Essential Farm Machinery - May 2023

Essential Farm

covering East Anglia and the Midlands

GO FURTHER with your forage

To achieve quality forage, you need to get the most out of your machinery.

KUHN offers the most versatile range of balers and wrappers available on the market. Our balers are built with field performance, quality and density in mind, while our wrappers perfectly complement KUHN’s cost-efficient, ecologic and ergonomic bale wrapping solutions.

Scan the QR Code to book a demo with your local dealer. Or go to: gofurtherwithyourforage.kuhn.co.uk/contact/

John Deere opens doors to talent

revered and

largest agricultural machinery maker.

Sessions will last up to two hours and will outline what John Deere can offer a prospective apprentice, the journey through

the Ag Tech, Turf Tech or Parts Tech programmes, plus the John Deere career path once certified.

“This is a unique opportunity to view the learning facilities on offer and talk to those who know all about the programmes,” says Mr Cochran.

The three John Deere apprenticeship programmes include Ag Tech – focusing on agricultural machinery, Turf Tech – focusing on professional turf equipment, and Parts Tech – focusing on parts service and support.

The events are free to attend but must be pre-booked. For detail, visit jdapprenticeships. eventbrite.co.uk.

Apprentice technician Honor Miles outside the John Deere training centre.

Cheffins doubles sales of second-hand machinery

More than £25m of machinery sold

Auctioneer Cheffins sold more than £25m of machinery in the first three months of the year – over twice the amount sold during the same period in 2022.

The figures include on-site auctions and second-hand machines sold at Cheffins’ monthly auction held at Sutton, near Ely – the world’s largest monthly sale of tractors and agricultural machinery.

The three monthly auctions in January, February and March grossed more than £11.2m, representing an uplift of 20.5% against sales in the first quarter of 2022, which achieved £9.29 million.

Cheffins head of machinery

Oliver Godfrey said: “Increasing costs for new machinery, coupled with long lead times, has ensured that both end-users and trade buyers have had to be prepared to pay higher prices for good quality second-hand machinery.

Growing prices

“While we are still living in uncertain times with the combination of the war in Ukraine, rising interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis, well-maintained agricultural and plant machinery is continuing to see growing prices.”

Overseas purchases made up more than one third of buyers at

each of the sales. Top export destinations included Ireland, Romania, Sudan, Lithuania and Poland.

Mr Godfrey said: “As the pound remains weak against the Euro, the export market came back with a bang in the first quarter of this year, as overseas buyers become increasingly confident in the new rules and regulations for machinery export.

There were nine on site sales taking place across the UK in the first quarter of the year, incorporating both modern and vintage machinery. The highest grossing on site sale for the quarter was hosted on behalf of Ripon Farm Services.

Global supply chains were continuing to struggle to build

new kit as quickly as was needed, said Mr Godfrey. This had left farmers and contractors little choice but to turn to second hand opportunities.

“Similarly, on site sales in the past three months for farmers, contractors and machinery dealers have increased in regularity and we have seen multiple sales gross seven figure sums as we offer a hassle-free solution to dispose of surplus equipment.”

Top selling items in the first three months of the year include a 2021 John Deere 9800i forage harvester (£230,000); a 2017 Claas 980 Jaguar forage harvester (£125,000); and a 2020 JCB 435S loading shovel (£125,000)

Other lots included a 2015 Case Quadtrac 580 tractor (£119,000); a 2018 John Deere 8600 forage harvester (£115,000) and a 2019 Fendt 724 Vario tractor (£111,000).

The next Cheffins monthly sale is on 15 May at Sutton, Ely, CB6 2QT.

Maschio Gaspardo to establish dedicated UK subsidiary

The Maschio Gaspardo portfolio is set to be broadened with a raft of new product lines, thanks to an agreement with UK distributor Opico.

The Lincolnshire-based importer and Italian manufacturer have announced plans to establish an independent UK branch to distribute and support the full range of Maschio Gaspardo products across the country.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Opico team for the work they have done in growing

the Maschio Gaspardo brand in the UK over the last 12 years,” says Maschio chief commercial officer Alessio Riulini.

Full range

“We now want to widen our offering to include the full range of products we sell across the world – including sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, direct-drills and cultivation equipment. To do that, we are setting up our own branch in the UK.”

The two companies are working together to establish the new UK headquarters with all the people and facilities required to support dealers and customers. A dedicated sales team has already been set up by Opico for the Maschio Gaspardo brand in the UK.

Three territory managers will be supported by a dedicated UK-based technical support team. Recruitment is underway for additional staff to provide farmers and dealers with aftersales support and to help with demonstrations.

