperth/Davy Contracting’s three new Fella tedders have had a busy season and have been used for about 70 percent of the business’s early silage work. “They run throughout the early silage and the hay season and they’re a big part of our business,” Marc says.

“We’re trying to get a better quality silage bale and to be able to achieve that we need a good reliable tedder to flick it out into a nice even spread without lumping. The new tedders are very much an asset to our business. The key to making good silage is to be able to get a good even wilt and that’s what we are achieving.”

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FELLA is setting new standards in the multi-rotor rake segment with the development of a new four-rotor rake with maintenance-free rake head. FELLA offers the perfect equipment for retrieving high volumes of forage in extremely short time frames and satisfying the growing demands of farmers.

The new TS 12555 PRO four-rotor rake, with 12 tine arms per rotor and a working width of 12.50m, provides an optimum swath deposit for the perfect utilisation of all following machines.

The new TS5 rake head

The TS 12555 PRO has integrated the newly developed TS5 rake head. The tine arms come with maintenance-free precision ball roller bearings thus reducing the maintenance requirement for the new rake head to a minimum and saving valuable time during the forage harvest.

Another feature of the new head is the solid, large-dimensioned bearing tubes of the rotor arms. With a large distance between bearings, this key component is designed for extremely high loads

and harsh working conditions. Customers are impressed by the stability of the tine arm housing, which is precision manufactured from aluminium alloy.

As with all rake heads from FELLA, an impressive feature of the new rake head is the enclosed design that reliably protects all of the important components against dirt and dust.

Always at the perfect working height

As part of the improved technology, the TS 12555 PRO offers electric height adjustment as standard. The user can easily adjust the working height right from the tractor seat and can therefore ideally adapt the rake to different working conditions. With optimum rotor setting, the forage is neither left behind nor is it contaminated.

Headland control system

The TS 12555 PRO is equipped with an automatic hydraulic sequential control system which can be individually adapted to

your requirements. This system controls the delayed raising and lowering of the rear pair of rotors and, as a result, enables you to deposit perfectly formed swaths at the headland.

Because of the automatic height limitation in the headland position, it is no longer necessary to switch off the rotors. The swath sheet folds up automatically and, in this way, it is even possible to travel over transverse swaths without forage loss.

Safe on the road and on the hillside

The new TS 12555 PRO is designed for a transport speed of up to 50 km/hr, which ensures quick journeys to the site of work. In order to maintain safety at all times when travelling, the machine is equipped with a high-performance brake system. The brake system allows you to carry out difficult operations in hillside situations. Due to the low centre of gravity, stability at high transport speeds is ensured, even at 50 km/hr.

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Nigel Rathgen and his father Ross farm 1400 hectares at St Andrews, South Canterbury. Their dairy farm is 280 hectares and the rest is cropping and dairy support. It’s a large property to farm intensively, which is why Nigel and Ross select the best gear they can find. Two years ago they invested in a Horsch Pronto DC6 drill from dealer Johnson Gluyas Tractors in Washdyke, and a year later they bought a Horsch Terrano MT4 cultivator.

They started looking at the Horsch drill because their neighbour had one. Nigel says it was doing a great job and looked very well built. He and Ross couldn’t find anything better.

Previously it took them five passes to prepare a paddock for cereals. Now with the Horsch cultivator and drill, it is down to three and Nigel is considering that two may be enough. Depending on the crop, some paddocks are now done with a single pass and drill. All their cropping – about 800 hectares – is for seed: grass, brassica and cereals. “We needed to get our seed crops into the ground faster,” says Nigel, “The new gear cuts down our work by at least a quarter.”

The Horsch Terrano MT4 cultivator is 4.0 m wide with two rows of discs, two rows of tines and levelling discs. It’s designed for heavy soils,

which is important to the Rathgens as they are on compacted sedimentary Claremont soils, with poor drainage. “The tines rip down to about 250 mm, while the discs work the top 50 mm. That means they’re improving drainage but not bringing up the subsoil to mix with the aerobic top layer.”

Nigel also owns a grubber that he uses to break up turf. This year they spread mulched straw in some paddocks rather than bale it, and the grubber wouldn’t go through it but with its high clearance the Terrano did. “We did two passes with the Horsch cultivator and then drilled. The second pass really buried the trash.”

In the past Nigel had problems working dry ground. Not anymore. “We bought a block this year that was bone dry and had no work done for years. The Terrano worked it and really sold itself on that. “It leaves a good level seedbed, it is also well made. I’m very impressed with how well it is built. It’s solid. It would take a dumb driver running into something to break it.” Nigel pulls the Horsch Terrano with a Case IH MX230.

