One of the most satisfying aspects of being Australian is experiencing the culture of storytelling that engulfs the intricate history of generational knowledge.

The latest story comes from Hillston in New South Wales – a town where James MacDonald’s bloodline is sown into the land he works with.

As a third-generation agricultural worker, the Macsfield Sheepyards Hillston MacDonalds owner has the privilege of learned experience from family past – however, as technology develops and population demand increases, the need for adaptation is essential.

Cue the introduction of the McCormick X8.680 tractor.

“I worked with Aim Equipment’s general manager – Brian Dalziel – to get the McCormick tractor out and ready to go,” MacDonald says. Being in charge of 12,000 acres of land is both a blessing and a curse – plenty of work for me and everyone to keep busy, but you need the right tools to get it done.”

MacDonald primarily uses the Italian-built machine for weed spraying and cultivation, however during harvest time the X8 can easily pull a chaser bin for the collected wheat crop.

“From what I’ve seen, whoever has had a turn operating it have all come off it with a smile on their face,” MacDonald says. We usually operate the sprayer attachment system with an 800-litre tank and after a full day they turn to me and say, ‘You’ve got to give that a try!’”

Part of the X8 range, the X8.680 boasts a 6-cylinder 310hp Iveco engine with a ZF variable transmission VT (50km/hr).

The VT-drive transmission is a CTV (continuously variable transmission) developed by Argo Tractors that provides an infinite number of speed ratios from zero to the maximum speed permitted.

The X8.680 also offers increased operator usability and comfort with integrated arm rest, touch screen monitor with VT easy pilot controls, autosteer and ISOBUS technology.

These features are put to work regularly at Macsfield Sheepyards Hillston, with over 8,000 acres of the land devoted to crop work.

“Harvest season is always a busy time for us, and we needed something with a lot of power to get what we needed done – the X8 was the machine for the job,” MacDonald says. My family and I have been on this land since the 1920’s with my grandfather coming here and setting up a good way of life that we’ve stuck to for three generations now. It’s just a matter of fact – there are more mouths to feed these days and I’m glad I can take what I’ve learnt from my father, and his father before him, and grow that into a successful business for my family.”

The sound of boisterous laughter is heard in the background as MacDonald cracks wise with his brother-in-law Tim who primarily works with the X8 and the attached sprayer.

“We like to call it Tim’s tractor since he’s the one that works on it mostly,” MacDonald says. But the more we keep using it, the more work we can find for it. Let’s say our main tractor is out of commission or it’s being used for something else, we can just hook the new X8 up and off it goes – always gets the job done.”

From chaser bins to sprayer attachments, MacDonald lists the various pieces of equipment the McCormick X8 can be used for.

With the laughter dying down, the third-generation NSW farmer can’t help but poke fun at himself.

“I’ve been in this game for a long-time mate, but at heart I’m an 18-year-old with 42 years of experience,” he said.