This 2015 Case Quadtrac 580 tractor was sold for £119,000.

MILEAGE. MORE SILAGE

FOLDING GRASS FORKS

• Available in 12ft, 14ft and 16ft wide variants

• 12ft with Industrial and Q-fit pick up

• Industrial pick up for 14ft and 16ft wide models

• Hydraulically operated side extensions

• Exceptional visibility through the fork

• Integrated hose storage to protect couplings and hoses

• Heavy duty 65mm pivot pins and bushes to ensure durability

• Smooth tine wear faces to prevent material build-up

SCAN FOR MORE!

www.jcb.com

The New X6.4 P6-DRIVE. Ready to work.

New Cab. New Transmission. A New Outlook. That’s McCormick today. We continue to win awards for our innovative and well thought out tractors. Equally at home in the yard with a loader, or working hard on the road or the field, what’s stopping you trying one? Suffolk Agri Centre Fen Rd, Pakenham, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 2JS. 01359 232155

MECHANICAL

• easy to operate

• simple to set up & maintain

• sows a wide range of seed from clover to beans

PNEUMATIC

• drill widths from 3 to 6m

• suitable for no-mill, min-till & cultivated systems

• reliable operation with Sulky metering system

GRASS

• best for Livestock, mixed & small arable farms

• 2.4 and 3m widths

• versatile & affordable

SIMPLE, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR THE MODERN FARMER

www.simtechuk.com

Grimme appoints Tuckwell’s as a new premium partner

Grimme UK has appointed machinery dealer Tuck well’s as a new premium partner to support its customers.

Previously a Grimme partner, the higher status enables Tuck well’s dealerships across Suffolk, Essex and Kent to sell the full range of Grimme products and spares – spanning potato, sugar beet and vegetable machinery –as well as undertaking servicing.

The appointment aims to en sure Grimme customers have the best possible support and backup across the region. The Tuck well’s team already receives full product training from Grimme technicians.

“We are very pleased with how Tuckwell’s has worked with us ers of Grimme machinery and us over the years,” said Grimme UK managing director Patrick Graf Grote. “They have gone over and above what is required and ex pected.”

Established in 1954, Tuck well’s is a family-run agricultur al dealer providing farm machin ery to customers across Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedford

Kuhn unveils high capacity trailed sprayer

Kuhn has launched a new high capacity trailed sprayer. The new Lexis 3800 with a 3800-litre nominal capacity is the largest in the range – with two further models offering 2400- litre and 3000-litre capacities respectively.

The Lexis has a maximum length of 6.90 metres and an overall width of 2.55 metres. With a 28m aluminium boom, it has a 3t unladen weight. The latest model also features special tyres to reduce compaction and protect soil health.

Kuhn says the sprayer can be specified with its manual rinse operation which can be controlled from the operator’s control station. Multifunction handwheels reduce handling op-

Machinery maker celebrates growth at Cereals event

range Machinery heads to the Cereals event on 13-14 June at the Thoresby Estate Nottinghamshire – with an expanded dis-

The Yorkshire-based company manufactures agricultural machines and wearing parts – including adaptable low disturbance toolbars and standalone looseners – aiming to lower the cost of crop establishment while improving soil structure and efficiency.

ise in the sale, service, parts supply and technology solutions for agricultural and turf machinery.

We are delighted that Grimme UK has recognised and rewarded our focus on providing the best possible service to our customers. We look forward to continuing our working relationship

Grange Machinery has seen rapid expansion of its dealer network this year, signing up leading businesses Peacock and Binnington to cover North Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, and Manns with branches in East Anglia, Kent

Midlands dealership B&B Tractors is the latest to join the network. Established in 1991, it has four depots covering Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire

“We are very pleased to have B&B Tractors on board,” said Grange Machinery managing director Rhun Jones.

“They are a progressive dealer offering high quality products with a vision of where farming practises are moving to.”

are easily operated for a troublefree set-up.

During rinsing, a complete turn with the delivery circuit handwheel ensures that the water drawn in by the pump is conveyed into all sprayer circuits. The rinsing tank level gauge, visible from the workstation, also enables easy sequencing of the rinsing operations.

The new machine is also available with Diluset+ which offers operators assisted management of filling and dilution of residual volumes. Spraying can be oper-

trol box, a CCI 800 or 1200, or any other Isobus terminal.

A low centre of gravity improves stability, even with a reduced track width of 1.50m or when spraying on gradients. The short tow eye-axle distance of 4.30m coupled with a gyroscopic steering drawbar system also improves tracking in the tractor wheels.

