Farms & Farm Machinery 456

Legend LOCAL

Innovative harvest platforms Midwest Fabrication hand-in-hand, which stems from the manufacturer’s philosophy to continually improve >> Page 10 and go

HARD WORKING

With a full 8 year warranty as standard*

The Maxam Agrixtra range delivers minimal soil compaction, a comfortable ride and improved traction which surpasses all agricultural tyre expectations.

8-YEAR FARM TYRE WARRANTY

*Maxam farm tyres come with an 8-Year warranty against manufacturing defects. This offer includes a full tyre replacement warranty for the first 12 months and a pro-rata replacement warranty thereafter.

On the cover

10 Innovative harvest platforms and Midwest Fabrication go hand-inhand, stemming from its desire to continually improve

Farming

6 Burder Ag Attachments proud to be a TMA member

24 DLL’s nancing helps dairy farm to add solar power

Machinery

14 Dieci’s Agri Pivot and Agri Max telehandlers prove a dynamic pair

18 Nation’s rst Rata Tree Hog buyer full of praise

22 Berti mulcher helps pineapple farm speed up rotations

27 Mahindra details new OJA tractor bene ts

30 Shell Lubricants keeping engines and machinery running smoothly

32 Clark Equipment service wins over rst-time tractor buyer

34 Farmer’s repeated purchases show Kerfab’s strength

Editorial & Design

Editor Lincoln Bertelli

lincoln.bertelli@primecreative.com.au

Journalist Jackson Haddad

Contributors Trevor Whittington, Gary Northover

Design Danielle Harris, Jacqueline Buckmaster

Art Director Daz Woolley

Managing Editor Eugene Du y

Cover image Midwest

38 Maxam very high exion tyres perfect for harvest

41 Vin Rowe Farm Machinery proud of Art’s-Way grinder mixers

44 Customised Shantui bulldozer helps rainforest house build

46 ifm teams up with Goldacres for new control systems

60 Sammut Agricultural Machinery leans on fabrication expertise

Event news

54 Grain handling to shine at BULK2026

55 Case IH launches largest ever Steiger at AgQuip

55 Henty Machinery Field Days celebrates its machine of the year

Industry news

56 NFF says industry on track to reach $100 billion goal

56 Fee relief for drought-a ected Victorian farmers

57 Farmers to play a role in sustainable fuel industry

58 Research projects to bene t SA grain growers

59 Multispecies pasture mix trialled

59 New JCB dealer in Queensland

Market news & opinion

49 Tractor sales enjoyed an overdue rise in September, TMA gures show, being buoyed by one state and weight category

50 WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington believes the Paci c Australia Labour Mobility scheme is viable and stable for farmers

Regular items

4 Editor’s note

52 Calendar of upcoming events

74 List your item for sale!

81 Access granted

JLG Industries introduces new machinery at Converge 2025

Welcome

to the latest edition

of Farms & Farm Machinery

The year might be rapidly ending, but any farmer involved in harvesting knows the notion of winding down as 2026 approaches could not be further from the truth.

The Farms & Farm Machinery team still has plenty of exciting content lined up for the remainder of 2025, including a jam-packed edition here.

On the cover this month, we have a detailed look at Midwest Fabrication.

The harvest platform manufacturer has long been at the forefront of innovation and we delve into what sets them apart and what the Queensland-based company has in the works.

Customer testimonials remain a key part of our o ering, enabling readers to hear from active farmers sharing their experiences with the machinery we write about.

One standout testimonial in this edition comes from the rst Australian customer to purchase a Tree Hog from Rata Equipment, where we not only tell of his positive experience so far but also introduce readers to this product.

We speak to a sixth-generation Queensland farmer about how a Berti mulcher from AgPride Australia has helped their operation to speed up rotation on pineapple crops.

Also in Queensland, a customised Shantui bulldozer from Cobra Equipment Sales has helped with building a house pad and access range in dense rainforest.

In Tasmania, a dairy farm owner shares how renewable energy nancing from DLL has helped with a transition to solar power.

Continuing the trip around Australia, we hear from a Victorian cropping and livestock farmer about the uses for multiple Kerfab attachments –the rst of which is still going strong a decade later.

Sometimes the experience is about more than the machine itself, which a rst-time tractor buyer in New South Wales found when having an excellent experience dealing with Bobcat distributor Clark Equipment.

We go into more depth about Mahindra’s new OJA tractor series, following news of their local launch which featured in the last edition.

There is a look at Dieci’s Agri Max 70.10 and Agri Pivot T70 telehandlers and how they provide buyers with excellent variety for farming needs.

A collaboration between ifm and Goldacres is discussed, along with how the newly developed screens will impact operators.

We also highlight the Art’s-Way range of grinder mixers available through Vin Rowe Farm Machinery, talk about new technology and developments in Maxam’s very high exion tyre range, and show how Viva Energy and Shell Lubricants are keeping farmers running at harvest time.

Showcasing the people and dealerships powering Australian agriculture is another focus – which is why we put Burder Ag Attachments in the spotlight and talk about their long-term involvement with the Tractor and Machinery Association, along with a pro le on Sammut Agricultural Machinery’s fabrication expertise.

There is also eld days news via a machinery award from Henty and a new product release from AgQuip, along with an early look at an event being held next year for the bulk handling sector.

Good luck to all farmers involved with harvest and happy reading!

Lincoln Bertelli Editor

Australia’s Most Useful Attachment

Ambitious advocate

Burder Ag Attachments general manager and TMA board member Adam Fendyk

Tractor and Machinery Association board member Adam Fendyk hopes to use his time in the role to deliver bene ts to Australian manufacturers

A er more than 15 years being a Tractor and Machinery Association member, Adam Fendyk decided it was time for more.

The Burder Ag Attachments general manager is now in his second year as a director on the TMA’s board, which aligned perfectly with the association’s ambition to have more Australian manufacturers involved at a high level.

“I’m obviously very enthusiastic about Australian made and felt that we needed some representation on the board for a local manufacturer, not just importers as such,” Fendyk says.

“It was an opportunity that came up to put myself forward for a position, which is now a stated position of the TMA to have a representative of Australian manufacturing on the board.”

Burder Ag Attachments is based in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, and Fendyk describes it as an engineering company that specialises in design, manufacture and wholesale of front-end loaders, forkli s and materials handling equipment for the Australian market.

While Burder does also import some

products, the high volume of work it undertakes at its Victorian factory means Fendyk is well aware of the issues facing Australian agricultural manufacturers.

He believes getting local manufacturers together under the TMA banner will be bene cial in presenting a united front on issues impacting the sector.

“The TMA is focusing heavily on recruiting other Australian manufacturers into the TMA group and is also setting up a subcommittee that will focus entirely on the needs of Australian manufacturers in that space,” he says.

“I’m really the representative of that group on the board and when I wave the ag for me, for the most part I’m waving for everyone anyway.

“To have a body behind that of likeminded people that have great ideas about what the TMA can in fact achieve will assist us in remaining competitive and relevant in the marketplace.”

Proven

performer

While Fendyk may be relatively new to the TMA’s board, his experience as an engaged member over the past 15 years

has shown him what the association can do as a lobby group at critical times.

“Certainly from our perspective, the TMA is our peak body,” he says.

“As a peak body, it naturally gives us someone to work with regulatory groups like WorkCover and lobby with the Australian government.

“During COVID, we were very quick o the mark to make sure the TMA would lobby on our behalf as an Australian manufacturer and that the agricultural industry would be considered as an essential industry so we could keep going.

“They were able to contact the politicians and make sure they got that position and that statement given for us, as we knew it was very important that we weren’t considered the equivalent of a co ee shop or a restaurant and get shut down by the government.

“The vast majority of our product goes into the food chain and the food industry, from the front end to the back end of animal feeding and fodder and materials handling on farms, as well as vegetable harvesting with our forkli s.”

Burder Ag Attachments in based in Wangaratta, northern Victoria

Broad scope

This is one example of how the TMA has been able to serve the industry through advocacy and lobbying at critical times, something which inspired Fendyk to step up and join the board.

“The TMA is representing an industry value in excess of $6 billion per annum with thousands of employees, so it’s quite a substantial group and the potential for that to be a substantial lobby group is quite high,” he says.

“All of us have the same issues in industry with regard to recruiting and retaining people.”

Beyond just being an advocacy body, there is plenty which keeps the TMA and its board busy throughout the year.

TMA members gather every year for an annual conference, which was held this year in Melbourne in July.

“The conferences are wonderful. I know that every time I go there I always take an endless amount of notes and then always know that I’m learning something on the day,” Fendyk says.

“The networking and fellowship of the alumni is extremely good as well.”

One regular presentation at the TMA conference relates to tractor sales data.

TMA members are provided monthly gures around tractor and other machinery sales, which is also published in Farms & Farm Machinery

This data is broken down by size category and state, with gures compared to the same point last year to give market insights.

Fendyk highlights this data as one of many valuable bene ts of TMA membership for Burder Ag Attachments.

“The published data of tractor sales information for the market is essential

Constant

for us in terms of understanding where the market is, where it’s come from and where it’s going to, so we’re able to plan our production capacity, our purchases and workforce along with that as well,” he says.

“There are resources available at the TMA that probably a lot of dealers don’t know about, but more importantly, other manufacturers don’t know about either.

“On top of that is the advocacy element of the TMA who are working on things like right to repair at the moment, and farm automation in terms of autonomous vehicles.”

Pressurized cabins as low as 1.74 m. narrow as low as 1.05 m. Our Range reaches 110 hp manual or true

Hydrostatic! NO COMPROMISE on power!

Visit your closest dealer

FARMING

Burder designs and manufactures attachments for loaders and other agricultural equipment. Image: Burder Ag

Future goals

Looking ahead to his time on the board, Fendyk sees automation and mechatronics as being an issue which will require attention for Australian manufacturers such as Burder.

“All the machines that you require in the factory to be competitive and consistent and maintain the quality standards you need aren’t particularly di erent to those that are used on farms today,” he says.

“As automation gets more prevalent, we’re all going to need people to be able to look a er those machines.

“That skill set currently is mechatronics, which is currently a university degree.”

Fendyk believes opening this up to becoming more than just a university degree will bring signi cant bene ts to the agriculture industry, particularly when attracting sta remains an ongoing challenge.

“It’s certainly my position that the mechatronic skill set should be run as a trade skill set, not just a university skill set because we need these people desperately,” he says.

“The university degree is primarily aimed at system design and install, so it’s a higher-level outcome, but what we need are the people that want to get their hands dirty and get in amongst the machines but also have that knowledge sitting behind them.

“It’s a long shot for a tractor mechanic to be the automation mechanic when you need to know electronics and you need to know IT systems, then you need to know the mechanical side as well, and you must bring those three skill sets together to become a tradesperson.

“One of the things we’ll be advocating for in terms of recruiting and retaining is the development of this mechatronics trade.

“That will allow us to have people to repair the tools of industry, both manufacturing and agriculture, which will allow us to keep moving forward in an environment where we’re so short of sta .”

To become a TMA member or learn more about the association, visit www.tma.asn.au

Since the manufacturer’s inception nearly 30 years ago, Midwest Fabrication has always strived to remain ahead of the pack.

Midwest’s harvest platforms have constantly been innovative – with the company being the world’s rst to o er a 60-foot (18.3m) width proving just one example of this – and a large network of Australian farmers have been along for the ride.

Adapting and evolving its products as farming needs change, Midwest’s story is that of a manufacturer who is a market leader engaged with its customer base, but which also remains a family-owned operation which is passionate about Australian manufacturing and agriculture.

Midwest’s story can be traced back to a tyre blowout experienced during harvest

Legend LOCAL

Innovative harvest platforms and Midwest Fabrication go hand-in-hand, which stems from the manufacturer’s philosophy to continually improve

by company founder Martin Schutt.

The impact of this, and the desire to improve, ultimately led to the creation of Midwest’s rst ever harvest platform that was launched in 1998.

Testing for this took place on Martin’s farm in Queensland, something which remains the case today.

Using the family farm as a testing ground for new products and innovations shows the grounded nature which is at the heart of Midwest’s work, while also giving a clear example of why its end products are proven and ready for Australia’s tough conditions.

Martin’s daughter Amy Schutt is now the CEO of Midwest Fabrications, and her own farm acts as another testing ground for the company’s products.

She describes agriculture as being “soul

deep”, having grown up on a grain farm and worked in various roles at Midwest since its inception.

“I was born and raised on the farm and was out there when we made the rst front, and I actually bolted the guards onto that front,” she says.

“I have been at Midwest for 26 years, so I’ve seen it come the whole cycle and we’ve certainly got plans to keep developing and growing into the future.”

Keeping it simple

With more than a quarter-century of manufacturing behind them, along with continuous innovation rather than waiting to see what others are doing, Midwest has a strong feel for what Australian farmers need and want.

“We’re keeping it really simple, and I

think that KISS principle for Midwest is vitally important while everyone is raging forward with complex technology, that doesn’t necessarily improve the outcome at harvest,” Amy says.

“Farming input costs have faced signi cant increases in fertilisers, fuel and labour. The combination of rising costs and volatile output prices puts signi cant pressure on farming pro tability.

“For farmers that are broken down in paddocks and can’t operate due to technology issues, waiting for a service person to be in eld and plug in a computer is something we are seeing that has become more frustrating for operators, and very costly.”

As active farmers who understand the problems caused by downtime during harvest though, Amy adds that simplicity and reliability are the traits which Midwest puts above all else – knowing its products will continually perform during the pressure of harvest season, with increased capacity and ease of operation while reducing input costs being vital for today’s farmers.

“We’re absolutely invested in keeping abreast of the current technology in the market, we have invested signi cantly to ensure our new Legacy models integrate seamlessly with the new X9 and S7 Series and all brands of combines, but we keep the machine as simple as possible, as we know this minimises breakdowns and maintenance costs, and keeps operating the machine as easy as possible,” she says.

Standing out

The company uses simplicity to develop a reliable product which can handle Australian conditions – with proof of this being shown through some of the earliest

fronts produced by Midwest still being used for harvest now, over 20 years later.

“The strength, the durability, the ease of operation, service and maintenance is way more advanced than the competitors,” Amy says.

“Yes, we keep it simple, but the life cycle of our product is double any of the competitors.

“When they’re operating Midwest fronts, they will turn over the header but keep the same front - and so they’ve got a much longer life cycle with our product.”

Resale on Midwest machinery is much higher on capital investment when it’s time to sell.

Crucially, Midwest also o ers ongoing parts and support for the company’s oldest machines, which Amy says is another major point of di erence over its competitors.

“The rst fronts are still operating today – 26 or 27 years later – and we are still manufacturing parts to support and supply to those customers,” she says.

“We support parts for a product that’s 27 years old whereas our competitors o en only support their product for a short life cycle.

“We’ve talked about doing the same thing strategically, and the team just throws it out every time. I think that’s a major part of what sets us apart. We will always put the farmer’s needs rst and prioritise their harvest requirements.”

Tailor

made

Midwest’s current product range can be split into two main platforms – the Legacy and Durus – both of which are built for peak performance but tailored to di erent needs.

The Legacy – which is Midwest’s newer addition – is purpose-built for John Deere X9 1000 and X9 1100 Series combines, while the Durus integrates with all other combine harvester brands.

The Legacy features an upgraded frame and centre mount designed to handle greater loads delivered by larger Deere combines, while preserving balance and agility in the eld.

Durus is described as Midwest’s workhorse and is popular with farmers chasing e ciency over multiple crop types.

Both Legacy and Durus o er smart harvesting solutions like fully integrated cross augers for u y crops, and exceptional active ground-following performance, even in melon hole and contoured country.

Both are also available in widths from 30-feet up to 60-feet (18.3m), a size which Midwest is proud to have been the pioneers of.

Constant growth

For all the pioneering innovation which it is rightly proud of, Midwest Fabrication is also a company that refuses to rest on its laurels.

Despite its products having stood the test of time, Midwest is continually innovating – both in-house and through maintaining frequent contact with its network of customers.

“We’re trialling new product right now this year at harvest out at our farm and

we’re always advancing,” Amy says.

“One of the magic things about being a small manufacturer in Australia is we are very fast to market.

“If we have something out there which we know can be tweaked and improved, we do it straight away through our factory and it can take us 30 days.

“It’s not something that has to be three to ve years in development in massive teams of R&D like many of our competitors.”

Midwest has an engineering department that knows where the company wants to be placed in ve years’ time, and their work is enhanced by the ongoing testing behind closed doors on the Schutt family farms.

For all its in-house expertise, Midwest is far from insular.

“We also work heavily with a number of customers nationally around product development,” Amy says.

“We take customer feedback very seriously.”

Midwest also has a substantial dealer network around the country, and with customers actively wanting Midwest platforms to be mounted on their combines, Amy says working with these dealers enables ongoing trialling and testing to occur.

With technological updates in combines such as John Deere’s X9 series, including new intellectual property, ensuring Midwest’s platforms can handle the

external changes which have been forced upon them has allowed for another avenue of knowledge gathering.

“That has forced us to work with companies that are very educated in that space,” Amy says.

“They’re coming to us saying ‘let’s do this, let’s change that, let’s improve this’, and it’s a really good alignment.

“To have that high level critical thinking coming from external companies who are already working in our industry and aligning with dealers on other products has been fantastic.”

Ready to go

Midwest has oor stock ready to be

delivered for this harvest. They are also o ering an early order program for 2026 machines, which is designed to align with combine early order programs o ered by dealers now.

“Right now is when the dealers release their early order combine programs, and we want customers to understand that we have an early order program at the same time,” Amy says.

“We want the customer to get the very best deal on the best machine setup for their operation, and as they lock in their combine sales in the next few months, they will be able to lock in their Midwest fronts at the same time.

