Gallery: The best of Henty field days

Date: 05.10.2017

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Check out some of the highlights from the 54th Henty field days

The Henty Machinery Field Days have come and gone again for another year. Marking its 54th year, the always-exciting field days showcased the best that the machinery, equipment and agriculture worlds have to offer. Our man Harrison Hunkin was there this week to find the pick of the bunch.

The John Deere 5100R makes its public debut

John Deere 5100R tractor

The John Deere 5100R tractor made its first Australian public appearance on Tuesday at the Henty Machinery Field Days with much relief from Deere fans around Oz. The 5100R’s highlights include its 100hp PowerTech PWX engine, standard auto-clutch and John Deere’s Command8 transmission system.

The 5100 also offers an optional panorama roof cab, three-speed PTO and a rear hitch lift capacity of 5394kg.

The John Deere reps reckon the 5100R is a high-horsepowered tractor in a small frame.

All Class from Claas

Claas Xerion 5000 tractor

The lads at the Claas stand took us around the company’s newest Xerion 5000, which I’ve gotta say is sleek. The Xerion rocks a 6-cylinder in-line Perkins engine which pushes out 524hp and which Claas says provides high torque even at low engine speeds.

The Xerion 5000 also has an impressive 50km/h road speed and an optional rotating Trac VC cab which allows the operator to work in the rear-facing position. The Xerion range is capable of carrying heavy loads thanks to its unique full support frame and is best suited to chaser bin work and broadacre farming.

The Quadrant 5300 baler is full of new gear

The new Quadrant 5300 baler can perform 36,000 chops per minute

Claas Quadrant 5300 baler

We couldn’t help but notice the fresh new Claas Quadrant 5300 baler at the Claas stand. This baling heavyweight churns out 36,000 chops per minutes all thanks to its 51 knives Claas says, with its final product a 1.2m x 0.90m square bale.

The Claas reps told us that the Quadrant’s automatic bailing pressure control was a highlight of the machine. Claas says this is the only automatic pressure control system on the market. The optimum pressure is set completely by the machine with regard to the crop and twine quality.

"Huge" was the word to describe the Fendt 1042 by reps

Fendt 1042 Series tractor

"It’s huge" was the first thing the AGCO rep said about this Fendt, and he wasn’t wrong.

The 1042 Vario packs 435hp under the bonnet with a top speed up to 60km/h and a dual Vario transmission system.

Our technical editor Tom Dickson says Fendt are the Rolls Royce of tractors and I can see why – aesthetically they are bloody spiffy.

The 1042’s variable four-wheel drive means that there is no fixed lead ratio; the front wheel drive is capable of pulling the tractor actively into turns

Gessner's Patriot planter is Australian made and built for our conditions

Gessner Patriot planter

Australian company Gessner had its new Patriot planter on full display at HMFD. The recently released Patriot is Australian-built and comes available in six frame configurations with the seven-section, 36m Patriot being Gessner’s biggest.

Each frame features three 100mm x 100mm x 9mm toolbars, purpose-built to accommodate row-spacing.

The Patriot impresses with its parallelogram unit, a purpose-built tine row unit that features a versatile precision shank with single, dual, paired-row and liquid injection outlet options, an underframe working height of 900mm and semi-pneumatic V-shaped press wheels. The Patriot is focused on the farmers that plant at 250-300mm.

New Holland autonomous tractor on display at henty

One day this New Holland autonomous tractor with become a reality

New Holland autonomous concept tractor

New Holland arguably had the biggest site at Henty and sparked the most interest with its autonomous concept tractor.

Unveiled at AqQuip, the T8 NH Drive autonomous tractor is making the rounds this show season, showcasing the tractor of the future – an autonomous tractor developed by CNH Industrial with the ability to be controlled from a desktop computer or tablet.

Unfortunately New Holland couldn’t give us a demonstration of the pretty impressive looking tractor. For now, a working autonomous New Holland isn’t on its way to Australia anytime soon, according to New Holland national product manager Tony Peters, but definitely watch this space.

The Massey Ferguson TH7038 telehandler has a reach of seven metres

Massey Ferguson TH7038 telehandler

Also on display at the AGCO site was the new Massey Ferguson TH7038 telehandler, which is jam-packed with features.

Under the bonnet, the Fergie has a 130hp engine while also featuring a 3.8-tonne max lift capacity, three steering modes and a max lift height of 7m. The cab of the Massey Ferguson TH7038 telehandler is designed to be quiet and comfortable, with controls arranged in an ergonomic, convenient layout.

AGCO says its latest Massey telehandler provides farmers with great accessibility and manoeuvrability.

The Case IH Optum 270 has a top speed of 50km/h

Case IH Optum 270 tractor

Unfortunately the lads at Case IH decided not to bring their autonomous tractor or their new monster Steiger tractor to Henty, but all was not lost as we got to check out their newest Optum 270.

With a top speed of 50km/h this Case IH Optum 270 was nothing to sneeze at. Under the lid the Optum has a six-cylinder, stage IV 270hp engine and the company’s popular CVT transmission.

The Case IH reps described the Optum 270 as an all-rounder, perfect for spraying, pulling heavy loads or even hay work. Other standouts include the Optum’s plush interior and its ability to hit 50 clicks without changing any gears, thanks to the CVT transmission.