High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/2019

Summer 2018/19

High Performance Magazine

The year that was 2018 highlights

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Unwrap holiday magic with John Deere p14

High Performance Magazine Edition 18 Summer 2018/19

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Contents

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For all editorial and advertising enquiries, contact:

Michael Casey Group Marketing Manager michael.casey@hutcheonandpearce.com.au

Welcome to the 2018 Summer edition

Getting the most from every machine

The year that was Highlights from 2018

Unwrap holiday magic with John Deere

New recruits come on board

Land forming technology saves time and money

Prepare your combine harvester for a challenging season ahead

How to buy a compact utility tractor

In Australia, one blood donation is needed every 24 seconds.

Giving blood feels good.

The Hutcheon & Pearce Community can really show that they have the JDNA by visiting their local Blood Service Centre. Just one blood donation can save up to three lives!

Ring 13 14 95 to make an appointment or visit https://www.donateblood.com.au and sign up to the Hutcheon and Pearce Community.

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Welcome Welcome to the 2018/19 Summer edition of High Performance Magazine.

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t’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close and we’re another harvest down. There’s been a lot of talk about the season that was this year and I know everyone will have a different story to tell over the Christmas table but if there’s one thing I know about living on the land it’s that you just keep going, the seasons keep coming and, especially at this time of the year, it’s all about looking ahead.

On our patch here at Hutcheon & Pearce we’re in full swing preparing for what comes next.

As with many of our customers, a lot of our focus is on getting to some of the constants on the list that are often first to drop off when things get busy. That means getting our house in order – tightening up our processes and making sure we’re operating at optimum levels to provide the premium support we are known for, updating our knowledge of the latest technology and getting the jump on the next generation. As always, we’re working out what machines make the wisest investment if it’s time to replace, how to get the most of out of the machines and what parts are going to do the job in terms of fix and repair.

their service game these past few months. OptionAg Parts is a definite point of growth in this area and if you’re not already across the OptionAg benefits our interview with Manager Chris Roberts is a must-read. I challenge everyone to put our team to the test to explore the service and parts options that will make your operation more efficient and economically secure next season.

And if Temora is your local branch, then I also challenge you not to be impressed by our new shed when you come down to the workshop. It’s set to serve all of us well over the next 10-20 years.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the H&P team for their efforts this year. The commitment to the job and our customers continue to inspire me. I also want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support throughout 2018. We are all looking forward to a happy and productive 2019.

Whatever form the festive season takes for you, whether it’s a break on the farm, on the road or on holidays. From my family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas!

Arron

That’s why this Summer edition of HP Magazine is all about preparation – from demonstration to optimisation, site prep to silly season, we’ve got it covered.

Don’t miss our resident apprentice-whisperer, Matt Duffy, reflecting on our latest TOPGUN recruitment round. I was once again impressed with the calibre of applicants for our 2019 intake and although I never thought it possible, we may just have found our most talented starters yet. Meeting the next generation of H&P is always a highlight for me and I’m proud and humbled by the work that goes into bringing these youngsters into the family and providing them with the support we promise to mum and dad when we meet them at the recruitment days.

The help our parts teams provide to our customers is also a point of pride for me and they have all been pushing to improve

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

Cover story

The year that wasHighlights from 2018 It’s been another big year for the team at Hutcheon & Pearce! Some of the highlights included celebrating the centenary of John Deere tractors at Henty, putting sprayers, balers and headers through their paces at various demo days across our footprint, and the big grins on the faces of our happy customers when we delivered their newest machine.

450m Baler and 6140M Tractor package, rolling out some cereal silage bales at the Baler Demo day held 24 October.

Local customers had the opportunity to test drive the new R4060 self-propelled sprayer at a Demo Day held on Wednesday 26 September in Coleambally, NSW.

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2018 Aunnal Employee Meeting held in May.

Customers are always happy when we deliver their new machine.

BBQ - Sprayer Day at Farmlink.

These two tractors came out of the same factory 100 years apart!

Right: Managing Director of John Deere Australia and New Zealand Peter Wanckel cuts the centenary cake at the Henty Machinery Field Days.

