Essential Farm Machinery February 2023

Hybrid Disc and Tine Drill

New appointment strengthens farm machinery crime-fighting unit

• Former police officer joins farm crime unit

• Insurer provides support for rural security

• Stolen machinery worth £2.6m recovered

An extra officer has been recruited to boost the efforts of a UK farm machinery crime-fighting unit.

Gavin Hughes will work as a field intelligence officer alongside detective constable Chris Piggott, who has led the agricultural unit of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Police Service (NaVCIS) for the last 10 years.

Police forces

Funded by rural insurer NFU Mutual, the unit’s work includes co-ordinating intelligence on stolen farm machinery between forces across the UK and advising farmers on security. It also works with machinery manufacturers to improve security.

Mr Hughes said: “With 30 years’ experience in South Wales Police my policing career has in-

cluded supporting farmers in their fight against rural crime and I am looking forward to building upon this work at NaVCIS.”

NFU Mutual national technical engineering manager Bob Henderson said: “Thefts from farms are rising as inflation hits people’s pockets, so this additional resource is very welcome.

“The police unit works with police forces across the country on the lookout for stolen agricultural vehicles. Farm machinery theft now involves highly organised international criminal gangs and NaVCIS provides the specialist resource to tackle them.”

Lookout

Essential Farm Machinery

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Mr Hughes also warned farmers to be on the lookout for thieves. He said: “We’re now seeing more tractors being stolen than in re- cent years while quad bikes allterrain vehicles and trailers remain high on rural thieves’ shopping lists.

Essential Farm Machinery is published monthly for farmers and growers in the eastern counties and the Midlands. It is mailed with Anglia Farmer and Midland Farmer magazines and is also available at selected farm machinery and supplies outlets.

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“Thieves are also continuing to target high-value GPS guidance systems used on tractors, combines and sprayers despite better security. This means removing and locking up keys when tractors are not in use is now essential on all farms.”

Security measures such as CESAR security marking, immobilisers and trackers are good deterrents, said Mr Hughes.

“Locked yard gates, floodlights and CCTV are also effective –depending on the location and layout of your farm.”

DC Piggott said: “Gavin’s wealth of experience fighting vehicle crime and rural background is a huge boost to NaVCIS and will mean we can do far more to prevent farmers’ machinery from being stolen – and bring criminals to justice.”

Stolen agricultural vehicles worth £2.6m were recovered by NaVCIS in 2021, up from £2.3m during 2020.

Unimog steers straight and true with Topcon

The all-terrain MercedesBenz Unimog is now available with comfort steering – and the ability to use aftermarket GPS control during field work.

Comfort steering is capable of adapting automatically to speed and driving conditions, creating an easier and more comforta ble drive, even with heavy frontmounted implements and bulky agricultural tyres.

It also enables the Unimog to be integrated with aftermar ket RTK GNSS (Real-Time Kin ematic Global Navigation Satel lite System) automated steering. This allows pinpoint positioning and control of vehicles undertak ing tasks such as cultivation, seeding and harvesting.

One of the UK’s first UGE U430 Unimogs fitted with the comfort steering option has been supplied by dealer Arthur Ibbett to Home Farm (Charlton) Estates in Oxfordshire. It includes a Top con XD+ system installed by LH Agro, of St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Different options

Fifth generation estate owner Ralph Castle grows mainly combinable crops – mostly wheat, barley and oilseed rape – on 175ha of land around Wantage. Before ordering a new Unimog, he tried versions with and without the comfort steering package.

“It was immediately appar-

ent that the system would make working with implements on rough ground much easier, but the fact that we could also fit an automated steering package was even more important to me.”

The Topcon XD+ automated steering system allows the vehicle to follow a set course to within a margin of two centimetres. It also enables implements such as seed drills to be monitored and

precisely controlled via Isobus, using a 12.1-inch in-cab touchscreen.