The Horsch Pronto DC6 drill is quite different from the Rathgen’s old drill. It is not only bigger, it is fully computerised. Nigel says it was not hard to get his head around the computer and it’s going really

well. The drill consists of two sets of discs, then packers, openers, rollers and finally fingers on the back to cover up. The front discs can be set for different depths and Nigel usually only works the top one to two inches.

The rows are spaced at 15 cm, with variable depth. It has a seed box for small seeds, which Nigel is considering using for carrots, because it can accurately deliver very low rates. “The Pronto drill is easy to calibrate. You weigh the seed as it goes through the rotor and it’s calibrated.”

From the moment they arrive in the paddock everything is easy. It takes a maximum of 30 seconds to go from transport mode to operating mode, and it is done with the push of a button and pull of a lever. The computer tells the driver what range of speeds is possible. Nigel says 12-14kph works best. He pulls it with a 200 horsepower tractor.

“On the flat you’d get away with something lighter but we need the power because our land is hilly and you need the speed or it doesn’t finish properly.” He’s been amazed at what the Pronto drill will do. “The first season we were over-working ground before we realised what we can do with it. It will go into stubble and copes well with our compacted soil type.”

LEMKEN’s proven range of semi-mounted ploughs has been further improved with the launch of the Diamant 11 and 12 series models. Retaining the 160 mm beam of the Diamant 10, the new machines include a number of new features such as the DuraMaxx bodies fitted to the Juwel mounted plough range.

DuraMaxx slats and mouldboards are made from high-carbon steel, without drill or punch holes, allowing increased hardening, higher wear resistance and a particularly long service life. Because they are not bolted on, but rather simply hooked in, without any need for tools, they can also be changed quickly. Individual slats are also available in plastic to ensure that ploughing is always ideal, even on sticking soil.

The Diamant 11 is available with a maximum of nine furrows, whilst the Diamant 12 can have up to 10 furrows depending on its equipment specification. Both ploughs are also available

with the Hydromatic auto-reset system. This ensures that the tripping body is always returned to the ideal working position even under difficult conditions. 38 cm upwards movement and 20 cm to the side, are more than enough, even for deep ploughing, to ensure that work continues without any interruptions. This is aided by the high tripping forces which can be easily adjusted to changing ground conditions from the comfort of the tractor seat.

The Diamant 11 can be equipped with a traction transfer unit, similar to that used on the semi-mounted Karat cultivator range. The Diamant 12 is available with a new traction increase unit with headland management included in its basic version. The traction increase unit ensures that weight is shifted from the plough and tractor front axle to the tractor rear axle thereby reducing wheel-slip on the tractor. Reduced wheel-slip translates directly to increased output and reduced fuel consumption for the user.

At the headland the traction transfer unit, on the Diamant 12, automatically regulates the pressure in the hydraulic system to match the bucking angle between the plough and the tractor so that the tractor remains stable at all times. The pressure in the traction increase unit can also be reduced to achieve a stable transport ride.

The electro-hydraulic angle adjustment is also new to the Diamant 12. This means that the plough inclination can be adjusted and saved directly from the tractor. The turnover device holds the plough non-mechanically in the pre-set position, so that the body remains securely seated in the ground even when a packer is mounted. This enables the Diamant 12 to plough particularly well with the newly integrated LEMKEN FlexPack.

The new Diamant semi-mounted ploughs will be available for delivery from the summer of 2013 onwards.

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Recently launched in the New Zealand market, the six model T400 Series and nine model MX U300 Series represent the largest range of loaders available.

NEW MX T400 LOADERS – LATEST EvOLUTION OF MX TECHNIC RANgE

The current “Technic Evolution” range will be replaced by the T400 range, with the new product available immediately. The perfect partner for today’s modern tractor, the “T400” range is designed for intensive use and offers unequalled performance, user comfort, safety and durability.

With a clean, modern design, the new T400 range looks every bit a modern loader, however the improvements go beyond just aesthetics, the evolution of the product has been carefully considered to provide the user with ultimate in comfort and productivity.

For example the T400 loader now

has folding parking stands that are fully integrated into the arm profile as not to compromise lift height, they have an automatic locking mechanism that promotes faster operation.

Also the new “titanium” grey paint and new polycarbonate stickers have been specifically chosen for their durability and long term weather resistance.

T400 loaders have the FITLOCK2+ system as standard; this offers instant hitching and unhitching of the loader jib on and off the tractor. Once the loader is hitched the “dual safety lock” automatically engages to ensure safe hitching, the locking status is then communicated by an indicator which is clearly visible from the driver’s seat.

