http://www.profi.co.uk Read the latest news about farm machinery and livestock equipment. http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#380 Joining Arion and Axion within the Claas tractor line-up, the German firm has now replaced its entry Celtis range with the Axos machines. Available in C, CL and CX spec, the four Perkins-powered Axos units ??? 310, 320, 330 and 340 ??? develop 75hp, 87hp, 92hp and 102hp respectively. C and CL tractors come with low profile cabins, whereas the CX gets a high-roof design as standard. The various specs also relate to transmission offering. C models drive through a mechanical two-range 10F/10R 40k gearbox, CL models adding a Claas Revershift shuttle reverser. The highest spec CX models utilise the established Claas Twinshift 20F/20R gearbox with splitter and Revershift shuttle. Other new Axos features run to a one-piece bonnet and easy-access cooling package, while the rear fenders are made from moulded plastic for durability. Customers can choose between mechanical and electronic rear linkage control, with a 60-litre/min pump fitted to all models. Bosch zero-leak remote valves are also part of the spec. As for pto speeds, up to three can be specified by the buyer, and there is also a new design of interchangeable shaft. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#380 2008-08-19T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#379 Five new mounted tedders, with working widths from 5.2 to 7.8m, are now available from Kuhn Farm Machinery. These 02 series machines are said to offer a number of significant improvements over the earlier 01 series models, including fully sealed low maintenance rotor gear housings. The rotor wheels are wider and larger in diameter than those of their predecessors, improving the load carrying capacity. On the larger machines ??? GF 7702 (pic) and GF 7802 ??? the headstock has been designed with two large shock absorbers to soften the impact of lateral movement when turning at the headlands. The headstock is also fitted with a suspension system to improve stability of the machine in transport. Also of note, the 02 series incorporates machines with smaller rotors (1.3m or 1.5m) as well as alternative models with fewer numbers of larger rotors (1.8m), allowing operators to select the system best suited to their conditions. All models fold hydraulically to less than 3m for transport. Starting prices are GF 5202 (???6,676), GF 5902 (???8,095) GF 6502 (???8,992), GF 7702 (???11,725) and GF 7802 (???10,803). Kuhn already has two large trailed Gyrotedders in the 02 series ??? the 13m GF 13002 and the 17m GF 17002. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#379 2008-08-18T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#378 John Deere has announced a number of spec changes to its combine harvest range for harvest 2009. All basic W-, T- and C-series models will be available with a choice of two optional packages. For sloping ground, the i-Series Pro combines will include as standard HarvestSmart automatic feedrate control, AutoTrac assisted steering and Harvest Doc software, together with a new ProDrive automatic transmission. In contrast, for level-land farms the i-Series Complete combines will include HarvestSmart, AutoTrac and HarvestDoc as standard. Heading the Deere line-up, all S-series combines will be designated S690i, with the level-land model available as standard with the i-Series Complete specification and the HillMaster model with the i-Series Pro package. There will be no standard S690 models available from 2009. Other S690i changes for 2009 include design tweaks to the harvester's separation and cleaning system, all aimed at boosting output, improving grain sample and reducing straw damage. Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#378 2008-08-17T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#377 While keeping model designations distinct, Case IH has revised and expanded its Axial Flow combine line for 2009 ??? to bring common styling to the ???original??? 2300 series machines and the 010 ???common platform??? harvesters, replacing them with the new mid-size ???88??? and larger ???20??? series machines respectively. The smaller 88 series models, which effectively replace the 2377 and 2388 combines, are built on a longer wheelbase and are now adorned with similar panelwork to their larger brethren. Perhaps most significantly, they benefit from much larger grain tanks. While the 2377 and 2388 are superseded directly by the 294 max hp 5088 (8,800l grain tank) and 335 max hp 6088 (10,500l), there is a new 366 max hp/10,500l 7088 model at the top of the line. This latter model offers a slightly lower spec and lower cost alternative ??? no Cruise Cut, fixed shoe, belt-driven rotor ??? to the 422 max hp 7120, which replaces the 7010. The 8120 469 max hp/10,500l) and 9120 (530 max hp/10,500l) then replace the 8010 and 9010. Cabin design, while now having similar external styling, remains differentiated between 88 and 20 series models. The former feature right-hand A-pillar instrumentation, as used on the Magnum tractor range, while the latter machines are controlled through a Case IH AFS terminal, and also benefit from an optional red leather seat. The larger 20 series combines also now benefit from the trademark Axial Flow centre-rear integral ladder engine access first introduced on the original Axial Flow machines 30 years ago. Header connections on both ranges are now centred on a single point on the LH side of the cutterbar. