Essential Farm Machinery June 2023

Essential Farm

covering East Anglia and the Midlands

June

the drilling pass does not create its own grass weeds in the clean stale seed bed.

SOIL SURFACE

Drilling at 40mm

Downward facing surface in place minimising soil eruption in the stale seed bed

Buying a blade drill is now an open and shut case. Why? Because only the Triton drill has a slot closer

lower blade takes blade deep below ground for air drainage and rooting

Inspire

How to tread carefully with machinery on soft ground

• Wet spring poses silage challenge

• Tyre pressure affects compaction

• Preserve health of soil and sward

Farmers and contractors are being urged to adjust tyre pressures when silaging to avoid causing irreparable soil and sward damage this season.

The wet spring has left grass-

land susceptible to compaction, says Tom Godwin, of tyre manufacturer Continental. Farmers should use manufacturer recommendations to set tyre pressures suited to softer ground condi-

tions, he adds.

“Spring rain has left the crop long and wet, which is locking in more soil moisture and adding to the compaction risk. If the sward is damaged during first and second cuts it could cause yield reductions in future cuts, especially in multi-cut systems.”

Surface area

Adjusting the pressure of a tyre changes the footprint which spreads the vehicle weight over a larger surface area.

“If the tyre pressure is lowered in wet conditions the operator will achieve greater grip – and be able to operate more efficiently. The tyres will travel over the land with less resistance, which will reduce the risk of soil compaction and improve fuel efficiency.”

Establishing the load of the vehicle is critical to establishing the correct tyre pressure. Technical data sheets are available from

most major manufacturer websites, but some tyre makers – including Continental – also offer settings via a mobile app.

The Agriculture TyreTech app is available for iOS and Android systems. Using a database of all available Continental tyres, the app will cross reference the properties of the tyre with the load of the vehicle and recommend the best tyre pressure.

“The app is an easy way for farmers in the field to see what pressure their tyres should be, based on the axle load of their machine,” says Mr Godwin.

For contractors seeking an easier way to mitigate the weight of machinery on soft soils, VF tyres offer the ability to run at 40% lower pressure than standard radial tyres. In addition, new hybrid block pattern tyres are better suited to grassland, says Mr Godwin.

“Continental has invested heavily in new tyre technology to help reduce soil compaction and improve the operational efficiencies of machinery. Adjusting tyre pressure to suit the ground conditions is vital for soil health and the harvests of the future.”

Latest farm contracting prices unveiled

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has released its latest survey of contracting prices – including inevitable cost increases.

Kubota appoints new East Midlands dealership

Kubota has appointed Henton & Chattell as a dealer and distributor for its agricultural and groundcare machinery in the East Midlands.

The appointment is seen as a strategic move for Kubota’s long-term ambition, which is to continue to grow the groundcare and agricultural machinery aspects of its business.

“This latest dealer announcement reinforces Kubota’s commitment to its customers and the market,” explains Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota’s UK tractor business unit.

“The appointment of Henton & Chattell will help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these important market sectors by serving a wider crosssection of customers.”

Established in 1931, Henton & Chattell is one of the largest garden machinery distributors in the UK and is currently located in Nottingham.

Broad range

The family-owned business has a wealth of experience supplying a broad range of customers. The company boasts a workforce of 85 staff and more than 11,000 square metres of warehouse space.

Expanding as a Kubota dealer will see Henton & Chattell distribute M-series tractors, implements and R0 compact loaders, plus a range of groundcare products – including the EK compact tractor series and FCseries out-front mower plus RTV utility vehicles.

Off-road dealer

network grows again

UK distributor Boxx Orv has appointed Baggleys

Machinery to distribute its range of Corvus off-road vehicles in East Anglia.

Based in the heart of Norfolk, Baggleys is a family-run groundcare machinery dealer selling, servicing and repairing a range of groundcare equipment – including compact tractors, lawnmowers, quad bikes, chippers and stump grinders.

Solly Mansfield, Oliver Mansfield, Toby Mansfield and the team at Baggleys have provided a service to the Norfolk farming and groundcare community for many years.

Their fully equipped workshop includes staff who have gained their MST master service technician award.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to move our business forward with Kubota,” says Henton & Chattell managing director Peter Chaloner.

“We like to be successful in every market we’re in, which means it’s all about our team, its knowledge, and the ability to deliver a first class service to our customers.”

