Since specialist machinery importer and distributor Smith Power Equipment’s launch of the Kubota u-30 and u-50 mini excavators to the local market in August 2014, demand from South African farmers for these excavators has increased rapidly, notes the company.

Smith Power Equipment will therefore display and highlight key features of this machinery at this year’s Nampo Harvest Day, an agriculture and livestock trade show, which will take place in Bothaville, in the Free State, from May 12 to 15.

Features of the Kubota mini excavators include the Kubota’s zero boom swing, which enables the mini excavator to operate without having to move, while the zero tail swing keeps the tail of the mini excavator within track width when swivelling. These features enable operation in tight and confined spaces.

“The integration of these two critical features, paired with its dominant position globally in the field of compact industrial diesel engines below 100 HP, has made Kubota’s successes in the mini-excavator market unparalleled worldwide,” says Smith Power Equipment.

Other unique features include the option of four simultaneous operations, where the bucket, boom, arm and swing can be operated concurrently and smoothly, and jacking capability where the excavator can be jacked up, even when in idling mode.

Kubota’s antidrop valve also prevents accidental lowering of the boom, while the 12 V ‘cigarette light’ jack provides backup power supply. Other key product benefits includes “world-class performance with high output, low fuel consumption and low emissions with the Kubota E-TVCS engine”.

New Implements
Further, the company notes that the Polaris and Linhai all-terrain vehicles, also known as quad bikes, supplied by Smith Power Equipment, which are the most popular quad bikes for agricultural use in South Africa, now offer a range of implements from quad bike and accessory supplier QuadMaster.

These implements have been specifically designed and manufactured for quad bikes.

“Quads are fast becoming one of the most useful pieces of equipment on any farm and are undoubtedly replacing the tractor for many operations,” the company says, noting that QuadMaster, which has forged a special relationship with Smith Power, “has made the quad bike a more valuable tool by making matching implements and attachments”.

“QuadMaster equipment is robust, simple to operate, yet functional enough for any farmer to use in a variety of applications. The equipment is designed for four wheelers, but can also be used with garden tractors and bakkies.”

Smith Power Equipment says QuadMaster has developed a range of versatile equipment, which is easy to use and maintain, is designed and built to the highest-quality standards and provides practical solutions to many everyday tasks on the farm.