Lt General John G Castellaw with Brett Norman at the 2018 Annual Employee Meeting in May.

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Hutcheon & Pearce hosted a Sprayer Day at FarmLink Research in Temora.

Customers learned about Nozzles and Exact Apply Technology, Precision Ag and Product Optimisation Services. They also had the chance to ride and drive the new R4060 Sprayer with a 6000L Tank.

Plenty of merchandise and toys on display at the Australian National Field Days.

The Hutcheon & Pearce site at the Australian National Field Days in Orange, NSW October 2018.

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

New recruits come on board Moving into its fifth year, the TOPGUN apprentice and trainee recruitment program is going from strength to strength.

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R Mentor Matt Duffy says that the calibre of candidates continues to improve, with benefits seen across the Hutcheon & Pearce group.

Recruitment for Hutcheon & Pearce apprenticeships is a 12-month process. Our service departments host multiple TOPGUN hopefuls for a week, giving them a chance to experience a day in the life of our service technicians.

As our HR Mentor Matt Duffy explains, this allows applicants to see if the career is for them, and for Hutcheon & Pearce staff to assess their work ethic and attitude towards the business.

“The lead up to Recruitment Day is an all-round team effort from the HR team, Marketing team and the branches who host the school students for work experience.

“I am very appreciative of the branch service departments for hosting the students for the week. It does put a bit of pressure on the teams to keep someone so young and keen safe, but they manage well.

“Recruitment Day itself is held in September and is next-level when it comes to interviewing apprentices. There are common interviews they all attend which include branch-specific interviews, mechanical comprehension tests and teamwork challenges to complete. This rigorous process takes a big effort from the whole H&P team and in my opinion, this year’s recruitment process bas been the best yet.”

Matt said application numbers for TOPGUN continue to grow, as does the calibre of applicants.

“I think the reason for the growth in numbers is that our hard

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work is paying off. We visit around 20 schools a year, attend all career expos within our area, attend Ag Vision at Junee High and have a big push at the Henty Field Days.

“We decided to recruit for a little bit of extra maturity and this year we had more Year 12 leavers than any other age group.

“With TOPGUN, we are after a special kind of apprentice. The right attitude, great work ethic and the drive to be the best they can be is a must. This is now common knowledge across the state, and that’s why the calibre of our applicants is improving.”

Nine mechanical apprentices and two parts apprentices have been appointed with one position yet to be filled.

“Unfortunately, the weather determines a lot of things in this industry and one of those was our intake this year, so our numbers are slightly down on last year.

“We are still looking to fill the position in Coleambally branch, which is a prime opportunity for the right person with a great shed, great people and the best local pub schnitties in NSW!” To the 2019 recruits, Matt has a clear message.

“Be prepared to learn. You will be pushed to become the best tradie you can be. Work hard, listen hard and watch hard, as watching and listening are two of the most important things a first year apprentice can do.

“Remember, it’s not all about being a mechanic. Watch your coaching tech’s attitudes and actions in front of their managers, their fellow

Graduating class best of the best A big congratulations to the 2018 class of apprentices.

HR Mentor Matt Duffy describes the skill level from this year’s graduating class as second to none.

“Hutcheon & Pearce changed its attitude towards apprenticeships four years ago when we realised apprenticeships are our responsibility. I firmly believe this is the catalyst behind everything the apprentices are now achieving.

“Between the way we train our apprentices, the growth of the specialised TAFE training facility and the fantastic teaching staff at TAFE, they are coming out the best of the best.”

Evan, Andrew, Aaron and Michael from the Griffith branch will be offered positions, as well as Vaughn from Finley and Luke from Forbes, while Ben and Matt from Narrandera/Wagga and Lachlan from Condobolin have moved on from H&P and we wish them well.

“To all you lads, massive congratulations for committing and pushing yourselves to be where you are now. Look back to where you came from to help understand what you have achieved. Now look forward, set some new goals and hook in again.”

techs and their customers. Most importantly, watch how your coaching tech conducts his paperwork. A $30,000 invoice needs a $30,000 job description because our customers need this information for their businesses.

