Machinery & Equipment

New Holland's latest CR combine harvesters improve harvesting efficiency for large-scale operations, offering flexibility for all crops from grain through to maize and rice.

Distributors and their dealers demonstrated machines from the ever-increasing range of conservation agriculture implements at the KZN No-Till Club's 2010 annual conference near Bergville. Peter Hittersay reports on some new products.

An unusual sight at recent agricultural events in the UK was a John Deere 6630 tractor decked out in police livery, complete with the obligatory blue light.

Transporting 1kg tomatoes in a 40t rig from ZZ2 in Polokwane to the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market probably has a smaller carbon footprint than a housewife driving in an SUV to buy the same from her local supermarket. New developments in Barloworld trailer designs will certainly widen the gap. Joe Spencer reports.

It may seem like Bell Equipment is going retro with its new Bell Series III Haulage Tractors, but the company is simply providing for the operating needs of their customers at the lowest cost per ton hauled, reports Joe Spencer.

Manitou Southern Africa, in conjunction with French parent company Manitou, recently hosted a group of South African olive farmers in Spain.

Mascor held its John Deere demonstration on Masonite's Mount Desire farm, attracting almost 100 farmers, many from the Wartburg/Dalton area. Proceedings opened with an address by Prof Peter Lynne from the Sugar Research Institute.

The sugar industry is under pressure to reduce cane burning before harvesting – creating new possibilities for cane residue to cogenerate electricity. Joe Spencer reports.

The annual Boerepatente Kompetisie always showcases great ideas to improve and simplify the farming experience, including devices to conquer load shedding and the dangers it brings. Joe Spencer reports.

German company Krone began making forage harvesters in 1977, selling 5 000 “Corn Chopper” tractor mounted units. In the 1980s Krone introduced its first self-propelled harvesters. The latest range of Big X models includes monsters powered by twin engines with up to 750kW of power. Krone harvesters imported into South Africa by Rovic and Leers come with the new EasyCollect 753 maize header.

The annual Bien Donné Agricultural Expo in the Western Cape, hosted by the Agricultural Research Centre, is known for showcasing the latest and the best machinery and equipment, intended to make farmers' jobs easier. Joe Spencer was there.
Issue date : 30 January 2009

Morningdew Farms and Afgri's Delmas branch held a well-attended joint demonstration at one of Jannie Neuhoff's farms, Hadeda's Garden Estates.

Bruce McLeod first saw the Ecorider when a friend ordered one over the internet from the manufacturers in Nairn, Scotland. “It was love at first sight,” says Bruce. “After putting the bike through its paces on our farm in Cederberg, and being well-versed in off-road driving, I had no doubt whatsoever this machine is unique, a very different animal to the conventional quad bike.

Recently the UK Farmer's Weekly reported on the UK National Combine Driver of the Year Award. The occasion proved that correct setting and efficient driving can hugely improve combine performance and productivity.

Exhibitors' fears about the demo cancellation and losing customer contact were laid to rest at this year's Nampo show. In fact, more staff were available to deal with specific enquiries - with the range of hi-tech machines available, a one-on-one with an expert beats a glimpse of a machine as it heads up the field.

IT SEEMS THAT EVERY YEAR THE EXHIBITORS AT NAMPO CATER FOR A WIDER VARIETY OF FARMERS, growing a greater assortment of crops, some of which require very specialised equipment. There was also a greater selection of general-purpose tractors and implements at the show.

THE GENERAL FEELING AMONG THE EXHIBITORS AT THE 2007 NAMPO HARVEST DAY SHOW WAS that business was good. Issue date 15 June 2007

The comprehensive range of agricultural equipment distributed by Northmec's national branch network includes Jacto spraying equipment, developed for high performance spray applications in orchards

The Fendt tractor brand is relatively unknown in South Africa. The only enthusiast that I know of is Manfred Wild, formerly of the Tala Valley in KwaZulu-Natal, who has farmed vegetable crops with Fendt Tool Carrier models. Fendt is one of the market leaders in Germany where it has more than 17% of the market.
Issue Date: 30 March 2007

Casper and Estie Badenhorst recently visited the EIMA Exposition in Bologna Italy. The visit was part of a sponsored study tour to Italy, which was the prize Casper won for achieving the Farmer of the Year award.
Issue date:23 March 2007