“We want them to be making educated

decisions and not just buying a package that doesn’t suit them.

“If we want manufacturing and agriculture to grow and thrive in Australia then Aussie farmers need to buy Australian made machinery. It’s that simple.”

While the early order program means now is a perfect time to secure a Midwest product, Amy emphasises that the company is here whenever customers need them.

“We build all year round, so there’s never a point where we don’t have product. We’ve got stock on hand now in every size, so depending on your farming requirements, we o er 30-feet and 36-feet right through to 60-feet,” she says.

“We manufacture so much in-house, and I think that’s important too, because we’re supporting apprentices trade development and building Australian skills and teams.

“We want to support Australian jobs, Australian manufacturing, and support Australian suppliers.

“We could take product o shore and build it cheaper, but we choose to keep it in Australia to build superior products, o er superior fast customer service and be able to deliver fast.”

To speak with the Midwest team, visit www.midwest.net.au or call (07) 4662 2137.

Dynamic pair

Dieci combines muscle and manoeuvrability in two standout models engineered for Australian conditions

Telehandlers are growing in popularity as an agricultural machine, but for new buyers it can be challenging to know which machine will best suit their needs.

Li capacity, li height and maximum reach are three important speci cations that can help distinguish between models, but there is plenty more than just raw numbers for farmers to consider.

Much like tractors are not a ‘one-sizets-all’ concept, telehandlers come with plenty of features and nuances and this is well demonstrated by two models from Dieci Australia.

The Agri Max 70.10 has been a staple of Dieci’s range, o ering a 7,000kg li capacity and 9.65m li height that make it the perfect unit for the biggest of jobs.

It is complemented by the latest addition to Dieci Australia’s stable, the Agri Pivot T70, which combines the bene ts of telehandlers and wheel loaders into a versatile package.

“The Agri Max 70.10 delivers the muscle – li ing capacity, li ing height and operator comfort for the biggest jobs,

while the Agri Pivot T70 brings agility and manoeuvrability, perfect where space is tight but performance still matters,” Dieci Australia national sales manager Bob Mules says.

While Dieci Australia o ers more than just these two telehandlers, they provide a good insight into the range available, along with the premium features o ered by machines manufactured in the same region of Italy as luxury car brands such as Ferrari and Maserati.

Pivot time

The Agri Pivot T70 only arrived in Australia this year, but Dieci is already proud of how it “sets new standards in performance and operator experience”.

It is powered by a Stage V Perkins engine, which produces 115hp (86kW) and gives farmers a 3,000kg maximum load capacity and 5.2m reach.

Where the Agri Pivot T70 arguably most stands out is with its 80-degree pivot articulation steering angle, which combines with a rear oscillating axle to

provide outstanding agility and stability across challenging terrains.

“E ciency is where the Pivot T70 really shines,” Mules says.

“The 80-degree steering angle delivers the precision required in feedlots, ensuring accurate feed placement, minimising waste and reducing task time.

“The 165-degree fork swivel – the largest in the Dieci range – combined with a quick hitch and quick-release forks, means faster changeovers and maximum exibility on the job.”

Having such a focus on the steering angle and fork swivel means the Agri Pivot T70 can be comfortably used in even the tightest of spaces, such as when feeding animals.

The precision and control of the Agri Pivot when the load is being placed, whether that is animal feed or sand and soil being moved around the farm is where this unit comes into its own.

An electronic accelerator and inching pedal help to give operators accurate and controlled movement at any speed.

Operators have been put at the forefront of the Agri Pivot T70’s design, with easy access to the engine bay complemented by a host of features inside the cabin.

“The rst thing you notice when you step inside is the spacious GD Stage V cab, designed for ultimate comfort,” Mules says.

“With a large multifunction display, intuitive controls and a cab comfort inclusions kit, every operator can work e ciently, day a er day.

“With 360-degree visibility, halogen lights and sun protection built into the roof, safety and visibility are never compromised – whether you’re in the paddock, on site, or working late.

“Our four-in-one joystick is ergonomically designed to maximise operator comfort during extended hours in the cab.

“Thanks to its advanced load-sensing, ow-sharing system, multiple functions can be operated simultaneously, enhancing productivity, completing tasks faster and delivering a stronger return on investment.”

Technology has also been a focus of the Agri Pivot T70’s design, aiming to improve e ciency, safety and ease of operation.

The dual-function LMS screen, digital angle reading and boom length indicators, along with advanced systems like the anti-tipping safeguard, easy dumping mechanism and memory functions, give operators total con dence while working.

Maximum power

Australian farmers work in harsh

conditions and o en require large-scale machinery with plenty of grunt.

“When you need serious muscle on the farm, nothing compares to the Agri Max 70.10,” Mules says.

“This machine is built for the heaviest jobs in Australian agriculture.”

Boasting a 7,000kg li capacity and 9.65m maximum li height, the Agri Max

through hard work with Shell

into harvest and enjoy the rewards!

This spring, get the most out of your machinery with Shell Lubricants and enjoy rewards that work as hard as you*. Simply stock-up on Shell Rimula R4 L, Shell Rimula R4 X or Shell Spirax S4 TXM (as tabled below) from your participating distributor.

MACHINERY

70.10 weighs in at over 12 tonnes and is powered by a 125hp (93kW) engine.

Its hydrostatic transmission and twospeed gearbox give farmers high torque for heavy loads and smooth travel up to 40km/h.

The reinforced telescopic boom is engineered from high-resistance steel for strength and durability, while a 134-degree fork swivel provides maximum exibility.

With load sensing and ow sharing hydraulics delivering 130 litres per minute, operators can perform multiple functions at once with precision and speed.

Multi-tasking is a daily occurrence for telehandler users on Australian farms, and this intuitive design makes it easy to either run multiple functions simultaneously or quickly switch between functions.

“It also features a side shi carriage for e ortless repositioning, and an inching pedal that allows operators to slow travel speed while keeping maximum hydraulic power – perfect for precise stacking and delicate movements,” Mules says.

“It’s all controlled by a four-in-one joystick with integrated Forward-NeutralReverse (FNR) drive selector, designed for intuitive, one-handed operation.”

Despite its status as a powerhouse that can handle tough conditions, Dieci has not neglected the thoughtful design touches that enhance the operator experience.

“The Agri Max is designed around operator comfort, while safety is always a priority with Dieci,” Mules says.

“Inside, you’ll nd a spacious cab with air suspension seat, ergonomic layout, adjustable steering wheel and semiautomatic climate control with six vents.

“Add in curved panoramic windows for a full 360-degree view, and you’ve got the visibility and comfort needed for long days on the job.

“The cab is ROPS-FOPS approved, tted with a deadman sensor and seat presence sensor to prevent accidental operation.

“The Load Limiter Device constantly analyses stability, stopping dangerous movements if limits are reached.

“That means peace of mind for operators and farm managers alike.”

For more information on the Dieci range, visit www.dieciaustralia.com.au

MACHINERY

Product pioneer

The rst Australian customer to purchase Rata Equipment’s latest product has described it as being perfect for his farm’s needs

Victorian farmer Brano Cerny will forever have the honour of being the rst Australian to purchase Rata Equipment’s new Tree Hog.

The attachments manufacturer recently added to its range, with the Tree Hog joining the likes of Rata’s ever-popular Power Claw in providing strength and reliability for Australian farmers.

In addition to buying the Tree Hog, Cerny is also one of many happy Power Claw owners and it was this initial purchase that prompted him to look on Rata’s website when he needed an additional attachment.

Cerny’s property, which he describes as a hobby farm, consists of just over 100 acres between Maldon and Castlemaine in central Victoria.

It was previously used to grow Christmas trees, but with a series of events ending his ability to sell them, Cerny has made the decision to remove the densely planted trees.

Enter the Tree Hog.

Built tough

Rata Equipment describes the Tree Hog as the ultimate tool for tackling tough vegetation and clearing land e ciently.

“Designed with cutting-edge innovation, this powerful machine not only pulls vegetation with ease but also digs out roots, ensuring a thorough and long-lasting solution to unwanted growth,” the company says.

It is suitable for tractor front end loaders – which is how Cerny uses his – along with skid steer loaders and is built from high tensile steel to ensure its strength.

Heavy duty pins and bushes feature throughout, along with the main pivots being 60mm in diameter and supported by extra bushes.

Interlocking plates ensure an excellent grip on any item being handled, while it also includes powerful hydraulic rams and highquality hosing.

The rams are located to the rear of the frame away from the working area, and the hoses are also located out of harm’s way to ensure full protection.

Another safety feature comes via the roll-back protection plate, which not only protects the machine but also supports long branches.

Versatility is further aided by the Tree Hog’s at back frame, which suits multiple types of machine quick hitches.

Front runner

The Tree Hog’s design has received a glowing endorsement from Cerny, who describes its operational style as being similar to using scissors.

“This Tree Hog is excellent – it’s so versatile and it’s exactly what a tree pulling

MACHINERY

attachment should be,” he says.

“The whole design is great and it’s completely di erent to other attachments on the market.

“Mostly you have three-point linkage at the back, where one arm is swinging and the other one is static and you need to reverse into the tree. It’s quite tricky to look over the back of the tractor and try to t.

“Christmas trees are really wide at the bottom, so you cannot reverse fully into it using the back implements.”

Browsing Rata’s website revealed the existence of the Tree Hog, and Cerny immediately knew it would meet his requirements in a way that rear-mounted implements could not.

“I loved the look of the Tree Hog because they’re like scissors and you can reach with the front loader instead of reversing to the tree – it’s really what I wanted,” he says.

“The concept and design are excellent – it’s on the front loader so you can easily reach the bottom or the middle of the tree and keep an eye on it constantly.

“Both arms are closing, you can swing or tilt the whole thing up and down, so you

can pull the tree, lean it a little bit forward and then just move it around, reversing the tractor to somewhere where you want it.

“You can completely swing it straight down, so if the trees are lying on the ground, you can just pick them up, like with chopsticks.”

Perfect fit

Cerny’s purchase of the Tree Hog stemmed from his need to remove the existing Christmas trees and tidy up the land.

“Christmas trees are small, so they were planted maybe 2m apart, but because they’ve grown bigger you can’t walk between those trees anymore and there is no grass because it’s constant shade,” he says.

“The Tree Hog is good for other small bushes, like weeds that grow in big bushes.

“I’ve tried other attachments and this one is perfect. You just grab it and pull it out without any e ort.”

Having already owned a Power Claw, another attachment which Cerny says he loves, he knew what to expect when dealing with Rata Equipment.

He describes the Tree Hog purchasing

process as being “very straightforward” and says Rata’s service “was always good”, adding that he has not experienced any problems with the Tree Hog since owning it.

He is also full of praise for the Tree Hog’s strength, which gives it the ability to handle everything from weeds through to larger trees.

“I think this one is next level,” Cerny says.

“Even with big trees, you just grab the tree, move it a little bit forward, and you pull it out – it’s amazing.

“I just regret I don’t have a strong enough tractor because the li capacity of my front loader is only about 1,000kg.

“I have lots of trees to pull out of the ground and this is a much better option than the three-point rear tree pulling attachment.

“It’s an excellent attachment, I love it. It’s sturdy, it’s properly built and I can highly recommend it to anyone.”

Rata Equipment’s Tree Hog can be viewed online at www.rataequipment.com

Guaranteed

Priority delivery and peace of mind prior to harvest

Parts kit with every early order

Order multiple units to start saving $$$

Sweet slice

Ag-Pride Australia has run numerous on-farm machinery demonstrations over the past several months, with a particular focus on the popular Italian-made Berti mulchers.

As the national distributor of the brand, Ag-Pride product manager Lance Hills says Berti produces one of the largest mulcher ranges of any manufacturer in the world.

“They produce an enormous agricultural range of over 350 di erent machines suited for mulching grass, prunings, roadsides, embankments, and forestry mulching, as well as a range of professional forestry heads to suit excavators, skid steer and compact track loaders,” he says.

“The Berti company is still run by the Berti family that started it over 50 years ago and the quality has never been compromised.”

One of Ag-Pride’s on-farm demonstrations showcased the Berti KING/DT200 mulcher, suited for tractors up to 180-200hp and designed for heavy grass, straw and open eld crops.

This was organised in partnership with Ag-Pride dealer Formatt Machinery in

Bundaberg, Queensland, which held the demonstration at one of its customers farms to show the capabilities of the mulcher in pineapple crops.

“The demonstration was in one of the heaviest crops around, the soil bed was two metres wide and had four plants across,” Hills says.

“A lot of growers will only grow two or three plants in a similar sized row, so it was a very busy bed, but that’s how this grower has been running their farm for years and they’re successful at it.

“The mulcher did a cracking job, and the customer bought it on the spot.”

Smart mulching

The customer in question is sixthgeneration farmer Leyton Petersen of mixed cropping and cattle operation, Petersen Farms.

Based in Hervey Bay, Queensland, the farm covers 750 hectares of land used to grow pineapples, sugarcane and soybean, while another 600 hectares makes up grazing country.

“My family has been farming here since the late 1800s and we’ve gradually expanded over the years,” Leyton says.

Given the density of pineapple crops, the plant o en leaves behind a signi cant amount of waste a er harvest.

A rotary hoe was traditionally used to clean this up, and although it was a lengthy process, Petersen Farms previously had a nine-month turnaround time – meaning there was no rush for the crop to break down in the soil.

However, the farm has since decided to rotate the pineapple crop and replant sugarcane, requiring the Berti KING/ DT200 mulcher to speed up the process.

“Pineapple crops are extremely dense to chop into the ground and you’ve got to be able to get implements back into the soil fairly quickly to plant sugarcane,” Leyton says.

“We now mulch it, and then rotary hoe it later. This allows us to plant sugarcane back into that soil much quicker than if we didn’t mulch it.

“This is because the mulcher chops the crop down ner, so it can break down quicker in the ground.”

As a result, Petersen Farms has been able to rotate its pineapple crop with sugarcane inside the space of three months.

In addition to the bene ts of quicker plant breakdown, Hills says mulching pineapple plants instead of just using a

rotary hoe on its own can improve soil structure and fertility, while conserving moisture.

By doing so, the chopped-up material acts as a fertiliser, feeding soil bacteria as it breaks down, which returns nutrients to the soil for future plantings.

Petersen Farms’ tractor also required less passes to break down the crop when using the Berti mulcher compared to a rotary hoe.

The 2m working width of the Berti machine was perfect for Petersen Farms’ needs, as the operation’s rows are of the same width.

Other features of the Berti King/DT200 mulcher include heavy double side drives with automatic belt tensioners, a heavyduty rotor – driven from both sides not just one – with hammer blades for cutting of material up to 80mm, hydraulic rear door adjustment and double skin body.

“The mulcher has done a good job, we’re very happy with it,” Leyton says.

“We were comfortable putting a higher horsepower tractor on it because it has a twin drive transmission and that stood out amongst the competitors.

“The a ersales support from Formatt Machinery was also excellent.”

For more information on the Berti King/ DT200 mulcher, visit agpride.com.au or call 02 4964 8818.

Empowering renewable farming

DLL’s renewable energy nancing has enabled La Cántara Artisan Cheeses to transition to solar power, aligning with the dairy farm’s sustainability goals, while reducing its electricity costs

Tasmanian dairy farm La Cántara Artisan Cheeses is renowned for producing cheese, pasteurised milk, and other quality dairy products.

Founded in 2019 and based in Smithton, owner Genaro Velasquez says the business’ location is signi cant to the state’s milk industry.

“This area of Tasmania produces about 50 per cent of all milk that is produced in the state, and there are no facilities where milk is further processed,” Velasquez says.

An ongoing challenge for the business has been overcoming nancial barriers to becoming more sustainable.

Despite its role in the region’s dairy industry, La Cántara had previously faced signi cant hurdles in securing nancing for growth and modernisation, until it collaborated with DLL.

For three years, La Cántara had aspired

strategically focused on supporting the energy transition.

Leveraging Rabobank’s strong agricultural experience and global knowledge, the DLL Energy Transition team in Asia Paci c stepped in to provide a tailored nancial solution for La Cántara.

“We bring all of that knowledge together in each of the di erent markets to really optimise what is the best solution for farmers in those regions,” DLL Energy Transition Commercial Manager, Asia Paci c John Feenan says.

“We can provide nance solutions like we have with Genaro, that he doesn’t have to pay capital upfront. He can put that on a nance solution, on a monthly repayment scheme, so that allows him to deploy his capital in a more e ective way.”

More sustainable practices

With DLL’s nancial support, La Cántara installed a robust solar panel system consisting of 108 panels and a 50-kilowatt inverter. This investment began delivering measurable bene ts and returns for the dairy farm.

to install a solar panel system to mitigate rising electricity costs and encourage more sustainable practices on the dairy farm.

However, the substantial upfront capital outlay made it a challenging prospect – highlighting a common struggle for agribusinesses seeking to expand.

Velasquez says “if it didn’t help our cash ow, we wouldn’t consider it” – emphasising the need for nancially viable solutions.

While discussing possibilities with banks, Velasquez didn’t nd a tangible solution.

“One of the main challenges we have been facing is just sitting in that limbo to be considered by a big bank. You don’t have enough equity,” he adds.

“Trying to nd the solutions...to bring a business to a level where you can be considered by some of these nancial institutions.”

Seamless collaboration

As an existing Rabobank customer, La Cántara’s vision for renewable energy presented a natural opportunity for collaboration within the broader Rabobank Group.

DLL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the global Rabobank Group, shares a deep passion for Australian agriculture and is

Beyond the immediate o set of electricity consumption due to rising prices, the shi also supports more sustainable energy use.

This initiative aligns with Velasquez’s sustainability goals, Feenan says.

