Treading Lightly – How MAN’s 18.340 4×4 with AIR-CTI is Revolutionising Spreading in Tasmania On a rain-soaked Tasmanian morning, the mist hangs low over Deloraine’s rolling hills, and the waterlogged paddocks glisten momentarily when the sun peeps through the clouds. Most trucks would be parked up, waiting for the ground to firm up. But not…
JCB 3185 – Review for used buyers There are few tractors in production today that have stood the test of time quite like JCB’s Fastrac 3000-series, a model that was introduced two decades ago. During it’s long production run the Fastrac 3185 in particular has become an exceptionally popular model, we sent Howard Shanks…
PÖTTINGER Impress 155 V Pro: Review Austrian Precision, Paddock Proven: Road Testing the PÖTTINGER Impress 155 V Pro From the high-tech factories of Austria to the lush green rolling hills of northeast Tasmania, the PÖTTINGER Impress 155 V Pro was engineered for one mission – to redefine what a modern round baler can do in…
Claas Arion 620C Review Words and Photography by Howard Shanks. In the mid-size tractor market segment, the Claas Arion 620C leads the field in terms of a smooth and comfortable ride. But smooth ride aside, this tractor includes an extensive list of standard features that make it a sought-after machine by both new and used…
Valtra T-Series Tractor Review Words and Photography Howard Shanks The flourishing, rolling red-soil fields of North East Tasmania are the perfect place to see the big white Valtra T-Series tractor demonstrate its versatility. The Valtra T-Series is blessed with more than just stunning good looks. In fact, the model range has racked up an impressive…
Deutz-Fahr M600 Agrotron: Review Simplicity, reliability and ease of use along with local back service, is what swayed Northeast Victorian premium beef producer James McCormick to invest the new Deutz-Fahr M600 Agrotron. James and wife Emily run a Te Mania Angus recipient and donor cow head at Mansfield, Victoria, in the heart of the…
McHale 991 Hi-Speed Bale Wrapper: Review When it comes to slick, efficient round bale wrapping, the McHale 991 Hi-Speed bale wrapper is certainly worth adding to the pointy end of your list. The 991 Hi-Speed model boasts twin aluminium dispensers that maintain consistent film stretch while delivering 60 bales per hour. Thanks to generous rain…
Avant 745 Arbour Pro Operator Review Words and Photography by Howard Shanks Tasmanian-based arborist cites the addition of a new Avant 745 articulated loader as a real game changer for his operation, speeding up worksite clean-up time with improved material handling capabilities and lower ground footprint. Arborist John Douglass, the owner of iClimb Tree Solutions,…
How to calculate tractor wheel slip Slight wheel-slip is essential for correctly transferring the tractor’s tractive force while still preserving the pasture condition. This article explains how to measure wheel-slip and provides some options to achieve the optimum tractive efficiency with various implements by effectively managing wheel-slip. The degree of wheel-slip is equal to the…
If, like me, you live in a cooler climate with long frosty winter mornings, then there is a high probability that you’d have undoubtedly encountered a battery that has failed to crank an engine once or twice. But let’s face it, replacing a battery on an icy cold frosty winter morning is no walk in…