Henton & Chattell already has a strong groundcare team – so the Kubota dealership is a natural progression.

“The opportunity to develop an agricultural machinery business providing sales, service and support through a partnership with a dynamic and forwardthinking tractor manufacturer, is the next logical stage of our de-

While UK inflation remains over 10%, the NAAC survey has highlighted more modest increases in contracting rates. While there is no ‘one size fits all’, soil preparation costs have risen by more than 4%, with drilling costs increasing 3.5%.

The costs of fuel, labour and inputs have continued to increase. Within individual services, however, some prices have increased substantially while others have barely shifted.

Pricing structures

The NAAC is advising its members to review all their pricing structures to ensure they can remain profitable. Only then can they provide farmers with a professional standard of service, rewarding loyalty with wellmaintained kit and skilled, conscientious labour.

NAAC chief executive Jill Hewitt said: “Farmers should be entering into conversation with their contractor to ensure that price rises allow both parties to run sustainable businesses, whilst moving forward in terms of productivity and technology.”

For details and contractor

Baggleys Machinery will now distribute Corvus off-road vehicles

High spec and comfort key to smaller tractor investment

• Right machine for smaller jobs

• Essential for drilling crop plots

• Higher levels of sophistication

The John Innes Centre in Norwich has taken delivery of a new Massey Ferguson 4708M as its primary plot drilling tractor.

Researchers plant up to 12,000 experimental plots of wheat and oilseed rape annually across 15-20ha at the Dorothea de Winton field station in nearby Bawburgh.

Site manager Darryl Playford and his team of three operators – Chris Allen, Rich Samworth and Rebecca Lee – wanted a third tractor to better suit the plot drilling work, allowing narrower wheel centres to increase passes across the field.

“The tractor had to be smaller compared with our current machines but also comfortable for long days in the cab,” says Mr Playford. “We wanted to reduce our headland size from 18m to 12m, so a tight turning circle was required, but it had to be capable of handling the mounted equipment we have.”

The farm looked at three machines in the 80-100hp bracket, and with two Claas Arion 440 tractors on farm already, the aim was to choose the right machine for the job, rather than stick to a particular brand.

Higher spec

One of the main reasons for choosing the Massey Ferguson 4708M was the high spec of the tractor. Mr Playford also enjoyed how the design, fitment, and ease of use felt like it had been contin ued from the larger models in the MF range.

“Everyone who drove the 4708M on demo felt it was well built with quality materials and a good spec, including the Dyna 2 transmission and three spool values.

“Sometimes the smaller trac tors are a bit basic and don’t have the premium feel of larger ma chines, but the 4708M offered a

much quieter and easier to use operator environment.”

The Massey Ferguson 4708M is the smallest tractor of the trio in the 4700M range, offering 82hp from the 3-cylinder, 3.3-li tre Agco Power engine.

New gearbox

A new Dyna 2 gearbox has signif icantly increased operator com fort allowing clutch less shifting of 24 gears in both forward and reverse via a gearstick-mounted thumb button. This allows quick gear changes without a break in power delivery.

Operator Rebecca Lee says: “Some of the drilling work can be as slow as 2.5kph, so being able to adjust the gears quickly to change speed is crucial to improve accuracy. The cab is well laid out too, with many standard features , which is one reason we liked it.”

Other features that came with the tractor included external rear linkage buttons that allow the height of the rear implement to be adjusted without getting back into the cab, something operator Rich Samworth says was essential.

“Our two existing Claas Arion machines have these exter-

nal buttons, so they were crucial on the new tractor. They save so much time when setting up a drill and are a luxury feature on a small tractor.”

Smaller dimensions

Along with the shorter wheelbase than the existing tractors, the 4708M was also specced with 1.55m wheel centres to reduce the overall width by 100mm from the standard 1.65m. The aim is to reduce the width of each wheeling across a field and allow additional plots to be sown.

“Although it is only 100mm, with 100 plots over a field, we are

gaining an extra 10m of space by the end, which can be used to drill more plots. It also allows us to tighten each wheeling and reduce the on-edge effect we had with the wider centres.”

Mr Playford said the farm may get narrower tyres in the future to suit the widths better.

Headlands

The option of a speed steer function on one of the competitor demo machines would have been a nice addition and could have reduced the headland size further, but it wasn’t enough to sway the farm away from the MF.

