The all-new Steyr ‘S’ front loader line has been developed to enable a ‘one-stop shop’ purchase at the customer’s local Steyr dealer, allowing them to select the ideal tractor/loader combination for their specific needs. Enhanced specification and customer support mean the new range aims to even more closely match customers’ needs and their expectations of STEYR products and services.

A full range of capacities and specifications

There are 20 models across two ranges in the new STEYR ‘S’ front loader line. They are offered with premium specifications and are compatible with STEYR tractor ranges from the Kompakt S and Kompakt models, through the Multi, Expert CVT and Profi series, to the Impuls CVT and Absolut CVT. A range of implements/attachments can be ordered directly with the tractor and front loader.

The flagship T range is designed for demanding material handling work, and comprises 10 models with lift heights from 3.75m to 4.70m and lift capacities from 1,390kg to 2,720kg. A proven hydraulic self-leveling system features integral compensation cylinders connected to the implement dumping hydraulic cylinders, for high accuracy and faster cycle times. For even greater comfort an AUTO-UNLOAD System option synchronizes grab-opening and bucket-dumping functions. As they are fully routed inside the front loader frame and crossbar, the hydraulic lines are well protected from damage.

The versatile and durable U front loader range, with mechanical self-leveling, is ideal for everyday handling tasks. As with the T models, the hydraulic lines are routed inside the frame. Maximum lift heights cover 3.50-4.50m, with maximum lift capacities from 1,210-2,230kg.

For both the T and U ranges, the SHOCK Eliminator shock absorber system is standard, ensuring comfortable driving when transporting loads. The hitching and unhitching of the front loader arms is easy and quick, thanks to the automatic FITLOCK 2+ System. The numbering of the new Steyr S front loader range provides a clear explanation of each model’s capabilities. As an example, the S4020T has a maximum lifting height of 4.0 meters and a lifting capacity of 2.0 tonnes, with the ‘T’ denoting the premium range specification.

The factory-installed loader-ready kit comes with a common bracket and MACH System multi quick-coupler for fast connection of hydraulic and electrical services. Front loader control is done via the tractor hydraulic valves and joysticks with third and fourth hydraulic service functions. For better stability, a robust crossbar is standard and there are integrated engine hood guards.

Source: Steyr

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In the summer, feeding cows with high-quality forage is more important than ever.

Scientific tests conducted by researchers coordinated by Prof. Rapetti of the University of Milan reveal another interesting fact for any farmer who is careful about his financials. We know that a high ash content in forage can cause several problems: one of them is certainly the negative influence on protein value in forage and the consequent reduction in milk output.

According to Davide Reginelli, head of the Angelo Menozzi – Landriano (Pv) Educational and Experimental University Farm, with about 100 dairy cows:

“The higher the forage quality, the better the animals’ response and therefore the lower the food cost; moreover, if welfare is higher, animal performs better also in terms of reproduction. Especially when the cow has trouble eating, such as during the summer, the output is lower, but an appetizing forage is precious to compensate for the decrease in production.”

Analyses carried out on forage harvested with Ra-Rake, compared to the one harvested with a rotary rake, reveal how – mainly because of the greater contribution of ash caused by the second compared to the first (RA-Rake generates an increase of ash in the forage 66% lower than that obtained with the rotary rake) – the forage after raking obtained with the rotary has a negative impact on the net energy for lactation for LB of dry matter, quantifiable in a reduction of 0.544 Mcal.

Since we know that in order to produce one LB of milk the animal needs on average to assimilate 5.883 Mcal of net energy for lactation, these 0.544 Mcal per LB of dry matter less mean that the difference in daily productivity due to the different ash content in the forage is 1.76 LBS of milk per animal.

In fact, according to Reginelli, university expert and farmer:

“…if the feed is better from a nutritional point of view and its protein content is higher, the mixture is richer in digestible fiber, so the cow responds by better ruminating and producing more milk.”

A really important productivity recovery!

For a herd of 250 cows, all other things being equal, it means that the farmer will have in his pocket at the end of the year USD 28,908 more.

In fact, the increase in milk produced, equal to 1.76 LBS per day per cow, involves an annual increase of 160,600 LBS or about +USD 28,908 (if the price of milk was 0.18 USD/LB).

Here are some simulations in the case of farms of different sizes:

The impact, of course, increases for larger farm sizes, but even for a small farm the higher revenues are interesting. Since there is no increase in farm costs, the extra income is equivalent to extra profits.

And then, especially in summer, if the cow eats better, it produces more milk; Reginelli, who is an expert in animal nutrition both from a scientific point of view (thanks to his university background) and operational, says:

“The other positive aspect of clean forage is that it is more palatable when the cow has trouble eating; during the summer, in the heat, some stables lose up to 20% of the milk produced. It is true that this decline is not only linked to food but also to the climate, but everything counts and with a good forage you can quickly recover even 2.2 LBS of milk a day.

This economic impact confirms the assumptions made at the beginning of the project and encourages the adoption of this machine, so innovative in its simplicity.

What is Ra-Rake.

For over a century Repossi Macchine Agricole has been designing and producing combed and rotary rakes; the latest addition to the range of rakes, RA-Rake, is the revolutionary double star rake, thanks to which in 2017 the company obtained a prestigious Horizon 2020 funding, launched by the European Union to promote and support innovation, research, and technological development.

The innovation, ingenious but simple, allows you to take advantage of the advantages of star rakes without having to bear the negative consequences on the forage: according to research by the University of Minnesota, the star rake is, in fact, the fastest and cheapest, but is also the one that collects more stones and soil.

In fact, the single star, mechanically driven by the clutch with the ground, moves the hay, but in this way pollutes it with a large amount of ash. Gabriele Repossi, the inventor of the new machine, had the idea of equipping it with two stars of different diameters: the larger one did not touch the forage but had the sole task of moving the second star, the smaller one, which moved the forage without polluting it with stones and soil.

Since the rake does not need complex and expensive mechanisms to move the smaller star, it benefits from reduced costs (both purchase and maintenance) and allows it to operate at high speed, a peculiarity of the star rakes.

Source: Farm Power Implements

The post Farm Power Implements presents cleaner forage for higher dairy output appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.