The Lexis can be fitted with individual nozzle control, Autospray technology and the boom assist extreme contour control system.

B&B Tractors sales manager Colin Blood said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Grange Machinery and feel that the addition of a deep cultivating range will be highly valuable to our offering.

“As some of our branches are in mixed farming areas, the grassland aerator will be well received and we are also looking forward to offering products such as the low disturbance subsoiler for customers moving into regenerative agriculture.”

The Lexis 3800 can be specified with booms of up to 28 metres.

www.barryhawkins.co.uk

Tractors & Telehandlers

• MF 230 - Low hrs, p/steering.

• MF 240 - p/steering.

• MF 6480 - Dyna 4, v tidy.

• MF 3060 - 4 autotronic, v tidy.

• MF 6120 - v tidy, Dyna shift, 4,700hrs.

• New Holland TD80 & loader5,900hrs.

• Caterpillar 407 ag telehandler (2009) - tidy.

• Various forks & grapples.

Harvesting

• MF 7278 AL combine (2006)24’ PF, v tidy.

• MF 7280 AL combine (2012)22’ PF, v tidy.

• MF7380 PL AL Combine (2013) 20’ table, 1108hrs - v tidy.

• MF 30 - 14’ FF - v tidy.

• MF 40 RS - 20’ PF - v tidy.

• Vicon RV2160 Round Baler, v tidy.

• Krone 1270 Big Baler (2012), 44,389 bales.

• Krone 1290 HDP Baler - tidy.

• New Holland 940 Square Baler.

• New Holland 980 Big Baler.

• Krone 1400 (2013) 4 rotor rake.

• Lely 280 MC combi mower.

• Claas Liner 3100 twin rotor rake 10m.

• Kv Taarup 4232 3.2 trailed mower.

Other Equipment

• Dowdeswell DP7F, 7f, v tidy.

• KV LD85 5f & 4f.

• Flat Lift Force - 2 leg HD buster.

• Knight Raven 3 leg combination, vgo.

• Vicon PO-EDW weightcell, vgo.

• Vicon RO-EDW extension hopper.

• Kuhn Axis 30.1 spreader extension hopper.

• Cousins 6.2m hyd rolls.

• Cousins 9.3m hyd rolls.

• Richard Western 12t dump trailer.

• Armstrong & Holmes 14.5t trailer, v tidy.

• Bomford 9’ topper.

• Major 1,600g vacuum tanker.

• NC 2,000g vacuum tanker.

• 80” mounted rotovator.

• 450 & 600 workshop heaters.

• A full range of Nugent trailers.

Excavators

• Yanmar 8t & 3 buckets

• Case CX, 5 ob, 5t & 3 buckets

The Estate Office, 15 Lynn Road, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9NL

MF 6480 DYNA 4 - VERY TIDY

MF 6120, V TIDY, DYNA SHIFT, 4700HRS

MF 7278AL COMBINE (2006) 24’ PF MF 7360 PL COMBINE

YANMAR 8 TON DIGGER C/W DITCH CLEANING BUCKET

NUGENT TIPPING TRAILER

CATERPILLAR TH336C TELEHANDLER

CASE CX50 DIGGER

Quicker cleaning and new nozzle bodies for Fendt Rogator

Fendt has updated its selfpropelled Rogator spray er for 2023 with improved boom stability, electro-pneumat ic nozzle bodies and a reduced cleaning times.

The new features – including the updated ContiRinse system – will be available on all the 645, 655 and 665 Rogator models with boom widths from 24-39m.

A redesigned plumbing sys tem features a separate clean water pump allowing the ContiRinse system to cut overall tank cleaning times after spraying.

The system works on two adjustable liquid volume thresholds. The first initiates cleaning of plumbing lines that contain chemical residues while the operator continues spraying. The second activates the full clean-

off, which switches off the main 785l/min pump after cleaning to prevent it running dry.”

All Rogator models are now fitted with new Altek electropneumatic nozzle bodies as standard, which replace the fully electric Arag versions.

These are compatible with Fendt’s OptiNozzle automatic nozzle selection system but also

a single line Hypro five-way rotary, an Altek twin-line, and an Altek quad-line setup. The valves on the Rogator are now supplied by Banjo.

“The changes to our spray systems will increase longevity and reliability of the machines. The new nozzle bodies don’t have diaphragms and feature no dead vol-

The Rogator can now have six boom sensors to improve application accuracy.

ume areas, so liquid or chemical residues can’t sit inside the bodies after use. The electro-pneumatic design also provides increased reliability compared with our old units.”

