Essential Farm Machinery September 2023

Essential Farm

September 2023

covering East Anglia and the Midlands

TRITON... ADVANCED DIRECT DRILLING

Twin hold roll pin blade removal system and 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

Next Generation Patented Drilling Blades

Triton launched its unique deep soil engagement direct drill in 2018 to give plough based yields from direct drilling. 6 years later we are consistently achieving higher yields from the Triton than from ploughed trials on our own land. The Triton is the only all weather seed drill on the market that gives the flexibility to grow maximum profit autumn sown crops whilst reducing blackgrass from late drilling... several manufacturers are now also claiming all weather capability... if these are false claims then the farmer’s new approach will be thwarted.

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

Triangular tungsten tiles for reduced draught and soil disturbance

SOIL SURFACE

draught and soil disturbance

SOIL SURFACE

Drilling at 40mm depth

Downward facing upper blade holds field surface in place minimising soil eruption in the stale seed bed

Drilling at 40mm

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

14cm deep

Buying a blade drill is now an open and shut case. Why?

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

Because only the Triton drill has a slot closer

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

Machinery theft soars as criminal gangs hit farms

• 22% rise in cost of rural crime

• Gangs target farm machinery

• Cost of GPS theft has doubled

The cost of rural theft soared 22% in the UK last year as organised criminal gangs targeted farm machinery and expensive global positioning systems (GPS).

Rural crime cost the UK an estimated £49.5m in 2022, according to the 2023 Rural Crime Report from rural insurer NFU Mutual. Published last month, the figure is £9m higher than the previous year.

The increase comes against a background of rising values and global demand for machinery. Criminal gangs have responded by establishing illicit worldside

markets for farm machinery and technology equipment.

Repeat offenders

The UK cost of agricultural vehicle theft reported to NFU Mutual rose by 29% to £11.7m in 2022. And some 70% of NFU Mutual agents said they knew farmers who had been repeat victims of rural crime.

The UK cost of GPS theft increased by 15% to £1.8m in 2022. But the problem has escalated in the first four months of 2023, with the cost of GPS theft doubling to over £500,000 compared to the same period last year.

Essential Farm Machinery

Editor:

Johann Tasker T: 07967 634971

E: johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Advertising sales:

Danny Lewis | T: 01502 725862

E: danny.lewis@micropress.co.uk

Advertisement production:

Jade Soanes | T: 01502 725840

E: jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

Thieves are still targeting expensive GPS systems, says NFU Mutual

Quad bikes and all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs) were also top targets for thieves. In 2022, quad and ATV theft reported to NFU Mutual cost £3m nationally, a 34% rise on the previous year.

Fuel theft

Diesel and heating oil thefts also plagued farms and rural homes leaving some families without heat at the coldest time of year. Fuel theft doubled last year as thieves targeted the liquid gold sitting in fuel tanks across the countryside.

These vehicles enable farmers to complete work efficiently out in the fields.

Continuing supply chain issues are sending prices of secondhand machines higher, making the vehicles an attractive target for thieves.

The UK cost of livestock theft rose 8.7% in 2022, totalling an estimated £2.7m. Claims reported to NFU Mutual regularly involve over 50 sheep being taken in a single raid, with a devastating impact on breeding lines.

While Scotland saw a decrease, England, Northern Ireland and Wales saw a rise in the cost of rural crime as thieves returned to the countryside and ramped up their activity after the pandemic years.

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said: “Highly-organised gangs are causing disruption to farming and widespread concern to people who live and work in the countryside.

“Rural theft is changing. It is not only opportunist thieves travelling a few miles, we are now seeing internationally organised criminal activity. These gangs target high-value farm machinery and GPS kits because they can be sold all over the world.”

Gangs are targeting high-value farm machinery

John Deere employees raise £10k for charity

A41-strong team of John Deere employees completed a 1,000-Mile Challenge – walking, jogging and running for charity.

The group took on the Peak District Ultra Challenge, choosing to navigate either 50km in 24 hours, or 100km in 34 hours. In doing so, team John Deere managed to collectively cover more than 1,400 miles. Generous sponsorship has seen more than £11,500 pledged to Cancer Research UK.

“Cancer Research UK does really important work which touches the lives of so many, and it is our chosen charity for 2023,” said Chris Meacock, of John Deere’s golf and turf division.