“It’s his passion to reduce his carbon footprint and to create a product, his cheeses, which can have recognition that they’ve been produced with energy produced on his own farm,” he explains.

The involvement with DLL was notably positive for La Cántara.

“Our experience with DLL has been fantastic – it was a hassle-free experience. As more individuals see the bene ts of renewable energy, both for the environment and for their bottom line, we may see more businesses getting on board,” Velasquez says.

The DLL and La Cántara collaboration is a great example of how integrated nancial solutions can empower agricultural businesses to overcome challenges, embrace innovation, and contribute to a more sustainable future. By addressing the critical need for accessible renewable energy nancing, DLL is not just facilitating business growth but actively fostering a more sustainable, resilient future.

For more information on transforming your farm with more sustainable energy solutions, scan the following QR code or call +61 2 9113 5000

Mahindra’s new OJA tractor range packs a host of features into a compact package, with value and versatility among the standouts MACHINERY

Set to star

A er several years without introducing a new tractor to the Australian market, Mahindra wanted to ensure the model which changed that fact would be a winner.

Thorough planning and attention to detail are evident with the manufacturer’s new OJA range, which is now available

through Mahindra’s national dealer network.

Comfort, versatility and a selection of ‘wow features’ has both Mahindra’s local and global teams excited about the impact which OJA can have for Australian farmers.

The range – which initially includes

three models – was launched to the brand’s dealer network at an event on the Gold Coast in September, although the OJA range has already had about 18 months in the United States market.

Mahindra says several of OJA’s unique features have proven successful with American customers and expects similar positivity Down Under.

The Australian launch was held at a golf course, an appropriate location given the tractors fit into the subcompact and compact categories and will likely be popular for maintenance and landscaping jobs, along with hobby farmers.

The range’s name – OJA – comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘powerhouse of energy’ and provides a clear indication that Mahindra views these as tractors as offering plenty of power and strength despite their compact size.

Stacking up

Mahindra has initially brought the 1123 HST, 1126 HST and 2126 HST into the Australian market.

The 1123 o ers a 23hp engine, which steps up to 25hp on the 1126 and 2126 models.

MACHINERY

Otherwise, the 1123 and 1126 both t into the manufacturer’s 1100 series and share several similarities including overall machine size and weight, along with a two-range hydrostatic transmission.

Both the 1123 and 1126 also share a 420kg loader li capacity, 25L fuel tank capacity, 28.7L/min pump capacity, 11.7km/h maximum speed and Category 1 three-point linkage.

Mahindra’s 2126 has an increased 580kg loader li capacity and is a heavier overall unit at 980kg compared to 735kg for the 1100 series models.

The 2126 also has three-range hydrostatic transmission, along with a boosted 42.3L/min pump capacity, plus a faster maximum speed of 17.9km/h.

All tractors in the range are 4WD, which Mahindra says will be particularly important in agricultural settings where extra power is required to the wheels in muddy conditions.

Mahindra o ers each model with the choice of cabin and foldable ROPS options.

Across the OJA range, there is also a three-year comprehensive and six-year Powertrain warranty as standard.

“Multiple features are best in class at a very competitive price,” Mahindra Australia national manager Ankit Taneja says.

“The weight of the tractor is one of the highest in that segment, and the li capacity is one of the best in the segment as well.

“We are o ering a great value

proposition, plus a phenomenal warranty proposition so that it brings peace of mind to farmers.”

A list of speci cations only tells part of the story though, as it is clear the large list of features outweighs the compact nature of the tractors themselves.

Wow factor

When introducing the OJA series to Australia, Omkar Nabar – Mahindra’s head of international product planning for all markets outside India – highlighted multiple ‘wow features’.

One of these is the presence of both telescopic and tilt steering, allowing operators to customise the steering position to maximise comfort.

This ties in well with the car-like pedal shi , for simpler gear changes which reduces operator fatigue.

“The seat is comfortable and feels like that it belongs,” he says.

“A big Australian farmer who wears a size 13 shoe can easily t on to the tractor and can comfortably operate it.”

There is push button PTO, enabling rear and mid-mounted implements to be activated quickly, along with mid PTO as standard to allow mid-mowers to be attached with ease.

“The mid-mount mower decks are ideal for golf courses, and you have two di erent sizes of decks available for these tractors, which you can quickly attach,” Nabar says.

“The four-in-one bucket, which is unique to Australia, is something we o er as standard.”

Ergonomically placed controls are complemented by the Hydrostatic Drive System, which o ers in nite speed control.

Colour-coded pedals allow smooth forward and reverse movement and are one example of Mahindra’s attention to detail when designing the tractor, along with other colour-coded controls to distinguish areas such as PTO controls from motion controls.

Another thoughtful touch comes via a feature called start assist, which has been implemented in recognition of the fact many OJA buyers may be rst-time tractor owners.

This feature requires four ‘green lights’ on aspects which must be in neutral before the engine will start, providing an easy reference point for inexperienced operators to know how to smoothly start the unit.

This smart indicator is one area which has received positive feedback from United States customers, Mahindra says.

“The OJA range also o ers foldable ROPS so it is very easy for someone who wants to put it up in their barn, and it can easily go in small places where you want to mow,” Nabar says.

“There are good loader capacities and you have increased power so you can do more jobs in less time.

“All these elements cover your versatility and are what we call ‘wow features’.”

Strong backing

The stature which Mahindra has in global agriculture should also never be forgotten.

As the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume, any new release has been carefully planned and aimed to suit markets around the world, including Australia where the company has over two decades of experience.

The example of considering the comfort of “the Australian farmer who wears a size 13 shoe” shows that Mahindra has not just given Australia a one-size- ts-all tractor, while the fact OJA has already been proven in the United States has Taneja feeling con dent it will be a local success.

“OJA was launched in the US roughly around 18 months ago and we have seen a very strong customer acceptance, with a market share of around 10 per cent in that segment,” he says.

“We have already sold around 4,500 units there in the last 18 months and that, to us, is a big testament of the acceptance of this product in a Western scenario – and

that’s why we are very con dent with this product here.”

Mahindra also acknowledges this market segment is particularly price sensitive, which is why Taneja is excited by the “phenomenal” price available on the tractors.

The 1123 is available with a Euro-hitch loader and four-in-one bucket for $23,490 –a gure the company describes as best-inclass – with the 1126 listed as $25,490 and the 2126 at $27,900, each with the loader and bucket. These are recommended list prices, excluding pre-delivery and freight.

“We have been in the Australian market for 20 years and now, with the launch of this modern range of tractors which are technologically savvy and very comfortable and ergonomic, we feel that we have an ideal product at a phenomenal price,” Taneja says.

“This is a very strong value proposition, which will de nitely appeal to an Aussie consumer.”

The OJA range is available through Mahindra’s national dealer network.

For more information, visit www.mahindraag.com.au

Trusted helper

Shell Lubricants are helping to keep tractor engines and machinery running smoothly

At the height of harvest, tractors and machinery are essential to keeping Australian farmlands running.

Farming operations are not only sunrise to sunset, but more like 24/7 and 365 days a year –downtime is simply not an option.

That is why the right time to service agriculture equipment is at the start of every season, before operators get into the thick of it and don’t have time to lose on repairs and maintenance.

Choosing the correct lubricant for your tractor engine and farm equipment is crucial.

The correct lubricant enhances operational e ciency and performance, with shorter downtime, lowering the total cost of ownership, and premium lubricants can protect your equipment, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Choosing the wrong lubricant for a tractor engine can cause breakdowns and accrue costly repairs and

maintenance, quickly putting the equipment out of service and causing unnecessary downtime on an operation.

Shell has been named the number one global lubricant supplier for the 18th consecutive year.

Backed by world-class technology, Shell

delivers market-leading lubricants to consumers in more than 100 countries.

As the exclusive macro distributor of Shell Lubricants in Australia, Viva Energy has worked tirelessly to streamline how farmers can select and obtain the right lubricant for their tractor and farm machinery.

Dynamic duo

Shell has developed a unique range of products that assists operators in ensuring careful management of their equipment and machinery.

The Shell Rimula R4 range and the Shell Spirax S4 TXM are key products for protecting the integrity and e ciency of a tractor’s engine and transmissions to ensure performance and longevity throughout the season.

Within the Shell Rimula R4 range, two standouts for the agriculture industry are Shell Rimula R4 L and Shell Rimula R4 X.

Shell Rimula R4 L uses the latest generation technology to deliver signi cantly improved resistance to wear, deposits and oxidation.

Based on high performance Group II base oils, it is suitable for almost all engines, meaning it is versatile enough to bring farmers the convenience of a single oil.

Protecting the performance of exhaust

emissions control systems is not only important to ensure that engines comply with legislative requirements, but also to ensure e cient operations.

For example, blocked diesel particulate lters (DPF) can increase fuel consumption.

Shell Rimula R4 X is designed to provide triple protection for tractor engines, covering three key areas: acid and corrosion control, wear control and deposit control.

Formulated with Shell’s Dynamic Protection technology, it will adapt to an engine’s speci c requirements.

This is proven by laboratory tests and eld trials under real-world truck driving conditions, where a key engine test observed up to 50 per cent better acid corrosion protection and up to 50 per cent better engine cleanliness, meaning less sludge, less wear and longer service life.

All rounder

While maintaining the engine of farming equipment is crucial, keeping gears and transmissions running smoothly is just as important.

Shell Spirax S4 TXM is a premium “Universal Tractor Transmission Oil” (UTTO) designed for use in transmissions, hydraulic systems, oil immersed brakes and other ancillary systems tted to agricultural tractors and o -road equipment.

Spirax S4 TXM is recognised by leading agricultural equipment manufacturers and suitable for use in most modern equipment.

In today’s fast-paced agriculture landscape, reliability and performance are non-negotiable.

Lubricants play a vital role in helping farmers to maximise uptime, protect their machinery, and operate more e ciently.

Whether it’s powering through harvest or maintaining equipment ahead of

the season, Shell Lubricants’ advanced formulations support the backbone of Australian farming.

Shell’s global technology manager for heavy duty engine oils Dr Jason Brown explains that during the development process, Shell tests its engine oil formulas exhaustively.

“We use these tests to improve and re ne the additive package and enhance oil performance across its lifetime so that it delivers industry-leading protection from the moment of top-up right through to the next oil drain,” he says.

With trusted products like Shell Rimula and Shell Spirax, operators can feel con dent their machinery is protected, operations are optimised, and productivity is sustained season a er season.

Expert support

Businesses seeking real-time support can receive a free consultation on the most suitable Shell lubricant for their machinery through the Viva Energy Technical Help Desk.

For the digital savvy, Shell LubeMatch and Shell LubeAnalyst o er innovative solutions for farmers looking to optimise lubricant selection.

These digital tools enable customers to input their equipment details and access tailored lube matching recommendations, as well as survey and monitor engine health for long-term reliability.

By prioritising quality lubrication and expert advice, farmers can maintain their equipment’s e ciency, reduce costly breakdowns, and ultimately drive greater success in their agricultural operations.

To learn more about Shell Lubricants, reach out to Viva Energy Australia (Shell Lubricants Macro Distributor) at 1300 134 205 or technicalhelpdesk@vivaenergy.com.au

Stellar service

The customer service received from Clark Equipment swayed one New South Wales farmer to choose Bobcat for his rst ever tractor purchase

Australian agriculture is a diverse industry and it is important to remember that two people might purchase the same machine with completely di erent priorities.

Bobcat’s UT6580 is the largest utility tractor within the manufacturer’s range, o ering a 75hp (56kW) engine and marking a step up from the compact models which are also available.

For many experienced buyers, this additional power might be a crucial factor in moving to the larger utility tractor.

Hamish Meek, who is a “part-time” farmer buying his rst tractor, was swayed as much by the customer service as any of the tractor’s technical features.

Hamish and his wife Bianca purchased about 150 acres of land earlier this year and were seeking a general, all-purpose tractor to complete jobs such as fencing and slashing.

While it may have been his rst ever tractor purchase, Hamish has been involved with buying and selling machinery and has used Bobcat’s construction machinery before.

It was for this reason that Bobcat entered his list of possible brands, but it was the customer service he received during the process which secured the sale.

Won over Bobcat Australia is a division of Clark Equipment, whose Newcastle branch is located close to Hamish’s farm in Booral.

Hamish dealt with Clark sales representative Aaron Becro and cited his experience throughout the process as a major reason why he chose the Bobcat tractor over alternative options.

“We did our research and found they had one of the better utility tractors,” Hamish says. “Bobcat is a good brand backed by a big company but to be honest, we put the feelers out for everybody.

“Some of them didn’t come back to us at all, and Bobcat were there on the spot at the time, so they got the sale.

“Being conveniently located to the farm

– they’re only 20 minutes away – meant it all fell in place quite easily for us.

“One of the major buying decisions was the fact you have con dence that a company is keen enough to apply the basic customer service.”

Receiving this service, and the “refreshing” experience of being treated like he was not just another number, gave Hamish con dence the purchase would be positive.

“I went and checked out the machine. They were accommodating and said ‘here, have the keys’ and got one of the service guys to come and walk through the machine,” he says.

“That was another big bonus and by sheer accident, we got a little bit more technical information, which is good to me.

“I was con dent in the brand, I just needed to be con dent in the people and they were the most accommodating.”

For someone buying their rst ever tractor, it is a considerable investment that needs to not only play a crucial role on the farm but be backed by service and support which inspires long-term con dence.

“There are a few things that go into buying decisions,” Hamish says.

“It’s an $85,000 tractor and it’s nothing to be sneezed at, but their a er-sales support was excellent – they came and showed me everything.

“They spent that a ernoon with me making sure that I was comfortable with

the machine and said they’re only a phone call away.

“The personal contact with the business and the people within it was really good, and those things are important to me.

“I just like the fact they’re honest and did what they said.

“I hate to label it like they’re country people for country people, but I found it refreshing to have that foundation of sales support which seems to be fading.

“It was the right price, right delivery time, good contact and good customer service.”

Comfortable ride

Hamish does not farm full-time, instead working in sales for the steel industry which is so important to the Newcastle region.

He also previously worked for a business which “used to buy three or four machines a year”, meaning he is well versed in machinery and sales from both the buying and selling perspectives.

This helps to explain why the customer service experience was so important to his inaugural tractor purchase, but naturally the machine itself also needs to be a success on the farm.

While it remains a relatively new acquisition, and one that is not used every day, Hamish has cited both reliability and ergonomics as features which have impressed him.

“Because I’m a part-time farmer and not full-time, I need to go to the property, turn

the key and hit start and have it operate exactly how it should,” he says.

“You want it to be reliable and then get in it every week and it starts.”

It has been a proven performer for Hamish so far, with the added comfort of knowing support from Clark Equipment is “around the corner” if needed.

Comfort also extends to his operator experience, with Hamish citing this as a major bene t and describing the ergonomics as “awesome”.

“The cabin is really noise suppressing, which is awesome because you don’t need to wear earmu s all day,” he says.

“Being in a cab that keeps the noise down, when you’re out there for a couple of hours in the paddock slashing, it makes it comfortable.

“There’s no dust, you can get the air conditioning and stereo going, and another one of the good features is the ergonomic placement of the four-in-one bucket controls.

“It’s di erent to the others that I’ve tried, because the others just come from the dashboard out towards you but this one comes up like a gear stick lever and is really comfortable to use.

“Even the glass placement is great. Some people don’t nd that important, but I nd viewing everything is excellent.

“I’m more than satis ed with it and I would recommend them.”

The full Bobcat range can be viewed online at www.bobcatofaustralia.com.au

Built to last

Kerfab attachments have a reputation for strength and reliability, with farmers making repeat purchases proving a powerful endorsement

With more than 30 years of manufacturing experience, Kerfab has become a trusted name for countless farmers around Australia.

One of these is Bec Cruise, who farms with her family at Carwarp near Mildura in Victoria’s north-west on a property which is used for dryland cropping, sheep and cattle.

Her family’s rst interaction with Kerfab came more than 10 years ago via the purchase of a bale fork, before they reached out again in the last year to add both a stick rake and pallet fork.

The original bale fork is still going strong and working every day a er a decade of use, providing a glowing endorsement of the products’ long-term durability.

As for the attachments’ strength, Cruise’s endorsement of this aspect can be summed up in one simple sentence regarding the recent stick rake purchase.

“Our stick rake is really strong – I think the machine would break before the stick rake,” she says.

Raking it in Kerfab is a Victorian-based company, with its manufacturing facility and head o ce

in Kerang being located roughly 250km from Carwarp.

It builds attachments for a variety of popular agricultural machinery types and, crucially, makes them to handle Australia’s demanding conditions.

Kerfab attachments are available through the manufacturer’s national dealer network, and the company’s

base in Kerang is complemented by a warehouse in Perth and o ce in Warwick, Queensland.

The bale fork, pallet fork and stick rake are all attached to a Manitou telehandler on Cruise’s farm, with Kerfab building models of each that are speci cally designed for telehandlers, in addition to what the company produces for tractors.

The telehandler stick rake is available in two widths – 2.4m and 2.7m – and each tine is 32mm thick.

The tines are also made from GR350 steel, which Kerfab says guarantees power and durability when moving large amounts of material.

All tines are evenly spaced to ensure smooth and e cient operation, even when having to clean up roots or vegetation in challenging conditions.

Double forks

The bale fork – which was the Cruise family’s rst purchase and is still going strong a decade later – is one of Kerfab’s most popular attachments.

It has a range of customisation options depending on individual requirements.

A 1.8m fork is able to con dently handle two bales, and a 2.1m or 2.4m-high fork is available for when three or four bales need to be carried.

Telehandler bale forks are available in four or ve tine con gurations that are 36mm thick, with the h tine ideal to help denser bales to not fall apart under their own weight.

