Tractor test
Valtra N134 Versu
Nordic four
Following in the formidable shadow of T series, Valtra has introduced a revamped ‘N’ with the same modern cab plus a Stage IV engine perched out front. We take a look at the 99kW/135hp (maximum output to ISO 14396) four-potter
Practical test
Part II: Nine front-mounted mower conditioners on test
Mower scores settled
Last month we reported on the wilting performance and power requirement of our nine front mowers, whereas this month our focus is on what the machines are like to hitch up to, how simple they are to set and how easy they are to maintain
Claas Disco Profil 3200 FC
Fella SM 310 FZ KC
Kongskilde GXF 3205 P
Krone EasyCut F 320 CV
Kuhn FC 3125D F
Lely Splendimo 320 FC
Pöttinger Novacat 301 Alpha Motion ED
Samasz KDF 300 S
Vicon Extra 632 FT
SIP Spider 1100/10T tedder
Spinning spider
If you want to get away from the established crowd, then how about considering Slovenian manufacturer SIP? We put its 10-rotor Spider tedder through a lengthy test to see how it performs in the field
Driving impression
Massey Ferguson TH7038 telehandler
A material difference
After 20 years in the telehandler game, Massey Ferguson is hoping its latest range will help wrestle a few sales from the big hitters. The TH-series machines have more power and lift capacity than before, as well as a few nice-to-have features. But is it enough?
Amazone Cayros plough
New furrow for Amazone
Having dipped its toe into the plough market with the Cayron, Amazone is now marketing a wider range of ploughs following the acquisition of Vogel and Noot
Chafer Interceptor self-propelled sprayer
Meet the Interceptor
Chafer’s Interceptor has gone through a considerable gestation period, but models are now finally rolling off the British manufacturer’s production line in Lincolnshire
Livestock equipment
Work Sharp knife and tool sharpener
Fix up, look sharp
Sharpening hoof knives is quite an art — but it’s not impossible with the right tool. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth. There’s now a keenly-priced, portable belt sharpener on offer from Work Sharp as an alternative to pricier bench grinders. We put it to the test
Used machinery
Väderstad RexiusTwin RST cultivator press
A sound buy, even with a few acres under its belt?
Väderstad can supply pretty much everything to rebuild a long-in-the-tooth RexiusTwin to ‘as new’ condition — a job that may not be cheap but could well be viable. The trick is to know exactly what needs replacing … and how much it will cost
Machine management
Making the most of digestate
Investing in the future
Slurry specialist R C Middleton and Son saw opportunities presented by the burgeoning AD industry at an early stage. As a direct result it now offers a high specification service that’s benefiting both farmers and energy producers
Around the world
A fun way to diversify / Fields Days are here again / Indian tractor sales on the increase / Demand expands spreader technologies / Big, bigger, biggest
TUNING
Sweeper mods — part II
Even more power to your sweeping elbow
Hot on the heels, or should that be ‘handles’, of last month’s collection of farm sweeper mods sent in by readers, here are several more. There’s certainly no shortage of variety, with ideas ranging from on-board hydraulics to a wetting tank
Vehicles
Isuzu D-Max Blade vs Arctic Trucks AT35
Big meets bigger
Fantasy land for some, Arctic Trucks’s take on the Isuzu D-Max double-cab brings a touch of Mad Max into the British countryside. We discover there are both swings and roundabouts…
Under the hammer
Wharton Court sale
More potato kit falls under the hammer
Specialist potato kit was auctioned in Herefordshire just before this year’s planting began. Bailey trailers generated the top prices on the day, and the majority of items that failed to meet their reserve were sold off over the course of the following week
Potato planting on tracks
Three on one
A 250hp rubber-tracked Deutz tractor carrying a trio of machines is helping one Dutch seed potato grower to plant up to 1ha/hr
Contractor price guide 2017
UK contractor charges
This is the National Association of Agricultural Contractors’ (www.naac.co.uk) charge guide, based on info supplied by its members last spring. The figures are only a guide and assume a red diesel price of 40p/litre. Prices will vary according to UK region, size of job, type of equipment used etc
