Michelin introduces BibLoad tyre

Michelin has introduced the BibLoad Hard Surface radial tyre for use with compact loaders and telehandlers.

A key feature of the new tyre is its patented diamond-shaped, multi-directional tread blocks, which are claimed to provide no fewer than six different grip angles with facets that make the block more rigid, regardless of tread depth. Another key feature is its reinforced sidewalls that are designed to provide more resistance to cuts and scrapes. Developed to complement the Michelin XMCL range, the BibLoad range is claimed to deliver improved driving comfort and reduced noise. Launched in sizes 400/70 R20 and 460/70 R24, other sizes will follow to accompany changes in equipment design.

JCB delivers an impressive profit

JCB has reported that 2013 was the third most profitable year in the company’s 68-year history. JCB sold 66,227 machines in 2013, a drop from 69,250 the previous year.

JCB chairman Lord Bamford reported that 2014 has gotten off to a mixed start with stronger demand in the more developed markets of the UK and North America, which is offsetting weaker demand in the more fragile economies of Asia, Latin America and Russia. JCB will open a new factory in India this year, as well as a new cab factory and machine factory in England by 2018.

Stoll investing for more efficiency

The German-based Stoll tractor front-end loader company is investing €3.5m in its factory, while it is to increase sales of €75m this year to €100m by 2017.

The company has been linked with JF of Denmark since 1999 and, in 2012, it became somewhat independent following the takeover of bankrupt JF by Kongskilde.

The company claims that it is now 12% more efficient in its manufacturing process than it was two years ago.

It has set a target to deliver any product within four weeks after the order is placed.

It claims to have a 98% delivery performance record, which is 10% higher than in 2012.

Vaderstad unveils new strip drill

Vaderstad will showcase its Spirit Strip Drill at Cereals in England next week. The new drill is designed to minimise soil disturbance at drilling and to reduce compaction.

Vaderstad claims that the Spirit Strip Drill has contributed to higher yields in trials, by helping the plant to quickly produce a deep root system after drilling. Vaderstad believes that, in the long term, yield increases of 5% to 10% are realistic in oilseed rape.

The Spirit Strip Drill’s main features include 25mm hard metal coated narrow tines, mounted at 16.7cm or 33.4cm, and load-sensing hydraulics.

Narrow tines are claimed to minimise energy consumption while maintaining drilling speeds of up to 15km/hr.

Load-sensing hydraulics used on the new drill are claimed to make hitching and unhitching the machine easier and lead to lower energy consumption, as less oil is pumped round the system.

Cummins joins LiuGong for loader engines

Chinese construction machinery company LiuGong is fitting a new Guangxi Cummins L9.3 joint-venture engine to loaders for the overseas market, as part of a new long-term partnership between LiuGong and Cummins.

The new engine is claimed to be uniquely designed for the wheel-loader market and optimised for 5t bucket capacity. The L9.3 is built at Guangxi Cummins’ factory in China. LiuGong has an increasing presence on the European market and it recently established itself in Poland.

This week’s machine of the week on the Irish Farmers Journal advertising website www.toplink.ie is this 2008 Welger RP 235 XtraCut round baler, which is on offer at Leinster Farm Machines, Duleek, Co Meath. The baler is in good condition and comes with centralised lubrication. Sean Murray (087-7985305) is open to offers for the machine in the region of €15,500, plus VAT.