“We wanted to find something to suit varying fitness levels to encourage more partici-

pation, in turn helping to raise as much money as possible. We achieved both and a highly enthused team set about the challenge.”

Five employees completed 100km with 36 covering 50km, and the team far exceeded the 1,000-miles target.

“It was not easy, but the team was spurred on by the cause,” Chris said. “The event organisation was superb, and our team was looked after fabulously, with food, water, and feet patched up as required.

“From the company’s point of view the challenge has generated fantastic positive energy and strengthened relationships. The whole team is delighted to have completed the distance and raised a huge amount of money for a thoroughly worthwhile charity.”

Kubota launches 0% summer finance schemes

Machinery maker Kubota has launched a 0% finance scheme and five-year warranty for its M-series tractor range.

Available across all models of the M-series, the scheme has a number of options to fix the cost of ownership by including two specific Kubota Care five-year warranty packages.

The first is for M4003, M5002 and M6001U models. It provides a 0% finance offer for new purchases up to a maximum value of 50% of the RRP, and is based on 2+22

monthly payments. This option includes a five year or 2000-hour Kubota Care warranty.

The second option is for the 123-142hp M6002 and 130170hp M7003 models. It also offers 0% finance up to 50% of the RRP, but this time using 3+33 monthly payments. This option scheme includes a five year or 3,000-hour Kubota Care warranty.

The scheme runs until 30 September 2023, and is provided by Kubota Finance, a trading style of BNP Paribas.

Hydraulic suspension

Very large door clearance, door seal

Hydraulic tipping ram on double oscillating frame

Front position of the hydraulic tipping ram

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HARVEST INSTALLATIONS

CROP DRYING SPECIALISTS

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Gives you guaranteed drying conditions, 24/7. Efficient and economic with thousands of units in use on all combinable crops and onion stores nationwide.

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Main Office: Unit 2/3 Oaklands Park, Rougham Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2RW. info@harvestinstallations.co.uk

www.harvestinstallations.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 & loader, 5,900hrs

• Caterpillar 407 ag telehandler (2009) - tidy

• Various forks & grapples

Harvesting

• MF 7278 AL combine (2006) - 24ʼ PF, v tidy

• MF 7280 AL combine (2012) - 24ʼ PF, v tidy

• MF 7274 combine (2004) - 22ʼ table, 208hrs

• MF 30 - 14ʼ FF - v tidy

• MF 40 RS - 20ʼ PF - v tidy

• Vicon RV2160 Round Baler, v tidy

• Krone 1290 HDP Baler, tidy

• New Holland 980 Big Bale

• Claas Liner 3100 twin rotor rake 10m

• Kv Taarup 4232 3.2 trailed mower

• New Holland 377 Baler

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 10m hyd rolls with rings

• Richard Western 12t dump trailer

• Armstrong & Holmes 14.5t trailer, v tidy

• Bomford 9ʼ topper

• Major 1,600g vacuum tanker

• 80” mounted rotovator

• 450 & 600 workshop heaters

• A full range of Nugent trailers

Excavators

• Yanmar 8t & 3 buckets

• Case CX5, 5t & 3 buckets

Nicest selection of MF Combines within the UK

NH TD80-4 C/W LOADER 5,980HRS MF 6120, V TIDY, DYNA SHIFT, 4,700HRS

MF30 (2000) WITH 14FT HEADER MF 7274 COMBINE, APPROX 2,000HRS

YANMAR 8 TON DIGGER C/W DITCH CLEANING BUCKET

NUGENT TIPPING TRAILER

CATERPILLAR TH336C TELEHANDLER

CASE CX50 DIGGER

New dealer joins Deutz-Fahr network

Lincolnshire-based RC Setchfield has become the latest farm machinery dealership to join the DeutzFahr network.

Located on Withambrook Industrial Park in Grantham, RC

Setchfield was established in 1982 by Richard and Heather Setchfield.

The firm remains family-run today and employs 16 people serving Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire too.

Well-known as a materials handling equipment specialist, the company focused initially on servicing agricultural machinery. But it soon expanded to include sales of new machines.

With a full range of agricultural implement franchises, in the past year RC Setchfield has seized on opportunities to expand. This has included replacing its former materials handler range with a Merlo franchise.

“We are really pleased to be able to sign with SDF for the Deutz-Fahr franchise,” says Hannah Setchfield, who joined her parents’ business in 2021. The company would continue to look after existing owners as well as new customers, she added.

