Tag Archive for: front

Lantra farming safety training front and centre

Lantra farming safety training front and centre: A father of three, who is a teacher at a Special School in Ballymena, has praised Lantra training and says it has helped young people to forge careers and futures in land-based industries.

Ciaran McCaughan, who lives beside his family’s farm in Co Antrim with his wife Rioghach and children Niamh, Cathair and Riona, has spoken to us about his experiences with Lantra, on receiving major awards, and on giving students the knowledge and skills they need to progress in the world of work.

Lantra farming safety training front and centre

Lantra farming safety training front and centre

In addition to being a teacher at Castle Tower School, delivering Lantra training to his students, Ciaran is a part time farmer, raising Angus Heifer calves through to beef.  In the school environment Ciaran delivers a variety of Lantra training courses to students, including ATV, leaf blowers, mowers and the Level 2 Award in Land Based Activities qualification.

Ciaran recently hit the headlines after winning the ‘Unsung Hero’ category in the prestigious Farming Life Awards in October. The Farming Life Awards recognise excellence in agriculture, talent, and innovation in the sector.  His accolade was awarded in recognition of his work with the young people at Castle Towers School, and for his dedication to training young people who wish to enter the industry.

He said: “Lantra has helped make an immense improvement to the practical and purposeful learning within Castle Tower School. It has provided a framework to help post-16 students gain a recognised qualification and gain a wide range of skills over their three years, including leaf blower, ATV, ride on mower and hedge trimming training.

“There is a job for everyone in this industry, and training is vital for people to realise their dreams and aspirations, whatever they are.

“Lantra is helping to qualify our students and help them gain meaningful employment when they leave school.  The students are much more motivated and enthused, especially with the practical aspects of the courses. This motivation means that the students are much more focussed as they are enjoying all the various tasks.

“Completing a practical ‘land based/agricultural’ qualification is much more appealing to the ‘practical – hands on Learner’. Lantra qualifications are viewed by my students as fun, worthwhile and full of real-life activities for real life work.

“The training also helps with literacy and numeracy tasks (which some students previously wouldn’t have done or felt they couldn’t do) to complete the course, alongside the practical tasks. I have found the training courses and qualification to be a huge motivator to students who were disengaged from the mainstream learning activities in school.

“I wanted to teach ‘Farm Safety’ and teach pupils how to look after themselves and others – there are too many injuries and deaths from quads, tractors, and machinery accidents. I hope, in the delivery of this qualification, I am doing a small part to both motivate and protect the workforce of tomorrow.

“Lantra has given me the opportunity to teach the students that there are only two ways to carry out a job, the RIGHT way, and the WRONG way.  My focus with Lantra is to teach students the ‘RIGHT way’ to use machinery and work with livestock. In class, and while working on the farm, my focus is on safety, and I always encourage the students to take their time and carry out tasks correctly, with the minimum risk to themselves and others.

“Hopefully the training the students undertake will stay with them the rest of their lives, and give them the correct basis for using machinery, helping to prevent accidents or injuries in the future.”

Ciaran continued, “I would love to see many more Special Schools and Mainstream Secondary Schools throughout NI, and potentially to rest of the UK, introduce Lantra qualifications and training into their curriculums.  Lantra is an excellent ‘vehicle’ for students to gain recognised and worthwhile qualifications which can help them start their future ‘work life’”.

Lantra has recently launched a free Children on Farms e-learning safety course which has proved very popular since it became live during the October half term holidays.

The course covers a wide range of areas including children on the farm and the law, children and tractors, children and ATVs and children and falls.  Others concerns, such as children safety around equipment, harmful substances, and the importance of having a farm safety checklist are also covered in the course.

On completion of the free course, participants can download their Children on Farms (E-Learning) certificate.

For further information on this course please log on to https://www.lantra.co.uk/course/children-farms-e-learning-1

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New Stiga park front mower

New Stiga park front mower: The new sixth generation of Park front mowers from STIGA are the most innovative, powerful, practical and consumer friendly ever introduced and have evolved from the 45-year history of the brand.

They are designed for maintaining large areas, from private houses with extensive lawns, through to professional or commercial use.  The accessories that are available ensure the machines are all-rounders, fit for a range of jobs.

New Stiga park front mower

New Stiga park front mower

Machines in the range are largely petrol powered, with one battery option, and many have been modernised and upgraded for 2021.  Whilst some models are powered by Honda or Briggs & Stratton, the majority are powered by the very latest STIGA engines and marketed as ‘Powered by STIGA’.

“This new range is a distillation of all those years of experience and establishes completely new high standards for front mowers.  We have incorporated the latest technical innovations allied to a very strong emphasis on delivering a smoother and safer ride for the user” says Gary Tully, Sales and Marketing Director of STIGA UK Limited.

New innovations for 2021 include:

  • A greatly improved driving experience with a strong emphasis on comfort and safety.  This includes ergonomically designed seating, a new more comfortable drive pedal and a reconfigured steering column;
  • Power steering and electric PTO are standard on all models and electric height of cut adjustment on machines with electric cutter decks;
  • A total aesthetic redesign ensures a modern style for the new Park range which reflects user demands and achieves improved technical performance, including enhanced air flow that reduces oil temperature by up to 10%;
  • Greater traction on uphill cutting with a 35% improvement in transmission performance on the 4 x 4 models;
  • Drive belts are made from Aramid, a chloroprene compound providing increased durability and strength;
  • Blue Tooth connectivity, via a dedicated App, that can link directly to dealers to organise servicing on selected models, as well as a digital display showing running time, next service due date etc;
  • Park models are compatible with STIGA’s patented QuickFlip deck technology;
  • Improved LED headlights on many models;
  • A hard steel rear bumper;
  • An external, easily accessible fuel cap so no more having to lift the bonnet to refill.
  • In total there are nine redesigned Park machines in the range.
  • Retail prices range from £3938 (including VAT) for the Park 320P & 95cm cutting deck to £14,128 (including VAT) for the Park PRO 740 IOX & 110cm cutting deck.