“There is something I refer to as being the ultimate tradesman. A person can be the most technically-minded person in the world but if you can’t speak to customers, be a quality human being or make good decisions, you’ll never find the pathway to being the ultimate tradesman.”

Work hard, listen hard and watch hard, as watching and listening are two of the most important things a first year apprentice can do.

HR Mentor, Matt Duffy

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

Demonstrating the difference If you’re looking to purchase new equipment in 2019, now is the time to try before you buy.

At Hutcheon & Pearce, we’re all about making sure the fit is right before investing in machinery, and we love a good demo here. We caught up with Sales Representative at our Coleambally Branch, Justin Turner, to talk us through the benefits of a good H&P demonstration.

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n the past 12 months, Justin Turner has demonstrated the full range of machines to Hutcheon & Pearce customers.

“I have been lucky enough to demonstrate machines including the 9RX narrow track and 9RX wide track, 5, 6, 7 and 8 series tractors, self-propelled sprayers, 7 series combines, mowers and gators to name just a few.

“John Deere offers dealers the opportunity to order machines for the purpose of a demonstration, which allows us to show our customers the benefits and gives them the chance to compare new machines to what they are already using.

Demonstrations are held either with individual customers or group days where customers are invited to a central location to try the machines.”

Justin explains that the benefits of a demo vary depending on what the customer is looking for.

“Sometimes it may be just confirming the machine will fit a particular job or requirement. At other times, it can help decide if it will fit into a management cycle or agronomy decision.

“Whatever the need, a demo is beneficial in that it helps the customer make an informed decision by getting their hands on the machine and doing time in the seat. They can not only feel it perform but see it perform. While looking at a brochure or static display is an important part of the decision-making process, a demo can really make the difference in helping the customer choose.”

Justin said most Hutcheon & Pearce customers know they can ask for a demo of any machinery.

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Justin’s tips to keep in mind at a demo: “When you request a demonstration, machine performance is often one of the main areas of focus but don’t forget to look at comfort, ease of operation, and integration to your current management platforms.

A new machine is a huge investment and is potentially something that will be around for 5 – 10 years. You need to make the decision with the future in mind.”

“Hutcheon & Pearce are a very demoorientated company and the opportunity for any customer to either attend a demo event or have an individual demo on their own farm is always available.

“In short, if it’s available for sale there’s no reason a demonstration is not available. With small ag, the process is similar to large ag demos, but mowers and gators are possibly easier to demonstrate to individuals as the logistics in moving them are less intensive.”

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

Prepare your combine for the challenging season ahead I

t’s no secret that the agricultural industry has gone through some of its toughest times in decades, and harvest will be more challenging than ever.

The variable crop conditions across individual paddocks caused by frost, plus pinched grain and crop height due to lack of moisture are set to cause headaches for many combine operators in southern Australia.

As a result, operators will need to be alert to higher ground speeds and careful concave and rotor speed adjustments in combines.

Hutcheon & Pearce General Manager, Bill Armstrong, said preseason combine servicing is just as important in lighter crop years as it is normally.

“Some of the challenges this year will be around (crop) feeding.

A lot will be in regard to front adjustment and making sure the machine is ready for the shorter crops, including skid adjustment and reel heights.

“It always pays to keep a close eye on the machine through the lighter crop years as the machine is not as full and a bit more shaking can go on. Operators will also be going a lot faster than normal, so it is important to be alert on the operational side as higher speeds mean a higher load on the axle and bearings.

“The year may be quieter in a harvest sense, but we are always busy in the workshop, so it pays to have those checks done on time.”

Grain loss Bill said operators need to be aware of four main areas of grain loss.

Pre-existing loss occurs when the crop is shaken by a weather event. There is also front loss or grain losses created by the platform, followed by the separating or threshing rotor and the sieves or cleaning area.

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“If there is grain loss, it’s important to identify which part of the machine it is coming from or if it is from the machine at all.