“We want to assure [existing] owners we are here to provide the service and spares support we know is crucial to them, and we want to be able to show them why they can place their trust in us and in Deutz-Fahr to give them the back-up they need.”

The Optum 340 is aimed at larger farmers and contractors, says Case IH

Flagship model added to Case IH Optum range

Tractor maker Case IH has extended its Optum range by introducing a new 340hp flagship model with additional features.

The Case IH Optum 340 CVXDrive with AFS Connect is aimed at the growing market for multi-purpose, high power tractors – maximising the award-winning concept of a powerful yet low weight design that can be ballasted as required.

Despite multiple improvements, the new machine is no heavier than the existing 300 and 270 models. But its six-cylinder, 6.7-litre Stage V FPT engine delivers more power and includes automatic productivity management to optimise output requirements.

The tractor has one of the quietest cabs on the market and an array of advanced Case IH technologies –

including five years AFS Connect advanced telematics, says product marketing manager Solveiga Kalinauskaite.

“Our new top model in this segment perfectly meets the requirements of large farming and agricultural contracting businesses needing a tractor with a high pow-

er-to-weight ratio that gives it the versatility to take on a wide range of tasks.”

For better performance, productivity and efficiency, while maintaining reliability and durability, Case IH has equipped the Optum 340 with an upgraded CVXDrive transmission. It includes inprovements to the hydrostatic unit, control software and other components.

Additionally, there is a new external engine blow-by filter to reduce service time.

By farmers, for farmers

RTKFnet operate an extensive network of the latest RTK Basestations, connected and managed via our in-house server. More than a sim card, more than a signal, RTKFnet is a network that constantly evolves to keep your business at the forefront of RTK Technology.

How to protect machinery from rodents

Protecting stores and machines from rodents should be part of every farm’s post-harvest pest control strategy – especially as damage is seldom covered by insurance.

“Rodents will seek food, water and harbourage following harvest, often choosing sheds where machines are stored,” says pest control specialist David Reece from Lodi.A properly thoughtout control strategy will pay dividends, he adds.

An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy is essential to prevent rodents chewing through wires to access food or places to nest, and baiting where necessary should be carried out to prevent or tackle infestations,” says Mr Reece.

Costly problems

GPS and digital control systems are expensive to replace and finding the root of the problem and the corresponding parts is time consuming, which can lead to unnecessary and costly downtime.

Mr Reece warns that machinery stored with grain or grass still attached will attract rodents and should be cleaned thoroughly before being stored.

But rodents will also attack tractors that are stored for just a few days.

Baiting inside and outside storage areas with a rodent control paste can bring results in just seven days – making it well suited to tackling rodents in and around machinery before costly damage is caused, says Mr Reece.

“Cholecalciferol baits like Harmonix can be used both inside and outside. This enables farmers to bait all areas of the farm and reduce the effect of rodenticides to non-target species such as wild birds or livestock.

‘Stop feed’ effect

“This bait is one of the few nonanticoagulants on the market and therefore rodents have no known resistance to its cholecalciferol active ingredient.”

The rodenticide has a so-called stop -feed effect. This means that in just two to three days, it can cause rodents to stop feeding before control is reached by day seven, says Mr Reece.

Although a cholecalciferol bait is more expensive than multi-feed baits such as bromadiolone, it requires 50% less bait and less time to achieve rodent control. There is also the resistance issue to consider, adds Mr Reece.

Merlo dealer network

Market Drayton based TR Machinery –which is part of the RVW Pugh Group – has joined the Merlo agricultural dealer network.

“Following more than 25 years with our previous local dealer Shifnal based Keith Davies Agriculture, we found ourselves in a situation where we needed a new partner after their acquisition by a larger dealer group,” said Merlo sales manager Owen Buttle.

High standard

“Having worked with the Pugh family and their team at RVW Pugh since 1997, Merlo UK has every confidence that the team at TR Machinery will deliver the same high standard of service expected by local Merlo customers in supporting and supplying the Merlo range.”

TR Machinery exclusively holds the full-line Fendt franchise for Shropshire, Cheshire

and mid-Wales – and also into Staffordshire. It also holds franchises for Vaderstad, Sumo, Alpego, Iseki, Sulky, Spearhead, Yamaha, AW Trailers, Pichon and Rolland.

Costly problems

TR Machinery currently trades from Market Drayton in Shropshire. But the company is building a purpose built full service depot at Newport in Shropshire and will be opening its doors before the end of the year.

