Farms and Farm Machinery Issue 380

John Deere says a “significant makeover” for its 6M tractor range will bring improvements in comfort, visibility, performance and technology in 2020. The company says a redesign of its Cornerpost display will eliminate the cluster of instruments that surrounded the steering column, while increasing forward-facing visibility and functionality. Up to four selective control valves (SCVs) will be available on the new models – with electronic valves being offered in the 6M range for the first time. Switches on the electrohydraulic joystick are fully programmable, and direction of travel can be changed on both this and the mechanical joystick via the PowrReverser push-button, Deere says. Deere’s AutoTrac precision guidance system will be available on the small-frame models for the first time, with JDLink telematics also included to assist customers with fleet management, service updates and…

PFG Australia will equip all 2020 model Versatile brand tractors sold in Australia with the latest display and receiver technology produced by precision agriculture giant Trimble. The distributor signed an original equipment manufacturer partnership deal with Trimble’s Australian distributor Vantage NSW to guarantee that the new products included fresh from the factory floor. PFG’s product manager for Versatile and Precision Agriculture products Jeremy Duniam told Farms & Farm Machinery the arrangement would apply to Trimble’s new products being distributed in Australia, rather than legacy items. These will include the new GFX-750 display – equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity – and the roof-mounted NAV-900 guidance controller, designed to keep the tractor cab clutter-free. The devices, both of which are backwards-compatible, will be supplied by Vantage NSW and fitted at PFG’s Melbourne facilities onto all…

Manufacturer CF Moto released an all-electric all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at EICMA, one of the world’s top motorcycle shows, in Milan, Italy, in November. CF Moto says the Evolution A ATV showcases its ability to push the boundaries in its powersport products. “Similar to the automotive industry, the powersport industry needs to look at alternative propulsion methods including all-electric platforms to provide a zero-emission alternative,” the company says. “CF Moto global sees the world is changing, customer culture is changing and the powersports industry needs to evolve to meet new world demands.” The Evolution A is powered by an electric motor and drivetrain housed in a new chassis design, with a variety of different power modes and suspension settings able to be selected while driving. It also offers smart phone integration, which CF Moto says opens…

Australian agricultural technology company Farmbot can combine data from its water monitors with data from devices including soil moisture monitors, electric fences, pumps and water tanks with its latest technology upgrade. Company managing director Andrew Coppin says the sixth generation Farmbot will be able to monitor water pressure, flow rates and rainfall, among other variables. “46 per cent of our customers now have rain gauges attached to the Farmbot,” he says. “We are monitoring pressure and flow in pipes, doing water quality, electric fence monitoring – by proximity the device can pick up that there is an electric fence near it and make sure the farmer knows the electric fence or the hotwire is charged and is doing what it is meant to be doing.” The Farmbot features two-way communications, wireless and point to…

Released earlier this year at the Henty Machinery Field Days, the new, wider Speed-Forma CG2000XL has been designed to work quicker while conserving as much topsoil as possible. Measuring 6.2m-wide and with a 3.5m transport width, the CG2000XL finishing machine has a carrying capacity of 11 cubic metres and weighs 12,500kg empty – needing a machine of more than 300 horsepower (224kW) to tow it. Its new design can finish grade and regrade over 10 hectares per hour, using its 24 rippers and scarifiers positioned in front of the blade that can be used while levelling. Speed-Forma manager Troy Litchfield says the company had aimed to create a wider machine with a lower storage capacity – meaning the machine could cover more ground more quickly. “Basically we are reducing the earthworks volumes and making…

With a unique top screen where blades spin between the combs, Finnish company Allu’s range of DL transformer buckets can turn your tractor, excavator, loader or backhoe into a mobile screening facility. Designed for compact base machines and available through distributors across Australia, the buckets can be used to screen, pulverise, aerate, mix, separate and load dry and wet materials including topsoil, peat and compost. Manufacturer Allu says the transformer buckets will remove the need to bring an excavator and screener onto the worksite, processing anything from topsoil to clay, peat, bark, compost, limestone and several other materials. “They are truly mobile, offering you the versatility and flexibility to work more efficiently in the most challenging environments,” the group says. Screened material measures between 15–25mm depending on the space between the combs once it…