“If it is a machine loss, you will need to know what areas to address to rectify that.”

Hutcheon & Pearce held two John Deere S Series harvester optimisation clinics at Temora and Finley in October. On display was a S680 with a 615P Belt Pickup Draper front, a S780 with a 740D HydraFloat platform and a S780 with a 645 FD HydraFlex platform.

Armstrong said the main difference in the S700 Series over the 600 Series combines is in the technology.

“While there are modifications in feeder house drives and clutch sizes, it is really the technology in data and sample management and automation which are the big keys for the 700 Series.

“In recent years, the physical size of the cabins has changed, including the layout and the amount of glass to improve visibility.

“Technology in seating has come a long way for high operator comfort, with in-cab refrigeration and video surveillance also making for an easier and less stressful time in the cab.”

Mind your speeds Product Optimisation Diagnostics Manager at Hutcheon & Pearce Albury, Glen Montgomery, said operators need to be mindful of ground speeds this harvest.

“In the 615P Belt Pick-up platform, ensure you adjust for ground speed as too fast can cause grain loss and over-threshing.”

He said an indication of slow belt speeds is heavy loading of the side belts or material along the sides of the centre belt.

“Excessive belt speed can cause heavy loading in the middle of the centre feed belt, crops to be pushed across the centre belt or crops to be pulled under the platform by the side draper belts.

“Platform tilt can help keep material on the belts.”

The feeder house drum in the S700 Series can be adjusted

manually without tools. The feeder house conveyor spread can also be changed by repositioning the chain on the drive sprocket using a 24mm wrench.

He added pinched grain this year may take a bit of threshing and advised growers to run the concaves tighter and up the rotor speed.

“The feed accelerator has two speeds – high and low – run in low when the crop is dry and brittle, while high is recommended for small grain crops.”

“Grain will be valuable this year, so you don’t want to see too much coming out the back at all.

Rotor speed, concave types, concave clearance, ground speed and crop mat can all have effects on threshing.

Harvesting performance indicators According to Glen, crop harvesting performance indicators include the grain tank sample, grain losses, straw quality and tailings samples.

“If you are seeing unthreshed grain and half heads out the back, tighten up the concave, drive a bit faster or run the rotor a bit quicker.

“Unthreshed or free grain means the crop may be a bit green, so it is best to find another paddock. It’s all about having the patience to leave the crop a bit longer to mature.”

“Look for grain loss firstly in front of the header, then behind the header, followed by rotor and shoe losses.

“Check the pre-harvest grain loss by walking into the crop to get a base reading on what you see after the header has gone through.

“Check for head loss across the header width by stopping the machine, reversing and then looking at the area immediately in front of the header.

“To properly calculate separator loss, the operator must also know the amount of header and field loss.

“It’s important to have the reel at the right angle for small, low crops so the heads are dropping on to the belt and not on the ground.”

Glen said excessive grain in the tailings indicates incorrect chaffer/sieve and fan settings, while excessive trash in the tailings means insufficient fan speed or the chaffer was too open.

“A machine power shutdown gives the operator a snapshot of the combine’s performance and assists where grain loss is being generated, and what adjustment to make.”

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

Getting the most from every machine J ust like our customers and communities, the climate plays a critical role in the Hutcheon & Pearce business.

Given conditions this year, we’re focusing more and more on providing reliable support to our farmers in terms of servicing, repairs, parts and optimisation. We know that at times like this, every dollar and every day counts, and we’ve been busy making sure we’re ready to not only provide the most reliable and cost-effective new or upgraded equipment, but also help our farmers get the most out of their existing machines and technology.

With this in mind, two areas of our business come in to focus – the H&P relationship with OptionAg Parts and our Optimisation Clinics.

Options for Parts Chris Roberts has been Manager of OptionAg Parts since it opened for business two years ago.

Dedicated to providing quality generic parts for all sorts of high-end machinery colours, the OptionAg team of five has managed to extend its reach well across the country and the sector, and establish exclusive relationships with some of the world’s most well-known brands.

With service and parts a strong direction for H&P right now, we asked Chris what OptionAg means for our customers.

