Cream of Crop Gear in 2020
Machinery dealerships were cleared out as seasonal rain and government incentives saw a rush on sales. Crop Gear editor Daron Jacks takes a look at some of 2020’s shining machinery stars.
DESPITE a year like no other that saw many industries suffer, the agriculture boomed on the back of seasonal rains and government incentives.
The machinery industry that struggled through 2019 was suddenly seeing sales clearing out dealerships.
Here are some of the stars that shone in Crop Gear in 2020.
MASSEY FERGUSON 8S SERIES
MASSEY Ferguson said it started with a blank canvas when designing the 8S Series - its new high horsepower tractor - that it says is a comfortable, revitalised game-changer designed to take on the broadacre beasts.
Massey took the covers off its all-new MF 8S Series tractor in July to muscle in on the row-crop tractor market.
The Agco brand’s new machine introduced striking neo-retro styling, a unique cab/engine installation concept, enhanced smart-farming capabilities, uprated capacities among other advances.
The 205hp-265hp machine will replace the long-wheelbase versions of the MF 7700 S (150hp-280hp) and slot in below the top-dog MF 8700 S (300hp-370hp) when it arrives in Australia next year, giving Massey Ferguson added clout in the high-horsepower segment.
So impressive was the 8S that the 265hp MF 8.265 model was named the 2021 Tractor of the Year as voted by 26 European machinery journalists.
FENDT MOMENTUM
PARENT company Agco said it listened to what farmers wanted when designing its latest Fendt seeder, which was getting the seed into the ground faster and accurately, to create what the ag machinery giant calls “a truly global planter”.
Like the Massey Ferguson Ideal header, the Momentum was designed and manufactured using Agco’s expertise and facilities around the globe to produce what it claims “is the most agronomically advanced planter available worldwide”.
The Momentum was designed to plant multiple crops in many different regions and conditions around the world, and to consistently place every seed at the optimum depth and spacing regardless of variations in soil type, moisture, residue levels, terrain or operating speed.
Equipped with Precision Planting technology, it can do up to 16km/h, which is twice the speed of a conventional planter.
The Momentum’s contouring tool bar flexes up and down as much as 167.3cm to follow the contour of the field and ensure the row units properly engage with the soil.
The planter’s patented sensor-controlled hydraulic system monitors the angle of the row-unit parallel arms to automatically adjust toolbar height, keeping the arms level and the row units properly engaged with the soil as ground conditions and terrain change.
There are eight models that include 16, 24, 32, 36 and 48-row configurations with row spacings of 38, 51, 56 and 76cm, all available with liquid fertiliser.
CASE IH AFS CONNECT MAGNUM
CASE IH updated its high-horsepowered Magnum series with its hi-tech Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) precision technology that, Case says, features levels of connectivity operators haven’t had available before.
AFS Connect allows producers to precisely manage their farm, fleet and data via GPS from a desktop or mobile device anywhere, while securely transferring data to and from the cloud.
They then have the freedom to share selected agronomic data with third-party partners.
Through AFS Connect, owners or dealers can see exactly what an operator is seeing on the AFS Pro 1200 display in the cab; dealers can meet maintenance and service needs remotely and wireless updates to the operating system can be installed.
From a servicing perspective, if the technician is able to see exactly what’s wrong with the tractor remotely they’re going to be able to get everything when it comes to parts or a proper software update earlier or faster and therefore reduce downtime.
The AFS Connect Magnum series is available in Rowtrac (track and wheels) and four-wheeled configurations across the entire range of full-size Magnums, from 250-400hp, comprising more than 23 models. The tracked units will be 310-400hp models, while wheeled machines from 250-400hp.
DEUTZ-FAHR 5125G
DEUTZ-Fahr expanded its tractor line-up in May with the introduction of a new entry in the 5G Series, a versatile new range-topping model.
The 126hp 5125G HD slides in above the 5105 (102hp) and 5115 (109hp) in the 2020 5G Series range, strengthening Deutz-Fahr’s presence in the all-important 100hp to 200hp market.
Australian importer PFG said the new machine is the ultimate heavy-duty all-rounder, one that can meet the requirements of almost any operator across the Australian ag sectors.
PFG’s Deutz-Fahr product manager Anthony Darveniza said the 5125G can do and exceed most of the jobs of an all-rounder tractor.