“When you run a Unimog, the more you use it the more you realise there are extra things it can do. We bought the first one just for transport around the farm –our land is spread across quite a few miles, so we needed a vehicle that would allow us to get around reasonably quickly.”

Road work

The Unimog performs well on the road, says Mr Castle. It has a much higher cruising speed than a tractor, he adds. It also offers far better fuel economy too. “It’s perfectly capable of working in the fields too.

“At harvest time, for instance, we might use ours to collect a trailer full of grain and bring it back to base much faster than could be done with any other vehicle, so the combine harvester is kept working with fewer interruptions.”

All Unimogs have 4x4 chassis with single rear wheels. Gross weights vary from 7.5 to 16.5 tonnes. Mr Castle’s 12.7-tonne

U430 is powered by a 7.7-litre six-cylinder engine that produces 220 kW (299 hp).

Standard equipment includes a central tyre inflation system, which allows the driver to drop the pressures from the cab when the vehicle is off-road. Tyres can be reinflated back on a hard surface for greater safety and fuel efficiency at road speeds.

The Unimog range encompasses gross weights from 7.5 to 16.5 tonnes and is built around two variants: the UGE implement carrier U219-U535, and UHE extreme off-roader U4023U5023 that can be fitted with different types of body.

“The new Unimog offers the same, multiple talents as its predecessor, but can also perform a wide range of arable farming tasks under automated guidance, which gives us the precision and efficient use of materials that modern agriculture requires,” says Mr Castle.

“Of course, it’s possible to retrofit extra systems and equipment to any vehicle, but far better to make sure it has the required capabilities from the outset.”

Ralph Castle uses the Unimog for a range of jobs

A high cruising speed means the Unimog is equally home on the road as off it

SPREADING SUCCESS.

Fertilisation accounts for about a third of the operating costs in arable farming.

That’s why the technology used is all the more important to minimise losses and increase both efficacy and precision. Our fertiliser spreaders meet the most stringent demands: they spread highly precisely, save fertiliser in the process and are easy to set up – and above all they support your success!

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Spica

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TRACTORS

MF 5455 & Loader 1550hrs (2015)

MF 5612 (2015) – 125hp 300hrs

MF 6190 (1998) – 190hp

MF 6499 (2005) – 237hp

MF 698T 2wd & Powerloader

MF 8926 (2005) – 6m lift telehandler

Caterpillar 407 Ag telehandler (2009) – tidy

Caterpillar TH336C – (2014) 6m

Case 895L & Loader 4850hrs (’93)

Various forks & grapples

HARVESTING

MF 34, 16’ PF tidy (1991)

Krone Big Pack 1270 (2012), v tidy 48,000 bales

Krone 1290 baler (2015), 55,000 bales

Vicon RV2160 round baler, very tidy

Krone 1400 (2013) 4 rotor rake

Claas 2.5m mtd mower

Claas Liner 420 Rake

Spalding – 3 leg combination

Tractors & Telehandlers

Knight Raven – 3 leg combination

Krone 1400 (2013) 4 rotor rake

Claas 2.5m mtd mower

MCase Int 895 C/W loader and bcket

Vicon PO-EDW weightcell, vgo

MF 3070 2WD Autotronic Tractor

MF 230 Tractor

MF 240 2WD Tractor

Claas Liner 3100 twin rotor (rake 10m)