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H&P: For those not yet familiar, tell us about OptionAg Parts and what you offer.

CR: OptionAg is an importer and distributor of quality agricultural and industrial parts. From harvesters, tractors, mowers and combines to engine rebuilds, air-conditioning, cabcams, belts and augers and more, we have parts and manuals from some of the biggest and trusted brands across the world as well as some lesser known brands that provide top-quality options. We have relationships with Lankota, A&I, Kooima, Sunbelt, Loewen and Vapormatic to name a few and we’re growing that list all the time as we encounter gaps in the market.

Hutcheon & Pearce is a major reseller for us and we have a great relationship with them and their customers. We channel OptionAg Parts through all H&P branches and customers benefit from our expertise in this area. Obviously, H&P offers customers genuine John Deere parts, but we provide an option for those situations and machines where using a more generic part or different brand is best. For instance, when you’re dealing with older machines, we can provide some really good quality options.

H&P: There seems to be a growing demand for OptionAg. What do you put that down to?

CR: I think it comes down to two things: the quality brands we deal with and our premium-level customer service. When we started, people were familiar with brands like A&I but then we brought on board US-based Lankota, who are basically engineers that solve problems for farmers. They are good at it, particularly with their unloading auger clutch kits, so that has created a lot of interest. We’ve also been getting out to field days, so people become familiar with all the new brands and options we provide.

Clinics for optimal use Given the importance of its job and investment required, optimising your machine’s performance should be one commitment you take seriously.

We make sure our quality is better and we strive for the best customer service. A big part of what we do is ‘never say no’ – even if we can’t supply it straight away, we’ll find a solution.

We’re always being that conduit between customer and manufacturer to make sure we can have those solutions on hand. And because our reseller network is so far reaching, we can easily service customers Australia wide.

H&P: What are the advantages of going with OptionAg? CR: It’s all in the name – we’re providing options. Broadly speaking, it’s about cost-savings a lot of the time. OptionAg can turn a rather large bill into a more palatable bill quickly. Going with an OptionAg part can potentially save customers up to 3040% by upgrading a 15-year-old machine as opposed to buying new. For other customers, they may need a simple fix but genuine parts are no longer an option because the machine is too old and they’ve stopped manufacturing parts for that model.

In early October, Hutcheon & Pearce hosted 28 customers and 15 staff at the new Farmlink conference facilities in Temora for the first Optimisation Clinic of the season, with a further clinic attracting 24 customers and 10 staff held a week later at the H&P Finley branch.

Glen Montgomery, H&P Product Optimisation and Diagnostic Manager said Optimisation Clinics were customised for two basic groups – those who have a S600 header and those that have S700.

“One part of the day was dedicated to presentations about operating the machine and how to make adjustments on-farm.

The other part was a walk-around with the technicians – learning how to perform basic services, greasing and adjustments at home.”

The clinics included presentations from OptionAg about aftermarket attachments and enhancements; Precision Ag, about how to set up machines for data collection and how that data is cleaned, used and shared with third-parties like agronomists; and TECSight on how to make adjustments on driving screens to calibrate headers.

H&P: When is the best time for H&P customers to be thinking about parts?

Glen said the clinics are an important part of sales support for H&P

CR: The sooner you think about servicing your machines the better. H&P offers great pre-season checks and discounts and I would encourage everyone to use this service. That way you can get a list of what needs to be done to get you through the season and they’ll help you work out the best plan of attack according to your use and needs. As soon as harvest is finished, before you put the machine away, start getting it ready for next year – you can order parts ahead of time and get it serviced early.

“It’s about showing support for customers as much as it is about educating them. The clinics also provided a great opportunity for them to ask questions about their machines – whether it’s a new purchase or an old one they could be getting more from. It’s also great to for us to spend some more time with our customers and get the lowdown on new models.

“Whether it was about fine-tuning older headers or getting to know new ones, customers and staff alike seem to agree that the days were time well-spent.”

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High Performance Magazine Spring Summer2018 2018/19

Unwrap holiday magic with John Deere From babies to big kids, John Deere has gifts for everyone this Christmas.