Also built with an open design to ensure visibility, the bale forks have a high back, which Cruise describes as “super safe”.

“We can carry three big square bales and the bar goes quite high, so the bale can’t fall back on top of the cab,” she says.

Two skid gussets enable the bale fork to stand alone while it is not being used, making it easy to attach and detach from the telehandler.

This ease of switching between their Kerfab attachments thanks to a quick hitch is cited by Cruise as one of her favourite features, particularly for farmers having to constantly juggle priorities.

“I think our farm is like everyone else’s farm – there’s so much to do and no time to do it, so having the quick hitch just makes life so much easier,” she says.

“It’s a matter of just pulling up, pulling a

pole out, swapping implements, putting a pole back in, and you’re done in 30 seconds. It’s that quick.”

Cruise’s nal Kerfab attachment is the telehandler pallet fork.

Kerfab manufactures these in two styles – ITA adjustable forks and oating adjustable forks.

The di erence between the two is the manoeuvrability of the tines, with the ITA adjustable fork having multiple latching points across the pallet fork carriage, meaning the tines can be

adjusted and secured onto desired points, depending on the pallet’s width.

This ITA-style fork is available with capacities between 2,500kg and 5,000kg, while the oating models can handle between 2,500kg and 4,000kg.

Heavy duty forged tines o er excellent strength and durability, and come as standard with a load guard that provides extra strength and protection against load damage during heavy li ing.

Ready to go

Both the bale fork and ITA pallet fork are included as part of Kerfab’s Attach + Go promise.

This has long been one of the company’s unique and standout o erings, which is applicable to its most popular products and involves several steps.

Firstly, Kerfab promises to have an o cial quote within two hours on its Attach + Go range and will dispatch them within seven working days of order con rmation.

This gives Kerfab customers – and its national dealer network – the con dence that attachments can be quickly and reliably sourced if required on short notice.

Receiving top quality products and service to match has Cruise feeling thrilled with her Kerfab experience.

“Dad was the one who dealt with Kerfab. He had great experience with them and they were fantastic to deal with,” Cruise says.

“Within a few emails back and forward, and some phone calls, it was done.

“We love supporting Australia, so we love that it’s Australian made.

“The quality is fantastic. It’s really high quality, they’re safe and we highly recommend Kerfab to anyone.”

The full Kerfab attachments range can be viewed online by visiting www.kerfab.com.au

To the max

Maxam’s special range of very high exion tyres are designed to keep Australian farmers running smoothly during harvest time

During harvest time, every part of a machine must be working harmoniously to achieve success.

One thing which combine harvesters, large tractors and high-clearance sprayers have in common – and the importance of which cannot be overstated – is they require tyres that can handle the consistent demands placed on them during the busy harvest season.

Maxam has the answer thanks to its advanced range of AgriXtra VF tyres, which have been making signi cant strides in the Australian agricultural sector due to their capability to handle harvest season.

The VF in the model name represents ‘very high exion’ – and this is a crucial point of di erence.

These tyres o er three important characteristics that help them excel in

Australian conditions: enhanced load capacity, reduced soil compaction, and fuel e ciency.

Maxam also says its tyres are priced between 50 and 60 per cent of traditional premium brand tyres, o ering signi cant cost savings without compromising performance.

Advanced tech

Maxam’s VF technology means the tyres can carry 40 per cent more load at standard pressure, thereby increasing the overall carrying capacity on hard-working machinery.

Alternatively, it can be used to operate with 40 per cent lower pressure for the same load, something which helps reduce soil compaction and improve crop yields.

Regardless of which characteristic is prioritised by an individual farmer,

Maxam says its VF tyres help to minimise fuel consumption and extend tyre life.

This becomes particularly valuable on machinery that undertake long transport runs across varied terrain.

Being able to o er this increased load capacity and lower pressure had been a major project at Maxam headquarters, with signi cant changes to the tyre casing required.

These redesigns and new speci cations had been based on market demand, Maxam said at the time, recognising the agricultural tyre market’s evolving nature.

Across the range, Maxam tyres are engineered to handle the diverse soils which Australian farmers must tackle – equally capable of succeeding in Queensland’s red loam as they are in Victoria’s heavy clay.

The 45-degree lug pro le ensures

reliable traction and minimal vibration, even in sticky or uneven terrain.

Broad range

Maxam’s very high exion range can be split into three key areas.

The rst of these is the AgriXtra XL, which is targeted at high-horsepower tractors. It o ers wide tread pro les and self-cleaning designs, which Maxam says help to provide optimal paddock performance.

Within the popular AgriXtra XL range, Maxam o ers multiple pattern options with varying loads and speeds, tread depths, section widths and overall sizes.

This helps ensure farmers can nd the perfect tyres for their hard-working tractor, regardless of size or individual needs.

Next in Maxam’s o ering are the AgriXtra H and N models.

These are built for heavy-load steer axles and row crop applications, with steel-belted radial construction providing durability and traction.

Lastly, Maxam’s MS971R TracXtra is a multi-surface tyre engineered for agroindustrial use, o ering uniform ground pressure and reduced rolling resistance.

Maxam tyres are backed by more than half a century of manufacturing experience.

The company’s headquarters are in the United Kingdom and there is a agship facility in the United States, meaning farmers can be con dent they are purchasing from a well-established brand that has been proven around the world.

Extensive local testing and collaboration with Australian users have helped to ensure the ongoing improvement and local suitability of the tyres, and they are backed up by extensive

support and a national dealer network.

The company specialises in agricultural tyres, along with those for construction, heavy industry and mining, meaning Maxam knows what is required to keep demanding machinery operating.

Maxam tyres are backed up by an eight-year warranty, something the company describes as industry-leading.

This covers workmanship and materials for eight years, with conditional eld hazard and stubble damage covered for ve years.

This warranty, combined with Maxam’s workmanship and suitability for Australian conditions, means farmers can tackle the crucial harvest season with con dence in the tyres driving their machinery.

Maxam’s full agricultural tyre range can be viewed online at www.maxamtyres.com.au, or by contacting your local tyre dealer.

Right mix

Vin Rowe Farm Machinery is the national distributor for Art’s-Way grinder mixers, which help farmers achieve the perfect feed

It could be argued that agriculture is an art which must be mastered in order to achieve maximum results and therefore income.

One aptly named product which can help farmers to master this art are Art’sWay grinder mixers.

These American-made mixers are backed by nearly 70 years of company history and are distributed around Australia by Vin Rowe Farm Machinery.

Art’s-Way grinder mixers are designed for modern feeding operations and the manufacturer says these will “have your back day in and day out”.

Its grinder mixers are available in two distinct styles – hammer mill and roller mill – with various capacities available in both.

Hammer mills are the ideal choice for farmers wanting faster processing, the company says, while roller mills provide more consistency and also have a lower horsepower requirement.

Star performer

One model which Vin Rowe highlights is the 7165 hammer mill grinder mixer. This unit o ers a huge 165-bushel tank (5,814L) and has a 26-inch (66cm) onepiece hammer mill.

It is equipped with 96 hammers, which are four-way reversible to get more use out of the common wear item and extend its overall life.

A larger jack sha and bearing are built to withstand stress from the tractor, which

is recommended to be between 80-160hp for optimal e ciency.

The 7165 is a mixer designed to handle the toughest jobs, with strong drive lines and longer run times helping to provide more e cient feeding.

Its discharge system has a 10-inch (25cm) diameter and there is also a throat magnet to prevent metal debris from staying in the feed during processing.

Self-contained hydraulics allow for a more hands-free operation, and the centralised hydraulics manifold makes it easy to monitor and adjust gauges and allows the remote functions to work properly.

Complete control of the auger movement can be done via a control box or wirelessly operated remote.

The added hydraulic cooler automatically engages when the hydraulic uid temperature is elevated, while the fan reverses periodically to keep debris out of the cooler.

A centralised grease point is another feature which makes operational maintenance easy.

An air system captures more feed and decreases dust during processing.

PTO drive at 1,000rpm or 540rpm is available, while a 12-foot long (3.7m) discharge auger allows for fast unload and easily reaches bulk bins.

Within the hammer mill range, Art’s-Way also o ers the 6105 and 8215 models which have capacities of 105 bushels (3,700L), and 215 bushels respectively (7,576L).

On a roll

Art’s-Way’s other main o ering is the CattleMaxx roller mill grinder mixers.

According to the manufacturer, using a roller mill allows for consistent feed results to be achieved with a lower horsepower requirement than the hammer mills.

For example, the 7165 model in the CattleMaxx roller mill range only requires a 50-120hp tractor rather than the 80-160hp recommended for the hammer mill.

Made from steel cut rolls, the grooves allow farmers to pinpoint the feed size that works best.

Art’s-Way roller mills make grain more palatable and digestible by fracturing the kernels’ outside hulls, the manufacturer says.

A consistent particle size produced by the roller provides increased bulk, allowing the animals to eat more ration and better assimilating the digestible nutrients.

Two mixing tank sizes are available – which align with two models in the hammer mill range.

These are the 6105 (with a 3,700L

capacity) and 7165 (with a 5,814L capacity).

The two model features 20-inch (51cm) roller mills, which steps up to a 30-inch (76cm) roller mill on the larger 7165 model.

Features of the hammer mill models such as centralised hydraulics and wireless operation also feature on the roller mill range.

Proven model

The alignment of Art’s-Way grinder mixers and Vin Rowe Farm Machinery brings together two companies with long histories in agriculture.

Art’s-Way has been producing equipment since 1956, with a focus on specialised niche markets, and is due to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year.

This aligns well with Vin Rowe, which was established in 1961 and is the national importer and distributor for a wide variety of specialist brands.

Vin Rowe is based in Warragul in Victoria’s Gippsland region but serves the entire country and has strong parts and service backup.

For more information about Art’s-Way grinder mixers, visit www.vinrowe.com.au

September 2026

EXHIBIT IN 2026. BE SEEN. BE HEARD. BE CHOSEN.

Track star

A customised Shantui bulldozer from Northern Heavy Machinery Sales and Service and imported by Cobra Equipment Sales has helped to successfully build a house pad and access range in the middle of a North Queensland rainforest

While bulldozers are commonly seen on construction sites, their value on farms and rural properties can’t be understated.

The blade on these machines enables them to thrive in land clearing applications, and they are capable of towing farming implements in jobs where tractor tyres could be damaged.

One business that has experienced the full bene ts of dozers on remote sites is Townsville-based contractor Civilquip.

Established in 1993, the familyowned and run earthmoving business specialises in small-scale heavyweight jobs across the vast expanses of North Queensland, including maintaining access tracks up hills for mobile phone tower sites and under powerlines, as well as private jobs in remote, hillside, rocky and generally di cult sites.

“We’ve worked as far south as Rockhampton, as far west as Camooweal and as far north as Lockhart River,” Civilquip owner Ken Willing says.

“We tend to do the jobs that need decent sized equipment but are too small for larger contractors to be interested in doing, which includes one day jobs.”

Civilquip’s eet consists of everything from loaders and dozers to graders and 30-tonne excavators. The newest machine in its inventory is a Shantui DH17-C3 dozer with a Power-Angle-Tilt (PAT) blade and forestry protection, which was provided by Northern Heavy

Machinery Sales and Service as northern dealer working with Shantui authorised distributor and dealer Cobra Equipment Sales.

Remote rainforest

Willing procured the 19.2-tonne

dozer with three shank rear rippers as an upgrade on one of his older machines, and wasted no time putting it through its paces in the middle of the Cardwell Rainforest, approximately 160km north of Townsville.

This job involved clearing rainforest and rocks for a house pad on a private property, while creating an access range up a hill to the eventual house.

“The machine so far has been proving quite robust, because I’ve had a few decent sized trees crashing down over the top of it,” Willing says.

“I did order it with forestry protection and I’m glad that I did, because although I don’t do a lot of tree clearing, this rst job it did was pretty hectic with all the vines tying the trees together.

“You push one over and that pulls in another half a dozen on top of you.”

The PAT blade was also speci cally requested by Willing due to the large amount of access track maintenance Civilquip does.

“We use the PAT blade like a grader for maintaining those tracks,” he says.

“It’s the most useful attachment to have on a dozer for that work. It doesn’t suit everything, but it suits most of our work.”

Established brand

As the rst Shantui-branded machine in the Civilquip eet, Willing was initially attracted to the OEM’s equipment, o ered by Northern Heavy Machinery North Queensland with Cobra, due to the cost-e ectiveness of its equipment.

“It was not much more than a third of the price of one of the top brands,” he says.

While this is the eighth dozer he has owned, the Shantui is the rst brand-new dozer Willing has ever had, which he says is a testament to its price point.

This is because he was originally looking to buy a second-hand machine but was intrigued when he came across Shantui and some of its brand-new dozers.

Willing had made an inquiry for an alternative brand of dozer, but it wasn’t o ered with a PAT blade, so the customisation ability o ered by Northern Heavy Machinery Sales and Service was more than appealing. When the standard PAT blade was re-manufactured to less than 3.5m, he was able to be move the machine without an escort.

With the cost and attachments being important to Willing, so was Shantui’s reputation, and having researched the history of brand, he was con dent its machinery would thrive in his jobs.

“Shantui has been around for over 40 years, and they actually make more bulldozers than anyone else in the world,” he says.

“I owned a Chinese machine 20 years ago when they were rst on the market, and it was a very pro table. Equipment tends to get even better as time goes on, so I wasn’t shy on going for another Chinese make.”

Since obtaining the Shantui dozer, it has clocked up 100 hours on its rst job in the Cardwell Rainforest, with Willing thrilled with its performance and fuel economy, thanks to the 204hp (152kW) Weichai engine.

“It has more than enough power and the fuel economy is great. The dozer is doing medium weight work at the moment, and I appear to be running at 18 litres per hour,” he says.

Some of the dozer’s features Willing has found useful include joystick speed regulation for determining the speed of his pushing and trimming, as well as a decelerator pedal on the same pedal as the brake – reducing the need to use two separate pedals.

He has also been happy with the air-conditioning and the radio, which he says has been able to pick up Townsville signals even when working as far as 150km away.

“The dozer has done harsh work, but it has stood up,” Willing says.

“There’s been no problems with it and the features are quite nice.”

For more information on the Shantui DH17-C3 dozer, visit cobraequipmentsales.com.au or call 07 3379 9419. Northern Heavy Machinery Sales and Service for Central, North, Far North & Western Queensland can also be reached by calling 0427 244 577 or 0411 744 333.

MACHINERY

Smart control

Goldacres has paired its famously tough sprayers with ifm displays and controls, giving farmers clear, real-time machine insight without adding complexity

Australian paddocks are hard on people and machines.

Dust, heat, vibration and long days demand sprayers that are simple and reliable.

Goldacres has long built rugged gear for broadacre and horticultural jobs and now the Ballarat manufacturer has added something growers asked for: easy-to-read information in the right place, at the right time.

That step comes from a partnership with ifm built around rugged, programmable displays, where the brief came straight from growers.

“Being an Australian company, we’re very close to our users and feedback was that people wanted to know more about what was going on with the machine,” Goldacres sales and marketing manager Stephen Richards says.

“That meant developing display solutions that would give them as much information as we could.”

In practice, that meant keeping the hardware tough and making everyday tasks faster to set up, safer to run and easier to monitor.

Reliability and avoiding downtime remained the line in the sand.

“I grew up on a farm and the last thing you want is your machine to fail out in the eld,” Goldacres electrical integration manager Luke Myers says.

“With that perspective, we needed to develop a solution that would meet this

requirement but was also easy to use.”

The goal was to add intelligence without fuss, so a new operator would feel supported and an experienced operator could work even faster.

Goldacres chose ifm’s ecomatDisplay platform, a family of industrial-grade screens designed for mobile machines.

Every new sprayer now has two displays: one outside at the ll station and one inside the cab.

“The external screen does all the ll function of the sprayer, whilst the internal screen is a dashboard showing speed, RPM, and the engine side of the tractor,” Richards says.

“But it also gives the operator full control of the sprayer itself.”

Both screens are designed for the elements.

They carry a high IP rating against dust, mud, water and vibration, and they are fully programmable using CODESYS 3.5.

The external display can guide a new hand through a repeatable ll routine with clear prompts and checks.

The in-cab screen can prioritise the readouts an experienced driver wants rst, from engine status and RPM to spray control, so nothing important is buried.

Under the glass is a control system that ties sensors, inputs and outputs together.

“The implementation of a comprehensive control system, featuring robust controllers and I/O modules, was pivotal in ensuring the success and e ciency of these Goldacres’ sprayers, enabling seamless operations and unparallelled precision,” ifm’s mobile automation specialist Aditya Kunder says.

In short, the screens are the face, while the controllers and I/O do the heavy li ing that keeps everything responsive.

The payo shows up in small moments across the day.

At the nurse tank, the external display turns pre-start checks and lling into a tidy, repeatable process that saves time and reduces mistakes.

In the paddock, the in-cab dashboard helps operators keep an eye on speed, spray rate and machine health at a glance, so they can focus on the row ahead.

When wind or crop conditions change, adjustments are quick and deliberate rather than buried in menus.

Less guesswork and more consistency add up to better coverage and smoother days.

Support has been part of the story, as shi ing from purely mechanical systems to so ware-rich control is a signi cant step for any manufacturer.

Goldacres wanted a partner as well as a supplier and Myers says the choice became clear.

“As we were taking that step into what for us was an unknown space, ifm really rose to the top,” he says.

“Their product o ering, their quality, and their technical know-how gave us the complete package.”

The result is a new generation of sprayers that feel familiar but work smarter.

Operators get clear, timely information; managers gain con dence that di erent drivers can achieve the same outcome; and service teams can diagnose issues faster using consistent data.