Vicon RO–EDW extension hopper

KV Taarup 4232 3.2 trailer mower

New Holland 940 square baler

Kuhn Axis 30.1 spreader extension hopper

Cousins 9.3m Sidewinder rolls

Kubota B1181 4WD Compact Tractor

New Holland TD80 D Tractor C/W

Loader

MF 6480 4WD Dynashift Tractor

MF 3060 4WD Autotronic

MF 6120 4WD Tractor

Harvesting

04 MF 7274 22’ PF Combine

08 MF 7278 AL 2181h 25’ PF

2012 MF 7280 AL 1200h 22’ PF

MF40RS - 20’ PF, very tidy

MF30 - 14’ FF, very tidy

Other Equipment

Kongskilde 6m Germinator

Dowdeswell DP7F, 7f, v tidy

KV LD 85 5f & 4f

AS Marston 16t trailer

Flat Lift Force – 2 leg HD Buster

Richard Western 12t dump trailer

Knight Raven – 3 leg combination

AS Marston 8t dump trailer

Vicon PO-EDW weight cell, vgo

Vicon RO-EDW extension hopper

HEDGECUTTERS

Fella TFS 60 tidy

Kuhn Axis 30. 1 spreader extension hopper

Cousins 9.3m Sidewinder Rolls

Major 2.8 front & rear flail mower

Cousins 6.2m Sidewinder Rolls

VEHICLES

Richard Western 12t dump trailer

Krone 1270 Big Baler 44,300 bales

Krone 7.82 8-Rotor Tedder

Hedgecutters

Isuzu Blade, 46,000miles – Black

NEW – Isuzu Utility single cab

Vicon RV2160 round baler, very tidy

Fella TFS 60 tidy

Major 2.8 front & rear flail mower

NEW – Isuzu Utility extended cab

CAT 407 Telehandler MF 6480

MF 7278 Combine Harvester

MF30 Combine Harvester

MF 5612 (2015) – 125hp 300hrs

MF 7280 Combine Harvester

TD 80d c/w loader

Double-digit growth forecast for Claas

German machinery giant Claas says it expects double-digit growth during 2023 – despite challenging trading conditions.

It follows record turnover during the 2022 financial year. global sales climbed 2.7% to a new high of €4.9bn – up from €4.8bn on 2021. Earnings before tax fell to €166.3m from €357.1m due to the war in Ukraine and disrupted supply chains.

“The year 2022 has challenged us in every respect,” said Claas chief executive Thomas Böck.

“In this difficult mix, we have shown how resilient our busi ness model is. We delivered and proved with a lot of personal com mitment that we can measure up to our vision of making custom ers the best in their field.”

Despite significant supplyside disruptions and the war-related slowdown in Ukraine, the machinery market benefited from con tinued strong demand and

developed largely positively during 2022, with the European market showing a slight decline.”

Global challenges

down in Harsewinkel during plant modernisation was also a challenge. But time-critical deliveries of machines to customers and individual bridging meas-

company expects demand for farm equipment to remain stable overall in the main sales regions in western and mid-Europe, as well as in North America.

International orders over the

duction and sales, and investment in digitalisation and autonomous

Crawfords Group becomes Opico farm machinery range dealer

Essex-based dealership

Crawfords is now supplying the Opico range of agricultural machinery.

Established in 1980, the Crawfords Group has since expanded to seven depots – extending into Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. It runs Fendt and Valtra

franchises from its Crawfords depots and a Massey Ferguson franchise from its Agwood depots.

The Crawfords Group will sell Opico grain dryers, mechanical weeding, arable and grassland equipment, alongside HE-VA cultivation and grassland machines, Sky drills (Agwoods only),

Change at groundcare distributor

and Strautmann forage and feeding wagons.

Crawfords Group managing director Wes Crawford said: “We are a family-run business. Maintaining our high level of customer service and company values is as important today as it was 40 years ago.

“Opico’s vision aligns with our own and, of course, it helps that they offer a premium machinery portfolio to complement our existing range. Our team is looking forward to learning about the machines and can’t wait to demonstrate them to customers.”

Opico sales director Charles Bedforth said working with Crawfords was a win-win situation for both companies. “A cornerstone in our strategy is to partner with leading dealers throughout the country,” he said.

“In Wes and his team, we believe we will create a long-term relationship for the benefit of both companies but especially for Crawford and Agwood customers.”

Nottingham-based turf and groundcare specialists

Henton & Chattell are to stop selling John Deere machinery in the spring after two decades in the Midlands.

Henton & Chattell managing director Peter Chaloner said: “The turf and ground care sector continues to be an important focus for the business and we will continue to look after our existing customers in the future.”

