Machinery
Oxfordshire on-site dispersal sale breaks UK records
} e l a s m r a {f A dispersal sale of agricultural machinery operated by well-known Oxfordshire-based contractor RC Baker Ltd in mid-December grossed more than £3.1m – making it the largest on-site, single-vendor sale to date. David Williams reports. The auction was arranged by Cheffins on behalf of the Baker family following founder Charles Baker’s decision to retire, and included an array of top-specification, modern machinery – much of it from premium brands. Cheffins auctioneer Oliver Godfrey commented that RC Baker Ltd was one of the most admired agricultural contracting companies in the industry, and he stressed that the Cheffins team was proud to have been chosen to sell the extensive fleet on the Baker family’s behalf. Advertised extensively in advance in Farmers Guide and elsewhere, the Cheffins sale page attracted more than 73,000 views, and over 460 potential buyers registered to bid online while the lots on offer drew hundreds to the venue on the
Black-grass control has increased Avadex use in recent years, and this Techneat Avadex GR400 trailed applicator on a low ground pressure chassis came with 16m folding booms and a Honda engine, and sold for £7,500.
viewing and sale days.
Worldwide interest “Although we had considerable interest from potential buyers as far away as New Zealand, and from many in mainland Europe, most of the lots ended up with buyers from throughout the UK,” Oliver explained. “The specialist slurry handling and application machinery saw strong demand from other large contracting businesses, as well as farms with large livestock units or AD plants. “The machinery was generally in excellent condition and a real credit to Charles Baker. Despite some of the tractors having recorded above average working hours for their ages, they were a good specification, had been well looked after, and sold very well as a result.” FG
tractors, this One of the lower-priced 4wd was an Massey Ferguson 2435ST del. The hour mo 6 200 d, tere egis 06-r rs. With a meter displayed 1,355 hou rear, and -24 16.9 on and h pick-up hitc els and 12.5/80-18.5 front turf whe ive £12,500. tyres, it made an impress
One of the highest priced items of farm machinery sold second-hand at an on-site auction – this 2020 Claas Xerion 5000 was equipped with a Kaweco 28,000-litre Gooseneck slurry tanker, and fitted with a 12m3/min pump, a Kaweco Front Unit ST with front loading arm, a macerator, stone trap and turbo fill, a 36m Vogelsang SwingMaxx 4 dribble bar – also capable of applying at 24, 30 and 32m – and with section control through Claas GPS. The tanker, boom and front arm all had automatic lubrication. Tyres were 900/60R42s; Michelin on the Xerion, and Trelleborg on the tanker, with pressure adjustment through a central tyre inflation system. On the farm from new, the Xerion carried a 20-plate and had worked 1,417 hours. It achieved a winning bid of £525,000 from a UK-based end-user.
Ten tractors were on offer in total, including seven John Deeres of which five were 6215R models. With a John Deere 663R front loader with pallet forks, this 2018, 18-plate machine was equipped with 50kph AutoPowr IVT transmission, front axle and cab suspension, air brakes, front linkage, and was GreenStar GPS-ready. It was on BKT 710/70R42 rear, and 600/70R28 front tyres which were almost new. It had been serviced by main dealer Farol from new and displayed 6,418 hours. The winning bid was £70,500.
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