“You can use it from a livestock point of view, for front-end loader work or baling hay, or you can use it as a specialist tractor for vineyards or horticulture.”
One of the 5125G’s big tricks is an on-demand hydraulic system that allows the operator to boost oil flow from 55-56 to 90 litres a minute at the flick of a switch.
Its state-of-the-art new 3.8-litre FARMotion common-rail turbodiesel engine has timesaving features such as automatic valve-tappet adjustment, self-tensioning fan belt and slide-out oil cooler for easier maintenance.
GOLDACRES SERIES 2 G6 CROP CRUISER
AUSSIE sprayer manufacturer Goldacres unveiled it new flagship model in August - the Series 2 G6 Crop Cruiser that boasts brawn and brain, with its rugged exterior masking highly sophisticated electronic and hydraulic technology.
And it’s designed and wholly manufactured in Ballarat for large-scale dryland farming.
It incorporates significant innovations in its G-Hub integrated system, all-new TriTech RivX boom, radar-sensing height control, increased capacities and European-style cabin with external ROPS, filtered air and cruise control.
At its heart is a Cummins Tier 3 6.7-litre, six-cylinder engine rated to 225hp (168kW), matched to an Allison 2500 Series six-speed transmission.
The booms come in sizes from 36-42m, plus a 48m option, all with heavy-duty centre, symmetrical inner wings, one-inch spray lines and simplified plumbing.
“It looks fairly similar to the original G6, but really is quicker, easier and better all round,” said sales and marketing operations manager, Stephen Richards.
LEMKEN RUBIN 10
LEMKEN’S innovative new Rubin 10 compact disc harrow landed in Australia in February.
The 2018 Machine of the Year award-winner at SIMA in Paris claimed to offer the same mixing efficiency as its predecessor at higher operating speeds while moving the game on for compact disc harrows as a whole.
It debuts a new disc arrangement that delivers better directional stability for reduced fuel consumption and other benefits.
The integrated harrow behind the front discs is designed to improve the crumbling effect and distribute soil and organic matter in the driving direction. The rear impact and levelling harrow then distributes the soil to form an even, level surface.
The discs are arranged to produce symmetrical forces and eliminate lateral pull for better directional stability, better fuel economy for the tow vehicle and more precise pass alignment when using GPS.
Every disc is individually attached to the frame with pre-tensioned spring elements to ensure the 7-14cm working depth is accurately maintained regardless of conditions.
New Holland T6 T4B
NEW Holland’s T6 range earned praise for its comfort and versatility.
The T6 range starts at the T6.145, with a four-cylinder engine producing 115hp, and boosting up to 145hp with engine power management.
The five model line-up tops out at the six-cylinder T6.180, at 145hp and a maximum of 175hp.
There are two transmission options available in the T6 range – Auto Command CVT transmission or Dynamic Command 24x24 Semi-Powershift model.
The Auto Command is the premium model in the range featuring CVT transmission, electronic remote valves and advanced joystick for precise front-end loader control through electronic mid-mount valves.
The T6’s dual clutch Dynamic Command transmission allows operators at low speeds to press the brake pedal and the transmission applies the clutch automatically.
Once the operator lifts their foot off the brake pedal the tractor drives away again, “perfect for loader work or round baling”.
The engine load and transmission speed are matched to ensure every shift is as consistently smooth as possible. It will either “blip” the engine rpm or “cut” the engine rpm to match transmission speed – resulting in silky shifts.
GREAT PLAINS SPARTAN II
GREAT Plains updated its Spartan II triple disc, no-till air drill range this year to meet the evolving needs of the Australian market.
The seeding and tillage specialist said operating in Australia’s tough conditions, since its release here in 2018, had inspired enhancements to the NTA607-2 Spartan to increase its durability and ease of use.
A revised hydraulic circuit design further optimised the Spartan’s proven active row-unit down-pressure system as well as folding to ensure every seed is planted at the correct depth to maximise germination.
Given the Spartan’s popularity in fodder production, the NTA607-2’s blockage monitor system was optimised to work with small, low-rate pasture seeds such as rye grass, which can often be difficult to detect.
Other improvements include upgrades to a more durable 18 PLY rear castor tyre and a redesigned row-unit mounting bracket, which Mr Moloney said increases durability and reduces maintenance requirements.
The Spartan II is available with 6-inch or 7.5-inch (15cm or 19cm) row spacing.
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