Top 5 new farm machinery releases of 2019

The year 2019 has seen a pretty comprehensive range of machinery being released on to the Australian market and despite tough conditions, feedback and response have been great, according to key manufacturers.

Among the deluge of new machinery releases this year, a handful stood out for their ground-breaking technology and award-winning innovations which got producers all around the world talking.

Here is our list of top 5 new product releases this year, in no particular order:

1. Fendt next-gen Vario 900 series

The fact that Australia launched this model around the same time as Germany, where Fendt was based, was a big win for Aussie farmers. Traditionally, machinery from that side of the world don’t arrive until a couple of years later.

The Fendt Vario 900 series made its Southern Hemisphere debut at the AgQuip 2019 field days in Gunnedah in August this year and naturally turned plenty of heads.

The latest Vario 900 incarnation carries with it plenty of new technology and features including a new fuel-saving MAN engine that meets EU Stage V engine emissions standards; brand new cab with full connectivity; availability of VarioGrip and Grip Assistant and new infotainment system, among others.

So much so that it took out both Tractor of the Year and Machine of the Year awards at the Agritechnica trade show in Hanover, Germany in November this year. We caught it in action working on a farm in Hamilton, Victoria recently. Watch out for the video coming soon.

2. John Deere 8RX tractors

John Deere’s 9RX four-tracked tractors made waves across the global agricultural industry back in 2015 when it was first released. Now, four years later, John Deere has followed up with its 8RX quad tracked tractor, which Deere claimed is the industry’s first fixed-frame four-track tractor.

“This new machine form delivers unmatched flotation, traction and ride quality,” said John Deere production agriculture marketing manager, Tammy Lee.

“We didn’t just add tracks to an 8R Tractor. This is a fully engineered John Deere four-track solution, not a bolt-on aftermarket product,” she said.

Deere said while it has four tracks, it has the manoeuvrability and drive of a wheeled tractor, giving it the best of both worlds.

In addition, it also boasts the largest cab John Deere has ever offered on a tractor. The Ultimate cab package even has an operating seat with massage features!

3.  2019 next gen CLAAS LEXION combine harvesters

CLAAS has been renowned for its combine harvesters ever since it launched its innovative HYBRID threshing and separation system in 1995. CLAAS said it is the only manufacturer to offer both systems in one machine to this day.

In the new CLAAS LEXION 8000 and 7000 combine harvesters, the APS HYBRID system has been developed further to offer better efficiencies.

“CLAAS has increased the diameter of the threshing drum by 26 per cent to 755 mm and the feed drum by 57 per cent to 600mm,” said CLAAS Harvest Centre LEXION Product Manager, Steve Reeves.

“Likewise, the capacity of the residual grain separation has increased by 20 per cent.

“Combined, these improvements optimise crop flow and separation efficiency whilst reducing power requirement.

“This is not a new series – it’s effectively a new machine.”

To cope with the extra loads, CLAAS has also supersized its grain tank to an impressive 18 tonnes.

4.  2019 Case IH Maxxum tractors

Not long after snagging the Tractor of the Year award in Italy last November, the new generation of Case IH Maxxum mid-range tractors have touched down on Aussie shores in the middle of this year.

The award-winning model, Case IH’s 145 Maxxum Multicontroller impressed a panel of judges with its efficient fuel consumption, driving comfort and outstanding design.

According to Case IH, the tractor achieved the lowest specific fuel consumption ever recorded for a four-cylinder tractor, which is an impressive 258g/kWh.

The ActiveDrive 8 eight-step semi-powershift transmission was also a talking point as it is not only easy to use but also offers great manoeuvrability and performance.

In addition to the ActiveDrive 8 transmission, the MY19 Case IH Maxxum tractors are also available in a continuously variable transmission which makes operation much smoother and faster.

We even got the chance to hop in the 135 CVT model for a quick run around the field. Check out our Case IH Maxxum 135 CVT tractor review.

5.  Massey Ferguson IDEAL combine

This machine wins on the aesthetic front. In among a sea of brightly coloured farm machinery, it sports a striking graphite grey livery and looks like a machine from another world.

In Australia, it was badged with the Massey Ferguson logo whereas in certain parts of Europe and the world, it was sold under the Fendt brand. Both brands sit under the AGCO umbrella.

According to AGCO, it is the company’s first axial combine with a “clean sheet” design in 30 years. Since its official launch a couple of years ago, it has bagged numerous awards overseas, namely a silver medal and a Machine of the Year award at Agritechnica; the coveted Red Dot: Best of the Best design award; and an AE50 Award by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for new innovative technologies.

The Massey Ferguson IDEAL combine harvester made its Aussie debut at this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days and was named the Machine of the Year at the show.

“From the drawing board, (AGCO) has looked at all of the technology available in the industry and they've used the best of what they could find to put into this machine,” said Steve Graetz from AGCO dealership, Traction Ag.

“It has produced a machine that is easy to use and provides a very good product in the harvesting as far as the sample goes.

“It also treats the straw very gently too to enable baling following the harvesting operation.”

The combine also boasts some industry leading features such as the longest rotors in the industry at 4.84m and the largest threshing area at 43.7 square-feet, offering 31 per cent more space in the main concave area than the nearest competitor.