The Park 640 PWX reflects all of the key new features of the redesigned range.  It has a new high-back seat with arm rests available as an optional extra.  An ergonomic side dashboard keeps everything to hand: electromagnetic PTO and electric height of cut adjustment makes operations easier and more comfortable.

With unmatched 50:50 articulation, this machine allows the operator to turn around obstacles or run alongside walls and fences without looking back, as the rear part of the machine always directly follows the path of the front.

Powered by the Stiga ST 600 Twin engine that provides almost 20hp (gross), with Tuff Torq all-wheel drive, the Park 640 PWX has the power to accomplish any task.  It has a three-year standard warranty.   It is fitted with high-beam headlights making it easier to use in low light conditions.

The Park 345 PWX, the Park PRO 540 1X and the Park PRO 740 IOX are powered by Honda.  Three further machines in the range use Briggs & Stratton engines.  The e-Park 220 is powered by a 48V Lithium-ion battery.

With a wide range of accessories available these machines are adaptable for all four seasons.  From a combi-cart, an edge cutter that trims edges and paths, a fertiliser spreader, flail mower, sweeper and even a snow plough, there is so much more to these mowers than just perfecting grass cutting.  Visit Stiga.com/UK to see the large range of accessories available.

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Kubota introduces the F-251 front mower

Kubota introduces the F-251 front mower: Kubota continues to expand its ground care machinery offering, with the addition of the F-251 to the company’s front mower range. This professional mower benefits from the latest engine technology to offer enhanced performance alongside features designed for productivity and high-quality cutting.

The new model uses a powerful three-cylinder 1123cc Kubota diesel engine which complies with the most recent EU Stage V emissions directive, while delivering 25hp for increased productivity.

Kubota introduces the F-251 front mower

Kubota introduces the F-251 front mower

A highly efficient two-range HST transmission offers on demand four-wheel drive (4WD) with the capability of selecting permanent 4WD.

This new F-251 model will also see the introduction of newly designed 1.52m (60in) side and rear discharge mowing decks with improved cutting quality. Both new decks have optional mulch kits available which offer a high-quality finish. All the controls are perfectly positioned, and the instrument panel is clear and easy to read in all light conditions, making work easier and quicker. Operators can set the adjustable steering wheel to the position that suits them best for comfort and convenience, and the F-251 is equipped with LED headlights for optimum visibility and as a key safety feature. To add extra reliability, the decks are equipped with puncture-proof tyres and for ease of maintenance, the engine cowling can be fully opened, and blades are quick to replace. It has also been designed for easy transportation, with tie down points at the front and rear for reliable and secure anchoring when transported on a trailer.

Once again, Kubota has demonstrated its commitment to making ground care tasks easier and quicker by means of innovation and market research, and will continue to do so and support its customers around the world, offering the best solutions for their needs, whatever they may be.

About Kubota

Kubota has been a leading manufacturer of agricultural, turf and construction equipment and Industrial Engines since 1890. With world Headquarters in Osaka Japan, and offices in more than 120 countries, and with over 41,000 employees throughout North America, Europe and

Asia, Kubota achieved revenues in 2020 of $17.3 billion. Although agricultural equipment is Kubota’s primary line of products, Kubota also produces a diverse portfolio of other products including city wide water filtration systems, irrigation, piping, roofing, housing and large underground valves.

Our Mission

Our mission, “For Earth, For Life,” speaks of our commitment to the preservation of the Earth’s natural environment while aiding the production of food and water supplies that are vital to societal needs as our world population continues to grow. That mission is realized each time a Kubota tractor harvests the land to produce life-sustaining food or our construction equipment

excavates to transport water resources or provide shelter. For more information on Kubota, please visit www.kubota-global.net or www.kubota-eu.com.

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New Case IH front axle

New Case IH front axle: A new suspended front axle option is now available for Case IH Quantum tractors, bringing to the specialty tractor sector the same levels of on-road and in-field comfort that operators of larger models in the Case IH range already benefit from, helping to reduce fatigue and increase productivity.

New suspended front axle

The new suspended front axle suspension option has been designed by Case IH engineers along similar lines to the established design proven on larger tractors. Utilising a swing arm design connected by a saddle-type pivot, the layout of the suspension system means the structure is particularly robust which ensures no friction is created between the saddle bar and the front axle.

New Case IH front axle

With its pivot center located in a higher position than on alternative systems, the suspension provides higher levels of rolling comfort. There is +/- 3° of movement at the compression end-stop position, and +/- 8° at all other positions.

Suspension height can be set up manually from the cab, and this also allows any front implement to be attached and adjusted more easily. The system has four ride modes to suit all applications: locked, soft, medium and hard.

Additional features have been developed in order to further improve the driving experience of the new suspended front axle Quantum models. These include automatic ride height control, which ensures the full travel of the suspension is made available regardless of the load on the front axle.

An anti-dive/squat feature is designed to maximize tractor stability even when heavy implements are attached, while axle roll control balances the oil flow between the two cushioning cylinders, providing greater stability and comfort in hilly terrain.

Availability of the new features

The new suspended front axle option can be ordered on Quantum V, N and F models specified with a cab, and is available whether the tractor is fitted with front axle brakes. Operation of the front linkage, where specified, is unaffected.

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