Crowds turned out in good numbers for this year’s milestone 50th year of AgQuip, as machinery from across the agricultural world was showcased
The agricultural community again converged on the New South Wales town of Gunnedah for three days in August as the popular AgQuip Field Days celebrated a milestone.
The event’s 50th year was marked by sunny weather, big crowds and a host of new releases among the machinery on display.
Exhibitors reported strong sales and enquiries across the board, with both new and existing products capturing the attention of visitors.
Here is a selection of the products that were showcased:
Dieci telehandler
Having recently featured on the cover of Farms & Farm Machinery, it is little surprise Dieci had the Agri Plus 40.7 PS Evo2 telehandler prominent at their stand.
Combining high-end build quality, powerful workhorse-like operation and operator comfort – this is a telehandler which Dieci describes as one of its most popular.
Powered by a 125hp (93kW) FPT engine, it has 7.06m maximum lift height, load capacity of 4,000kg and easy dumping rotation of 146 degrees which is specially designed to increase the operating angle, particularly useful when dumping with the boom raised.
Plenty of features to make life easier for the operator exist both inside and outside the cabin of this Italian-made unit.
Lemken drill
One of Lemken’s most popular products – the Solitair DT seed drill – underwent a makeover earlier this year and the new-look machine made its way to Gunnedah.
The new design added a new metering system, reduced the overall machine weight (therefore reducing the tractor horsepower requirement) and is available in different sizes and styles.
It is available in 4m or 6m working widths, with capacities between 3,400L and 5,100L, and with two hopper variants – the single seed hopper, or split seed and fertiliser hopper.
Both models can seed into rows spaced between 125mm and 167mm apart and have transport widths of 3m.
Hardi sprayer
Ever since its launch at the manufacturer’s showcase in Adelaide last year, Hardi has been keen to highlight its showpiece Saritor 7000 sprayer.
It stands out visually, thanks to its sleek black design and integrated LED light bar, but looks are just a tiny part of the equation.
Described as “everything we’ve learned about spray technology together into one machine”, it is an infinitely variable four-wheel drive, a 300hp engine and fixed track width options from 3m to 3.5m.
Most importantly, there are four different nozzle technologies which farmers can use depending on their needs.
Case IH range
For Case IH, AgQuip provided the opportunity to launch a suite of new products and technology.
There was an Australian debut for the Farmall SubCompact tractor, which is aimed primarily at hobby farmers and is the smallest member of the Farmall range.
SenseSpray weed control technology, which came about after a collaboration between Case IH and Agtecnic, was shown for the first time.
The RB6 HD Pro Series round baler was also launched, while updates have been made to the Steiger tractor range.
Hercules loader
Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales had wheel loaders from its Hercules range on display, with both the distinctive yellow and orange models at AgQuip.
One of the orange loaders was the Hercules H.1050, which is the second largest in the H Series.
It has a 150hp (110kW) engine, operating weight of 10,600kg and a rated load capacity of 3,000kg.
These loaders – along with the yellow Hercules heavy-duty (HD) series – are both popular with Australian farmers as well as being frequently used in the construction industry.
Claas tractor
Heads keep turning for Claas’ Axion 960 tractors – and with good reason.
The size alone should be enough, boasting a 445hp (327kW) engine, 1860Nm of torque at only 1400rpm and an 860L fuel tank to ensure it can comfortably run for a 12 hour shift in the paddock.
It also features the Terra Trac concept, which Claas described as “the world’s first fully suspended half-track tractor” when it was launched to the Australian market in 2021.
It features front wheels and rear tracks, while the 960 is the larger of two models in the manufacturer’s Axion 900 series.
Kuhn sprayer
The Metris 4102 trailed sprayer formed part of Kuhn’s offering during AgQuip.
This is the largest model within the manufacturer’s Metris 2 range, available in capacities of between 3200L and 4100L, with 18m to 36m aluminium bi-fold booms available.
The Metris 2 is fitted with aluminium booms to create a lightweight machine unaffected by corrosion, while the booms are integrated into the overall tank design and folded into three parts – an aspect which also limits the overall height when folded.
Stability has also been a focus for Kuhn with this series, while also keeping the machines as compact as possible while also being ideal for broadacre spraying.
Jadan stacker
New South Wales-based Jadan Enterprises showed off its Big Bale Stacker during AgQuip.
Designed for small to medium farms with the need for handling large square bales, the company says the machine is ideal for getting hay moved quickly and efficiently.
It can easily make stacks of four or six bales to assist with transport or storage, while heavy-duty flotation tyres provide a smooth ride across uneven ground.
Designed and manufactured in Australia, this stacker is versatile yet easy to use.
Enorossi baler
Clark Equipment is the local distributor of Italian-made Enorossi equipment, which is described as an “all-rounder” in the company’s offering.
One piece of Enorossi machinery on display at AgQuip was the RB 120 round baler.
It is a trailed baler that suits small to medium farmers and contractors, and both dry and wet conditions.
Needing at least a 50hp tractor to operate, the unit weighs 2,240kgand sits alongside the Enopack 900 square baler in Enorossi’s local range.
Faresin range
Distributed locally by Ahern Australia, one beauty of Faresin products is how they work together to create farming solutions.
Ahern’s AgQuip stand provided evidence of this, with the 9.30C HLS telehandler set up alongside the PF2.20 mixer wagon. The 9.30C HLS has a 3,000kg lifting capacity and an impressive maximum lifting height of 8.9m.
The mixer wagon forms part of Faresin’s Precision Feeding range and has a 20 cubic metre capacity, along with plenty of features to ensure reliability and long machine life.
Sonic sprayer
Croplands acquired Western Australia-based Sonic Boomsprays last year as a way to increase its product offering.
The Sonic 7030 36WI was one model being shown in Gunnedah, which also combines the Weed-It spot spraying technology the companies had previously been collaborating on.
The sprayer is fitted with a 7,000L main tank, plus a 3000L hot tank and 500L flush tank.
It also has a 36m boom and is particularly designed for the broadacre spraying market.
Landini tractor
Landini’s Australian distributor Inlon showcased some of the Italian manufacturer’s tractors among the wider display. Two of these were the Super 85 and Super 100.
The Super 85 weighs 3,450kg and is fitted with a 4.4L, four-cylinder Perkins engine.
The Super 100 is a step up in size, and the unit on display at AgQuip featured an enclosed cabin.
Bourgault seeder
The Canadian manufacturer specialises in machinery for serious broadacre jobs, with its air carts exceeding 45,000L in capacity.
One machine which AgQuip visitors got to see was the CD872 frame mounted seeder.
It has a 200 bushel tank (about 7000L) but remains capable of folding for easy transport despite its size.
It is also fitted with a Paralink opener, which provides independent depth control and ensures seed is being placed in the right spot when seeding takes place.
Conor tanker
Machinery importer Armour Group showed off an Irish-made slurry tanker during AgQuip.
The Conor 3000T has a 13,935L capacity and 11,000L pump, measuring up at 7.7m long and 2.55m wide – with the main cylinder being 5.53m long and 1.835m wide.
This tandem axle tanker also has a 6.1m (20-foot) suction hose, and a unique recessed chassis design which keeps the overall machine height low – just 3.36m in the 3000T’s case.
A wide variety of optional extras including hydraulic drawbar and hydraulic suspension are also available.