RVW Pugh Group managing director Robert Pugh said: “The range of Merlo products will complement our existing range and give our customers the best choice of machinery for their needs.”

The full Merlo Agricultural telescopic handler range, Cingo tracked carriers, TreEmme attachments and forestry tractors will all be available from TR Machinery.

New partnerhip (l-r): RVW Pugh director Caroline Pugh, Merlo national sales manager Owen Buttle, TR Machinery managing director Robert Pugh, and Merlo regional sales manager Craig Parkes

Baiting can control rodents in and around machinery sheds

Rodents can cause downtime by chewing through cables and wires (right)

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The CROPSENSE system has been completely redesigned with user interaction, remote accessibility and intelligent power efficiency at the heart of the design.

The CROPSENSE system has been completely redesigned with user interaction, remote accessibility and intelligent power efficiency at the heart of the design.

Designed and built in the UK, Cornerstone Systems offers the full package using our own engineers. From design and build, through to installation and long-term servicing of your CropSense systems. We even offer customisation of systems to meet your specific requirements.

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Manufacturers to showcase machinery at Tillage Live

Tillage Live – the UK’s biggest crop establishment event – takes place this month, kindly hosted by farmers Chris and David Corbett in Warkwickshire.

Organised by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), the one-day event is being held on Thursday, 14 September. It will take place at WH Corbett, Cottage Lane, Norton-Juxta-Twycross, Atherstone.

Machinery makers will demonstrate their crop establishment technology including ploughs, cultivators, sprayers, conventional, strip tillage and direct drills. The event also includes a static exhibition area and knowledge trail.

In the spotlight

The Tillage Live committee is chaired by long-standing exhibitor Simon Brown, of Amazone. The event will offer a rare opportunity to see a wide spectrum of crop establishment equipment working in the field, he said.

“The way we manage soils is becoming increasingly in the spotlight and the right choice of machinery can play its part in helping to improve soil health, stimulate soil biology as well as being used to combat disease and weed pressures.”

This year’s show will include the recent introduction of a central demonstration ring – giving exhibitors the chance to showcase new machinery. Special cover crop zones will offer alternative demonstration opportunities.

Event organiser Lisa Suter said the venue had been carefully selected. It was in a central located and offered good access for visitors and potential customers. Gates open to the public from 8am with the show scheduled to end at 3pm. The postcode for the event is CV9 3QH. Visitors should follow the road signs to the visitor’s entrance to the event.

For full information and to reserve your ticket, visit www.tillage-live.com/buy-a-ticket

The event will demonstrate a wide spectrum of crop establishment kit

Diverse range of Kuhn farm machinery on show

host of crop establishment equipment will be demonstrated at this month’s event

Kuhn Farm Machinery has announced its product line-up for this month’s Tillage Live event – due to be held on Thursday, 14 September, at Atherstone, Warwickshire.

Working machines will include cultivation and crop establish ment equipment, including the Venta 3030 drill combined with the CD 3020 disc cultivator, the Espro 6000R drill and the Striger 600R strip till machine.

These machines will be joined by other products on the Kuhn stand – including the Megant 602R drill, Maxima RXE maize drill, Cultimer L300T stubble tine cultivator, and the Aero 32.1 pneumatic fertiliser spreader.

Product specialist Edd Fan shawe says: “Tillage Live is a unique opportunity to see a wide range of Kuhn products working, and our team will be on hand to an swer questions and provide prod uct information.”

The product selection rep resents Kuhn’s breadth of ma chinery featuring both min-till and conventional tillage machinery choices. But many systems still rely heavily on conventional ploughing methods – and they will be represented too.

“Kuhn has expanded the mintill range in recent years, with wider widths for the Optimer and Prolander. However, we are also focussed on providing new solutions for those seeking to plough more efficiently.”

Mr Fanshawe says the VML Smart Plough is an example of how ploughing precision can be enhanced using GPS and Isobus to adjust working width, offset, working depth and levelling.”

Drills on show include the lightweight Megant 602R that can be operated by tractors with as little as 150 horsepower. The 6m Espro 6000R will be working to demonstrate how the versatile

drill can work after the plough, min-till or directly in residues.

“We will also be demonstrating the 6 metre Prolander with a TF 1512 distribution head, which is suitable for the shallow incorporation of stubble and mixing in a break crop whilst also seeding the following crop in the same pass.”

