Hill country farm vehicle

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 15

Hill country farm vehicle

This is a new version of a farm vehicle for hillcountry use. It is seen as having a range of uses from a light truck and farm bike to a light tractor able to do light cultivation jobs. It has been made by Mr I. R. (lan) Tavlor, of ORVCO (Off-Road' Vehicle Company) who spent a period studying engineering at, Auckland University. He is at the controls of the versatile machine.

About eight of his machines are now in use round the South Island, mainly on hill-country properties, and the machine in the photograph is the latest in the line. It has an all-steel welded body. Depending on optional attachments fitted, it weighs between 662 and 713 kg (13 to 14cwt). It is powered by a 16hp American Kohler motor, but Mr Taylor hopes eventually to build his own. It has a fully automatic 3 1/2:1 torque converter and a three forward speeds and reverse tractor type gearbox. This includes a differs ential and there is a manually controlled differential lock. The drive goes by totally enclosed chain to a so-called “walking” beam independently pivoted and with driving wheels at each end. This beam follows the contour of the ground, and with equal weight on each wheel there should be equal traction off each wheel in most conditions. There should also be a smoother ride. Mr Taylor is also hop-

ing to make his own gearbox.

The two sets of rear wheels could be replaced by tracks if necessary. Locally made and lugged dual tyres can be fitted or a single wider imported American tyre. Travelling at 25 to 30 mpfr and up to 35 mph the vehicle is able to keep up with a farm bike. It will run for at least three hours and possibly more on 4.5 litres (one gallon) of petrol. On a deck it can carry about three quarters of a tonne and on a trailer behind about a tonne.

Mr Taylor has used a

workshop on the property of Mr A. A. Anderson at Broomfield for the manufacture of the vehicles and Mr Anderson said this week that the machine had brought in 70 or 80 bales of hay at a time on a trailer this season.

A number of options are offered with the machine. With a three-point linkage it is seen as having a role in light cultivation work. It could also have a power take off and is seen as possibly driving a post driver, concrete mixer, or spray pump for a spraying outfit.

The unit in the picture has a one-piece moulded

fibreglass cab, a beam axle with rack-and-pinion steering rather than tiller type steering, with double wheels, big tyres, and disc brakes and an extra seat. It is priced at $5400. A more basic unit without a cab and with tiller steering is worth $3600. Mr Taylor believes that there could be a market in New Zealand for 200 to 300 of these machines a year. The ability of the machine in tough going was amply demonstrated this week when it got to the top of a slope of about 45 degrees.