A farming family in southern NSW apply cutting-edge tractor technology combined with the durability of a Case 830 from the 1970s
Tractor technology has come a long way in helping family-run farm enterprises to achieve higher production levels, using minimal outside staff, and one farming family in southern NSW is typical in holding more than 60 years of agricultural machinery evolution in their shed.
On a property in southern NSW, current generation farmers Ben McLellan and wife Melanie represent how a family farming operation needs to evolve, but also needs to reflect on the hard work of previous generations.
The farm machinery shed at ‘Ferndale’, a 2000ha property at Rand situated between Albury and Wagga Wagga NSW, transitions both ends of the ag machinery timeline in the form of two Case IH tractors, one current and the other from the 1970s.
It’s a stark reminder of just how far innovation and technology have come, and what is required today to run the predominantly cropping operation with some sheep, although sheep numbers are down given the recent dry conditions.
‘Ferndale’ had its beginnings with Ben’s grandfather, before his sons took the reins, and later divided the property to enable their own sons to continue the farming tradition.
Ben’s father still lives on the property and has retained a very significant reminder of the property’s history.
“The families always had red machinery. We’ve never had anything except Case IH, and dad’s still got his first Case tractor, an 830, purchased new in 1970,” Ben outlined.
Despite its age, the tractor is still a valuable operational part of ‘Ferndale’s’ fleet.
“It’s still going well, and we use it by attaching a field bin during harvest,” Ben explains further. “I think we’ve had every Case IH model tractor they’ve produced, including white ones and black ones. We’ve certainly had every Magnum that’s come out.”
The Case 830 is in stark contrast to the two Case IH Magnums and Puma tractor the business runs today, and the Case IH Axial-Flow 8250 combine, all of which are only a few years old.
The larger of the Magnums, the 280 with rated power of 206kW (280hp), is used for cultivation and sowing, while the smaller one, a Magnum 250 with rated power of 184kW (250hp) is kept busy on the boom spray.
The Puma tractor is fitted with a front loader and carts the likes of hay or is used with a mower conditioner or spreader.
It’s the versatility of both Case IH models that appeals to Ben, saying any task on the farm is more than covered by the Magnums or Puma.
“I can’t fault them at all. I’ve never had a major problem with them. They’re very reliable and can do anything we want them to do around here. It helps, too, to know you’ve got support if you need it from our local dealer, Intersales Wodonga,” Ben added.
The technology on the two models is also proving valuable to the business, with Ben welcoming innovations like Case IH AccuGuide™.
This fully integrated auto guidance system allows for sub-cm level accuracy and the maintenance of accurate row positioning across different paddock conditions, and AccuTurn™, automated headland-turning technology.
“It’s unbelievable really, just what these tractors can do now. With the auto-steer functions, being able to put in your information, like paddock lines, and then you’re set. If you’re changing operators, it’s just so simple for someone to jump in, turn the wheel and press the button, and off they go,” Ben advised.
“You can be in the tractor for a lot of hours, so functions like that really help to combat fatigue, and just the overall comfort of the cabs makes things easier, as well.”
The persistent dry conditions around the region are adding to the challenges for this season’s sown crops of canola, wheat and barley.
Ben said they’d planted more barley this year because it had been so dry. So, 44mm in late May and another 25mm of rain early in June were particularly welcome and finally coaxed the barley out of the ground.
“Now the crops are up, and we’ve got a little bit of moisture there. I think the season can probably still do anything. We just have to wait to see if the year goes our way,” Ben concluded.Case IH Magnum 280 specifications
Case IH Magnum 280 specifications