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ust ask Cathy Armstrong from our Finley Branch.

Since marrying second generation John Deere dealer Bill Armstrong, Cathy has grown to know and love John Deere toys, especially at Christmas

time.

“When we had little kids, they were always keen to play with John Deere. My kids have now got kids of their own and I they’re all John Deere mad too. One little fella said, ‘If it’s green it’s got to be seen. If it’s red keep it in the shed’.

“Whether it’s the little kids, the bigger kids or even the old kids, I love the fact that everyone gets enjoyment out of John Deere.”

And Cathy knows her toys - at one time, she and Bill had a collection of 500+ John Deere toys that took over every spare space of their house.

“We had the biggest toy collection, housed in my wardrobe and every cupboard that would close.

“Bill’s toys were collector’s items, so the kids were never allowed to get them out of the box. He’d bring another one home and he couldn’t possibly put them all on display, though he did have some favourites out for sure.

“One day he relented, and he sold them to a bloke who was just as big a fan.”

Now, the John Deere toys at Cathy and Bill’s home are for their 13 grandkids, aged 15 years to five weeks.

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“The ride on toys are always popular. We have a ride on gator that our six-year-old grandson drives while his three-year-old twin brothers take turns, and when Pa goes for a walk, the kids go with him on the gator.

“I always suggest that customers buying the ride on toys get a spare battery because the last thing you really want is the kids happily playing on the toys and them running flat and all hell breaking loose. It’s not worth the headache!”

Apart from ride on toys, Cathy says there is a large variety available.

“We have fluffy toys, baby musical toys, rocking tractors, toy lawn mowers and hedge trimmers, farm yard sets, trucks and headers, and my older grandkids like the John Deere merchandise, like water bottles, and tools.

“I always give the multi-tool in our Kris Kringle because everyone loves those.

“Each Hutcheon & Pearce branch has a range of toys on offer.

If they don’t have the one you need, they will ring around and get from one of the other branches or try their best to order it in for Christmas.”

Cathy Armstrong with her grandchildren

To see the full toy catalogue, visit https://issuu.com/hutcheonandpearce/docs/jd-brochure-au

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

Land forming technology saves time and money As the masters of technology at Hutcheon & Pearce, our TECSight® team get to work on some interesting projects that go beyond the typical on-farm setting and require an in-depth understanding

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am Horan, TECSight ® Integrated Technology Solutions Specialist, takes us through the Coolamon project and highlights the power of iGrade and T3RRACutta.

iGrade is John Deere’s advanced approach to levelling, drainage, grading and plan generation, while T3RRACutta is Wizard-based software that guides users through the 3D land forming process. iGrade provides a quick and simple solution to relevelling irrigation bays, cleaning out drains, creating dry land field drains and making roads.

T3RRACutta software is used in-cab through a tablet

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of machinery. One such project was the recent Coolamon football ground development that put iGrade and T3RRACutta technology to the test. device, and essentially talks to the John Deere tractors and receivers to control the height of the land forming bucket or blade.

According to Sam, the pairing of these technologies is where the magic happens.

“By using iGrade paired with T3RRACutta, users can create a 3D model and 3D land forming design right there in the tractor cabin. The user can access precise information about how much dirt to move and where it needs to be moved to form the most functional and best drainage/ wetting front for a rice or cotton field, or drains for broadacre. Decisions about how long it will take or how

much it will cost can be made on the spot.

“T3RRACutta is absolutely the simplest and most intuitive software in the business, and the combination is an elegant solution that is not only time-saving but cost-saving. The end result is much more efficient.” iGrade is suited to farmers or land levelling contractors in both the agriculture and construction industry, which was the case with a recent project at Coolamon.

“We were brought in on the redevelopment of the Coolamon football grounds and had the opportunity to work alongside a local land forming contractor – D&L McCallum. We worked with them from design to final implementation and it was a small job, but great to see the technology making drainage decisions easier.

