Tractor proves ideal for handling, transport and eld tasks

Tractor proves ideal for handling, transport and field tasks

A Cornwall-based farming family remains delighted with a Massey Ferguson 5711 M tractor which was purchased last year.

The 5711 M is owned by D Strout & Son, based at North Coombe Farm, Callington. The family farm is run by Jonathan Strout and his parents John and Diana, and Jonathan’s wife Tracy. The grassland-based enterprise includes a ock of 240 ewes which are a mix of Dorset and Su olk cross Mules, and a 120-head herd of Continental cattle which are bought in as calves and sold as stores. Additional calves are bought in each spring to sell in the autumn as stirks at Exeter market.

Con dence in local dealer

Local Massey Ferguson main dealer, Alan Snow Agricultural Engineers (Launceston) Ltd supplied the tractor. The 5711 M replaced a 5711 Globalseries tractor which was supplied by the same dealer two years before. “We liked the previous tractor,” explained Jonathan. “Although there were a few technical issues, these were quickly recti ed under warranty and there was never any quibbling regarding what was or wasn’t covered. When we were due to update it last year, we checked what else was available and tried a few competitor brands. However, we preferred the Massey Ferguson 5711 M. The competitive price quoted included an extended warranty, and we were con dent that the sales and service teams at Alan Snow would look after us well. The Massey Ferguson warranty was a factor too. It’s one of the best available with very few exclusions, and that’s important to us.”

More pulling power

The 5711 M was supplied with optional Dyna-4 semi-powershift transmission and a factory tted FL3717X front loader. “I’m really pleased with it,” continued Jonathan. “There is plenty of power, and the exible Dyna-4 transmission is easy to operate which helps me make the most of the tractor’s capabilities.”

Most of the tractor’s work is in the yard where front loader tasks include mucking out, moving straw, and carrying feed. For its power, it is very compact and manoeuvrable. The farm has some traditional livestock buildings with limited headroom, but the 5711 M is low enough to operate inside. Other regular tasks include transporting bedding and feed to livestock in the elds. During the grass harvesting season the tractor powers the rake and the tedder, and it loads, transports and then stacks the bales in the yard.

“It has a lot more pulling power than its predecessor, and handles our 10m3 sidedischarge manure spreader with ease. Using the same tractor for loading and then applying the manure works well, and means only one person is needed for the operation.”

Excellent ride

Jonathan said the cab suspension makes a big di erence. “On uneven ground it takes out the shocks and it’s much better for the operator,” he explained. “We also have wider tyres than the standard tment. These are better for eld work as they protect the grass and provide plenty of grip, and they contribute to the excellent ride quality too.”

The cab is comfortable and there is plenty of space. Jonathan says the controls are all arranged just as he would want them. The heater and air conditioning are e ective. The optional Visio Roof ensures a clear view of loader attachments when working at maximum height, and Jonathan says it makes bale stacking more comfortable as he doesn’t have to lean forward all the time to obtain a better view. A twin-pump hydraulic system provides up to 100 litres of oil ow per minute. “This tractor uses noticeably less fuel than its predecessor,” stressed Jonathan. “With both hydraulic pumps operating, we achieve the loader and attachment speeds needed at much lower engine revs which reduces operating noise too. My father is less familiar with the controls than me, so he usually selects single pump mode. The slower loader movements make it easier to operate.”

Engine speed memory

The 5711 M is the farm’s rst tractor with an engine speed memory. “When working with PTO-driven implements, I nd it a real help,” Jonathan continued. “When manure spreading I just set the engine revs to provide the correct PTO speed, then after each headland turn the memory button is pressed and the pre-set engine speed resumes.”

For manure spreading, Jonathan uses the 540 Eco PTO mode. “Even with the spreader fully loaded on soft ground there is plenty of power and it isn’t necessary to run the engine at high revs. Selecting the 540 Eco mode saves fuel and means the cab is quieter. Until I found out how easily the tractor handles the spreader, I wouldn’t have expected operation in Eco mode to be possible.”

Practical and e cient

Access for routine maintenance and daily checks is good, and Jonathan said there is plenty of room at the rear to get at the hydraulic connections, PTO, and the rear linkage when trailers and implements are attached. A push-out hitch provides a clear view when connecting trailers and trailed implements without having to open and lean out of the rear window.

“The Massey Ferguson 5711 M is ideal for our farm,” concluded Jonathan. “It’s got everything we consider essential, but it’s also got lots of additional features which improve e ciency and make it easier to use. Reliability has been excellent since it arrived on the farm. It’s comfortable and economical, and it copes well with more demanding tasks such as pulling our heavy manure spreader.

