Top 5 advice and features of 2019

At farmmachinerysales.com.au, we’re not just about reporting on and testing the latest and greatest farm machinery on the market. We also aim to keep you abreast of the latest industry trends and to help you navigate the complicated world of machinery buying and selling.

This year, the topics that attracted the most number of clicks include ag drones, tractor buying and selling, and robots.

Here are the top 5 most read advice and features of 2019 on farmmachinerysales.com.au:

5. 10 robots changing the way we farm

Whether you like it or not, robots are taking over the world. Now, that might not be such a bad thing, especially in the farming industry where labour shortage is always a huge issue. Think about it - robots don’t get tired, they can work day and night, they don’t make silly human mistakes, and they free humans up to do more big picture stuff such as making decisions. It makes perfect sense.

Of course it will take some time before robots on farms become a thing. There are issues to fix and red tape to cut first before it becomes more widespread but that doesn’t stop companies from around the globe from coming up with their own concepts of future farming where robots do most or all of the work.

They even have names such as Tom, Dick, Harry, Angus and Ted.

4. How to prepare your used tractor for sale

In these tough times, farmers are constantly looking for ways they can make an extra penny and sometimes that involves selling stuff and machinery they no longer need or can do without.

Farmmachinerysales.com.au writer, Kim Woods, spoke to a dealer who deals with used machines all day every day to get some tips on what you can do to increase your chances of selling your used equipment.

3. Pros and cons of using drones in agriculture

There is no doubt that drones are incredibly versatile tools. A few years ago, they are mainly used for cinematography and recreational purposes but their utilisation have since expanded into package delivery, land surveying, crime prevention and even for military uses.

In agriculture, drone uses are aplenty. On the most basic level, farmers can use drones to survey livestock on their farms and to check water storage levels. On a more advanced level, they can be used to assess plant health and even soil moisture, as well as for spraying on undulating terrain where it is deemed too dangerous for humans and machines to traverse.

With the pluses there are the minuses as well, so we compiled a list of pros and cons of drone use so you can decide for yourself whether it is a good idea to invest in one.

2. Under 100hp tractor buyers guide

The compact tractor segment has always been one of the most popular and always seems to remain buoyant, even in tough market conditions.

This is because compact tractors are so versatile and are therefore sought after not just by farmers but also property owners with a fair bit of land. These machines are useful for mowing and for collecting firewood, for example.

Hence we asked the experts at O'Connors for some tips on what to look for when in the market for a small tractor.

1. Do I need a license to drive a tractor on Australian roads?

The most read advice piece this year comes as no surprise. The laws and regulations on tractor operation on public roads aren’t quite clear and they can differ from state to state, causing quite a bit of confusion.

A common misconception is that you need a special license to operate tractors because of their sizes which can be as large or larger than trucks, which do require special licenses to drive.

In fact, all you need to drive a tractor legally on Australian roads is a basic Class C car license. Learner and probationary drivers are also allowed to operate tractors on public roads without supervision but there are limitations that apply. So best check with your respective state road authorities before you get on the road to ensure you’re doing the right thing.