“The field was only 2ha and by using T3RRACutta the job was to create a simple yet effective 3D dualplane best-fit design. TECSight ® aided in the process of surveying the field, designing the site and making sure all equipment was set up correctly and operating to its optimum during the final implementation.

“It wasn’t overly challenging, but I would say that the job at Coolamon may be the one of the most rewarding projects I have been involved in at TECSight ®.”

When asked about farming applications, Sam is quick to point out that there is much to be gained from iGrade and T3RRACutta on-farm.

“Surveying and land forming can be an expensive

exercise so by using this technology, you can bring this function in-house. With a little bit of guidance, you can be surveying, designing and implementing these projects yourself and potentially saving thousands in the long-run.

“We’re told that one of the best features found by farmers is the ability (with the right equipment) to leave the iGrade and scraper running in the paddock implementing a plane while removing the T3RRACutta tablet to go survey and design the next field or job.

“It can really make the job so much easier and all the feedback tells us that both the iGrade and T3RRACutta are so simple. Yes, it has the advanced features, but they are incorporated in an easy-to-use, operator-friendly product.”

Sam’s tips for making the most of your iGrade investment? “iGrade is ideal for a customer that is already running Greenstar guidance with 2cm RTK accuracy as they will find they already own 80% of the equipment needed to run the system. It performs really well, provided all calibrations are correctly set up and maintained throughout the year.

“At Hutcheon & Pearce we offer iGrade and AMS optimisation packages for servicing your GPS equipment as well as half-day optimisations. It’s pretty straightforward to get things working in top shape.”

The pairing of these technologies is where the magic happens.

From data to implementation: TECSight ® offers half-day iGrade and GPS optimisations starting at $540. For more information, contact the team.

Did you know that TECSight also offer a range of value-added services including: •

In-field AMS optimisation

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Basic data management

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Field elevation surveying

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Field levelling designs

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Advance agronomic data cleaning

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Advanced agronomic data reports including paddock cost mapping

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Tank level monitoring, dam level monitoring, moisture probes, weather stations with an advanced range of features

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NDVI drone flights and plant stand counts in corn and cotton

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Satellite imagery

Talk to the TECSight ® team today: 02 5924 5111.

Speciality yield documentation in almost any crop type, and much more!

We can also partner with your agronomist to help provide a whole integration package from data to machine implementation.

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High Performance Magazine Summer 2018/19

David and Lee-anne Holmes

How to buy a compact utility tractor Are you looking for more than a ride on mower?

Maybe its time to consider a compact tractor.

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he compact utility tractor market is highly competitive, with sub-compact (up to 30hp) and compact utility (3060hp) machines available.

Tractor buyers can expect to outlay from $14,500 (or $60 a week) for a basic 23hp machine without any attachments up to $60,000 for a 60hp model with a loader bucket.

Such a large investment requires research to compare brands, dealers, prices and features, and it pays to be aware of the inclusions and exclusions in manufacturer warranties, options for financing your new equipment and insurance.

There is often a misconception that the more well-known brands are higher priced but cheaper imported brands may not have the safety features required under Australian standards.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions at the dealership, take notes, go home and then do more research.

When browsing models in the dealer’s yard, be prepared to answer:  How many hectares do you have?

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 What is the terrain of your property – level, undulating or steep?

with more horsepower and different attachments.”

 What is the primary purpose of the tractor?

In the past, the couple hired a front-end loader for small jobs, including cleaning the paddocks of manure and placing crusher dust in gateways.

 What jobs will it need to do in the future?

David and Lee-anne Holmes, of Thurgoona, bought a John Deere 1023E sub-compact tractor for their 2.6ha property Holmestead this year, and now regard it as one of the most useful machines they have ever purchased.

The 23hp tractor is powered by a threecylinder diesel engine and features a hydrostatic transmission, 4WD, power steering, roll over protection bar, easy lift bonnet, tilt steering, wet disc brakes and a 344kg lift capacity.

They compared sub-compact tractors of various brands within their price range and were impressed by the customer service at Hutcheon & Pearce Albury branch.

Lee-anne went in to the branch initially wanting a tractor that was compact and easy to drive.