Most importantly, the machines stay

true to the Goldacres promise: tough sprayers that do what they are told and keep doing it day a er day.

The approach also sets a foundation for future features.

Because the displays are programmable, Goldacres can re ne work ows, add useful prompts or integrate new sensors without redesigning the whole machine.

That means farmers can expect steady improvements over time rather than big, costly overhauls.

In a season when labour is tight and every spray window matters, that sort of evolution is worth a lot.

More broadly, the project mirrors a wider trend in farm machinery: match hard-wearing hardware with so ware that removes friction from complex tasks.

ifm’s mobile portfolio spans sensors, rugged HMIs, decentralised I/O and controllers.

“For everything from sensors and cameras to cables, rugged HMIs, decentralised I/O modules and powerful controllers, we are basically a one-stop supplier of high-quality components built speci cally for mobile applications,” Kunder says.

“What sets us apart though isn’t just the hardware, but the integration.

“Comprehensive so ware libraries make it easy for manufacturers like Goldacres to embed advanced functionality, save engineering time and reduce development costs.”

The lesson is straightforward – the best technology is the kind that gets out of the way.

Tough gear that is easy to use saves time, builds con dence and helps crews deliver consistent results.

Scan the QR code to read the white paper “Smart control in the field: How Aussie manufacturer Goldacres’ uses ifm technology to deliver next-generation ag sprayers” and watch short videos from the Goldacres team.

ifm is a global leader in industrial automation and sensing technology. Its portfolio includes sensors, remote monitoring, mobile systems, and technologies that support the digitisation of industrial environments, engineered to thrive in the toughest conditions.

Bouncing back

For the rst time in many months, tractor sales have increased compared to the same month last year.

There were just over 800 tractors sold across the nation in September, which marks a 0.8 per cent improvement over September 2024’s gures.

The year-to-date gure still remains 8 per cent below this time last year, but another cause for optimism comes from the retail turnover gure.

Such a measures total dollars sold as opposed to unit numbers and this gure was up 2.7 per cent for the month, providing a re ection of the product mix delivered.

The biggest drop occurred in the under40hp range, which was down 14.5 per cent when compared to September 2024.

Tractors between 40-100hp enjoyed the biggest jump, being up 19.9 per cent compared to the same month last year.

The 200hp plus range rebounded strongly.

It posted an 11.2 per cent increase compared to September 2024 and as the segment which is down the most for the year to date, this gives cause for optimism.

The industry is dealing with two very di erent story lines at present.

In the west and north of the nation, conditions are very strong aided by healthy rainfall throughout the year.

The same cannot be said for the southern and eastern states which have been severely drought a ected, although it is pleasing to see a strong rebound in South Australia this month.

South Australia was up by 37.8 per cent compared to September 2024’s sales, while Queensland also enjoyed a substantial 21.4 per cent boost.

With a strong harvest season about to commence, the TMA remains hopeful for continued improvement.

Sales of combine harvesters are continuing to struggle with the industry well stocked as a result of the investment allowance years, and sales are currently 9 per cent down on last year.

Baler sales were again down for the month and remain 25 per cent behind on a year-to-date, while sales of out-front mowers dropped again and remain 23 per cent behind this point last year.

Finally, sales of self-propelled sprayers continue to lag, down 41 per cent compared to the same time last year.

For more information about the TMA, visit www.tma.asn.au and follow the association on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Problem solver

WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington believes the Paci c Australia Labour Mobility scheme provides a viable and stable pathway for farmers to tackle their labour shortages

In 2023–24, 667,000 people arrived in Australia, but only 137,100 places were in the skilled stream.

Even those lucky enough to qualify o en face months of waiting and spend thousands before their skills are recognised and they can get on a plane.

As for semi-skilled or skilled workers without Australian-recognised quali cations, it gets increasingly di cult to secure a visa and then permanent residency.

One pathway for farmers needing unskilled labour is the Paci c Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

It allows approved employers to recruit workers from Paci c Island nations and Timor-Leste for seasonal jobs of up to nine months, or for longer-term placements of between one and four years.

The scheme is designed to plug farm labour shortages while also supporting development in Paci c communities.

The scheme grew out of earlier seasonal worker pilot programs in the late 2000s, when Australian horticulture and agriculture were struggling to find enough pickers and farmhands after backpacker numbers fell.

What began as a small initiative to bring in workers from Tonga and Vanuatu was gradually expanded and formalised, eventually merging the Seasonal Worker Programme and the Paci c Labour Scheme in 2022 to create today’s single PALM scheme.

Its dual purpose is to address Australia’s chronic farm labour shortages while sending wages back into Paci c communities as a form of regional development.

Companies like the Regional Workforce Management Group (RWM) are long-established, pre-approved sponsors.

Instead of farmers wading through sponsorship applications, labour market testing, ight bookings and welfare checks, the provider does the heavy li ing – but it comes at a cost.

Here’s how it works in practice. A farmer puts in a request for workers, specifying numbers, contract length (anywhere from a few months up to three years), and role requirements, with the understanding that the PALM scheme is designed for unskilled and semi-skilled workers such as tractor drivers.

The provider submits the plan to government to ensure it complies with the rules, then taps recruitment networks across the Paci c to source job-ready candidates through in-country contacts.

They handle the entire process – visas, ights, health insurance, and induction programs.

Farmers can do this themselves, but that means becoming a registered recruiter, something which a few corporates, big

For most individual farms, leaving it to the agents is simpler and safer, unless they are employing a large number of people.

Between 2018 and 2023, long-term PALM workers (at ANZSCO skill levels 3–5, mechanics and below) sent an estimated $168 million in remittances back to Paci c nations and Timor-Leste, while contributing nearly $82 million in income tax to the Australian economy.

Short-term workers alone remit an average of $1,061 each month to their families – a life-changing sum in countries like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Timor-Leste.

As of February 2024, Queensland hosts the largest share of PALM workers (32 per cent), followed by Victoria (21 per cent) and New South Wales (18 per cent).

Western Australia, by comparison, is only just beginning to use the scheme at around 10 per cent.

The program is concentrated in primary industries: around 67 per cent of workers are on-farm and another 28 per cent in meat processing, with small numbers in care, hospitality, and tourism.

The scheme can be a longer-term option that relying on backpacker labour. Image: Nicolas / stock.adobe.com

While Canberra frames the scheme as regional development for the Paci c, its economic footprint is just as signi cant for Australian farmers, processors, and rural towns – particularly in the eastern states – that now rely on this workforce to keep operations running.

The bene t for farmers is speed. Within about eight to 12 weeks of signing an agreement, workers can be on-farm, in the tractor, or in the workshop, ready to go.

Providers ensure recruits are not just a good t for the job but are also settled into life in Australia.

Induction programs cover workplace laws, town orientation, driving lessons, and even basic tasks like setting up a phone or buying groceries.

Depending on the contract, workers can stay for months or for up to four

consecutive years before returning home for six months to a year, depending on their country of origin. A er that, they can roll over for another stint.

Employers still carry responsibilities. They must provide suitable accommodation, transport, and a minimum of 30 hours of work each week on the short-term stream (38 hours for the long-term stream).

The provider, however, manages compliance, welfare, and paperwork.

Farmers must also agree to pay parity: PALM workers are paid the same hourly rate as local sta doing the same work at the same skill level and with comparable experience.

Money earned by PALM scheme workers can be life-changing for their families. Image: RomanR / stock.adobe.com

The attraction for farmers is obvious. A bush mechanic from Vanuatu who used to x trucks in his backyard, a road-gang grader driver from Fiji with years of heavy vehicle experience, or a worker returning with prior PALM experience on cane or fruit farms as their sprayer driver represents a reliable option when the backpacker talent pool dries up.

Better still, farmers can rotate crews seasonally, bringing them for nine months and sending them home in the o -season, or keep them on-farm for four straight years, enabling workers to save and set their families up for life.

The result is a more stable workforce and a growing network of farm friendships across the Paci c.

The challenge lies in integrating PALM workers into local communities. Paci c Islanders are o en conservative workers who want to attend church and remain connected to their culture, while also pursuing their savings goals.

Having a small number of workers from the same island in town helps, and it’s something which small groups of farmers recruiting together, a shire development o cer, or a grower group can actively support by coordinating through the same recruitment agency.

For farmers tired of the backpacker lottery or reluctant to head o on safari to gamble on a 482 visa, the PALM model o ers a practical bridge. It means less time wrestling forms and more time spent keeping machinery running and crops either going in or coming o .

For those interested in more information, visit AgriLabour Australia’s website or contact Adrienne.Ritchie@rwmgroup. com.au from the Regional Workforce Management Group

Events Calendar

Here are upcoming eld day and agricultural events for 2025 and 2026. Information was current as of going to press

AgritechnicaHanover, Germany

Agritechnica is the world’s largest trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment, attracting 2,800 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the week-long event, which is held every two years and is a popular place for new products to be launched. This year’s edition has the overall theme of ‘touch smart e ciency’. When: November 9-15, 2025

More info: agritechnica.com/en

Nebraska Ag ExpoNebraska, USA

The Nebraska Ag Expo is the second largest indoor ag show in the United States. More than 800 exhibitors will travel from 27 states and six Canadian provinces to display their latest products and services. Nebraska Ag Expo is the leader in showcasing ag innovation and empowering ag producers through technology and best-in-class solutions. When: November 9-11, 2025

More info: nebraskaagexpo.com

Noorat Show - Noorat, Vic

Founded in 1932, the Noorat & District Ag & Pastoral Society has been conducting an annual show every year. The Noorat Show is one of the largest one-day shows between Geelong and Mt Gambier. The Show boasts an amazing variety of local and not-so-local businesses, is a showcase for regional livestock, working dogs and horse esh and provides an array of entertainment for the whole family. When: November 15, 2025

More info: nooratshow.org.au

Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery ShowGeelong, Vic

January plays host to one of the biggest and best displays of classic trucks, tractors, cars, machinery and more. As well as visiting clubs and displays, the event also showcases the Vintage Machinery Section’s own pavilion with more than 15 fully operational steam engines, 12 permanently installed oil engines, a 1,000hp marine steam engine, a wool scouring machine, and a large collection of steam models.

When: January 10-11, 2026

More info: classictruckandmachinery.com.au

International Green WeekBerlin, Germany

The International Green Week is a one-ofa-kind international exhibition of the food, agriculture and gardening industries. IGW is the origin of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA). This is where over 80 international ministries and food producers meet – their displays reveal the fascinating world of the food and beverage industries.

When: January 16-25, 2026

More info: www.gruenewoche.de/en

Eurobodalla Agricultural Show - Moruya, NSW

Held at the Moruya Showground in Moruya on the south coast of NSW, the Eurobodalla Agricultural Show will focus on local produce alongside animal shows, showjumping and a vintage and veteran vehicle show.

When: January 23-25, 2026

More info: eurobodallashow.org.au

Berry Show - Berry, NSW

The Berry Show is held in the picturesque rural town of Berry on the NSW south coast. The show has been promoting excellence in the local community for over 130 years. Attractions include large cattle and horse shows and fantastic entertainment such as a rodeo, woodchopping, the Young Farmer Challenge, and fireworks.

When: January 30-31, 2026

More info: www.berryshow.org.au

World Ag ExpoCalifornia, USA

World Ag Expo is the world’s largest annual agricultural exposition. More than 1,500 exhibitors display the latest in farm equipment, communications and technology on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. Free seminars focus on a variety of topics important to dairy producers, farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals.

When: February 10-12, 2026

More info: www.worldagexpo.com

Southern Field DaysWaimumu, New Zealand

On show over three days, the latest in rural technology, equipment and ideas from around the world will be displayed. Drawing increasingly large crowds, most leading rural businesses will be exhibiting.

When: February 11-13, 2026

More info: www.southern elddays.co.nz

evokeAG - Melbourne, Vic

evokeAG is an agrifood tech event organised by AgriFutures Australia, with hosting rights rotating between cities. Speakers and start-ups from across the world discuss food sustainability, supply chain demands, and other issues geared at improving capacity and pro tability of agricultural businesses in Australia. The 2026 version will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

When: February 17-18, 2026

More info: www.evokeag.com

Royal Canberra ShowCanberra, ACT

The ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show, Canberra’s largest all ages event, is

staged annually by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society. While having agriculture at its core, the Show has broadened over the years to re ect more entertainment, educational features and exhibitions, ensuring that there is a vibrant mix of ‘city meeting country’ and ‘country meeting city’.

When: February 20-22, 2026

More info: www.canberrashow.org.au

King Island ShowKing Island, Tas

Experience King Island’s major annual event, the King Island Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Society Show. Visit the pavilion for the arts and cra s display and wool judging, tasty food is for sale. There is cattle judging, horse

riding displays, pet competitions and so much more.

When: March 3, 2026

More info: kingislandshow37374937. wordpress.com

Wimmera Machinery Field Days - Longerenong, Vic

Wimmera Machinery Field Days is hosted at the purpose-built Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong near Horsham in western Victoria and has grown into one of Australia’s largest agricultural and agribusiness trade shows, with thousands of visitors across the event’s three days.

When: March 3-5, 2026

More info: wimmera elddays.com.au

Visit tradefarmmachinery.com.au/agricultural-and-rural- eld-days-calendar

Loading up

Solve the biggest challenges in bulk handling at BULK2026

From agriculture and mining to ports and construction, Australia’s bulk handling industry is vast, diverse, and vital.

At rst glance, these industries may look worlds apart, but they share a common thread: the need for reliable bulk systems - conveyors, hoppers, silos, drives, and dust control solutions - that keep materials moving and the economy powering forward.

Yet, bulk handling experts face and solve challenges as big as its scale.

Port congestion and aging infrastructure

are straining operations, with key export terminals struggling to keep up with demand and maintenance backlogs increasing.

Rising operating costs and tighter environmental regulations are adding further pressure, prompting operators to seek more e cient, sustainable solutions.

Many are turning to automation and AI to keep ahead.

like workforce shortages, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Visitors can also look forward to networking events that bring together industry leaders, innovators, and decisionmakers from across the bulk handling and logistics sectors. These events provide the perfect opportunity to build valuable connections, share insights, and spark new collaborations.

That’s why on 16-17 September 2026; the Bulk Handling Technical Conference & Expo (BULK2026) will gather the entire industry under one roof at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

As Australia’s only dedicated bulk handling event, it’s the ultimate place to see new technologies, nd solutions to real-world challenges, and connect with the people driving the industry forward.

BULK2026 will be the meeting point for senior engineers, operators, procurement managers, contractors, researchers, and global specialists.

“BULK2026 is designed to give suppliers direct access to the industry’s most in uential decision-makers,” Prime Creative Media’s general manager of events Siobhan Rocks says.

“It’s about forging connections that lead to real business opportunities.

“This, coupled with our technical conference, will leave attendees with real-world knowledge they can apply to boost safety, e ciency, and performance in their operations.”

Don’t miss your chance to be at the heart of Australia’s bulk handling industry.

Secure your exhibition space at BULK2026 today and connect with the innovators, decision-makers, and partners shaping the future of bulk handling.

The event will also feature panel sessions discussing industry issues

The show oor will feature the latest equipment, from conveyors and motors to weighing systems, dust control, and container tipplers, while the technical conference, curated by the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH), will explore industry challenges

To get involved, visit bulkhandlingexpo.com.au/getinvolved/

Big beast

Case IH has launched its largest ever Steiger tractor, with visitors to AgQuip being the rst in the world to see it

O ering a maximum boosted output of 853hp (636kW), Case IH’s newest Steiger tractor packs a serious punch.

Australian customers were the rst to see the Steiger 785 Quadtrac – named for its rated output of 785hp (585kW) – in person when it debuted at AgQuip in Gunnedah.

It marks a 10 per cent increase in power over the 715 Quadtrac which was released in Australia early last year.

Case IH’s Australian high horsepower product manager Justin Bryant says Australian farmers deal with some of the world’s most challenging conditions, and the Steiger 785 Quadtrac is designed to exceed their needs and expectations.

“The Steiger range has been proven over a lot of years,” he says.

“With the boost in horsepower, we’ll see gains in productivity and in e ciencies, but it also bene ts from the Steiger frame that’s also been proven over the years.

“It incorporates the structural rear frame and the tripoint oscillation or articulation joint.

“The bene t is that works dynamically in a way that distributes weight evenly from all four corners of the machine, so regardless of the terrain or the implement you’re pulling, you’ve always got the maximum footprint on the ground to maximise that traction.”

Even with the increased horsepower, Case IH says the Steiger 785 Quadtrac is impressively agile, o ering excellent visibility and manoeuvrability for an optimal driving experience.

This operator experience, along with cabin comfort, has been at the forefront of the tractor’s design.

Farmers can access integrated precision

Unique machines

A local innovation won the Henty machine of the year, while a popular tractor was seen in a new colour at the event

A product described as the world’s rst direct air injection unit enabling large scale biological additive application has claimed the Henty machine of the year award.

FurrowMate, which was entered by New South Wales-based Loam Bio, took out the prize which was announced to coincide with the Henty Machinery Field Days’ opening.

It was one of eight machines and equipment shortlisted for judging, and was then assessed on several criteria including purpose and suitability, scope of application, value for money, and ease of maintenance, service, operation and adjustment.

FurrowMate is a patented technology which works with most air seeders to deliver biologicals into the planting furrow easily, safely and accurately, saving farmers time while maximising product e cacy.

Event judge Warren Scheetz says the FurrowMate’s accuracy means it can

deliver rates as low as 20g per hectare of biological or ne ground product across any air seeder ranging from 9m to 24m widths at normal sowing speeds.

“To get such a ne amount of product accurately across that width is pretty impressive,” he says.

“The FurrowMate impressed the judges with its simplicity and design, accuracy and further development into other products is being undertaken so it is adaptable to t almost any air seeder currently on the market.”

