Tractor test
John Deere 8335R:
Big Deere prefers not to mix its drink
Following on from our driving impression of an 8360R in the December magazine, we’re once again back in the Deere driving seat. On this occasion we take a closer look at the 274kW/335hp (97/68 EC) 8335R model, to see how well it performs when put through the full profi tractor test
Practical test
Lemken Juwel 8V plough:
A crown Juwel
Not even ploughs are escaping the world of electronic wizardry, with Lemken’s Juwel 8 packing a healthy dollop of technology to ease the task of setting up the machine and provide the option of on-the-move adjustment. No more than a gimmick? Or a step in the right direction? We attempt to find out in this practical test
Driving impression
Krone Big Pack 1270 High Speed:
Big bales meet big brother
Krone says output of its Big Pack balers has shot up by a whopping 20%. We sample the new set-up, on the way discovering the brave new world of electronic bale labelling as well as suggesting possible future applications
Five sub-100hp tractors compared:
Casting an eye over some of the livestock options
When it comes to tractors aimed at the livestock market, do the number of pounds spent by buyers necessarily equate to the product quality received in return? To find out, Mervyn Bailey and James de Havilland compare five 85-95hp tractors taken from different price stables
Fendt Katana 65 forager:
More chopper choice
We travel to Bavaria to take a closer look at some of the features on Fendt’s first self-propelled forager, the Katana 65. A small number of machines will be busy chopping with German contractors this season prior to a gradual roll-out to other markets over the next couple of years
Livestock equipment
Farm security and surveillance:
Keeping a remote eye on progress
As security becomes an ever greater issue, CCTV cameras are rapidly developing into a fixture of modern living. Once the domain of city streets, shops and garage forecourts, these remote eyes can now also perform a multi-application role on farms, as Andy Collings reports
Used machinery
New Holland BR variable-chamber round balers:
Don’t dismiss a well-used BR
Second-hand high capacity round balers have often had a contractor as their first owner, who could well have racked up more than 20,000 bales per season. After four or five years, that’s a serious amount of tonnage through the machine. James de Havilland reviews what a high-bale-count, used New Holland BR baler has to offer
Workshop
From the workshop:
Simple solutions to perennial problems
Cold out there? Mike Donovan’s latest collection of farmer- and contractor-generated tips should send you scuttling into that cosy, warm workshop, eager to put your freshly acquired ideas into practice. This month Mike outlines how operators have added toolboxes to tractors, driver guides to trailers and hydraulic tailgates to cattle boxes. Read on for further details
Fault-finding: Trailer light tester
Tripping the light fantastic
A low-cost tester offers to take the legwork out of checking trailer and implement road lights. Andrew Pearce sees what it can (and can’t) do
Machine management
Strip-till drilling:
Keep to the strip to reduce drilling costs
Strip-till seems to be hitting the right note with a growing number of UK farmers, it allowing them to move at least some soil while still minimising their crop establishment costs. For one Northamptonshire-based farmer the technique has brought big savings in fuel and wearing metal, as Mervyn Bailey reports
Around the world
On the road to Rio That’ll be 138 new tractors, please AGCO expands into grain storage Ploeger to join forces with Oxbo
Report
Contractor price guide 2012:
UK contractor charges
This is the National Association of Agric.Contractors’ charge guide for 2012, based on info supplied by its members last summer. The figures are ONLY A GUIDE and assume a red diesel price of 66p/litre. Prices will vary according to UK region, size of job, type of kit used etc
Crop-munching gentleman abroad
John Deere’s 7750i takes a two-year tour d‘Europe:
First take one large JD forager. Then add two seasons, four countries and a sprinkling of different crops. Mix in a pinch or two of exotic scenery and stir well. What have you got? The perfect recipe for a profi DVD…
Hobby
Agritechnica 2011 models:
The fun part of the Fair
As well as being Europe’s largest indoor farm machinery fair, Agritechnica is also rapidly becoming the leading show for new and limited edition farm model launches. David Pullen takes a peek at just some of what the machinery manufacturers had to offer model collectors who made the trip to Hanover
Vehicles
Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Skoda Yeti:
Old school, new school
A venerable name in the off-road world squares up to a relative newcomer for this month’s 2.0-litre 4×4 test — we referee an intriguing contest that sees Suzuki’s proven Grand Vitara take on the in-vogue Skoda Yeti
