Farm World 2021: What to expect from machinery displays and demonstrations
Showing off tractor manoeuvring skills and an exciting international model will be among the offerings for machinery fiends at Farm World 2021.
THIS year’s Return to Heritage theme reintroduces machinery demonstrations to Farm World, to give farmers a chance to see the true capabilities of equipment.
Lardner Park chief executive Craig Debnam said dealers would have golf carts to transport people to the demo areas, where they could show off machinery in action.
“There’s plenty of farmers who haven’t updated their equipment, and this is the opportunity to look at the equipment and know how they can improve productivity and efficiency on farm,” he said. “This is all about getting in the paddock and seeing the equipment at work.”
Dealerships including Claas Harvest Centre, Gendore, TTMI, Kubota and GlenMac will support the initiative.
Claas Harvest Centre regional branch manager Dallan Clark said they would feature a range of Claas machinery as well as their 150th anniversary Axion 870 tractor, Amazone and Vaderstad products, Hardi sprayers and an Abbey Slurry tanker.
“We have partnered with selected brands from across the globe to bring a range of world-class equipment developed for specific farming activities,” he said.
He added that the 150th anniversary Axion 870 295hp tractor would be paired with a set of Claas triple mowers to show off the new Cebis touch terminal.
TTMI will have the new Case IH Maxxum series of tractors and a Horsch Joker 3.5m disc cultivator on its site.
TTMI’s Andrew Snape said the Farm World demonstration area would allow farmers to see how the technology in the new Maxxum teamed with the Horsch Joker would work in a paddock environment.
GlenMac’s Jason McMillan said they would have an extensive display of John Deere machines available at Farm World.
Gendore’s Jake Genoni said New Holland tractors and cultivation machinery would be put to the test in the demonstration area.
“It’s always nice to show a customer through a machine, to put them in the seat and let them get a feel for it,” Mr Genoni said.
BRINGING BACK TRACTOR SKILLS
AN OLD favourite event will be revived this year as Farm World celebrates its Return to Heritage theme.
The Tractor Skills Competition is making a comeback after being parked about 35 years ago.
Lardner Park committee member Allan Slatter said the contest would pit farmer against farmer and machine against machine as they navigate an obstacle course driving a tractor-pulled trailer.
“We’re aiming it at experienced tractor drivers, so it will be more suited to a farmer or ag contractor that would be used to operating this type of equipment,” he said.
A one-time competitor in the past, Mr Slatter said the course was not his forte but this year would offer plenty to impress onlookers and drivers.
“It’s more skills than speed and everything, manoeuvring a tractor and trailer around a series of obstacles,” he said. “It’ll be a bit of entertainment for the patrons.”
Competitors will be tasked with getting around obstacles and corners on a tight 50m course and backing the trailer into position.
The competition will be divided into three categories, including one for local machinery dealerships to show what their equipment can do.
“We’re asking local dealers to participate and enter their own tractors. Means we’ll have a bit of comparison and some friendly rivalry,” Mr Slatter said.
The event comes as the Farm World committee decided this year should feature more machinery demonstrations rather than just static displays.
“Originally that’s what the field days were, they were tractors people could operate and see working,” Mr Slatter said.
“The issue these days is trying to get it all working under a COVID-safe plan.”
The competition will run in the Commonwealth Bank demonstration area.
The Tractor Skills Competition will be held over three days with farmers competing
on Friday and Saturday morning, contractors on Saturday afternoon, and dealers
on Sunday.
INTERNATIONAL MACHINERY OFFERING
VISITORS to Lardner Park next week stand a chance of seeing the latest offering from Italian manufacturing giant Dieci – the Agri Plus 42.7 VS Evo 2 telehandler.
One of a kind in Dieci’s stable, the machine features single-speed hydrostatic Vario transmission with electronic control alongside a clutch of other improved features.
National sales manager Anthony Lockwood said the company hoped to be able to display the new model at a select number of agricultural field days this year.
“The top-of-the-line 42.7 telehandler is our latest release,” he said. “It came out last year, but COVID certainly slowed us down in terms of getting it out there.
“It’s a real step up, with its Vario transmission rather than Powershift, new cab design, 230-litre (per minute) hydraulic flow, 153hp (114kW) engine, 460/70 R24 traction tyres and four different drive modes – normal, eco, creeper and loader.
“We hope to have the 42.7 on display first at Farm World, then head for AgQuip in August.”
The machine uses a 4.5-litre FPT diesel engine, has a capacity of 4200kg at 600mm load centre and top lifting height of 6.9m.
Staff members at Hay Australia, a large-scale exporter of high-quality fodder based near Bridgewater, are thoroughly wedded to Dieci gear.
Victorian operations manager Geoff Walker said the business had been using Dieci telehandlers for about four years.
“We sell about 140,000 tonnes of fodder, mostly oaten hay, each year through sites in WA and Victoria,” Mr Walker said.
“We are constantly moving hay around the sites and it’s all done by telehandlers. The machines run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and clock up 2500 hours per year.
“We have three Haymaster 42.7s with added features such as side-shift on the attachments and upgraded airconditioning.
“They have plenty of power and cabin conditions are excellent – when our operators spend 12 hours at work, they need to be comfortable.
“The single-speed Vario Evo 2 in the 42.7 is just ideal in an around-the-clock production facility. It’s like an auto – put your foot down and it drives.”
Sam Walker shares Hay Australia’s intimate knowledge of the Italian make, with his and wife Maddy’s business, Farm and Diesel, now an authorised sales and service agent for Dieci.
Operating at Goornong and Swan Hill, the company also takes care of Hay Australia’s equipment needs.
“The 42.7 has earned a fantastic response from customers, who’ve liked the luxury of the cabin, ease of driving, greater horsepower and improved hydraulic flow,” he said.
“The Haymaster is another version again, with add-ons such as remote greasing, canvas seat cover, UHF, CD-radio, window tint and hydraulic side-shift.”
For more details, visit dieciaustralia.com.au
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