Mechanical Weed Control from the Crop Establishment Experts

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

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

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

Pre-season preparations for successful silage harvest

• Top checks for your machinery

•

Avoid mower smearing the soil

It is equally important to check mower discs for signs of wear and tear early, so repairs can be made in good time.

•

Look out for unexpected wear

Farmers and contractors are reminded to check machinery is set up correctly to ensure its longevity and maximise silage quality.

Krone UK territory sales manager Craig Bryson says checking mowers, tedders and rakes will all help get the most from kit during the season – and minimise breakdowns.

Although it can be tempting to cut grass short to maximise harvest volume, it’s important to avoid cutting too low – which could be a false eonomy. An increased cutting height will encourage optimal regrowth and recovery, says Mr Bryson.

“To avoid the mower smearing the soil, make sure the mower is set up as flat as possible, with the lowest pressure on the bed, to allow it to follow the contours of the ground. This ensures that the tedder and rake achieve a clean pick up, ultimately reducing soil contamination.”

When entering a field, drive forwards for about 20 feet, stop, and clear the swath to ensure you’re achieving the desired cutting height, along with a smooth and even cut, before continuing, adds Mr Bryson.

“If there’s any excess wear on the mower you feel could be cause for concern, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to your local dealer. Krone mowers have replaceable wearing parts that are easy to install on-farm,” says Mr Bryson.

wear may be a sign that the mower has been set up incorrectly, so getting it sorted now can save you time and money in the longer run.

Well-maintained machines deliver better results says Craig Bryson, right

The particularly dry 2022 season may mean some farmers and contractors have not used their tedder for well over a year, so regular maintenance may have slipped.

Mr Bryson encourages farmers to conduct maintenance checks working from the front to the back of the machine. In other words, check universal joints are intact and greased, with guards in place, and making sure there are no bro-

For the tractor, checking the top link and stabilisers are in good condition will help prolong over-

If the stabiliser is loose, it can cause the machine to swing. Keeping on top of this will help elongate the durability of the tractor

“Making sure machines are serviced regularly, stored clean and pre-season checks are carried out early puts you in good stead to get parts ordered promptly at a fair price, while helping to prevent issues in the field – and max-

Scottish farmer makes biggest ever JCB order

JCB has won its biggest ever UK deal after a Perthshire farmer placed an order for £87.5m of machinery – including a big fleet of iconic 3CX backhoe loaders.

The huge order has been placed by Perth-based Morris Leslie Plant Hire almost 50 years after Founder Morris Leslie started the company on his parents’ farm in the Carse of Gowrie, near Perth, where he began buying and selling construction equipment.

Today his company operates across the UK – with many of his firm’s customers working in the agricultural sector, particularly in Scotland.

Morris Leslie Plant Hire’s new machines include a bumper deal for 50 JCB backhoe loaders, at a time when new figures show a resurgence in demand for backhoes in the UK, with the market growing by more than 12 per cent in 2022.

The investment will also see

the company take delivery of Loadall telescopic handlers, excavators, site dumpers, and compaction equipment, underlining its commitment to provide customers with the most up-to-date machines possible.

Manufactured at JCB’s factories in Rocester and Cheadle, Staffordshire, all the new machines are powered by the latest Stage V engines which deliver low emissions. They are also fitted with the JCB LiveLink telematics system.

Mr Leslie said: “Our business was founded on a farm in 1974 and I am proud that farmers and the wider agricultural community continue to be vitally important to the success of the company today . This order ensures we can continue to support them with the very latest and best equipment.

“We are delighted to have agreed our largest ever order with our long-term partner JCB to support our 2023 growth plans

tire JCB fleet will be operating with the latest Stage V engines.

JCB Sales managing director Marco Bersellini said: “We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Morris Leslie Plant

Hire. This deal confirms that JCB has exactly the right products to meet the needs of hirers and end users.”

Quality Parts and Reliable

JCB Sales MD Marco Bersellini

TRITON... ADVANCED DIRECT DRILLING

backward leaning air borne upper blade for trash lift and ease of trash flow

Seed depth tail 40mm deep holding the seed at correct depth and placing seed on either side of seed terrace

facing upper blade does not weed seed up from below stale seed bed and field surface

SOIL SURFACE

Drilling at 40mm

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

All other tine drills have upward facing chisel tines which hook grass seed up from below the stale seed bed into the top 5cm germination zone. The Triton blade design is vital in making sure

the drilling pass does not create its own grass weeds in the clean 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

14cm deep

Triangular tungsten tiles for reduced draught and soil disturbance

upper blade