Top 8 farm machinery news, reviews and features of 2022

Another year has come and gone, and it is time to review some of the best content on our site for 2022.

2022 was a time of recovery post pandemic and suffice to say, the industry has had a very busy and challenging year.

Earlier this year, parts of the country were hit by severe weather conditions and the industry continued to be held back by stock shortage issues, causing plenty of delays in receiving the equipment everybody needed on their farm right now. However, with stock issues easing, we anticipate more machinery launches and reviews happening next year.

Our most popular content of the year consists of some oldies but goodies, as well as some new product news that were electrifying, if you'll pardon the pun.

8. Electric driverless Deere tractor to reach Aussie shores by 2026

It came as no surprise to anyone that this story was one of the most popular, with it being a John Deere machine, but also the fact that it is electric, driverless and very real.

John Deere has made the announcement with such confidence that for the first time, producers can actually envision these machines arriving on their farms and going to work autonomously in the very near future. While there has been plenty of talks of electric and autonomous tractors in the past decade or so, it is all starting to feel tangible.

“In less than four years, horticulture farmers will be able to leverage this intelligent and efficient equipment across their farms, creating what can genuinely be described as a significant step-change for high-value crop production,” the company said.

When we first published this story and posted it on social media, the responses from our audience were overwhelming. Although some voiced their skepticism and concern around the implications and regulations in regards to an automated tractor, the story has mostly been met with excitement and anticipation.

7. Ozziquip AL40 Mini Articulated Wheel Loader Review

Late last year, one of farmmachinerysales.com.au’s machinery experts and contributors, Evarn Covich, was invited to take a look at the Ozziquip AL40 mini wheel loader at a property in Guanaba in the Gold Coast, courtesy of Machinery Direct.

Ozziquip was not a brand that Evarn was familiar with, so he set out to discover what the brand was all about and the quality that its products offer.

Evarn found the machine to be compact and sturdy, but most importantly has the versatility to dig, load, lift and more with simple attachment changes.

Priced at just under $20,000, it comes with a range of standard features that Machinery Direct says are only optional on other similar machines on the market.

 6. What to look for when buying a UTV

With the new ATV market only a sliver of what it used to be, farmers needed to turn to alternative modes of transport around the farm such as utility vehicles or side-by-sides.

After all, utility vehicles are safer and has more load and towing capacity.

But how do you determine which one is right for you?

This advice piece explores an array of factors, questions and applications to help you decide.

5. 10 things you didn’t know you could do with a skid steer loader

Skid steer or compact track loaders are almost essential in any contractor’s fleet thanks to its versatility and compact dimensions.

We know it is capable of loading and moving material around, but the clever machine can do much more than that, which includes shoveling snow, mixing cement and more.

Some of them may just blow your mind!

4. John Deere introduces two-row cane harvesters

After its initial launch in Brazil in 2020, John Deere’s CH9 series of two-row cane harvesters have undergone extensive testing on Australian soil in the past two harvests and is now ready for launch into the local market.

What really sets this machine apart from others, John Deere says, is its innovative integration of two independent front feed systems and basecutters that allows the machine to operate at a similar speed to a single-row unit, while maintaining the expected cane quality.

The technology has even won the manufacturer a prestigious AE50 Award in 2021.

3. 10 things to consider when buying a compact tractor

We here in Australia are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to the range of compact tractors available on the market. While choice is a great thing, it could also confuse buyers, especially those who are new to the industry or to tractors in general, and have no idea which brand, horsepower, size etc to go for.

That’s why we took the liberty of speaking to the experts to find out what are some of the most frequently asked questions when looking for the right tractor for your property and tasks.

Things like how many hydraulic remotes you need, what tyres you need, what your budget is, are all important factors to consider.

2. John Deere 1025R compact tractor review

We reviewed this particular machine a few years ago and it has, without fail, ranked very highly in our most popular content list every single year.

John Deere is a brand everyone in the industry knows and perhaps love, but at the end of the day, its reliability is never in doubt.

The 1025R is one of John Deere’s top-selling tractors and for good reason. It is powered by a 25hp Yanmar diesel engine, is the perfect size and has all the right features to execute tasks around the property efficiently such as mowing, slashing, loading and more.

A simple hydrostatic drive transmission with two speeds and twin touch pedals let operators drive this tractor with ease. A cruise control feature allows operators to drive at a set speed without having to put their foot on the pedal the whole time, allowing them to focus on maneuvering the machine or managing the implements.

1.

Do I need a license to drive a tractor on Australian roads

This is another one of our all-time popular content and most highly searched for piece on the site.

The simple answer is that there is no specific tractor or heavy equipment license you need to obtain in order to drive a tractor anywhere, only a Class C licence, but there are a lot of different state-based regulations that you have to abide by, depending on where you are driving the tractor.

State-based laws can get confusing so make sure you check the regulations properly before you hit the road in your tractor!