Tractor test
Lining up more than 3,300hp
Putting the power down
We’ve been able to muster all of today’s most powerful tractors from the leading manufacturers. Wheeled, articulated and rubber tracks — all the bases are covered for these titans to show off their particular skills out in the field
New Holland T9.560
Claas Xerion 5000 Trac VC
Fendt 1050 Vario
Challenger MT875E
Case IH Magnum 380 CVX RowTrac
Case IH Quadtrac 620 and John Deere 9620 RX
Summit meeting
From the mainstream makers these are the most powerful tractors of our time — one with 25 years’ experience, the other being a relative newbie to this market. Anything to choose between them? Not much … as we found out in this exclusive comparison
Case IH Quadtrac 620
John Deere 9620 RX
Practical test
Lemken Rubin 12/300 U and 12/400 KUA disc cultivators
Deep digging discs
Over the past decade there has been a massive trend towards shallow working, short disc harrows. However, for those who want to dig a little deeper, Lemken has come up with the Rubin 12, which still sticks with the compact disc format. We pit a 3.0m Rubin against a 4.0m
Krone RX400 GD combi forage wagon
RX gets some new tricks
Last season saw Krone’s flagship ZX430 to 560 forage wagons (43-56m3) picking up grass in the UK and Ireland. Now a number of the big uns’ features have been incorporated into the mid-range RX models, which will debut at this year’s Grassland event
Comparing nine front-mounted mower conditioners
All out front
Following up on our comprehensive rear mower comparison published back in 2009, we’ve now gathered together nine front-mounted mower conditioners for yet another exclusive test. Part I focuses on the various Part I machines’ wilting performance and power requirement
Driving impression
John Deere 5125R tractor
That big tractor feel
New to the John Deere literature stack is the 90-125hp 5R, which will start reaching UK and Irish farms later this year. Pegged as the premium model, we got our hands on one of the first 5125Rs — to see where it sits
McCormick X8.680 tractor
A big red Italian
No, not the latest tenor holding a long top ‘C’. Instead McCormick’s latest high-hp tractor, which made its UK debut at this year’s LAMMA show. Earlier, Bob Karsten from the Dutch magazine Trekker had checked out a prototype
Moorend 4T tracked loader
Floats like a butterfly
Gloucestershire firm Moorend has designed and developed a rubber track system for use with articulated telehandlers. When the going gets tough, the 4T gets …
Livestock equipment
Robotic livestock feeding
Innovating with the Innovado
It’s a decade since Dutch firm Schuitemaker started work on the Innovado feed robot. We outline the background and enjoy a visit to see one of the first commercial versions in action
Used machinery
Maschio DM power harrows
Need to know on Maschio
DM power harrows have been on sale in the UK since 1986, leading to wide availability on the used market. Not only that, but prospective purchasers can take heart from the fact that parts support for even the earliest machines is also good. When looking at second-hand models, there will be differences to note between early and late examples … and there are other points to consider, too
Machine management
Making the most of muck
Weighing it all up
Looking to provide a niche service for local farming businesses, one Northants contractor has kitted out his muckspreaders and trailers with weigh cells. It’s all part of his long-term aim to improve the accuracy of muckspreading by investing in the latest weighing and applications technology
Around the world
Meeting the needs/Do firms take criticism seriously?/Mahindra & Mahindra acquires Turkey- based farm equipment firm/Caterpillar moves global HQ/Sales on a roll
Report
NAAC transport workshop
Watch your weight
JCB hosted the fourth and final NAAC transport workshop back in February, soon after the Department for Transport’s announcement that it will not be proceeding with ‘Phase 2’ of the increases to combination weight limits of agricultural tractors and trailers. profi was among the attendees
Technical
Cab heating
Eight brass monkeys
Three Scandinavian farming mags pooled resources to see how well 120hp loader tractors coped with their winters. Anything that can manage up there should find the UK a doddle…
TUNING
Sweeper mods
More power to your sweeping elbow
Many farmers and contractors use rotary sweepers or simpler non-powered brushes to clean mud off public roads or simply tidy up around the yard. The following examples show how you can tailor these implements to your individual needs
Under the hammer
Darby Methwold sale
Kit sells well, backed by strong potato prices
A selection of clean Fendt tractors, along with an impressive display of root crop equipment, drew the crowds to Banhams Farm in Thetford, where a currently strong potato market helped to achieve some superb prices on the day
Dutch bulb harvesting
Mega bulb washer
Dutch tulip grower Maliepaard has taken extreme measures to reduce the volumes of soil accompanying bulbs back to the farm. Meet the monster in-field washing machine called Earth Eater
Round baler guide
Check out the specification and price details of round balers and baler-wrappers currently available in the UK. Our focus here is on machines capable of producing bales of a fixed diameter suitable for hay, silage and straw
Contractor Price Guide
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