Another highlight at Henty was a unique model of a Case IH Steiger tractor.

The brand’s powerful Steiger 785 Quadtrac had its global launch at the AgQuip eld days, but the model on show at Henty was not decked out in Case IH’s distinctive red.

Instead, it is a lime green – a nod to the original colour of the Steiger tractors

technology with Connectivity Included, delivering automation-driven features such as AccuTurn Pro and AccuSync, along with clear, actionable data through FieldOps – all of which are designed to meet the unique needs of their operation.

The Steiger 785 Quadtrac also runs a 15.9L Cursor engine which does not require AdBlue.

“The engine has been upgraded to produce the 785 horsepower and our drive line has been upgraded to harness that extra power,” Bryant says.

“Through our transmissions, our axles, and our heavy-duty undercarriage, we have a larger, stronger, heavier tractor.”

award-winning FurrowMate. Image: HMFD

prior to the brand being purchased by Case IH in 1986.

It sat alongside an early-1980s Steiger Bearcat at Henty, which belonged to a NSW farming family before being traded and restored.

“The Steiger has a proud legacy, and these two tractors – one from the 1980s and special-edition Steiger 785 Quadtrac –tell the story of how far we’ve come,” Case IH’s Australian high horsepower product manager Justin Bryant says.

“While the colour has changed, the Steiger’s purpose has not: delivering unmatched power, productivity and reliability for our customers.”

ABARES is forecasting farm gate output to reach $94.7 billion in 2025-26. Image: Patricia Molaioli/stock.adobe.com

Target in sight

Australia’s agricultural industry is on track to reach its 2030 Roadmap goal, the National Farmers Federation says

The National Farmers Federation has announced Australia’s agricultural industry is on track to reach its target of $100 billion in farm gate output by 2030.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences’ (ABARES) latest Agricultural Commodities Report is already forecasting farm gate output to reach $94.7 billion in 2025-26, which would be the highest result on record.

Outgoing NFF president David Jochinke says the sector has continued to make

Freedom from fees

Victoria’s drought-a ected farmers will bene t from a host of initiatives aimed to put cash back in their pockets

Victoria’s drought relief package has been rolled out, waiving farming fees over the next nancial year to ease nancial pressure for drought-a ected farmers across the state.

“The duties and fee relief program will put cash back into the pockets of drought-a ected farmers to help them manage cash ow challenges,” Victorian agriculture minister Ros Spence says.

“We know these administrative costs can add up and we thank the regulatory bodies and livestock committees working together with us to support farmers during these di cult times.”

As part of the package, livestock duties will be waived in Victoria for the sale of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs until September 30, 2026.

This means that any producer who would normally be required to pay livestock duties is exempt.

Primary producers will no longer have

signi cant productivity gains despite global market volatility, shi ing trade dynamics, and extreme weather events.

“We’re just ve years out from 2030, and we are closing in on this ambitious target,” Jochinke says.

“The 2030 Roadmap has served as the north star for Australian agriculture by guiding policy, investment, and innovation across the country.

“ABARES forecasts show we’re on track to reach the $100 billion mark over the next few years, which is a remarkable

to pay standard order processing fees for NLIS tags until June 30, 2026, however, the cost of the tags will still be required.

All other livestock fees will be frozen at the same rate as last nancial year.

Dairy farmers will receive a discount on their 2025-26 licence fees, which will be re ected in their milk payments from dairy manufacturers.

Farmers do not have to apply, they will receive a refund in their next milk cheque.

Dairy Food Safety Victoria is working directly with manufacturers to apply this discount.

Victoria’s regulator for commercial abattoirs and meat productions, PrimeSafe, will provide drought-a ected primary producers with a relief payment if they hold both a PrimeSafe Licence and a Property Identi cation Code.

Biosecurity Victoria is waiving fees for nursery and horticulture producers for this nancial year, including the service fees for arrangement applications, arrangement audits, veri cation inspections, area and property freedom approvals, and related travel costs.

Other plant biosecurity services fees for 2025-26 will remain at the same rate as 2024-25.

Food safety registration fees will be waived for horticulture and crop producers in the 12 south west Local Government Areas currently

achievement that re ects the resilience, adaptability and ingenuity of our Aussie farmers.

“We’ve had a number of wins for the sector, including the extension of the Regional Investment Corporation Loans, the shelving of the ‘Biosecurity Tax’, the passing of the long-awaited legislation to establish a nature repair market, and government commitment to develop a National Food Security Strategy.

“However, there are still gains to be made, particularly in farm safety, mental health, workforce attraction and retention, sustainability and global competitiveness.

“With continued collaboration between industry and government, I am con dent we can turn challenges into opportunities and deliver lasting bene ts for Australian agriculture and our communities.”

As part of the package, livestock duties will be waived in Victoria for the sale of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs until September 30, 2026. Image: Bits and Splits/stock.adobe.com

experiencing the worst drought conditions – Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong and West Wimmera.

For all other primary producers outside these 12 LGAs the fees will be capped at the same rate as 2024-25.

Going sustainable

Farmers will play a signi cant role in the production of Australia’s $1.1 billion domestic low carbon liquid fuels program

The federal government is investing $1.1 billion into the new ten-year Cleaner Fuels Program, which will stimulate private investment in Australian onshore production of low carbon liquid fuels, such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

This investment will help ensure Australia has strong supply chains for more sustainable fuels and the nation’s farmers will be key to producing it.

Ingredients needed to make cleaner liquid alternatives to fossil fuels, such as feedstocks including canola, sorghum, sugar and waste, are readily available across the country thanks to Australia’s advanced farming practices.

Australian feedstocks such as sugar cane can be used to produce cleaner liquid alternatives to fossil fuels.

VALUE AT WORK

Shantui DH08-B3 bulldozer

The federal government says this has contributed to putting the country into an enviable position to produce cleaner, low-carbon liquid fuels which jets, ships, construction machines and heavy trucks need to reach net zero.

The National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) interim chief executive Su McCluskey says the announcement demonstrates the vital role farmers will play in supplying Australia’s lowcarbon liquid fuels industry.

“Farmers already supply products that power biofuel industries overseas; this investment will help to support a domestic industry,” McCluskey says.

Image: pominoz1966/stock.adobe.com

“NFF members like GrainGrowers and Canegrowers have for years worked on developing policy settings that encourage domestic production, enabling their growers to access new markets and ensure their sectors remain pro table and sustainable.

“A strong domestic biofuels industry will help diversify the market opportunities for producers, a key element of risk management.

“This isn’t just about cleaner fuels. It’s about creating jobs, diversifying farm businesses, and ensuring our regions remain at the forefront of Australia’s transition to net zero.”

9.35 tonne^ bulldozer with Weichai 70kW (94hp) 2200rpm Tier 2 engine, Linde full hydrostatic transmission, power angle tilt (PAT) blade, threeshank rippers, full length track guards, air-conditioned ROPS cabin with suspension seat and radio.

^approximately including rippers and forestry $168,000 plus GST = $184,800*

Shantui SD16F bulldozer

17.5 tonne^ bulldozer with Weichai 131kW (175hp) 1850rpm Tier 2 engine or Cat licensed engine, powershift transmission 3 fwd/3 bwd, choice of blades, three-shank rippers, full length track guards, air-conditioned ROPS cabin with suspension seat and radio.

$215,000 plus GST = $236,500*

Grain investment

One of the projects aims to establish a new high-value hard noodle wheat market in SA.

Image: William/stock.adobe.com

AgXtra is leading a project which will evaluate and compare the safety of various herbicide treatments and use on lentils on typical Upper South East and Murray Mallee soils.

The South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) are investing in four SA research projects.

These aim to establish new markets for noodle wheat, mitigate frost risk, provide gross margin/risk data to growers, and explore the potential of lentils.

“Our ongoing partnership with SAGIT has delivered great results in the past and we’ve worked together again to identify research ideas to tackle local priorities for grain growers,” GRDC South acting senior regional manager Courtney Ramsey says.

Pasture trials

The use of multispecies pasture mixes for grazing is being trialled in Victoria, which requires less fertiliser and can reduce enteric methane emissions from sheep and cattle

South Australian grain growers are set to bene t from various new research projects which aim to tackle local priorities

An Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre-led project aims to establish a new high-value hard noodle wheat market in SA.

This project seeks to increase returns for growers by boosting and stabilising the demand for suitable Australian hard wheat varieties intended for premium noodle markets in Asia.

Ag Excellence Alliance has received co-funding to update the SA Farm Gross Margin/Risk Guide for 2026, 2027 and 2028. The guide will give growers data to inform their crop and livestock business management decisions.

The MultiMix forage research program is underway at Agriculture Victoria’s Hamilton SmartFarm to determine which combinations of multispecies pasture mixes work best for Australian sheep producers.

This research will provide insights into the bene ts of using mixed pastures as an alternative to perennial ryegrass, which is currently the main source of feed for Australian sheep farms.

Global researchers are exploring diverse pasture mixes by blending di erent plant species to create more resilient and productive pastures, according to the state government.

The project will see whether lentils are a suitable option in cereal-canola dominant cropping systems and on soil types where faba bean and lupin rotations are limited by pro tability, marketability and scalability.

The research will also investigate the yield comparison between lentil varieties at Malinong to address barriers to adoption of new varieties in the Upper South East.

Lastly, a project led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute – the research division of SA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions – will explore novel frost risk mitigation strategies for lentils.

The team will test if products like hormones (to help owers recover) and bactericides (to protect from microbes) help lentils recover better from frost, compared to not using these products.

Most of the research to date has been conducted in higher rainfall zones, so the Victorian program will test how well these pasture mixes perform under drier Australian conditions.

The goal of the program is to nd the right combination of plant types that are both productive even in drier seasons and can reduce methane emissions from grazing livestock.

Pasture trials started a couple of months ago, with 25 hectares of pasture already sown at the Hamilton SmartFarm as part of the rst stage of the project and is ready for sheep to graze now.

This research will trial using mixed pastures as an alternative to perennial ryegrass.

Image: Phoebe/stock.adobe.com

Mixed pastures can grow deeper roots, require less fertiliser, and can help reduce enteric methane emissions from sheep and cattle.

“We’re working with industry to invest in research that will deliver resilient pasture systems and support Victorian farmers to adapt to a changing climate, improve productivity and reduce emissions,” Victorian agriculture minister Ros Spence says.

“This nation-leading research will help prepare sheep grazing pastures for future climates, to help farmers grow more and secure better returns.”

The state government is investing $2.4 million to support Agriculture Victoria to o cially launch the program, with additional support from Meat & Livestock Australia and the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre bringing the total funding to $5.5 million to deliver the three-year program.

Fresh face

A new JCB dealer will o er the brand’s machinery across

JCB CEA has announced Formatt Machinery as its new dealer for the Bundaberg and Gympie regions in Queensland.

A family-owned and operated business, Formatt Machinery is run by Nathan and Natalie Attard, who have been supporting the agricultural industry for four generations and are committed to supplying and supporting all their customers’ farming machinery needs.

With a focus on delivering exceptional products, genuine parts, and outstanding service,Formatt Machinery is dedicated to supporting customers across Queensland’s Wide Bay district.

“We are thrilled to be representing JCB in the Bundaberg and Gympie regions,” Formatt Machinery dealer principal Nathan Attard says.

“JCB is a globally respected brand with a reputation for quality, innovation, and reliability, and we are proud to be bringing that to our local customers.

“This partnership is an exciting opportunity for us to strengthen the support we provide to the farming and agricultural community, and we look forward to showcasing the impressive JCB product range right here in our region.”

JCB CEA dealer network general manager Paul Barry says this new partnership marks an exciting step forward in the distributor’s mission to provide industry-leading machinery, service, and support to its valued customers.

“Formatt Machinery brings a wealth of local knowledge, technical expertise, and a passion for delivering outstanding customer support,” Barry says.

TBTAirCart,3bin.51270/51271. TA1248880. $407,000

JOHNDEERE1870CONSERVAPAK 56ft,12"spacing,doubleshoot, c/w hydtynes, presswheels(asis).51289. TA1270302. $93,500

HARDIALPHA4100

“They are a perfect t for the JCB brand, and we look forward to a successful journey ahead as part of the JCB CEA family.”

Rocky River Ag Services

4000L,36mboom,hyddrivepump, c/w GranniPot, boomwheels,Triplets.51285. TA1253554. $99,000 CASEIH7140

c/w rocktrap,strawchopper,2018model,910 rotorhrs,verygoodcondition.51264. TA1205662. $407,000

FLEXICOIL3850

3bin,TBH,2007model,goodcondition.51274. TA1253556. $82,500

Engineering solutions

Sammut Agricultural Machinery has leant on its fabrication expertise to deliver solutions to Australian farmers and transport operators, while also o ering several global and national machinery brands

DIY fabrication work has long been a tradition for farmers that want to tailor their equipment to their own speci c needs, and this serves as the inspiration behind Sammut Agricultural Machinery.

Established in 1993, the foundations of the business were built by Daniel Sammut, initially providing general fabrication services and manufacturing small farming implements to ful l both his own and other local farmers’ needs.

With strong fabrication skills, Daniel also ventured into restoring used equipment such as tractors and skid steer loaders, which were then sold as refurbished machines.

A turf grower himself, Daniel began importing turf harvesting equipment from the USA and Canada in the late 1990s and hasn’t looked back ever since – continuing to lead Sammut Agricultural Machinery today, alongside his son Nathan.

Based in Freeman’s Reach, northwest Sydney, the family business has

The business o ers new and used trucks, which can be modified to suit the application required

cantly grown from its humble fabrication beginnings into a distributor and dealer of several globally and nationally recognised agricultural brands.

Across Australia, Sammut distribute a wide range of quality equipment from multiple European-based agricultural machinery manufacturers.

This includes Turkish company Toscano Agricultural Machinery, who have specialised in manufacturing farming gear such as rotary hoes, speed discs, and seeders since the 1990s.

Also out of Turkey, Sammut distribute a range of equipment from Fimaks Agricultural Machinery, which specialises in farming equipment such as spreaders, slurry tankers, and feed mixers.

Sammut also distribute a range of machinery manufactured by GKB Machines from the Netherlands, specialising in sports related agricultural machinery such as sand spreaders, aerators, and top dressers.

Each of these companies prioritise e ciency and quality in production, which is evident by their scale and duration in the agricultural machinery market.

Staying true to its roots, Sammut continues to also manufacture its own machinery, including spreaders, mowers and turf planters, among others.

What started as a small single-man operation catering to local farmers and business, has grown into a nationally recognised and reputable company,

KUBOTA Z411KW-48 48" fabricateddeck Suspensionseat Kawasakiengine Wideoperatordeck Only365hours. S869. TA1291602. $7,990

KUBOTA RTV-XG850WR-A-AU 54HPPETROL UTILITYVEHICLEORANGE 0% FINANCE,20% deposit,36months T'sandC'sapply T.A.P,1ONLY!!!. S840. TA1239755. KUBOTAB2630HD$28,990 Greatcondition B2630HD,26HP KubotaDiesel,3 rangehydrostatic tractor,60"Mid mountshaftdriven deck.S854. TA1271536. $24,990

manufacturing machinery for all di erent applications Australia-wide.

Trucks

Not only has Sammut become a renowned machinery provider for farmers but also for the transport sector, which is o en closely linked to the agricultural industry.

Sammut have been importing and distributing truck mounted forkli s since the early 2000s. Over the last decade, the business has increased its customer base

KUBOTARTV900

TheoriginalRTV900. Greatworkhorse. Justbeenrepowered withbrandnew engine,Tipping tray, Greathandymachine readytogo.S868. TA1291601. $11,990

KRONE KS380-420/12 4.2M 12ARMSINGLE ROTORLINKAGE RAKE,Workshop checked,Height adjustonhandle. S835. TA1237448. $8,990

JACOBSENGP400 PETROLREEL MOWER, CATCH BASKETS,BRUSH KIT, HYDROSTATIC DRIVE 1334HRS.S866. TA1287588. $14,990

by o ering new and used trucks – either selling them as prime movers or modifying them to suit the application required.

“The truck side of the business has really kicked o over the past 10 years, and has become a signi cant part of what we do,” Nathan says.

“We o er a wide range of modi cation options for our trucks. We o en purchase them as prime movers and then modify them to suit our customer’s requirements, such as chassis extensions, trays, tippers, beaver tails, and tilt trays.

KUBOTARTV-X900W-A Only500hours,Save thousandsonnew machine,Hydrostatic withdynamicbraking, Hydraulictipper, Indicatorsandflashing light for Rego.S870. TA1291609. $23,990

KUBOTASE11511000 2023,Verylittlework, Presentsasnew.Y flails,5-footcut,CAT1 3-pointlinkattach, Heavydutyunit,PTO shaftincluded.S863. TA1283833. $4,990

TORO GROUNDMASTER 360 4-wheelpower steering,Hydraulic decklift,4WD, Hydrostatic,72" mowerdeck,Diesel engine,.S684. TA1167938. $16,990

“Primarily, we stock Kenworths, but we also stock other brands such as Western Star, Freightliner and Volvo. We also stock a range of Japanese trucks including new and used Isuzu makes, UD, Mitsubishi and Hino.”

In addition, Sammut is a distributor of FWR heavy haulage trailers, and just last year became a dealer of Mo ett truckmounted forkli s.

Stocking used and brand-new units, the truck-mounted forkli s are o en sold as a package with a truck itself, in which they are mounted to the rear of the vehicle. Sammut also build and t the mounting kits in-house. By doing so, it enables complete independence for deliveries, allowing drivers to handle unloading of cargo quickly and e ciently without having to wait for separate equipment or assistance

– which Nathan says has made deliveries for Sammut’s customers much easier.

