This year, Eston in KwaZulu-Natal held its 60th annual show and also commemorated the centenary of the Beaumont Eston Farmer’s Association, which hosts the event. Here are some of the products which caught our eye.
MF 7620
Pietermaritzburg-based Massey Ferguson dealer FMS showed a demonstration rig comprising an MF 7620 hitched to a cane trailer. This combination has performed a number of demos in KwaZulu-Natal, with excellent results. A full report will follow in a future edition of Farmer’s Weekly.
KuBoTa M130X
The turbocharged, intercooled M130X engine is rated at 96,9kW. The tractor has an hydraulically operated wet disc clutch and a 16-forward and -reverse gear transmission with powershift. Hydraulic trailer brakes are standard. The tractor seen here is coupled to an Amazone Catros 3001 compact disc harrow.
Kuhn Slinger 8110
A patented twin-auger design provides an even and constant flow of material to the discharge hammers. The left auger moves the material forward and the raised right auger moves the material to the rear to charge the left auger. As the material enters the flail discharge area each hammer swings down into the material, peeling it off and pulverising it as it slings it in an even, controlled pattern.
McCormick G-Max 165
Rated at 116kW, this is the largest of the four model G-Max series. The Beta-Power six-cylinder engine has a synchro transmission with a mechanical reverse shuttle and 32 forward and reverse ratios, including creeper gears. Two hydraulic cylinders provide a massive three-point lift capacity of 7 000kg.
New Holland TS6.120
The TS6 range features tried-and-tested technology, with the only change being a new flat floor cab. The FPT/NEF four-cylinder engine is rated at 88kW and there is a wet clutch and an 8×8 hydraulic powershuttle transmission.
JCB 940
The 7 500kg JCB 940 rough terrain fork-lift, with a 4 000kg lift capacity, is powered by the highly efficient 55kW JCB Dieselmax engine. Several mast options, from 3,6 to 6,7m, are available, so the unit can be tailored to the height required.
JCB 1CX
The JCB 1CX Skid-steer TLB, with a loader capacity of 600kg, is the smallest model in the JCB backhoe loader range. Because it can turn on its own axis, it can operate in very small areas. The universal skid-steer quick-hitch fits the full range of skid-steer attachments.
Tatu RTA-6
Designed for use with tractors from 45kW up – and seen here with the 66kW Valtra A85, an ideal match – the Tatu back-hoe is compact, manoeuvrable and tough enough to handle virtually any job around the farm or for clearing ditches or digging irrigation canals. Digging depth is 3m, loading height 2,87m, reach 4,4m and slew 170°.
Jumil Lider 20-50
The Jumil Lider range of total traverse spreaders handles both lime and fertiliser. The 20-50 model has a capacity of 1,6m³ and is designed to carry a 3 000kg load. It requires a 50kW tractor and the recommended working speed is 8km/h.
Gone fishing
There appear to be a number of keen fishermen in the Eston district, as Outdoor Marine of Pietermaritzburg is a regular exhibitor at the show. The Getaway 520 S isthe latest version of a boat that has been around for several years. It is apparently the boat to buy if you want to be ‘far from the madding crowd’. Overall length is 5,2m, beam is 2,2m and the engine is a 96,9kW Yamaha.