MEGANT 602R

Kuhn’s lightweight Megant drill features new tine coulters, an updated terminal, and the option to add a second hopper.

The Megant 602R shares functionality with the previous 600 model, but features half width shut off.

Due to its lightweight design, the Megant can be operated by tractors with as little as 150 horsepower. Three types of tines can be specified on the Megant, including reversible forward ac-

tion, straight, and a new narrow 12mm straight tine coulter.

AERO 32.1 SPREADER

The Kuhn Aero 32.1 pneumatic fertiliser spreader is equipped with a 24-nozzle boom and is available in working widths of 27, 28 or 30 metres. Application rate is precise and modular over four sections, and it has an integrated weighing system.

The 3,200 litre hopper and working width of up to 30 metres make the Aero suitable for heavy use operators. It is also easy to operate, with hydraulic booms that are easy to control from the tractor cab and fold to the rear for safety on the road.

PROLANDER WITH TF 1512

Kuhn’s Prolander has the versatility to perform multiple cultivation operations, at speeds of

12km/hour and with a power requirement of 25-35 horsepower per working width metre.

It features five rows of staggered vibrating S tines with progressively increasing spacings to ensure unimpeded trash flow. Tines can be fitted with 60mm shares for seedbed preparation or 180mm duck-foot shares for shallow cultivation.

The Prolander comes with a choice of rollers, with the double-U being suited to stubble and general tillage work whilst the tube roller – with the option of levelling harrows – is ideal for fine tilth work on light soils for root crops.

Coupled with the TF 1512 distribution head, the Prolander can plant crops, cover crops and apply fertiliser. A front hopper is available and can be controlled with an Isobus terminal.

A

AERO 32.1 SPREADER

PROLANDER WITH TF 1512

MEGANT 602R

The Specialists for:

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Units 5&6 Fullers Business Centre, Riverside View, Wickham Market, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0TA

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Web: allfarminstallations.co.uk

Email: allfarmuk@yahoo co uk

■ Optimal lower and upper link position with large tractor tyres

■ Use in even extremely di cult soils

■ Use with tractors with up to 4 metres external width

■ For on-land operation always su cient distance to the furrow edge and therefore no furrow breakage

■ Optional upper link damping system protects tractor and plough components

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New ProPilot system is most operator-friendly yet

Spearhead Machinery has rolled out its most advanced ProPilot control system yet on the company’s new Twiga Pro and Flex mowers.

The control system boasts a 10inch touchscreen which is more easily readable when in the cab, while functionality enhancements ensure operators enjoy pin-point precision, less fatigue and faster cutting speeds.

Spearhead says the Auto-Lev el system maintains the mower’s cutting head angle automatically. This helps to ensure a consistent and accurate finish, rather than relying on the operator adjusting the machine by eye.

Less fatigue

Instead, the machine can be preset with up to three fixed angles. The Auto-Level system takes care of the rest. Spearhead says this is a much less tiring process. For complete flexibility, operators can manually slide Auto-Level through degree changes too.

you change the arm height,” says Spearhead sales and marketing director Antony Prince. “It’s a game-changing function for technology-driven contractors and large scale farmers.

“Precision is crucial for operators choosing high-performance equipment like the Twiga. Head angle is a big contributor to this. We’ve evolved our existing tech-

tive functionality possible.”

Mr Prince says Spearhead is at the forefront in automatic control. “It makes precision hedge cutting easier. And it delivers superb results without draining the operator’s concentration from hours of manual angling.”

Another significant improvement for the 2023 ProPilot system is the electronic Autopilot. Spear-

The TR Bale Handler Range

The control system is based around a 10-inch touchscreen

head led innovation with the first automatic verge float system. It has replaced the mechanical process with an electronic pressure monitoring method.

This enables faster forward speeds. It also prolongs the life of the machine and reduces the weight of the arm by around 70kg, with Autopilot monitoring the pressures to adjust cutting height every few milliseconds.

Bag Supplies specialise in the supply of net bags and ventilated FIBCs to the agricultural sector. We carry a wide range of stock of monofilament and leno woven nets, in a variety of sizes and colours.

We provide delivery within 48 hours of your order being placed.

Bag Supplies offer a free personalised print and design service, so your packaging can be customised with your company logo and additional product information.

Please contact Bag Supplies for further details.

We’ve

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.