Unlocking is just as easy via a lever, now positioned farther forward as to not interfere with the tractor exhaust system, or indicators. This easy to use hitching system ensures full tractor versatility with

minimum downtime, unhitch the loader and the tractor is ready for other types of work in seconds.

Also launched is a completely new control lever developed to suit the driver’s natural hand position. Totally exclusive to the MX loader range the new lever eliminates user fatigue even after a full day’s work. It has a palm rest; thumb rest and well positioned buttons, and also promotes optimum functionality with a constant floating position and ability to combine multi-function operations.

The new lever is standard on all our existing control systems (ie cable control – PROPILOT, low pressure hydraulic control – FLEXPILOT, and electronic control – TECHPILOT), and comes standard with two additional buttons that can accommodate non loader auxiliary functions (on the FLEXPILOT and TECHPILOT only).

The well proven MACH instant connectors for the loader-to-tractor and loader-to-implement connections now have “non-drip” flat face (NS) couplers. Hydraulic and electric lines are connected with one simple movement, even under pressure. Durable and reliable, the MACH systems ensure safe, clean and instant connection, with minimum downtime.

With particular attention made to the loader’s long term durability and reliability no compromises have been made on the finer details; even the electrical wiring now has a dual core armoured sleeve, and the external 3rd service hoses are protected by individual anti-wear sleeves.

NEW MX U300 SERIES LOADERS – vERSATILE bY DEFINITION AND EFFICIENT bY NATURE

The U300 Series includes nine loader models, with and without mechanical self-levelling, for 35 to 150 horsepower tractors. With no previous equivalent among MX agricultural products, the U303 and U304 loaders are a significant new addition. Intended for 35 to 65 horsepower tractors, they are a perfect match for the needs of small farmers, equestrian centres, landscapers and even municipal services.

The U300 Series loaders have a granulated matte Titan grey finish. Highly protective and non-stick, this paint is hard-wearing over time and easy to clean. The polycarbonate stickers are highly resistant to high-pressure washing.

The upper section of the loader arm has an integrated reverse U shape. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, this seamless integration guarantees the rigidity of the parallelogram, perfect angle maintenance for the implement, and excellent working visibility.

U300 loaders have the FITLOCK2+ system as standard; this offers instant hitching and unhitching of the loader jib on and off the tractor. Users can hitch or unhitch the loader leaving the tractor just once. Once the loader is hitched the “dual safety lock” automatically engages to ensure safe hitching, the locking status is then communicated by a green indicator which is clearly visible from the driver’s seat.

Unlocking is just as easy via a lever, now positioned further forward so as not to interfere with the tractor exhaust system, or indicators. This ease of hitching provides the tractor with versatility, especially

given that a height recovery roller enables the loader to be hitched onto two tractors of different tyre sizes.

The U300 range has a completely new control lever developed to suit the driver’s natural hand position. Totally exclusive to the U300 range, the new lever eliminates user fatigue even after a full day’s work. It has a palm rest; thumb rest and well positioned buttons, and also promotes optimum functionality with a constant floating position and ability to combine multi-function operations.

The new lever is standard on all our existing control systems (ie cable control – PROPILOT, low pressure hydraulic control – FLEXPILOT, and electronic control – TECHPILOT), and comes standard with two additional buttons that can accommodate non loader auxiliary functions on the FLEXPILOT (optional on the PROPILOT and ECOPILOT).

The loader linkage and the size of the dumping rams have been designed to ensure a crowding angle of 47° from the ground and 71° up to a height of 1.20 metres. Operators can fill the bucket to its maximum capacity and move the load with no loss of material.

The well proven MACH instant connectors for the loader-to-tractor and loader-to-implement connections now have “non-drip” flat face (NS) couplers. Hydraulic and electric lines are connected with one simple movement, even under pressure. Durable and reliable, the MACH systems ensure safe, clean and instant connection, with minimum downtime.

With its compact size, the hydraulic block on U300 Series loaders protects the 3rd function solenoid valve against falling objects and includes two impact-resistant

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valves as standard. These are fitted with polyurethane electrical cabling, attachment clamps with metal frames and dual bracketed hoses.

VÄDERSTAD is driving forward major rationalisations and efficiencies at its plant in 2013 to meet the increasing demand for its products. A total of 17.1 million Euro has been invested to date. These investments form part of the company’s growth strategy for the years ahead.

For the VÄDERSTAD plant, this means a new internal logistics centre, a new large 3D laser cutter for pipe, and new automatic equipment for welding and processing row units for the Tempo planter.

