Kubota has now introduced an upgraded RTV1100 with cab, air conditioning, heater and defroster, and sliding windows. They say it's the first-available utility vehicle engineered for all-weather protection and comfort.
The RTV1100 features a 24.8HP Kubota diesel engine and comes standard with variable hydrostatic transmission, power steering, front guard, 4-wheel wet-disc brakes, hydraulic bed-lift system and over 500kg of cargo-load capacity in the .455cu metre cargo tray.
The unloaded tray height of 800mm makes for easy loading.
It meets OSHA 1928.53 and SAE J2194 Roll Over Protection standards, and additional features include retractable seatbelts, a large under-seat storage area, padded headrests and premium cloth seating.
For those who want to serenade the cows and calves it has standard speakers and pre-wiring for an optional AM/FM/CD player.
In that sector of the industry, it is interesting to note that, despite the ongoing controversy over 'crush protection devices', sales of ATVs boomed last year, up 18.4% on 2010.
Kverneland Group
up for grabs
There is still doubt over the sale of Norwegian company Kverneland, whose hay making products are well-known in Australia.
The stable of brands – Accord, Taarup, Kverneland, Vicon – originally introduced here by the Gendore operation at Tooradin, are now distributed by PFG.
Reports from overseas say that Kubota seems to be a front-runner in the sale although Australian manager Mark Taylor says that he is not speculating yet on any outcome.
One wonders where that may leave PFG as these brands are the mainstay of their hay and silage gear.
Beware the robot revolution
As you can tell from our Working Clothes story this month, robot milkers really are the flavour of the year.
After a slow start and many industry reservations about Max and Elaine Warren's installation in 2004, the last 18 months or so have seen an avid take-up.
Max was very much in evidence at Elmore Field Days on the Lely stand telling other farmers all about it.
Paul McGrath from GV Dairy at Shepparton reports that Peter Costello from Tongala is having good results from his two DeLaval VMS units and he also was happy to share experiences at International Dairy Week.
Grant and Leesa Williams from Hallora will be discussing their robotic decisions at the Australian Dairy Conference at Warragul next month (www.australiandairyconferences.com.au).
Plus Rob Ciavatta at Dairy Tech South East in Mt Gambier tells us he has had an enquiry for 12 Lely Astronauts for one dairy.
Machinery up and down
Machinery sales for 2011 ended very well, according to Alan Kirsten at Agriview, with tractor sales up 9% on the previous calendar year.
However, the market sector most popular for dairy farmers, 80 to 120 PTO hp, virtually stood still – Victorian sales in this range was within one unit of 2010.
Round and large square baler sales for the last quarter were one of the smallest on record, 35% lower than the same quarter of 2010.
Overall, 2011 was down 30% on 2011. It reflects the situation that contractors in this part of the industry were hurting with activity down by one-third, mainly due to low hay prices.
Kirsten said that baler sales peaked in 2007 and have been declining every year since.
Having said all that, he is still optimistic for the coming year, with investing in machinery for productivity gains continuing to be a major priority (as we have witnessed in the growth in the robotic milking area).
Kirsten's message still is; plan your purchases well ahead as supply is easing slightly.
Dairy Hog
Case IH has announced that every PUMA LWB CVT tractor sold before the end of March will include a $14,250 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883. So for all those dairy farmers who've yearned to be a rebel it would seem to be too good a chance to miss.
Contact Chris on 0417 735 001 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