Henton & Chattell has one of the largest after-sales and service teams dedicated to ground care machinery in the Midlands – and potentially the largest parts stock holdings for turf and garden machinery, covering over 70,000 different parts lines.

Mr Chaloner said: “H&C is looking to grow its turf and ground care business. We’ve seen good levels of success in this sector, and we are confident of future growth. Service is the key for professional and trade customers alike.”

Claas’s New Generation Lexion combine Inset: chief executive Thomas Böck

Spray specialist scoops green innovation award

Asprayer component spe cialist scooped the pres tigious Ivel Award for best environmental innovation at LAMMA 2023.

Pentair Hypro won the award for its close-coupled Cleanload Nexus transfer system which allows chemicals to be decant ed into the sprayer – and con tainers washed – without the op erator coming into contact with the contents.

The Institution of Agricultur al Engineering, which present ed the award, said the system was a “clear engineering solu tion” which protects operators, reduces waste and demonstrates professional practice, while car ing for the environment.

IAgrE chief executive Charlie Nicklin said Pentair’s new sys tem had very much solved a big industry challenge. Longer term, it would be adopted by chemical and equipment manufacturers, he added.

Industry challenge

“Safely handling agricultural chemicals has been an industry challenge for many years, not only from an operator safety perspective, but also making sure we’re mindful of waste, recycling and the effect on the environment.”

Cleanload Nexus product manager Roger James, who re-

About the Ivel Award

In 1902, Bedfordshire inventor Dan Albone designed and patented the first practical and successful light internal combustion engined agricultural tractor, setting up Ivel Agricultural Motors Ltd in Biggleswade in 1903.

This set in motion a revolution in mechanical farming – a decade ahead of Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson, and almost three decades before the first Ferguson.

The awards committee of IAgrE decided in 2007 that it would be fitting for the Institution to celebrate the name of Dan Albone and the memory of the Ivel tractor by making an annual award using the Ivel name.

The award is given for a new product or innovation which the judges feel will have the most positive impact on the environment.

ceived the award at LAMMA, said: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of Pentair Hypro and for the recognition that this important new technology is receiving.”

Used with a compatible easyconnect cap, the system is a mechanical device for the closed transfer of agrochemicals. It will open a container, remove the contents – fully or partially – into the sprayer tank, and then clean and

reseal the container.

Mr James said the Cleanload Nexus was designed to protect sprayer operators from the splashes and spills that inevitably occur when pouring from a bottle, but without slowing down or adding complexity to their filling operations.

It can be plumbed into any sprayer that has suction and may be permanently mounted on the sprayer, or alternative-

ly on a wall, stand or bracket. In this case it is connected to suction during filling using dry break couplings and also to clean water for rinsing.

When the user wants to use the chemical, they to remove the dust cap from the container, invert it and locate the cap onto Cleanload Nexus. This means no unscrewing or adaptor is needed because the cap is factory pre-fitted to the container.

Bobcat sells UK’s first CT2535 compact tractor

Farm contractor Anthony Atkinson purchased the first Bob cat Compact Tractor to be shown in the UK – straight off the company’s stand at last month’s LAMMA event.

Mr Atkinson of AGMS, a grounds maintenance and agricultural contractor based in Gloucestershire, agreed the sale at the show with Richard Young, sales manager at Bobcat dealer TVE Hire & Sales.

Mr Atkinson operates his business across three main sectors: pitch management, small farms, and smallholdings and equestri an businesses. He said he went to LAMMA to find a new compact tractor to replace his older small machine. “I had a look at several machines at the show, but decided on the new CT2535 tractor on the Bobcat stand for the cab comfort, ergonomics and easy mainte nance – as well as the excellent attachment versatility.”

The CT2535 at LAMMA on display had a front-end loader, buck et and tiller attachment. Other compatible attachments include pal let forks, utility forks, utility grapples, mid-mount mowers, back hoes, box blades, rakes and seeders.