“Our previous Massey Ferguson tractor was updated after two years, but we will probably keep the 5711 M for at least four years with the reassurance of the extended warranty. The sales and service teams at Alan Snow are excellent, and it’s unlikely that we would move away from the dealer or the brand.” FG

Best-selling seedbed cultivator o ers a range of benefits

Bednar shares the top ve key features that make its Swifter cultivator a best-seller, including its versatility, maintenance-free bearings, compression spring and savings on diesel and soil cultivation costs.

The Swifter seedbed cultivator is one of the best-selling machines Bednar produces, the company says. Hundreds of customers all over the world choose this machine every year and Bednar reckons it is a veri ed and quality product that covers all customer needs with its working widths from 3–18.2m.

Bednar says the bene ts include: • Up to eight operations in one pass: Combining several operations into one, means less driving back and forth and lower soil cultivation costs.

When it comes to seedbed preparation, each pass across the eld is important to avoid unnecessary loss of soil moisture. • Exchangeable working sections: The Swifter cultivator excels in easily exchangeable working sections, thanks to which the machine can be adjusted for a speci c crop, seasonal conditions or type of soil.

Once on farm, the additional tine sections can be supplied to t within the existing

Swifter chassis. • Maintenance-free bearings: The roller bearings are adapted to high rotational speed and they are maintenance-free. The machine operator does not have to deal with regular lubrication of each bearing, of which there are many on the seedbed cultivator. Sealed-for-life

bearings prevent impurities from penetrating the bearing and the reinforced seal structure prevents damage. • Compression spring: To ensure clearance between the individual segments of the crosskill rollers, the individual shafts are equipped with a compression spring. The spring constantly presses onto the individual segments and maintains their clearance. • Crushbar leveller: The front hydraulic levelling Crushbar allows the operator to ideally adjust the working angle of the leveller according to the eld conditions from the comfort of the cab. When compared with a mechanically controlled leveller, it is possible to achieve savings of up to one litre of diesel per hectare. To learn more about Swifter cultivators, visit the Bednar website at www.bednar.com FG

UP TO 8 OPERATIONS IN ONE PASS

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Combining several operations into one means fewer passes through the field and lower costs of soil preparation. The various working sections of the SWIFTER can be easily replaced, which makes the seedbed cultivator adjustable to seedbed preparation for a specific crop, or to the seasonal and soil type conditions.

A carbon-friendly alternative to concrete

Mudcontrol Ltd supplies durable, ecologically-sound products made of 100% recycled plastic, with a 20-year warranty.

The company says the ‘revolutionary’ Mudcontrol slabs are a game changer – a simple DIY way to create instant, removable hardstanding for people, animals and almost any vehicle, rated to 60 tonnes load capacity.

If you need instant heavy-duty ground protection to create solid pathways, driveways, or storage areas, quickly and easily with minimal mess and disturbance, Mudcontrol slabs are the answer, the company believes. You can solve your mud issues in a matter of minutes, make muddy gateways and high tra c areas safer and more robust for your business.

Each slab measures 50 x 50 x 5.3cm and weighs 7kg (1 stone). They interlink with adjacent slabs to provide a stable, self-supporting, free-draining surface, either temporary or permanent, on any soil type.

Mudcontrol fencing is made from 100% recycled plastic, inert and stable, with a 20-year warranty. The posts can be installed by hand or by machine and stapled, nailed or screwed into – just like wood. There's a huge range of options – lengths from 85cm to 6m, diameters from 4.5–25cm, and square, round or cross-pro le posts, rails, boards etc are also available.

Visit www.mudcontrol.co.uk or @mudcontrol on Facebook or YouTube; or contact the company directly to discuss requirements, or for a free no-obligation quote. FG

Flexible bin for meal bags saves time

Downey Engineering is a small, part-time farming business, located about eight miles from Dungannon, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.

To reduce time and labour spent collecting and storing half-tonne tote bags of meal from the local mill, the company designed and manufactured a exible bin that would hold two tonnes.

Downey made its rst bin in 2001, holding 2t of blend mix, and since then has increased the range to 3, 4, 5 and 8t units, to cater for larger units and to be compatible with meal suppliers.

Bins are fully demountable and can be built up and installed in con ned barns or stores. Overall dimensions range from 5–8ft2 on plan. The 3 and 4t bins are 12ft 6in high, with the 5 and 8t being 13ft 6in high.

The meal is contained in purpose-made nylon bags supported on a steel frame. Bags are fully sealed at the top and breathable, so there is no dust or loss of mineral during the delivery process.

Each bin comes with a steel blow in pipe and a 250mm diameter steel outlet with a lockable butter y ap.

Over the years, Downey Engineering has grown from supplying local farmers and meal suppliers, to exporting to the south of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

Bins can be sent either fully built or at-packed with assembly instructions. FG

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