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Best in the west While numerous field day organisers in other states have been compelled to cancel their events in 2021, Western Australia’s Dowerin Machinery Field Days was an exception to the rule. Lincoln Bertelli got in touch with the exhibitors One of Australia’s biggest field days returned with a bang after being cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of visitors flocked to the Dowerin Machinery Field Days in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region on August 25–26 and saw what a wide range of machinery operators had to showcase. Here are some of the products which were on display around the field days site. John Deere John Deere dealer AFGRI Equipment had several of the brand’s latest releases on display during the Field Days. These included a new 9RX 590 tractor, 8RX 370 tractor, C650 air cart and an S780 combine harvester on tracks with a new HD40R hinged draper with rigid cutterbar. The 9RX 590 is a 4WD track tractor with a powerful 440kW (590hp), 13.6L engine and high-end specs, designed with “real world usability” in mind. Capable of handling big equipment such as rippers, air seeders and grain carts, the 9RX 590 aims to be stronger and more robust than its predecessors. Changes included replacing fuel injectors with a high-pressure common rail system, removing the diesel particulate filter, integrating the coolant and oil passages and adding hydraulic valve lash adjusters, a hydraulic fan drive and a powerful engine brake. Deere says the result is 14 per cent more power and 11 per cent more torque while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption, overall weight and average repair time. Another four-track tractor is the 8RX 370, which
measures up at 276kW (370hp) with its 9L PowerTech engine, a choice of PowerShift or Infinitely Variable Transmission and an emphasis of space and operator comfort inside the cabin. The 8RX range has a model-specific four-post cab suspension, which helps to reduce vibrations for both field and road usage. It also offers a 3,785L ExactRate tank that allows operators to carry fertiliser within the tractor and three levels of customisation for both the tractor’s lighting package and cabin interior. Some of the perks of the top-end interior package include heated seats with massage function, a 16.5cm touchscreen radio, six speakers, subwoofer, footrests and a refrigerator. Only introduced to the Australian market last year, and not seen by many clients due to COVID-19 event cancellations, the midsize C650 air cart was another product shown by AFGRI. Named the 650 for its capacity in bushels (22.9 cubic metres), it sits between the 550 and 850 within Deere’s range and has the ability to fill all four tanks in just 20 minutes. Available as tow-behind or tow-between, other features include high-flotation tyres, ActiveCal technology to allow calibration to be done from inside the cabin while seeding and a durable display unit on the side of the cart. Another showpiece item was Deere’s S780 combine harvester. Offering Deere’s Combine Advisor package, which helps to set, optimise and automate combine functions when conditions change, there is also fully automated yield sensor calibration to supply instant and accurate data. A TriStream rotor increases fuel efficiency and
also reduces the force needed to move material through the combine by up to 20 per cent. It has a 14,100L capacity and can empty the tank at up to 134L per second. It was accompanied by Deere’s new HD40R hinged draper with rigid cutterbar. Features include grain saver draper belts, factory-installed integrated transport system and hydraulic suspension to separate the header from the combine. New Holland New Holland showcased the high-performing T8 and T9 tractor ranges, along with its Twin Rotor CR9.90, large square BigBaler HD and a wide range of hay and harvest equipment at its display in Dowerin. These ranges benefit from the capabilities of New Holland’s Precision Land Management Intelligence (PLMi) and IntelliView 12 display. The PLMi technology enables farmers to make informed agronomic decisions to improve their farming operations. Intuitive and fully integrated, PLMi increases farm productivity by providing real-time remote data display, real-time servicing reports and remote software update capabilities. The IntelliView 12 display allows farmers to accurately control sprayers, spreaders and air seeders using the primary user interface. IntelliView 12 also enables farmers to adjust and set Hydraulic Remote Valve Management, Headland Turn Sequence II and Engine Speed Management. With this technology, both the T9 PLMi and T8 PLMi series bring more power and productivity, cab enhancements, maximum versatility and additional support features aimed at reducing downtime and keeping operators in the field through MyPLM Connect. Herd Boss feed mixer and Mighty Giant grinder Two products that had not previously been displayed in Western Australia were showcased by Valton Feeding Solutions.
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