The truck packages sold by Sammut can have many agricultural uses, including transporting livestock, turf, and crops – to name a few. Sammut has the ability to custom build its trucks to suit whatever the requirements are, allowing them to cater to a wide range of industries.

Digging deep

Trenching equipment is the latest o ering of Sammut Agricultural Machinery, with the business having been appointed the Australian distributor of New Zealand manufacturer TrenchIt.

Like Sammut, TrenchIt is also a familybusiness, which has specialised in trenching machines for over four

decades, supplying equipment to farmers and contractors.

TrenchIt has also developed several attachments under its subsidiary Terraway Attachments, which can be used with skid steer loaders and excavators for orchards and horticultural farms.

TrenchIt’s trenchers and attachments have also been used on sports elds and in drainage applications.

“There is a high demand for the TrenchIt gear in Australia, we have been pushing out a wide range of their machines,” Nathan says.

With Sammut now o ering a host of agricultural equipment and services, Nathan says the most important aspect of the business is a focus on quality for its customers.

“Our customers know that quality and reliability are at the forefront of all our work,” he says.

“The customer’s needs come rst, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they are satis ed with the nal product.”

For more information, visit www.sammut.com.au or call 02 4579 6511

AT VIN ROWE FARM MACHINERY

VALENTINI

ROTARY HOES (maximum working width 12.0 metres)

POWER HARROWS (maximum working width 9.0 metres)

STONE BURIERS

BED FORMERS TO SUIT

STONE AND ROCK CRUSHERS

FORESTRY BRUSH CUTTERS

POTATO HARVESTERS

•Single Trailed Bunker Harvesters

•2 Row Trailed Bunker Harvesters

•2 Row Trailed Elevator

•4 Row Self Propelled

POTATO PLANTERS

•2 Row Linkage Planters

•4 Row Linkage Planters

•4 Row Trailing Planters

CROP HANDLING

FERRARI GROWTECH

TRANSPLANTERS

AUTOMATIC WEEDERS

Eliminates chemicals and reduces labour costs. Available in Trailed or Self Propelled SEEDERS

SIMON & BRIAND

SIMON VEGETABLE HARVESTERS

To suit leeks, carrots, dry onions, celery, betroots, and salad vegetables.

BRIAND POST HARVEST EQUIPMENT

Washing, grading, weighing, packaging, etc.

TIERRE

BASELIER

RIDGING CULTIVATORS

INTERROW CULTIVATORS HAULM SHREDDERS

SIDE SHREDDERS • FLAIL MOWERS • STALK CHOPPERS • GRASS CUTTERS • MACHINES UP TO 8 METRES

EINBÖCK

AGRICOLA

PNEUMATIC PRECISION SEEDERS FOR VEGETABLES • MECHANIC PRECISION SEEDERS FOR VEGETABLES

CROP CARE: Rotary Hoes, Weeding Technology, and Standard and Special Hoeing Technology

TILLAGE: Seedbed Combinations, and Seedbed, Blade and Universal Cultivators

TOSCANOMULCHERH/D 2023,H/Dconstruction,doubleorsinglesidelinkage, optionalhydraulicsideshift,sizesfrom1.5to4mtr

SAMMUTTRUCKTRAYS

H/DAustralianmade.3mmor5mmfloor.Custombuild. Chassismodifications.Newandusedtrucksavailable. S360. TA1025472.

UNITEDIMPLEMENTS(USA)NEWTRAILINGBOX GRADERMADEINUSA 2022,MadeinUSA,heavydutybuild Hydraulicliftwheels,hydraulicangleadjustment 1800mmto3600mm.S363. TA1025493. Pricefrom$6,900+GST

GEARMASTERTRAILINGTURFMOWER 2020,Buydirectfromthemanufacturerandsave.We havebeenmanufacturingmowersinAustralia for over 25years!Australianmade,onepiecestainlessdeck, fullgeardrive,stainlessdeck,75HPgearboxes,3plor trailing,sizesfrom1.5mtrto12mtr,suitable for Turf farms,golfcourses,councils,contractorsandmore. S364. TA1025498.

Pricefrom$17,000+GST

SAMMUTSPREADKING5000ORCHARD/VINEYARD SPREADER 2020,H/DAustralianbuild,frontorreardelivery.Sizes from2m3to18m3,optionaltelescopicconveyor, optionalendrotororendspinner,custombuilttosuit

SAMMUTSPREADERS

TOSCANOSTONEBURIEREXTRAHEAVYDUTY 2020,Extraheavyduty Hydraulicliftroller,geardrive Anti-panblades 2200mmto3200mm.S369. TA1025532. Pricefrom$17,900+GST

SAMMUTHARDOXTIPPERBODIES H/Dbuild. Onepiecesides,2waygate.Optionalwell hoistortwinunderbody.Optionaldropsides.Custom build.Colourofchoice.Sandblastedandfinishedin

SAMMUTMILLMUDSPREADERS,AUSTRALIAN MADE 2020,H/DAustralianmade Fullhydraulicdrive,singleor3row Frontfeed,Singleordoubleaxle,optionalrear spinners Sizesfrom8m3to30m3.S365. TA1025500. Pricefrom$28,000+GST

2020,H/DAustralianmade,fullhydraulicdrive Wecancustombuild.Optionalfrontfeed Optionalsidedelivery.Chainorbeltfloor Sizesfrom2m3to30m3.S367. TA1025524.

Pricefrom$18,000+GST

TOSCANOSPEEDDISC 2022,Buydirectfromtheimporterandsave! Heavyduty,Hydraulicliftcrumbleroller,560mmdiscs ,3plandtrailing,2.5mtrto6mtr(trailing).S368. TA1025525.

Pricefrom$13,900+GST

FIMAKSVERTICALFEEDMIXERS

2020,Hardenedbinandfloor,H/DComerItalian gearboxes,sizesfrom3m3to30m3,scales,incab controls,ptionalfoldingconveyorwithoptionallength, reductionbox.S371. TA1025537. From$25,000+GST

FIMAKS18TONE,TWINVERTICLEBEATER,MULCH /MUCKSPREADERS

2022,BuyDirectfromtheimporterandsave!From5 toneto30tone,heavyDutyconveyorchain,slurrydoor, incabcontrols,twinverticalbeaterswithbottom spinner,suitable for allyourhardtospreadproducts etcWetcowmanure,mulch,greenwasteetc,18TONE MACHINE(ASPICTURED).S373. TA1025543. From$69,000+GST

CASEIHJX95 2010,FEL&STDBucket&forks.

2002MCCORMICKC85MAX 2002,extrashift4wdFEL,1500 hrs,beenthroughworkshop.

KUHNGMD4410

Discmower,10disc4.3mworking width,1000pto,goodcondition POA

ELHOPROLINER1500

Ex-Demofullwarranty,canrun loadsence,3PLMOUNTED

$44,000

CASEIHFARMALL105C 2018,FEL&STDBucket3rdfunc& SoftRide.GreatTyres.

NEWHOLLANDT7.210 2021,4000hrs,CVTTrans, frontlinkageandpto.

FELLASM310

2011,3.1moverallcut.Workshop serviced&fittedwithnewblades

$8,250

CASEIHMAXXUM135 2019,CVTtrans,2335hrs,New Tyres,Workshopchecked

UNKNOWN40-100HP 2010Daedong/KiotiDK90C,90hp, Cab-Tractor/loader,3000hrs $38,000

VICONFANEX764 newagedstock,pricedtosell! LocatedTTMITrafalgar.

SILVAN2500 18Meterboom:2500Ltank,"AS NEW"only100hours,greatcond $49,500

CASEIHPUMA165 2022,p/shifttrans,only1025 hrs,Pro700screen

$187,000

NEWHOLLANDTD60D 2011,2041hrs,60hp,been throughworkshopandreadytogo

KUHNGA9531

TwinrotorRake.LOCATED LATROBETASMANIA

$39,500

LELYWELGERRP445 TidyMachine,Readytogoto work

$35,000

KUHNVB2160 33,344bales.varichamber0.8-1.6m bales,inclmonitor,canrunISO

$27,500

UPTO36"MININGPUMPS PUMP VXTE48791. TA206423. $14,510

SOUTHERNCROSS100X65-315PUMPSET withNissanQD32(65hp),skidfueltank,oil-temp,hi/lo timerwatchdogandforkliftroof.Vel67912. TA11060. $13,750

PERKINSISOSILENCED PUMP NewPerkinsDieselIso Silencedpumpsetwithfuel tankbase..Perkisosilent1. TA223696. $26,000

PONTOONPUMP ELECTRIC Pontoonwithelectricpump. xzdef19652. TA206427. $14,910

PERKINSGENERATORS 6,8,10,13,15,20and30KVA generators,singleand 3-phase,poweredby water-cooledPerkinsheavy dutydieselengines,keyor remotestart,fueltankbase, fullengineprotection,500 hoursserviceintervalsIdeal backuporprimepowerCall foryourspecialprice!. AW54939-ST190912. DPLIn27583. POA

GRUNDFOSVARIUOS PUMPS VariedModels.S1. TA250286. $4,500

UNKNOWNPTO GENERATOR 50KVA-ThreePhase-3 pointlinkagewithheavy dutyjackstands.VEL4156. TA10931. $8,710

$31,500

FORD5610TRACTOR 4x4,FrontEndLoaderwithForks, Rops,Roof,Windscreen,72horsepowerapproximately, immaculate,approximately5,280hours.7122. TA1155052.

$24,950INCLGST

CaseInternational3230TractorwithBenWyeKBF3000FrontFork AttachmentwithForks,4wheeldrive,60horsepowerapproximately,3 pointlinkage,rollframe&roof,2,300hoursasindicated.7351. TA1227753.

CASEIH3230TRACTORWITHFRONTFORKATTACHMENT

$9,850INCGST

HOWARDEHD8'SLASHER HowardExtraHeavyDuty8'wide Slasher,3pointlinkage.7479. TA1284532.

$19,950INCLGST

JOHNDEEREZ997RZTRAKRIDEONMOWER d.7353. TA1227757.

REDROOROTARYHOE (WalkBehind),poweredbyHonda GX2709horsepowerpetrolenginewithpurposebuilt tippingtrailer.6950. TA1038830. $4,950INCLGST

MASSEYFERGUSON135TRACTOR3CYLINDERPERKINS DIESEL 2wheeldrive,3cylinderPerkinsdiesel,rollframe, rearwheelweights(optional),approximately42horsepower, tyres80%nocracks.7422. TA1254042. $9,850INCLGST

$12,500INCLGST

BONNEBYSCHWARZESE6TROADBROOM/SWEEPER diesel,yearapprox2013,vinno:6T9T26ABLD09P9005,with books,servicehistory&controller,lowhours.7316. TA1219701.

CONNORSHEASEEDERS 14 row trailingseeder,tynebaker boots,seed&super,withsmallseedsbox$16,950inc. ConnorShea18 row seeders,linkage&trailed,super& seedboxes,readytogo.7107. TA1141898. POA

Loader,noforks,doubleramsonbucket,rollframe,53horsepower approximately,3pointlinkage GraderBladenotincludedwithTractorextra$3,650.7368. TA1233610. $26,450INCLGST

KUBOTAL4850TRACTOR KubotaL4850Tractor,4x4,FrontEnd

KUBOTAM8540TRACTORWITHFRONTMOUNTEDFORK&FRONT TYNES 4wheeldrive,withFrontForkAttachment&FrontTynes,4cylinderdiesel turbo,extra4bankelectrichydraulics,85horsepowerapproximately,air conditioning(working),approximately5,700hoursindicated,engineno:2DQ1454, serialno:87908,ROPS.7144.TA1162678. $48,450INC

$9,500INCLGST

ISEKISX75TRACTOR IsekiSX75Tractor,4wheeldrive,3 pointlinkage,70horsepowerapproximately,mechanically good,astraded.7456. TA1272963.

$38,500INCLGST

in1bucket,airconcab,3,230hoursapproxshowingonhour meter, tyres85%allround,serialno:CAT0226BPMWD01189,withoperators manualandservicehistory,notregistered,exceptionalcondition. 7461. TA1275713.

CATERPILLAR226B3WHEELEDSKIDSTEER 4cylinderdiesel,4

HOWARDROTARYHOES LARGERANGEOFHOWARDROTARY HOESPLUSASELECTIONOFOTHERROTARYHOESINSTOCK. 7379. TA1238951.

$2,800INCLGST

UNITEDTRAILER8X5 UnitedTrailer,registrationno: S136TFT, expiryApril,2025,8x5,yearofmanufacture2017,vinno: 6T9T2000SH0KE3120, refurbished,withnewwheelbearings,front discbrakes,re-wired,newlights.7421. TA1253395.

ROPS&Roof,91horsepowerapprox,PTO,withfrontweightframe(no weights),approx1,968hoursindicated,2newfronttyres.7073. TA1125206. $43,900INCLGST

& sh Forage harvesters & carts, NH Gehl & Tiki Rollers (Cambridge), culti packers, stones & tyre)

7' to 28'. PTO hammermills, roller mills, grain gristers. From $595

3PL, 5-9 tine trail, 8-14 tine chisel ploughs From $795

Irrigation pipes, pumps & motors, travelling irrigators.

Scoops, 3PL, silt blades, carryalls and rippers.

2nd hand tractor tyres, belt pulleys, PTO From $195

2nd hand new tines Augers, 50' x 6" & 8", pencil 14' x 4" new and 2nd hand.

Harrows all types From $45

Boom sprays, 3PL, Hardi and Silvan, 400 & 600ltr.

Power Harrows 3PL Lely 15' Crump (Kurrajong 1000) 1 tonne trailing

Manure-lime & super spreaders Super spreaders ground drive, ½ - 4.5 tonne. 9' Roto wiper, new & secondhand Vicon spreaders 10 to 30 bag, Hardi 1200 ltr boomspray trail, foam & PTO.

OFFSET/DISC PLOUGHS

Grizzly 20 424 disc Gibbons Rawlings 28 plate

SCARIFIERS & TILLERS

Ferguson scarifiers 3PL 19 tyne Bagshaw scarifier towable

SHEEP AND CATTLE

Feeders (hay & grain) Cattle Scales

Feedout bins and trailers. Shearing plants, grinders, lamb cradles, handlers, wool pressers, bail heads, crushes, wool tables, hyd  woolpress.

SLASHERS

8’ slasher 3PL (superior) 2.3 high body Nobili mulcher

TRAILERS

HYD Tipping 10' x 6'

Freighter 4 wheel trailer

Tipping trailer 8' x 6' From $975

TRACTORS

Ford 3000, 45hp, 3PL, P-Steer. FE Loader. Fergie TEA20 petrol

PRIVATE Advertising

MCLEOD5FT 2023,Near-New. heavydutycustombuilt McleodSlasher.5ft,Lessthan 100Hours,NA.NSW. DIY1290852. 0405 537 143. $7,000IncGST

HARDI9600 9000L,36m Forceboom,HC55007 sectioncontroller.Hyddrive pump464-12,newJune 2024.Secondagitationpump, largecleanwatertank.Tyres 710/70R42,excellent condition.Wellmaintainedfor age,deliverycanbe

CHIEFTAIN1000LITER 2025, CHIEFTAIN1000LDieselFuel Trailer(TwinAxleMineSite Ready)HereatE&M Construction,wereexcitedto announcethatwe arenow stockingCHIEFTAINfuel trailers!, Sa900bsr2s1155281. NSW. DIY1290848. 0414 724 893. $20,500

CATERPILLAR259D 2013, CAT 259D track loaderwith ~3,778hours,goodoverall condition.Comeswitha brandnew4-in-1bucketand is ready forwork.Locatedin Truganina, CAT0259DCTK00271.VIC. DIY1288388. 0488 119 077. $65,000

AGRISONFRONTENDLOADER 2010,3pointbackhoe.4in1bucket-allasnew condition.Hardlyeverused.Only300hours.

JOHNDEERE5055E 2021, ONEOWNERFROMNEW ONLYUSED TO SPRAYVINES SERVICEDANDMAINTAINED EXITINGINDUSTRY SPRAYPLANT NOT INCLUDED INPHOTOSSHOWN, PY3029H165026.SA. DIY1288383. 0412 015 393. $43,989INCGST

ABBEYVF1250SD conditionAbbey12m3Mixer wagon,workshopchecked, brandnewsetofknives.Suit newbuyer.ExMelbourne, D64007.VIC. 0458 978 231.