“The speed steering function would have been really helpful for headlands, but all operators felt that the overall package of the 4708M, including the quality of finish and higher spec, was of greater importance than a speed steer function.”

Back-up by local dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen, who also service the tractor, has included an adjustment to the clutch, along with a software update to change the speed readouts.

The farm will look to keep the tractor for 10 years and make the most of the investment, with the new addition helping to increase work efficiencies at the John Innes Centre.

The cab has been praised for its space and comfort levels

Free safety training with every new ATV

Yamaha has pledged to help improve farm safety by offering free rider competency training to customers purchasing a new ATV.

“We have always advocated training for ATV operators, so to help improve driver competency we are offering these courses free of charge with a new ATV,” says Yamaha’s area sales manager Carl Stuart.

Machinery and vehicles account for almost half of all workrelated farm fatalities, according to the Health and Sagety Executive. To help safeguard workers, it strongly advises that ATV operators complete a training course.

Riding skills

Training will be provided by the European All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (EASI). It says a basic safety course to learn

riding skills and use the correct equipment can help prevent the risk of accidents.

“ATVs, when used properly, can save time and money,” says Amy Morris, EASI UK regional operations manager.

“With the ever-increasing popularity of ATV’s, many oper ators have little or no experience. ATVs handle very differently to cars and motorcycles, so it’s vital that all users should learn how to safely operate an ATV by taking an operator course.”

Training courses highlight general machine checks, up keep, weight distribution and active riding, which is impera tive when operating on uneven, rutted terrain which is so often found on farms.

The training can be completed in one day and there are 38 centres throughout the UK to do so. EASI advises that all riders, in-

cluding those with years of experience, make the most of this offer, adds Ms Morris.

“Even experienced riders can find themselves in potentially hazardous situations that can,

The TR Bale Handler Range

without the correct training and knowledge, result in serious accidents. We welcome this move by Yamaha and hope that its customers will take advantage of this offer.”

Yamaha hopes the training will improve farm safety

Designed to ensure unmatched plant establishment, Simtech drills come in 3 ranges: •

Designed to ensure unmatched plant establishment, Simtech drills come in ranges:

• PNEUMATIC

• GRASS

MECHANICAL

PNEUMATIC GRASS

The inverted T-slot technology allows unique and consistent seed placement. Suitable for any surface, soil type and climatic conditions.

SIMPLE. RELIABLE. AFFORDABLE Direct drills for improved soil health and reduced input costs Spalding, PE11 3QN

Ivan: 01263 861197 07810 561230

Rhino Excavators - Simplicity at its best

Parts warehouse on site. One years parts warranty on all machines. Next day delivery available on most machinesThis is a small selection of our stock, please see website for full range

InStock

780/900mm Wide, Koop Euro 5 Engine, Manual quick hitch, comes with 3 buckets as standard £5,850/£6,250+vat £4,950+vat

VSM 1.2 EXCAVATOR WITH SLEW Back in stock. 3 cylinder Kubota pumps, expanding tracks 3 buckets, unbelievable value £9,495 + VAT

SPRING SALE

BRAND NEW HZM 8018 1.8 ton Cabbed Diggers hyd quick hitch slewing front arm, heated cab, rubber track, 3 buckets, 3 cylinder Kubota engine, piped for hammer excellent value and in stock ready to go, finance available £13,995 + VAT

Cheapest in the country, one off price, Yanmar engines, full spec, supplied with 3 buckets finance available subject to status Yanmar engine £15,995+vat Kubota £14,995+vat

NEW IN BRAND NEW TOP SENSE 48 V FORK LIFTS with side shift 3 m mast two ton lift ,two speed transmission , silent clean running 8 hours constant work time on a single charge 48v/360ah heavy duty batteries quick charge supplied .One year parts warranty smart nippy little things, in stock ready to go £9995+vat

HZM 810B Articulated mini shovel 1.1 tonne lift, twin hydraulic auxiliary lines to the front, single rear auxiliary hyd, a 4 cylinder engine with a torque converter trans, a reverse camera and hydraulic quick hitch! These machines measure to be 4.6m long, 1.55m wide and 2.390m high. They are in stock now, and are ready to go for only £13,995 + VAT

HZM 816T TELESCOPIC ARTICULATED LOADER

BACK IN STOCK full range of attachments, comes with pallet forks and buckets as standard £21,995 + VAT