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#377 2008-08-14T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#376 Claimed to be one of the highest-output seeders in the world, this Multi Farming Systems??? Multiplanter measures a whopping 48m (160ft) wide and was recently spotted drilling on a southern Queensland property. In the picture (Wallaby Productions) the drill is being pulled by a 375kW/500hp Steiger STX artic at 7.5km/hr, planting at around 50ha/hr. Apparently, MFS already has plans to build an even bigger version ??? a 92m (302ft) model. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#376 2008-08-13T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#375 The British National Ploughing Championships are due to take place in Kent this autumn ??? at Marden, near Tonbridge, on Saturday and Sunday, October 11th and 12th. There are competitions for all types of ploughing, from horses to the most modern kit, while the winners of the conventional and reversible classes are automatically offered the opportunity to represent their country at the 2009 World Ploughing Contest in Slovenia. Access to the Kent site is said to be easy. It is located east of the B2079 road, just south of Marden, off the A229 Maidstone road. For further information, visit www.ploughmen.co.uk Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#375 2008-08-12T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#374 New Holland is claiming a new world record for its CR9090 combine, which harvested 451.2t of wheat in an eight-hour period on July 31st, 2008; previous highest figure was 358.09t. The record output, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records, was achieved by NH demo driver Rene Heidig on a farm near Leipzig in central Germany. Average grain moisture content was 10.9% and average broken grain 0.14%. Grain loss levels and grain quality were checked every 30mins under the direction of independent consultants. Peak CR9090 harvesting rates were recorded of up to 78t/hr. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#374 2008-08-07T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#372 The NFU is again pressing the Treasury to provide a derogation for working farm vehicles in relation to the proposed stringent increases in car tax ??? at least until the impact of the tax has been properly assessed. There are fears that farmers in upland areas will be badly hit by the proposed increase, which could see their annual car tax rise from ???210 to ???440. The NFU's Meurig Raymond comments: ???These 4x4 vehicles are essential working tools for many farms, and the proposed re-banding will see them unfairly disadvantaged.??? Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#372 2008-08-06T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#370 The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) estimates that British farmers spent over ???1bn on farm equipment in the first six months of 2008, around 25% more than they did in the same period of 2007. In 2008, 9,266 tractors (more than 50hp) were registered, and average power has notched up yet again to 134hp. It???s a similar story for combines, with sales up around 40% and, as for tractors, these sales levels are now at their most buoyant since the mid-1990s. While the AEA acknowledges that both British farmers and the machinery trade are currently facing a number of obstacles ??? rising costs, supply/demand issues, currency exchange rates ??? it still believes that, looking ahead, there are underlying reasons for optimism. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#370 2008-08-05T22:00:00Z http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#369 New Holland has added a so-called Ground Speed Management system to the full powershift transmission on its 248-325hp T8000 tractors. When engaged, Ground Speed Management effectively converts the hand throttle into a speed lever and the foot throttle into a drive pedal. In Field Mode, for example, the speed lever (hand throttle) sets the tractor???s speed from 1km/hr to 23km/hr, with the tractor automatically deciding at what engine rpm and in which gear to operate according to engine load to achieve the chosen target speed. In Road Mode the available speed range increases to 1km/hr to 50km/hr, and here the operator uses the drive pedal to alter and set the desired travel speed. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT http://www.profi.com/EN_en/news.jsp?menuId=22&src=rss#369 2008-08-04T22:00:00Z