More than 80 scrubbed-up tractors lined the Scottsdale football oval early Sunday morning for the inaugural Tasmanian Tractor Show and Shine. Organisers were more than thrilled with the number of entrants, quality, and presentation of the machinery that rolled up for the day. Also, the fact the rains that had pounded the Northeast the day…
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…
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 to…
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…
Claas VARIANT Baler: Review With three bumper hay seasons under its belt this Claas Variant 385 RC round baler is still pushing out high density bales at an average rate of one per minute as Howard Shanks discovered in the fields of North East Tasmania. Timely, good spring rains produced exceptional growing conditions for farmers…
If you’re thinking of hanging the old axe up and purchasing a new hydraulic wood splitter, one question you’ll be asking is what tonnage machine is right for you. Most folks believe they require more tonnage than they actually need. Consider this interesting fact; most hire companies around the country only stock machines up to…
John Deere’s tow behind 40-inch aerator-spreader is certainly a handy addition for serious lawn care professionals. Its ability to be quick hitched behind a variety of machines combined with adjustable soil depth penetration and spreading rate add to its versatility as Howard Shanks discovered. The 40-inch (102cm) tow behind aerator-spreader combination greatly increases productivity for…
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…
John Deere X350 Review There’s a hell of a lot to like about John Deere’s X350 lawn tractor, a hell of a lot! The X350 is a machine well suited to pros and serious lawn care devotees. It boasts a long list of features that make it an attractive package for heavy-duty jobs while delivering…
Cub Cadet ride on lawnmower review. Boasting a wide 50-inch cutting deck with three blades, 24 horsepower Kohler engine and hydrostatic drive, the Cub Cadet LTX1050 is well suited to cutting council parks and grounds up to 1.6 hectares (4 acres). We sent Howard Shanks off to cut 2.5 acres of grass and put the…