The New Holland Haybine seems to have been around for ever, so it was surprising to see this machine with a ‘new’ label at this year’s Nampo. It has always been rated number one for smooth cutting and plug-free conditioning and is tops at handling heavy, down and tangled crops. The smooth cutting action starts with over-serrated, bolt-on knife sections, adjustable sickle hold-down clips and square back-bar guards. The Haybine sickle drive system is designed to provide clean cutting, less wear and vibration, and minimum maintenance.
The chevron-design rubber rolls and plug-free torsion-bar roll-pressure system means that the conditioner operates without plugging, and the unit is designed so that no tools are needed to change from swathe to windrows. Also on show was the New Holland T9.615 tractor, now more powerful than ever. It boasts an FPT Cursor 12,9l two-stage turbo-charged and air-to-air intercooled engine. This is rated at 399kW, with maximum power of 451kW, a massive 2 611Nm torque at 1 400 rpm with a torque rise of 40%.
If this doesn’t turn your head, the sleek design and the largest cab in the industry certainly will. Six new models will suit your farming needs, regardless of what they might be. The slim T9 engine hood provides improved forward visibility and the inboard planetary drive axles allow for narrow wheel width settings.
Three rows at once
Southtrade introduced the latest Feraboli 976 tractor-mounted forage harvester, which can take a three-row maize head, a 1,65m cutter bar or a 1,65m pick-up head. The 976 has a 500mm rotor with eight tungsten-faced knives and a patented rotating grindstone for perfect knife sharpening. The feed rolls can be reversed by remote control from the tractor cab for overload protection. An optional kernel cracker is available.
Boosting productivity
The fertiliser wagons imported from Argentina by Agri Varia can be equipped with an integral crane with telescopic outrigger, capable of loading 1 000kg fertiliser bags. They have 150mm or 200mm diameter augers and flexible spouts to make filling planters easy. The axles are fitted with road springs; capacities are 11,5l and 20,5l.
Using a valuable by-product
The lower body of the Joskin Tornado 3 manure spreader makes loading easier. The 6016/17V model has a maximum capacity of 19,3m³ and an off-road payload of 15t. The shredding beaters with folded spirals spread evenly at widths from 7m to 16m, depending on the material. Wilhelm Jordaan of Joskin importer Agramex promotes the use of manure spreaders and slurry tankers to help farmers better utilise the value of manure.