Top 8 farm machinery reviews of 2023

What a year it has been! We had a massive year travelling around the country to look at some of the latest farm machinery on the market, testing not just tractors but everything else that matters to farmers including mini loaders, UTVs and more.

Here are some of the most popular farm machinery reviews this year:

8. CFMOTO CFORCE 400/520 2023 Review

Australia’s ATV market saw some drastic changes in recent years, with the majority of players in the market including big names such as Honda, Yamaha and Polaris pulling out due to concerns with the installment of roll bars on quad bikes.

Current legislation dictates that all adult-sized ATVs had to be sold with an OPD device.
CFMOTO is one of a handful which remained in the market and has agreed to install OPDs on its new models, including their new CFORCE 400/520 models.

The new additions presents a whole raft of improvements including increased towing and load capacities, new LED lights, bigger dashes, Bluetooth connectivity, winches, storage racks, higher fuel capacity and more.

We had a go at the new units at a winery not far from metropolitan Melbourne.

7. Bobcat T76 compact-track loader 2023 Review

The Bobcat name is synonymous with quality compact track loaders so when we heard that Bobcat has given its loader range its first big redesign in 60 years, we had to check it out.

We were invited by Clark Equipment to have a go in the T76 compact track loader and we finally understood why Bobcat is leading the way in this space.

Not only was the T76 smooth to drive and easy to operate, it really was quite powerful too.

6. Wacker Neuson SM100 mini loader 2023 Review

This was one of the most fun reviews we’ve done, and we’ve done a fair few appraisals!

The SM100 was officially released into the global market in 2021 and was Wacker Neuson’s first entry into the stand-on track loader market. We had the opportunity to check it out earlier this year courtesy of dealer, ACES Equipment.

The stand-on loader operates just like a skid steer except the operator is standing on a platform instead of sitting in a cab. In some ways that may ring alarm bells when it comes to safety, but the machine is in fact packed with safety features. As long as the operator drives with care, there really isn’t anything to worry about.

As we have driven skid steers before, operating the machine was a breeze. The speed of the loader threw us off a little bit at the start but once you get used to it, it’s a very fun piece of equipment to operate.

This machine is ideal for light construction work, farm work and landscaping jobs, thanks to its compact size and maneuverability.

5. Avant 745 Arbour Pro mini loader 2023 Operator Review

Tasmanian arborist, John Douglass, scales trees for a living and runs a tree solutions company providing tree felling, bracing and trimming services.

Douglass was searching for a reliable machine to help pick up and move around larger trunks and branches and settled on the Avant 745 Arbour Pro articulated loader after much research.

It can be used with multiple different attachments such as log grapples and buckets, making it a very versatile piece of equipment.

According to Douglass, the loader has helped increase productivity threefold and made his team happier due to the significant reduction in manual handling they have to go through.

4. KUHN VBP 7190 baler-wrapper Machine Spotlight

Earlier this year, Farmmachinerysales.com.au was invited to the KUHN Expo, held by KUHN Farm Machinery in Toowoomba where a number of innovations were unveiled at the event, alongside a range of other best-selling products in the company’s line-up.

One of the latest units in KUHN’s arsenal is the VBP 7190 baler-wrapper which was named Machine of the Year in the Baling segment at this year’s SIMA (Salon de la machine Agricole) Awards in Paris.

KUHN even went so far as to describe its VBP 7190 variable combination baler as the most powerful and versatile machine in its segment. It has a number of innovations incorporated in the machine including the i-DENSE density regulation system, an integral rotor intake system with up to 23 knives and a TWIN-reel film binding system.

3. Kioti HX series tractor 2023 Review

Kioti has been in the Australian market for over 20 years, offering a series of reliable compact tractors, mowers, engines and utility vehicles.

In 2023, the South Korean manufacturer stepped it up a notch by releasing one of its largest offerings to-date – a 130 and 140hp tractor series.

The HX series features components mostly made in-house, from the engine to the transmission and from the cab to the front axle.

A spacious cab with a simple yet effective set of controls with GPS capabilities allows operators to work in comfort all-day.

We travelled to the Victorian High Country to have a look at the new range, courtesy of PFG Australia.

2. Bobcat CT2035 tractor 2023 Review

When it comes to simple, reliable and affordable, Bobcat does it all really well. While perhaps best known for its compact track loaders, Bobcat also offers a range of other heavy equipment including excavators, tractors and telescopic handlers.

One of its latest offerings, the CT2035, is a 35hp compact tractor with plenty of grunt and premium features.

Distributor, Clark Equipment, let us have a go in the unit and we found it to be very easy and plenty of fun to drive.

Foot pedals on the floor afford easy forward and reverse movements, allowing just about anyone in the family to hop on and drive.

1. CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS UTV 2023 Review

Coming in at number one is our appraisal of the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS UTV, one of CFMOTO’s newest side-by-side offerings.

We took the unit for a spin at a picturesque winery north of Melbourne and came away rather impressed.

The unit sits at the base of the range but still offers plenty, with engine improvements, more technology offerings, more features and improved handling and performance.

The CFMOTO UFORCE 600 has a 680kg tow capacity and 280kg load capacity, allowing farmers to carry a decent amount of cargo.

Another headline feature is the rear limited slip differential, which promotes a tighter turning circle while reducing the chance of the vehicle sliding and cutting up the grass when accelerating and turning.

A tighter turning circle means easier navigation through narrower farm gates or between rows of crops, for example.