HZM 825 T TELESCOPIC ARTIC

STEER 2.5 TON LOADERS

100hp four cyl turbo quick hitch 4.5m level bucket height diesel aux cab heaters full vision cab two speed torque converter, 3.5m front reach comes with bucket & pallet forks £29,500 + VAT £28,000 + VAT OPTION CUMMINS ENIGNE, High speed road gear £32,500 + VAT, £30,000 + VAT 1.6T £21,995 + VAT

4 TONNE FORKLIFT, 4.5 metre triple container spec mast with side shift, fourth hyd service fitted Isuzu 4jg2 diesel engine and torque converter transmission. They measure to 1410mm wide and 3015mm long without forks. The HD 40s are available right now and ready to go with solid and pneumatic tyres (which are available) for only £16,995 plus VAT!

Here is our new They are available as Euro 3 standard, and have a 4.5m lift height with side shift. They have full EU approval on solid of pneumatic tyres. A full backup service is available and, as standard, the forklift will come with one years parts only warranty. They have proven to be very reliable over the last ten years and are only £13,995 + vat, Euro 5 £15,995 + vat 7 Tonne £29,995+vat

LIFT

3.5

(perkins copy) engine 48hp electronic shuttle torque converter two speed permanent four wheel drive, hyd quick release head stock available with floatation tyres. £16,500+vat

HERACLES ONE TON SWIVEL TIP DUMPERS AT LAST THEY ARE IN STOCK FANTASTIC BIT OF KIT Two speed hydrostatic drive with creep control, fast tip hyd, artic steer, really nippy fast manoeuvrable little machines easily transported. £10995+vat £7,500+vat

NEW ELECTRIC POWER BARROWS, have a maximum carrying capacity of 300kg and can work constantly for 4.5 hours from a full charge. (approx. 6-8 hours charge time) They also have 48v LED acid batteries and a silent operation whilst being easy to manoeuvre. The power barrows allow users to safely carry and transport loads in an eco friendly manner £1450 + VAT

TRACKED POWER BARROWS

+

+

+ VAT

BRAND NEW 810BT

METRE

XINCHAI

VSM 800 KG MICRO/MINI DIGGER

TWO TON BRAND NEW EXCAVATORS

TH KUBOTA ENGINED TELESCOPIC

VSM GOODSENSE THREE TONNE DIESEL FORKLIFTS.

2022 MODEL VSM 1300 kg double drum ride on vibrating roller KUBOTA TWIN CYLINDER diesel superb creep control and excellent build quality with

Three-in-one cultivator goes under the radar

Machinery distributor Opico will launch a new version of the He-Va Combi-Disc at the Cereals event this month.

The two-day show takes place on 13-14 June on the Thoresby Estate, Nottinghamshire.

The ‘Stealth’ variant of the combination cultivator gains ultra-low disturbance legs and a choice of points depending on the level of sub-surface action required. It is available in working widths from 2.45m to 5.25m in mounted and trailed formats.

The Combi-Disc employs two leading rows of soil-loosening legs followed by two rows of serrated Sabre discs to provide a surface chopping and mixing effect. This is all followed by a V-profile roller to produce a corrugated, weather-proof finish.

It is this combination of soil-

engaging elements that Opico says makes the Combi-Disc such an adaptable tool. In normal circumstances tines, discs and press are used in partnership to turn uncultivated ground into a seedbed in one pass.

Versatility

When conditions require, the discs can be lifted out of work, enabling the unit to be used as a subsoil loosener/pan-buster. Likewise, with the legs lifted out of contention, the machine can work as a straightforward shallow disc cultivator.

The Combi-Disc is billed as a true low disturbance subsoiler with the added ability of provideingsome surface tilth creation at the same time.

Opico product manager Glenn Bootman believes the CombiDisc is one of the most adapta-

ble tillage tools on the market. The basic principle is mediumdepth, low disturbance soil loosening combined with shallow surface cultivation.

“With the increased focus on regenerative practices, we’re seeing a need for cultivation kit that can reduce soil disturbance but still deal with compacted layers in the soil profile to ensure decent drainage and rooting to maximise crop potential.”

The 15mm wide Stealth low disturbance leg and low disturbance point are the product of many years of development. They allow deep soil loosening while minimising surface disturbance and preventing mixing of the soil profile.

