As we head into Spring, our thoughts naturally turn to what the coming season is going to bring – hopefully nothing like the past one. Cyclone Gabrielle certainly knocked the region around, but it is testament to the resilience of the people of Hawkes Bay to see how far we have come since February. And while a number of orchards have been complete write offs, many orchard trees have come through the flood well and it is positive to hear reports of cropping land ready to be put back into production.
As I write this, the wind is blowing hard and there has been little rain of late which hopefully will not hinder the positive start to the growing season – crops have been going into the ground and doing well after the recent spell of settled weather. Extremes of weather may well be what we need to further get used to in future. It certainly doesn’t make farming any easier and it will take all our adaptability to ensure that our agricultural, horticultural and viticultural industries continue to thrive in the future.
While combine harvesting is still a few months away it is timely to let you know about a change in the way in which Claas combines are being sold in NZ. Landpower New Zealand, who are the importer of Claas machinery in NZ and Australia, have recently acquired the Canterbury Claas Harvest Centres (CHCs). This means that in addition to servicing existing combine harvesters, we – CHC Hawkes Bay – are now able to sell new Claas combine harvesters direct to local customers. We will also deal with trades as well as offering additional parts stockholding.
So if you’re thinking about a new or used combine for this season or a future one, please do get in touch – we would love to sit down and talk through your requirements.
Glenn Dear – Managing Director
Around the Traps
A week after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, we deployed a brand new JCB 435S to assist initially with the clean-up at the Waiohiki village, and then out into the orchards on silt duty.
After nearly 900 hours of hard work, it is returning to us shortly for a well earned rest and a spruceup before heading on to its next home. The 435 has been a great workhorse and hasn’t skipped a beat – its mobility, manoeuvrability and load capacity have been first class for the job. We have another brand new 435s at our Omahu Road yard if you’d like to look one over – they are impressive machines!
Quarterly Offer
CLAAS offers the most advanced hay equipment and forage harvesting solutions in the world. CLAAS disc mowers, tedders and hay rakes are trusted by professional contractors season after season for their ease of use, reliability, performance and excellent build quality. Invest in Claas Greenline on flexible terms from just 0.99%
Arion 530 – Built to handle anything.
The ARION 530 is one of the most versatile tractors around. Powerful, manoeuvrable and economical, the ARION 530 has everything you could wish for from a machine that can tackle any task with confidence. Available to view in Hawkes Bay now!
- 145hp
- 40km/hr Hexashift transmission
- 4 speed rear PTO – 540, 540 ECO, 1000 & 1000 ECO
- Claas Information System (CIS) including Smart Stop and cruise control
- Load sensing hydraulics
- Passenger seat with seat belt and integrated cooler box
- Claas FL120 front end loader
- Extended warranties and service plans available
If you’d like to find out more, contact Grant on 0275396103
Our People – Mark Foster
Mark Foster was born and raised in the UK. He first became interested in agricultural machinery aged 13 spending holidays on a family farm. Having completed 2 years at Agricultural College, he worked on a number of large arable farms as a tractor driver, workshop mechanic and combine driver. The very first combine that Mark drove was a Claas Dominator 86.
In 2005 Mark joined Claas UK, specialising in Combines and undertaking PDI’s, winter servicing, general repairs and harvest breakdowns. While at Claas he qualified as a Claas UK Master Mechanic – Combines.
Mark first came to NZ in 2007 when he did a Claas exchange and emigrated to NZ in 2008 to take up a full time role as a technician with Deartech. Since joining us Mark has continued to broaden his skill set and works on the full range of Claas harvest and agricultural machinery; Amazone cultivation, spreading and seeding equipment and JCB telehandlers and loaders.
All that said, Mark’s great strength lies in his almost unparalleled experience and knowledge of combine harvesters. There wouldn’t be a Claas combine model operating in NZ today that Mark hasn’t worked on and this is acknowledged in his status as a Master Technician. While Mark is still involved in repair work, he is now also broadening his responsibilities to assist combine customers with needs assessment, operator training, new machine commissioning as well as bringing up the next generation of combine techs.
Christmas on your mind?
With Christmas just around the corner, a little planning never goes astray. If a bit of Claas, JCB or Amazone mechandise is your thing, pop in and have a chat with our Parts team. We have a range of items in stock or can order to suit. The products include scale models, hoodies, hats, cups, water bottles, thermos cups, key rings and bottle openers.
Fresh off the boat
We recently received a bulk delivery of our extremely popular Nexos tractors. The Nexos comes in a variety of formats which make them perfect for orchard and vineyard work. Available with or without a cab and with engine options between 90 and 120hp there is a price and power point for most purchasers. Pictured here are some of the team that prepared the machines prior to pick up by their new owners.
Stop Press: We have just received the first shipment of the 2023 Stage V Nexos. Come down to the yard and have a look – they’re the bees knees.
Pre-loved Machinery
Available for sale at our Omahu Road Yard:
- 2016 Claas Arion 630C $87,000 + GST
- 2005 Massey Fergusson 7465Dyna VT – $45,000 + GST
- 2013 Claas Disco 3500 Mower $12,000 + GST
- Claas Liner 2800 Hay Rake / Swather – $22,000 + GST
- JCB 516-40 Telehandler – $92,000 + GST
- Kverneland 9580c Hay Rake $25,300 + GST