“This is the first time the company has invested so heavily in production in a single year. The changes are essential to remove bottlenecks and to enable future manufacturing of VÄDERSTAD’S new Tempo ‘planter’, which is designed for drilling maize”, said Andreas Stark, Production Director at VÄDERSTAD.

“These investments include a new internal logistics centre for production, a new 3D laser for cutting pipe, an upgrade to the spraying department and new automatic equipment for welding and processing row units for the Tempo seed drill”, explained Andreas Stark.

A 6,000 square metre internal logistics centre for production is

the largest single investment in 2013. The centre has twice the capacity of the existing logistics system.

“We are building for the future. The new centre can supply production

for a number of years to come with purchased goods and items that we manufacture ourselves”, said Thomas Eliasson, project leader for the logistics centre building.

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In early summer, the logistics centre will be fitted out with pallet racks and conveyor belts for efficient handling of purchased goods and storage of internally manufactured items

During the 2013 summer holidays, an additional laser machine for handling e.g square profile steel has been installed

The welding and picking robot is positioned beside a multifunctional machine for fully automated work flow and supplies the Tempo manufacturing line with row units

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Located in the North West part of France, PICHON has for many years been market leader in slurry handling equipment. The Brittany region produces 50% of pigs for France and more than half of French milk comes from the large north west. It means lots of effluent to spread with PICHON tankers.

Specialising in slurry handling solutions since the late 80’s, we continuously innovate to develop a large range of equipment to match customer’s specifications and new environmental rules, which specify precise dates

for spreading: spring and autumn. It means time is reduced and slurry must be stored for six months minimum and machines must be fast when applying slurry.

In order to profit most from its fertilizing value, liquid manure is spread onto growing wheat and corn. Large flotation tyres limit soil compaction and don’t damage the crop. Slurry is then applied when most demanded by the plant.

Over the last 20 years PICHON has developed innovative and efficient injectors and dribble bars up to 28 m wide! We offer three types of grassland injector: trailing shoe, shallow grassland and big disc injector.

PICHON is also distributed in every European country. Our exclusive area manager assists dealers and importers in sales, promotion and service. As demand is different among countries, our design department enable us to have flexibility with new equipment. For example, we now offer a scraper tank that scrapes the shed or yard and vacuum fills at the same time.

For over 10 years we have supplied electronic flow control Direct Proportional Application (DPA) for

slurry application. Customers can easily set up quantity to apply and rear valve adjusts automatically according to the speed.

The trend throughout Europe is the adoption of precision farming techniques. Our DPA is very much appreciated for its accuracy and its easy operation via the touch screen panel. For high tech machines, we’ve launched the TactMaster where all operations are time synchronized.

We can supply the electronic rate control on any MuckMaster from 8 to 24 m3. The bed speed is automatically adjusted according to the speed and the weight inside the spreader. These application controls can be implemented with Sat Nav and mapping.

PICHON is also present in overseas countries like: Japan, Australia, North and South Africa, Canada, South America and now New Zealand. We are proud to work with C B Norwood Distributors Ltd and very happy to supply our technology and quality machines to New Zealand farmers and contractors.

KAIKOHE Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - WHANGAREI Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - PUKEKOHE Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - NGATEA Central Motors (2001) Ltd - MORRINSVILLE Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - TE AWAMUTU Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - PUTARURU PTS Plus - BAY OF PLENTY/CENTRAL PLATEAU R & R Tractors (Te Puke) - GISBORNE Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - HASTINGS Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - NEW PLYMOUTH Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - STRATFORD Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - HAWERA Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - PALMERSTON NORTH Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - MASTERTON Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - BLENHEIM Williams Service Centre (1990) Ltd - NELSON N S Rogers Ltd - WEST COAST Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - CHRISTCHURCH Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - ASHBURTON Gluyas Motors Ltd - TIMARU Johnson Gluyas Tractors 2009 Ltd - MOSGIEL Norwood Farm Machinery Centre - INVERCARGILL Southland Tractors Ltd - GORE Southland Tractors Ltd -

To keep you up-to-date with trends around the world we have invited our suppliers to comment on the market in their own country. In this issue, we hear from Philippe Pichon, Export Manager, Pichon Industries in France.

Do you have a comment on the magazine or a suggestion for a story? If so please contact us:Implementation Freepost 255PO Box 1265Palmerston Northor email: implementation@norwood.co.nz

If you would like more information on any of the products featured in this newsletter please contact your local specialist equipment dealer

Phillippe Pichon of Pichon Industries, France

>>>www.equipnz.co.nz