Pentair believes the Cleanload Nexus will become the industry standard.

Roger James (left), of Pentair Hypro, receives the award from Charlie Nicklin.

• 58 Reg JCB 536/70 Agri Spec 40K 125HP Boom Suspension 5,800hrs

• 13 Reg JCB 536/70 Agri Super 40K

125HP Boom Suspension 5,040hrs

• 20 Reg MF 7720s 4x4 1600 hrs FS CS

50K Air Brakes Warranty to 3,000hrs

• 19 Reg MF 7720s 4x4 FL FS 50K Air Brakes 2,400hrs

• 16 Reg MF 7720 4x4 Dyna VT FL

Air Brakes CS FS 5,200hrs 50K

• 70 Reg MF 7718s 50K Air Brake

3 year warranty 1,200hrs

• 14 Reg MF 7626 4x4 Dyna6 50K

Air Brakes GPS Ready 6,500hrs

• 62 Reg MF 7624 4x4 Dyna 6 50K FL 5,200hrs

• 14 Reg MF 7624 4x4 Dyna VT 3,600hrs FS CS

• 14 Reg MF 7618 4x4 Dyna 6 Air Brakes 50K 6,900hrs

• 14 Reg MF 7618 4x4 Dyna 6 Air Brakes 50K 7,500hrs

• 13 Reg MF 7618 4x4 Dyna 6 7500 hrs 50K Air Brakes

• 15 Reg MF 7618 4x4 Dyna VT 50K 7,500hrs

• 12 Reg MF 7616 4x4 Dyna 6 40K 5,300hrs FL CS FS

• 08 Reg MF 6499 4x4 Dyna 6 FS CS 50K 7,700hrs

• 11 Reg MF 6499 4x4 Dyna 6 FS CS FL 7,400hrs MINT

• 11 Reg MF 6495 4x4 FS CS FL 6,900hrs Dyna6

• 11 Reg MF 6490 4x4 50K 7,100hrs

• P Reg MF 6160 4x4 Dyna 4 with Quicke Power loader

• 18 Reg MF 5710s 4x4 Ess Spec wth MF loader 3,870hrs

• 06 Reg MF 5470 4x4 MF 965 Loader 5,600hrs Dyna 4 FS

• 55 Reg MF 5465 4x4

• 14 Reg MF 5612 4x4 CS Air Seat 115HP MINT 2,977hrs

• T Reg Manitou Teleporter 4x4

• 1964 Fordson Super Dexta

• J Reg MF 135

• R Reg Ford 6600 with loader

• Samsung Digger

13 tonne 7,900hrs

• 2010 Todd Beat Cleaner

• Marshall 10 Tonne Tipper Trailer

• Row Crop Wheel for MF 6480

Fountain House, 111 Scawby Road, Scawby Brook, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 9JX 01652 655 777 - www.kptractors.co.uk - kptractors1@outlook.com

Current global fertiliser supply means that it’s vital to get the most out of every granule. Now you can create windless fertiliser spreading conditions at the ‘touch of a button’ for a wider application window and increased accuracy. Winds can be strong or light, blow from different directions, a constant speed one moment and in gusts the next - so the effect of the wind on the spread pattern never stays the same. Now available across the ZA-TS mounted and ZG-TS trailed spreaders range - the NEW standalone Amazone WindControl system means that the effect of the wind on the spread pattern is permanently monitored and automatically compensated for. More clever thinking from Amazone.

Amazone WindControl - windless spreading conditions at the touch of a button

Dynamic Range

C-Coulter D-Disc DC-Disc & Coulter

The High Precision Direct Drill

WITH AN EVER-EXPANDING RANGE OF MACHINES ON OFFER, WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IF THERE’S SOMETHING YOU NEED DOING, WE’RE THE ONES THAT CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN

CRUSHERS | MINI CRUSHERS | SCREENERS | MINI & MIDI DIGGERS | HEAVYWEIGHT EXCAVATORS DEMOLITION DIGGERS | ATTACHMENTS | LOADING SHOVELS | DUMPERS

High quality, low disturbance no www.norfolkandsuffolkplant.co.uk

‘Intelligent’ front tank from Horsch

Horsch has introduced the new Leeb FT front tank, which mounts to a tractor’s three-point linkage and offers additional spraying capacity.