“We wanted to take a load off our backs and bodies. I took Dave back the next day and nothing was a problem for the sales staff.’’

“It is the perfect size for around here and very versatile,’’ David said.

The couple is happy with the baby of the sub-compact fleet at 23hp.

“We run three horses and have a large lawn area. We have a John Deere ride-on mower with a catcher to do the lawns but needed a compact tractor for all the other jobs.

“Our tractor has a blade attachment on the rear that I use to scrape the driveway and dressage arena, and filling in trenches,” David said.

“We also have a quad bike for towing a trailer around but needed a machine capable of doing all those applications,

“The hydrostatic transmission is easy to use with forward and reverse, high and low range, and it can be put in 4WD if it is a bit slippery.

H&P Small Ag and Turf sales consultant Greg O’Brien

and lowering the attached implements, such as water carts, spreaders, seeders, post hole diggers, grader blades and spray units or carry-alls for transporting hay bales or fencing equipment.

According to Greg, tractors should be serviced once a season.

“Even if you haven’t done the hours, the oil can degrade in the engine over time and its always good to get them checked out once a season.

“The four-in-one bucket is amazing – I can easily clean up and move dirt around. We are surprised at just how much we have used it.”

David has found the tractor to be fuel efficient, only topping up the fuel tank once in 15 hours of work.

Fit for purpose When buying a compact tractor, H&P Small Ag and Turf sales consultant Greg O’Brien asks customers to provide information on the size of their property, terrain and the type of implements required when visiting a dealership.

“We will need to know if they want the tractor for moving around soil or gravel, or for heavier digging.

“The engine size of the 23hp 1023E tractor is ideal for all lifestyle requirements. It comes with a 15hp PTO (power take-off) which is ample enough to run a slasher, post hole digger and hydraulic log splitter.

“The smaller lifestyle machines only have the one type of transmission which is a hydrostatic and is like operating an automatic transmission in a car or riding an over-sized lawn mower.”

A three-point hitch at the rear of the tractor includes a hydraulic lift for raising

“A six-year warranty covers the 1023E powertrain which includes the engine, transmission, final drives and PTO – it does include a battery for the first 12 months of the tractors life.”

When it comes to financing your new equipment, Greg said John Deere Finance caters for residential purchasers without an ABN, or credit could be arranged through a financial institution. He also recommends taking out insurance.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Did you know that When you buy any Compact or 5 Series John Deere Tractor from Hutcheon & Pearce you will automatically be covered by our exclusive 10 Year or 1000 Hour Warranty.

For full details please contact your local Hutcheon & Pearce dealership.

TERMINOLOGY Engine size – it is important to know the PTO (power take-off) requirement.

The PTO rating will determine the size of the implement. Consider the weight of the implement when choosing a tractor.

Horsepower – drawbar horsepower is usually equal to about 85 per cent of the tractor’s PTO horsepower.

Tyres – agricultural or lugged tyres offer good traction and the angled tread sheds dirt and mud. Industrial tyres are for construction applications and turf tyres provide less traction in the mud but are less likely to leave tracks on the lawn Hitches – 3-point hitch includes a hydraulic lift for raising and lowering attached equipment.

PTO – a spinning shaft at the rear of the machine providing power to attachments.

GET YOUR

WEEKEND

A 1-SERIE

S BACK W

S COMPAC I T TRACTO TH R John Deere 1025R

John Deere 1023E 16 kW (21.5hp) at 3,200 RPM Forward Speed: 14.6km/h 2 range Hydrostatic/Two Pedal Automatic Lift capactiy: 344kg Towing Catacity: 2,500kg Weight: 610 kg

17.8 kW (23.9hp) at 3,200 RPM Forward Speed: 14.6km/h 2 range Hydrostatic/Two Pedal Automatic Lift capactiy: 344kg Towing Catacity: 2,500kg

Images are for illustrative purposes only. 1023E & 1025R are picture with optional hood guards.

Weight: 655 kg

Hutcheon & Pearce whatever the job, get it done.

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