Southern Field Days is on this week in the Southland town of Waimumu, 14km south-west of Gore. - ODT video
If you've got a spare $625,000 sitting in the wallet, then a Fendt 1050 tractor could be just the ticket.
The world's largest conventional tractor was attracting plenty of interest at JJ Ltd's site at the Southern Field Days.
There are only three of the 500hp tractors — described byJJ's staff as being in a "class of its own" — in New Zealand, two demonstrator models and one that had been bought by a North Island contractor.
While they joked that it contained a spa pool, en suite and colour TV, the cab of the tractor was very comfortable. Its likely purchaser was a contractor.
Managing director Dave Jones was not expecting a long list of orders for the tractor at field days, saying "people don't just walk in and say 'I'll have that'." JJ Ltd, which also sells Valtra and Massey Ferguson tractors, had a large contingent of 23 tractors as well as various implements at its site.
JJ Ltd managing director Dave Jones holds the key to the world's largest conventional tractor, watched by son and general manager Paul Jones. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery
While it was a big logistical exercise to set it up, they saw a "tremendous" number of people over the three days of the event, Dave said.The business has sold Massey Ferguson since its inception and introduction to New Zealand in 1958 and both the marque and JJ Ltd, celebrated their 60th anniversaries this year.
Dave Jones was second generation, after his father Abbey, and son Paul was now general manager, while Paul's brother Grant managed the Otago branch. The business now employed just over 80 staff and it was very special to have two sons involved, he said.