CONNORSHEA16RCSN DRILL ConnorShea8000 Series

ExcellentCondition,Always Shedded Bothseedandfertiliserboxes Withsparedeliverybuckets, 169646.NSW. DIY1288118. 0412 675 666. $12,000

POLARISRANGER1000XP 2023,PolarisXP1000side by sidebuggy.84hppetrol

VERSATILE620DT 2019,CheckoutthisusedVersatile620DT!ImmaculateCondition! 575Hp(620Hpmax) -CumminsQSX15LTier3engine -3,446Nmpeaktorque - CAT TA2216x4Powershifttransmission -416L/minhydraulicpumpwith6electrohydraulicremotes -18,800Ldieseltank -Front&Reardifferentiallock -DeluxcabwithAgCabsuspension, -Trimblesetup -30"tracks Hours:3973 Contact0431075312-UnitbeingheldinYatala,QLD.,BVA1821017.QLD. DIY1254382. 0431 075 312. $350,000

WANTED TO BUY TRACTORS FOR WRECKING

CASE

585, 595, 685, 695, 800, 830, 832, 870 2WD, 885, 895, 900, 930, 932, 956, 970, 1030, 1032, 1070, 1194, 1270, 1370, 1390, 1394, 1594, 1690, 2090, 2094, 2096, 2290, 2290, 2294, 2390, 2394, 2470, 2590, 2594, 2670, 2870, 3394, 3594, 4230, 4496, 4694, 4994, 7110, 7210, CVX 170, CX60, MAGNUM 275, MAGNUM 290, MAGNUM 305, MX80C, MX255, MX285, PUMA, STX 375 QUADTRACK, STX425, STX440 QUADTRACK, STX450, STX485, STX500

CASE IH

1896, 4690, 4890, 4894, 5120, 5130, 5140, 5150, 7120, 7130, 7140, 7150, 7220, 7230, 7240, 7250, 8910, 8920, 8930, 8940, 8950, 9130, 9150, 9170, 9180, 9250, 9260, 9280, 9350, 9370 QUADTRACK, 9380 QUADTRACK, 9390, MX90, MX130, MX135, MX150, MX230, MX240, MX200, MX220, MXM175, MX270, MXM190, STX375, STX440, STX480

CATERPILLAR

CHALLENGER SERIES – 35, 45, 55, 65, 65C, 75, 75C, 75E, 85C, 85D, 95E, 65E TRACK MACHINE, MT765D, MT765C, MT865C

FORD

3000, 3610, 4000, 4600, 4610, 5000, 5610, 5640, 6000, 6600, 6610, 6700, 6810, 7000, 7600, 7700, 7710, 7840, 8000, 8210, 8230, 8340, 8401, 8600, 8700, 9000, 9600, 9700,, TW5, TW10, TW15, TW20, TW25, TW30

INTERNATIONAL

385, 414, 434, 444, 484, 514, 554, 564, 574, 585, 624, 660, 674, 686, 696, 706, 756,766, 786, 856, 866, 885, 886, 956, 976, 986, 1056, 1066, 1086, 1256, 1466, 1468, 1486, 1566, 1568, 1586, 3288, 3388, 3588, 3688, 3788, 4166, 4186, 4366, 4386, 4568, 4586, 4786, 5088, 5288, 5488, 6388, 6588, 6788, 844S, AW6, AW7, AWD6, AWD7, B250, B275, W6, W7,

JOHN DEERE

950, 1050, 1130, 1140, 1640, 1750, 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2250, 2450, 2650, 2850, 3010, 3020, 3120, 3130, 3140, 3350, 3640, 3650, 4010, 4020, 4030, 4040, 4050, 4055, 4230, 4240, 4250, 4255, 4430, 4440, 4450, 4455, 4555, 4560, 4620, 4630, 4640, 4650, 4755, 4760, 4840, 4850, 4955, 4960, 5010, 5020, 5310, 5515, 5300, 6030, 6110, 6170R, 6200, 6220, 6300, 6310, 6320, 6330, 6400, 6410, 6620, 6630 Premium, 6810, 6820, 7210, 7330, 7510, 7520, 7600, 7610, 7700, 7800, 7810, 7920, 7930, 8100, 8200, 8230, 8285R, 8300, 8310, 8320R, 8330, 8345RT, 8360RT, 8370RT, 8400, 8400 TRACK, 8410, 8430, 8440, 8450, 8520, 8520T, 8530, 8630, 8640, 8650, 8760, 8770, 8850, 8960, 8970, 9400, 9410R, 9420T, 9430T

NEW HOLLAND

7840, 8430, 8560, 8870, 8970, 9482, 9682, 9860, 9880, 9882, 9482, 9484, G210, G240, L85, L95, T6020, T7030, TG230, TG235, TG255, TG285, TJ375, TJ425, TJ450, TL70, TL90, TM125, TM135, TM195, TN55D, TN95F, TS100, TS100A, TS110A, TS125A, T9060

STEIGER

KP525, KP 1350, KP1325, KP1400, BEARCAT 3 & 4, COUGAR 2 & 4 CM250, PANTHER 2, PANTHER 3 ST310 & ST325, PANTHER 4 CM325, TIGER ST470,

VERSATILE

500, 700, 800, 835, 836, 855, 875, 895, 900, 935, 945, 946, 950, 956, 975, 976, 1150, 1156

ISOLOADERHL-PC-35

Two(2)ISOLOADERPrecastConcreteHandlingRubberTyreGantriesbuyoneorbothfortandemliftandtraveleachwithSWL35,000kg.R3696R3697. TA1222670. POA ISOLOADER21

TheIsoloader21isastraddledesignedtoliftandtransport32,000kg,6mand27,000kg 12mISOcontainersfromroadtransportvehiclesandplacethemontheground.(Filephotoasexample)Twoavailable.R3621. TA1061595. $100,000EaPlusGST

www.flt.com.au

HYSTERH18.00XM-12

withforkpositioningsideshiftcarriage, 2440mmforks,Cumminsengine,fullyenclosed airconditionedcab-Option20x40sideliftcont. frame.R3632. TA1124211.

POAForSaleorHirePh:1800688788

HYSTERH10.00XM

HYSTERH16.00XM-6

2010,lowhoursandingreatconditionwithMichelin XZMradialtyres,forkpositioningsideshiftand 2,440mmForks.R3525. TA730601. ForSaleorHirePOAPh:1800688788toInspect

HYSTERH12.00XM

200811,740kg4500mmlift,sideshiftcarriageand 2440mmforks.HireorBuyFreeCall1800688788. R3405. TA369982. POA

HYSTERH650C

6newContinentaltyres,Cummins6CTenginethis budgetpricedforkliftisreadyforwork.Option20'or 20x40toppickcontainerspreaders..R3712. TA1216675.

ForSaleorHirePh1800688788POA

KALMARDRT450-65S

2013,Stacksladen20x40containers5high.Cummins QSM11dieselengine.Dana15.5HR36000XMSN. H10300280. TA1153805.

ForSaleorHirePOAFreeCall1800688788

2006,Cumminsengine.WideForkPositioningSideshift Carriagewouldsuitlongloadse.g.pipe.R3689. TA1216676. POAForSaleorHirePh:1800688788

KALMARDRT450

2014,SOLD-AnotherAvailable.Only11081hourswith originalCumminsengine.Stack45,000kg1st row 31,000kg2ndrow.ReadyNow.R3603. TA998021. POAForSaleorHirePh:1800688788

OMEGA16-12W

IdealfurnitureremovalistsolutionRated12,000kgwith ELME558sidesliftabletostackuptofourhigh20and 40footcontainers..353AUFL443. TA1154000.

ForSaleorHirePOAFreeCall1800688788

TERBERGYT182

2006,HardtofindTerminalTractorwithelevating5th wheelforquick&safetrailermarshaliingwithoutneed todismountcab.S116. TA1276949. $59,800

HYSTERH18.00XM-12

2008,stacks12,000kghighcube20'&40'3high.ELME 55820x40spreaderwithtopentrytwistlocks.Frontline unitreadynow.R3547. TA829125. ForSaleorHirePOAFreeCall1800688788

PRENTICE7,000KGSWL forklifttruckramps(8)topickfrom.Idealforshipping containers.Forsaleorhire.R3274. TA96974. $12,000+GST=$13,200ForSaleorHire

GENIEGS3268RT

4WDdiesel.Recently 10yearinspected,new paint,goodreliable machine.S35.

$25,000+GST

SNORKELTB42JDZ 42fttelescopicboom lift.4WDDiesel.S30. $15,000+GST

SNORKELPRO126 126ftstraightstick boom,diesel,4WD, workingheight40.2m, goodworking condition.S36. $30,000+GST

SNAPPYHEAVY

DUTY

Scaffold.S2. $550+GST

JLG43FTRTSELF LEVELLINGDIESEL SCISSORLIFT VeryGoodValuefor money,tidymachine, stillworkinginour rentalfleet.S27.

$30,000+GST

SNORKELTB47J

4WDTB47JDZ TelescopicBoomLift, 10YearInspected, HydraulicGenerator, Diesel,Veryreliable machine..S39. $35,000+GST

HAULOTTE COMPACT14

2014,12melectric scissorliftverypopular unit.14mworking height.1unitavailable. S21. $6,000+GST

SNORKEL MHP13/35

2012,TrailerMounted articulatedboomlift featuresasafeandstable workingheightofupto 12.6m.Stillinhirefleet, verygoodcondition.S38.

$20,000+GST

GENIEGS1932 GenieGS1932Electric Scissorlift.S29. $4,000+GST

SKYJACK3219 2015,SkyJack3219 scissorlift,10year inspected,electric, 5.8mplatformheight. S40. $7,500+GST

Li ing legacy

Thanks to recent global acquisitions, JLG Industries has introduced new machine categories to its ever-growing range, including site dumpers and rough terrain forkli s

JLG Industries – an Oshkosh Corporation business – is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of all-things access equipment, which is renowned for its elevating work platforms, including scissor and boom li s, as well as telehandlers.

Following recent global acquisitions of Italian OEM Hinowa in 2023 and Spanish OEM AUSA in 2024, JLG has signi cantly expanded and strengthened its product portfolio, adding tracked compact crawler boom li s, rough terrain forkli s and a range of dumpers to its o ering.

“This includes wheeled-articulated and tracked dumpers from 0.5-tonne and 1.5-tonne models all the way up to 10-tonne options,” JLG national sales manager Daniel Reeve says.

“We also have rough terrain forkli s from 1.5 to ve-tonne models in many

combinations, as well as our Australian manufactured lighting products.”

Reeve adds the expanded range will complement Australia’s construction, mining and civil industries. This re ects JLG’s decision to exhibit at Converge 2025, the only Australian-owned major event showcasing the latest tools and technology in the municipal works, civil and commercial construction sectors.

Converge 2025 was held in September at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, with JLG showcasing two of its newest machines on o er to the local market, the 2.9-tonne JLG TD6400 tracked dumper and the AUSA 2.5-tonne C251H rough terrain forkli .

The tracked dumper is powered by a 50hp (37.4kW) Kubota Stage V engine and can handle loads up to 2,875kg, while

the AUSA forkli sports a Kubota 49hp (36.5kW) engine and has a load capacity of 2.5 tonnes li ed to a height of 3.7m.

“We manufacture in North America as well as many other locations around the world, including here in Australia,” Reeve says.

“Our AUSA products are still manufactured in Spain, while our Hinowa products are manufactured in Italy. All our lighting products are manufactured here in Australia.

“We are a direct to market business and we have our Australian o ces and workshops set up in all major capital cities, as well as a dedicated in-house eld service network with capacity to service all areas across Australia.”

For more information on JLG’s expanded product range, visit www.jlg.com/en-au

19-29 Curlew Cresc

Tamworth NSW 2340

www.philhuntparts.com.au

brendan@philhuntparts.com.au

JOHNDEERE750 JustinforDismantling,Rebuilt6.414T Engine,MilanoRearRippers,StartsRunsandDrivesand TurnsWell,AllPartsAvailable,PhoneBrendan026762 4466.S195. TA1275322. POA

MITSUBISHIMG400 JustinforDismantling,14Foot Moldboard,RearRipperAssy,Powershift Transmission, GoodRubberallround,AllPartsAvailable,Phone Brendan0267624466.S193. TA1275320. POA

PHIL HUNT PARTS PHIL HUNT PARTS

The HUNT stops here

NEW AND S/H PARTS

ALLIS-CHALMERS/HANOMAG/MASSEY

JOHN DEERE INDUSTRIAL

PARTS FOR Dozers, Loaders, Drotts, Graders, Scrapers

WRECKING DOZERS

ALLIS-CHALMERS: “M”, HD5B, HD6B, HD6E, HD6G, HD7W, HD7G, HD9B, HD10W, HD11B, HD11E, HD11EC, HD11EP, HD11 Ser B, HD15,C, HD16A, HD16AC, HD16D, DC, HD16DP, HD19,20,21A, HD21B,C, HD31, HD41B FIAT: 451C, 555, 605C, 50CI, 70CI, 8, 8B, AD10, BD10B, FD10E, AD12, 14B, 14C, BD20, DX175

HANOMAG/MASSEY: 2244, 200, 300, 3366, 400, 500, L400C, L600C, D600D Super, D700C

JOHN DEERE : 1010C, 850

LOADERS

ALLIS-CHALMERS: TL12D, TL14, TL20, 545, 605B, 645, 745B,C FIAT: FR20B LD3, LD5, LD6, LD7 and LD9 Scoopmobile

HANOMAG/MASSEY 22,33C,44, 55, CL55C,66C-D, 77 GRADERS

ALLIS-CHALMERS: D, DD, M65, 65B, AD30-40, 45, 145, M100A, B, FG95

DRMCO/CHAMPION 562, 600, 720, 740

JOHN DEERE 570, 570A, 670, 670A, 670B, 770, 770A, 772A, 770BH, 670CH, 670D, 672GP, 770GP, 772GP

ALLIS WHEEL TRACTORS

AC D17, D19, D21, XT190, 7000, 7010, 7020, 7040, 7060, 7080, 8010, 8050, 8070, 7580, 8550, 440 ALSO AVAILABLE

Track Chains, Rollers, Idlers, Sprockets

Various 4-1 Buckets, POA

FIATALLISHD16B JustinforDismantling,AngleTilt Blade,RearRippers,ExcellentUndercarriage,Powershift Transmission,AllPartsAvailable,PhoneBrendan02 67624466.S192. TA1275319. POA

ALLISCHALMERSHD16DP JustinforDismantling,Angle TiltBlade,RearRippers,Powershift Transmission, ExcellentUndercarriage,16,000HRunningEngine,All PartsAvailable,PhoneBrendan0267624466.S194. TA1275321. POA

Allis Chalmers • Fiat Allis • Hanomag • Massey • JD Industrial

AUSTRALIA’S ONLINE PORTAL DEDICATED TO BUYING, SELLING AND HIRING MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Scan the QR code to find out more.

Whether it’s cranes, loaders or excavation equipment this is your one-stop-shop for buying, selling and hiring a variety of machinery and equipment from both dealers and private sellers.

Advertise on Earthmovers & Excavators Marketplace to reach the right buyer.

2.5TonneLPGForkliftwith4.3MetreLift ContainerMast.P003. TA1206087. $13,200

TA1207778. $13,200

1.2tonneelectricwalkiereachtruckwith4.27 metrelift.N054. TA1178245. $13,200

viper. TA1160389. $21,450

PRIVATE Advertising

$18,500

UNKNOWN DRY NUTROASTER StainlessSteelFramed 8kgto25kgHorizontalElectricNutandSeedDry RoastingBarrelwithLoad/UnloadAccess,mobile StainlesssteelCollection/CoolingBin,Control,Geared Driveto415V3PhaseElectricMotorandSwitch,-.VIC. DIY1285247. 0411 317 362.

$31,999

AMADAPROMECAMITO-103 HydraulicUpstroke1000 tonnePressBrakescomesfittedwithlaserguard. Electricbackstopnotworking,ITP2100301107.VIC. DIY1290510. 03 9798 7780.

PROCESSSYSTEMSCHOCOLATECOOLINGTUNNEL& ProcessSystemsStainlessSteelFramed MotorisedContinuousProductSheetFormingand CoolingLinewithStainlessSteelFlowHeadandHeating Station,RubberBeltMotorisedFeedInConveyor, StainlessSteelRefrigeratedCooling Tunnel withInfeed OutConveyors,Controlto415V3 PhaseElectricMotorandSwitch,OverallLengthApprox 0411 317 362. $79,000

FUJIFUJIFLOWRAPPERFW341M2 FujiMotorised StainlessSteelProductForm,FillandSealingMachine Model:FW341M2withStainlessSteelChainFeed-In Conveyor,WrappingandSealingHeads,RubberBelt OutfeedConveyor,-.VIC. DIY1285245. 0411 317 362. $35,000

SAVAGESAVAGEBROSGASFIREDMIXER SavageBros StainlessSteelGasFiredIngredientsMixingandCooking Unit,TwinCopperApprox50LitreCookingPots, RetractableMixingHead,SteelFramedMobileTreadle HydraulicPotStorageStand,Swing Away Attendants Table,Controlto415V3PhaseElectricMotorandSwitch, -.VIC. DIY1285242. 0411 317 362. $49,000

CHURCHILLCHURCHILLSURFACEGRINDER

ChurchillsurfacegrindingmachineManchesterEngland. Machineserialnumber:21988.Oilpumpmotor:1420.Wheel diameter:7.Wheelspindlespeed.RPM:2450.Wheelheadmotor. RPM:1420,21988.NSW. DIY1271356. 0413 168 886.

$3,800Surfacegrindingmachine

MAGLONUTOILROASTER StainlessSteelMotorisedGas FiredNutOilRoaster,ComprisingRawNutLoadHopper, CleatedRubberBeltElevatingConveyor,Vibratory

YAMATOYAMATO YamatoDataweighVolumeWeighing, FillingandSealingMachinewithStainlessSteel VibratoryInfeedHopper,SteelFramed Bucket Elevating LoadConveyor,VolumeWeighingHeadwithMetalcheck 9MetalDetector,BagSealingandFillingHead,Rubber BeltElevating Take-Out ConveyorwithMetalcheckMetal Detector,Controlto415V3PhaseElectricMotorand SwitchWholeMountedonHeavyDutySteelFramed StandwithLadderAccessandSafetyBarricades,-.VIC. DIY1285236. 0411 317 362. $18,900

KERFAB BALE FORKS

DO THE HEAVY LIFTING

Kerfab’s bale forks are proudly designed and manufactured in Australia to withstand the harshest conditions, delivering exceptional durability, efficiency, and safety.

Trusted by professionals across Australia and New Zealand, Kerfab attachments provide the reliability and performance that top operations demand. Reach out to the Kerfab team or your machinery dealer today to experience the difference.

One million stories and counting

This is a celebration of success — thanks to your hard work and our dedication to you.

Together, we’ve achieved 1 million tyres sold and shaped 1 million stories.

A million more are waiting to be written. Try Agri Star II and start creating your story now!