Farming Smarter: 4AG Tools Built for Kiwi Conditions

Over the past five decades, 4AG has quietly established itself as one of New Zealand agriculture’s most trusted brands.

What started in a rural garage has grown into a company known for equipment that performs in the real world — on our hillsides, in our soils and under pressure. The 4AG approach has never been about chasing fads or pushing unnecessary features. It’s been about talking to farmers, understanding what works and what doesn’t and designing gear that delivers results day in and day out.

That’s especially clear in some of their latest product offerings launched recently at the National Fieldays: The new variation of the hugely popular Smartdrill, now available as a 4mtr option. The Turbo-Disc speed disc, the Finisher seedbed cultivator, the Multi-Cut topping mulcher, and the Grain Chaser trailer. Each fills a crucial niche in the modern farming and contracting operation and each reflects the core principles that have carried 4AG through more than 55 years of business: simplicity, innovation and a genuine understanding of what New Zealand conditions demand.

After significant take up throughout the country of their latest innovation, the SD300 3.0Mtr Smart Drill, large scale farmers and contractors asked that we broaden the range to 4Mtrs with an SD400 version, and give them flexibility with multiple boxes. Clients are even coming to them moving away from complex European grain drills with too much going on, and are demanding the simplicity and reliability of the single disc, boot and closing roller system that the Smart Drill system offers, now powered through Isobus to enhance the user experience even further.

Take the Turbo-Disc. This high-speed discing unit has rapidly become a favourite among contractors looking to consolidate tasks and reduce passes. With a working width of either 5 or 6 metres, it runs efficiently behind tractors in the 120–200 horsepower range, making it accessible for a wide range of operators. The large 560mm discs chew through stubble, loosen soil and create tilth quickly — ideal for those under time pressure in narrow weather windows. Optional levelling boards, cutting rollers and air seeders mean the Turbo-Disc isn’t just a disc — it’s a flexible platform that can seed and consolidate in a single pass. That kind of multi-purpose versatility is exactly what modern farming systems need.

Then there’s the 4AG Finisher. While it may look like a typical cultivator at first glance, it’s anything but. Designed to create a firm friable seedbed, this machine combines six working zones in one frame. Whether you’re working over ploughed ground, stubble or following tynes, the Finisher provides the consistent surface needed for high-quality crop establishment. It’s also fast-working speeds are high without compromising the final result, and the robust Cross-Kill rear rollers ensure a consolidated finish that preserves moisture and boosts early crop performance. For contractors who need to meet the demands of multiple clients with varied systems, the Finisher provides reliability and consistency across different field types. In a world of fuel consuming time consuming power harrows, the Finisher stands out as a faster, more fuel efficient way to achieve a firmer consolidated seedbed.

Pasture management and residue breakdown are where the Multi-Cut topper and mulcher comes in. Built to handle anything from thistles to maize stubble, these units are engineered for serious throughput. Available in 5.2m or 7.2m working widths, they’re equipped with multiple heavy-duty cutting heads and are protected by strong steel plating in all the right places. Farmers who’ve invested in the Multi-Cut appreciate the attention to detail — like the wide wheels that move easily across soft or wet terrain without leaving damage, or the three-blade cutting heads that handle thick crops without hesitation. Whether the goal is better-quality regrowth or faster residue decomposition, the Multi-Cut is more than up to the job.

And finally, there’s the Grain Chaser. With modern combines becoming faster and more productive, there’s a growing need for trailers that can keep up. The 4AG Grain Chaser was built with that in mind. With 28 or 43 cubic metre capacities, these units are helping contractors and arable growers reduce downtime and harvest more hectares in less time. A high-capacity hydraulic folding auger, electronic weighing system and a watertight tarpaulin cover all speak to a product built for professional operations. Stability comes from a parabolic suspension system and large flotation tyres, while safety on the road is taken care of with a combined air/hydraulic braking system.

What ties all these machines together is a clear focus on practicality. 4AG doesn’t design for the showroom — they design for the paddock. These are tools that reduce labour, save passes, increase yield, improve crop establishment and make the most of limited time during the busy season. They're also backed by a team that believes in going the extra mile, not as a bonus but as part of the job.

There’s plenty of machinery on the market today promising more features, more tech and more complexity. But in the field, what matters is performance, durability and backup. That’s what 4AG delivers. And that’s why they’ve earned their place in sheds and yards right across rural New Zealand.