FARM WHEELS
March 2014
25
Less is more for new Grizzly by Andy Bryenton
Auto reviewers often equate power with performance, and for many a road-going machine, this simple correlation is true enough. But what about a situation where fuel economy, traction, ride comfort and load-bearing capability are more important than a blistering quarter mile dash? Then the equation becomes a little more like algebra, and the decision as to what constitutes the perfect machine for the job becomes less a simple podium finish and more of a bar-room ‘discussion’. Take quad bikes for example. Hard working, dependable, rugged — these are all words which farmers would love to use when talking about their four wheeled ‘best mate’. A 0–60 time in the low 3s is nowhere near as important as the ability to run a load of fence battens and wire up to the far paddock in a winter squall and four inches of quality Kiwi mud. That’s why Yamaha have developed their latest Grizzly, the 550 EPS, to have less power than their range topping 700, but incorporate a host of features designed to make the rural rider’s day easier.
In road cars, big advancements have been made in driver safety and comfort by letting computers and engineering take over certain functions. Stability control, traction control, multi-clutch auto gearboxes — these work well for the likes of Aston and Porsche. Yamaha have incorporated user friendly, variable resistance power steering to take the strain off farmers’ arms, and a smoothly integrated auto transmission to remove the need for levers and manual clutches. Riders can choose 2WD, 4WD, or fully locked diffs with the push of a button. None of these features, in and of themselves, are new. But their integration into the Grizzly 550 package is seamless, and complements the electronically injected four valve engine perfectly.
YOUR ORIGINAL CAR LIGHT SPECALISTS ‘SERVICING CANTERBURY FOR OVER 15 YEARS’
• WIDE RANGE OF 4WD LIGHTS • FOG LIGHTS • TRUCK LIGHTS • TRAILER LIGHTS • LEDS • VAN LIGHTS • PLASTIC WELDING
We can also repair your existing lights including headlamp adjusters and lens refurbishment
BRaxton car lights
325 BROUGHAM STREET SYDENHAM, CHRISTCHURCH
PH. 0800 225 483
Email: carlights@carlights.co.nz
Enough power for all the chores which need doing, but no excess
Enough power for all the chores which need doing, but no excess which could be wasted as muddy wheelspin. Enough features to make a day in the saddle more
comfortable, but not a gram of excess. It’s a nice, balanced compromise, and one which deserves a look if you’re in the market for a new off-roader around the farm.
4X4 SIDE-BY-SIDE UTILITY VEHICLES Electric Petrol Diesel
MADE IN USA
To advertise in the Canterbury Farming Please call 03 347 2314
or email sales@canfarm.co.nz
READY TO SPREAD
NEW
$19,9GS5T 0 PLUS
2009 MAN TGA 18.330 Spreading Unit MADE IN USA
2WD & 4WD
Electric Petrol Hybrid Electric/ Petrol
NEW
$9,95T0 PLUS GS
0800 38 44 50
4x4, 330hp, 12 speed ZF ASTronic, 425/70R rib tyres all round, Beck Chain feed twin spinner bin, New cab paint, ready to start work now.
NOW $148,000 + GST Kim Harris Mobile 027 545 7973
0800 379 899
www.prestigecv.co.nz
DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING
LESS
Ranger 4WD XLT Double Cab shown in Aurora Blue, with accessory sports bar. Award presented to Ford by Pieter Wieman, jury chairman, at the Fleet Transport EXPO 12 event, in Dublin, Ireland. November 2012.
Avon City Ford
Cnr Main South Rd and Epsom Rd, Sockburn | CHRISTCHURCH | 03 348 4129 or 0800 655 551 Rangiora Service Centre | 78 Ivory St | 03 313 7059 | avoncityford.co.nz
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