Available in 1200 litre and 1800 litre capacities, the Leeb 1.2 FT and 1.8 FT complements the brand’s recently launched Leeb CS rear-mounted spray er – but it will work with other sprayers too.

Design of the Leeb FT was carefully considered with com pact dimensions and an opti mised centre of gravity. Com bined with the Leeb CS, it offers up to 4000 litres of spraying ca pacity in a highly flexible and wmanoeuvrable format.

The Leeb FT uses a standard coupling triangle to ensure short set-up times and easy handling without manually coupling hy draulic lines. The Leeb FT Ba sic can be used as an additional water tank with a two-inch suc tion line towards the rear, without agitator and cleaning.

The tank can be combined with all trailed Leeb models. The higher specification Leeb FT Pro is completely integrated into the software and the water circuit of

Featuring ISOBUS control with an intuitive interface, the Leeb FT has lighting integrated in the front tank and an optional camera system for a better over-

Free training and low drift spray nozzles for Midlands farmers

Water company Severn Trent is inviting farmers to learn about improving spray efficiencies in a virtual workshop this month –where they will receive a free set of low drift spray nozzles upon completion of the session.

The Swap Your Nozzles workshop on 24 February will provide farmers in priority catchments with an opportunity to boost their knowledge on how to reduce spray drift and minimise the risk of pesticides reaching watercourses.

Severn Trent principal catchment scientist Alex Cooke said attendees would be offered a choice of fully funded LERAP 3* or 4* nozzles and caps from a prede-

fined list of options following each training session.

“Attendees can also register for one NRoSO and two BASIS CPD points,” she says.

The virtual event will cover topics from legislation, Local Environment Risk Assessments for Pesticides (LERAP) and buffer zones, through to choosing a nozzle and application considerations.

“The aim is for delegates to walk away with tools to not only improve spray efficiency, but also improve farm profitability,” says Dr Cooke.

While spray drift was just one way in which pesticides could reach watercourses, it was one of the easiest ways for farmers to

protect water while reaping the rewards of reduced input costs, she added.

The training is available to all farmers in Severn Trent pesticide priority catchments.

For details, please contact your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser or visit: www.stwater.co.uk/ about-us/environment/catchment-management.

Selection of low drift nozzles available:

Billericay Bubblejet/ExRay XC

Lechler ID3

Lechler IDTA

Teejet Turbo Twinjett AITT

Teejet Turbo Induction TTI

Syngenta 3D ninety

Terragrip trade-in launched at LAMMA

Agricast used LAMMA 2023 to launch a trade-in service for people looking to replace their Terragrip Spring Units with the company’s shear bolt protected alternative.

The Agricast Leg Clamp is a cost-effective replacement for the Terragrip Spring Unit, which allows users to switch to lower disturbance cultivation methods.

People who send in a complete Terragrip Spring Unit will receive an Agricast Leg Clamp in return for paying the delivery cost.

The launch of the trade-in service coincides with an Agricast offering an expanded range of Terragrip Spring Units parts in its 2023 Parts Catalogue and online at Agricast.net.

Agricast managing director William Robinson said: “We developed this alternative leg clamp after successfully converting a Simba SL600 that was first dem-

The trade-in process for a leg clamp is simply, says Agricast onstrated as far back as Tillage Live in 2017.

“With our expanded range of low disturbance legs, we continue to develop straightforward ways to adapt older machines to more modern cultivation practices.”

As well as introducing the leg clamp, Agricast has also expanded its range of Terragrip spring unit spare parts. Mr Robinson described the range of aftermarket parts as much better value than the original – and made to equal or better standards.