While many growers are moving towards reduced tillage systems, Mr Bootman says they appreciate that drainage is key to

crop development – allowing timely field operations and preventing the relentless progress of grass weeds such as blackgrass. The narrower legs are made from ultra-strong Hardox steel and can be interchanged with standard 25mm subsoiler legs as necessary. But it is the point that makes the difference.

Hugh Pearl Lane Drainage has over 60 years experience of contracting, and can supply all of your drainage and trenching requirements from design to construction.

The Stealth standard 120mm low disturbance point has a shallower wing angle and shorter nose that has been designed to open up the soil to create drainage fissuring without mixing the whole soil profile.

Cereals to showcase connected Fendt fleet

Fendt will showcase its new 700 Vario Gen 7 tractor at Cereals on 13-14 June – demonstrating how the machines provide operators with a data driven advantage.

Launched earlier this year, the 700 series Vario will be accompanied by models either side of the horsepower range, with the latest Gen 3 500 series and Gen 7 900 series also featuring on the stand.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for cus tomers old and new to see the latest tractors,” said Fendt’s Richard Miller. “The stand will also include the latest Rogator 600 MY23 self-pro pelled sprayer, the Ideal combine, and the inno vative Cargo T740 with elevating cab.”

Connecting all the latest Fendt machinery is the FendtONE onboard/offboard operating con cept. The cab uses the operating system to make data collected by machines easier to share, both between Fendt machines and with farm manage ment systems.

“FendtONE facilitates data driven farming to offer operators and farm managers the abili ty to optimise machinery and operator hours, by programming tractors, sprayers and combines to share data,” he adds.

In the cab, FendtONE sees three terminals available in every Fendt tractor whilst software on a desktop or mobile device interprets data from

tractors in the fleet in real time. This can help to reduce fuel usage and downtime while improving productivity

“Data is driving arable farming to be more automated, efficient, and productive.,” said Mr Miller. “Fendt has met the challenges of arable farming head on by providing the most efficient

The 3m Combi-Disc with LD Leg and 200mm Point

year’s Cereals event in Nottinghamshire.

Machinery tour showcases balers and grassland machinery

Kuhn Farm Machinery has released details of its 2023 demonstration tour – showcasing its range of balers and grassland machinery across the country.

The tour will will feature fixed and variable chamber balers, square balers and combination machines. The aim is to show customers how the right machinery choice can help maximise green harvest yield and quality.

“We believe there is nothing better than an on-farm demonstration,” says Kuhn product specialist Rhodri Jenkins.

“Working with our dealer network throughout the UK will enable farmers and contractors to experience our comprehensive range of balers and other Kuhn green harvest machinery in a familiar setting.”

The demonstrations are part of Kuhn’s Go Further with Your

Forage initiative. The manufacturer has allocated 20 machines to cover the UK including triple mowers, tedders and rakes along with the Merge Maxx 1090.

“It is an opportunity to see machinery working in real life

New Manitou depot for Lincolnshire

B&B Tractors is set to open a new dedicated Manitou depot trading in Lincolnshire – including an extensive stock of spares and machines.

Established in 1991, familyrun B&B Tractors operates out of four depots, covering Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Relationships

B&B Tractors managing director James Bowring said: “We already have some relationships with customers within our new area and we understand that aftersales support is vital.

conditions and a chance to speak to our specialists about the specification and capabilities of our balers and green harvest equipment,” says Mr Jenkins.

For full information and tour details, visit www.kuhn.co.uk

“That is why we have chosen to run a dedicated team from a new premises – under the new B&B Machinery name – to focus on providing the best level of service that Manitou customers deserve.”

Professional Agriculture Equipment in Scunthorpe

When you need high class agricultural equipment to rely on look no further than our services here at BOM Agriquipment Sales and Fabrications.

With chemical costs rising and environmental pressures, growers are increasingly choosing alternative methods of weed control.

Our Econet range of inter row hoe’s are available with camera guidance and full auto section control via ISObus.

KRM have a full range of solutions to suit all situations budgets and crop types from cereals to vegetables including sugar beet and maize.

BomWire Fence unroller & tensioner BomRound Bale Unroller

BomBeet Cleaner Chopper Bucket

Bom Mixer/ Chopper Bucket

BomRound Bale Grab