Massey Ferguson harvester endures PH conditions

© Provided by The Manila Times The Massey Ferguson 2168 combine harvester can withstand the country’s tropical conditions. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

AN official of All Certified Equipment Trading Corp. (ACETC) said that the Massey Ferguson combine harvester has proven its worth in Philippine conditions, where farm machines endured exposure to extreme heat, unfavorable terrain, heavy rains and dust.

ACETC President and Chairman Benigno Limcumpao added that the company has not received any complaint related to major mechanical breakdown from users of the Massey Ferguson 2168 since the company started distributing the combine harvest in 2016.

ACETC is the exclusive Philippine distributor of Massey Ferguson farm tractors and the 2168.

"We made sure that the Massey Ferguson 2168 will be able to withstand Philippine conditions and Massey Ferguson itself calls the 2168 'a tough no nonsense tracked rice combine, designed to efficiently harvest rice in the demanding Asian region,'" Limcumpao said.

He added that the combine harvesters are among the most abused farm machines in the country as farmer-owners usually rent them out to fellow peasants to harvest palay (unmilled rice).

"During the rainy season harvest, the Massey Ferguson 2168 has to deal with muddy farm soil and rains while it is subjected to dust and heat during the summer harvest," he added.

Limcumpao said the Massey Ferguson 2168 has a proven four-cylinder diesel engine that drives an efficient threshing mechanism to deliver grains to either a hopper with an unloading auger or a bagging system.

"Its rubber tracks are the most appropriate for Asian conditions where fields can become muddy during the rainy season, or hard during the dry season," Limcumpao added.

He added that the rubber tracks also allow the Massey Ferguson 2168 to traverse farm-to-market roads made of concrete or asphalt to service other rice fields.

"The paint finish of the Massey Ferguson 2168 underchassis is highly resistant to corrosion or rust, helping assure its users of continued service for many years. The 310 mm (millimeter) ground clearance of the 2168 also allows it to operate in muddy conditions, which is typical in Philippine farms, especially during the rainy season," he noted.

Limcumpao said that ACETC also provides quality after-sales and spare parts for the Massey Ferguson 2168, and makes sure its users are aware of the maintenance procedure and schedules of the combine harvester.