Welcome to the October issue of profi 

Tractor test: Fendt Vario 211S

We last tested a Fendt 211 in 2011, so we were keen to see how much better the current Stage IIIB 211S is before it is replaced later this year. Turn to page 12 for our exclusive and in-depth tractor test.

Practical test: Tyre inflator gauges 

A good tyre inflator gauge can be the difference between adjusting tyre pressures to get the most out of your rubber and just making. We compare 15 different makes and models from the cheap to the expensive.

Practical test: Lemken Rubin 10

The Rubin 10 is more than a mere tweak to Lemken’s long serving Rubin 9 heavy-duty compact disc harrow. We tried out a 5.0m semi-mounted model to see just how good the newcomer is.

Driving impression: McHale Fusion 3 Pro

This season McHale introduced the Fusion 3 Pro, with features such as density adjustment from the cab along with the ability to check the moisture and bale weights. We travelled to Mayo to find out if this should be your next baler wrapper.

Driving impression: Dieter Leibing Sicklehoe 

Traditional interrow cultivators have lots of moving parts, which is why one organic grower has developed his own much simpler machine. We check out the Sicklehoe on page 40.

Used machinery: Väderstad TopDown

Even in the short time since our last guide to buying a used TopDown 2013 things have moved on. Many farmers are wanting a shallower pass and Väderstad has responded with different tine and point options. We explain what changes have been made along the way.

Technical: Michelin EvoBib versus MachXBib

With farmers travelling greater distances, and more frequently with 50 and 60km/hr tractors, Michelin’s EvoBib tyre is an interesting proposition. We find out how it compares to the more traditional MachXBib.

Report: Four potato toppers compared 

With diquat removed from the market, potato growers are returning to topping haulm. We compare models from AVR, Baselier, Grimme and Struik to see how they perform.

Report: For nearly 20 years the Intrac served as the Deutz-Fahr systems tractor. We track down one user who may have the very last Intrac 6.60 ever built.

CONTENTS

Test

Fendt Vario 211S tractor . . . . . . . . . . .  12

Lemken Rubin 10 cultivator . . . .……. 20

Tyre inflator gauges group test . . . . . . 26

Stihl MS500i chainsaw. . . . . . 32

Driving impression

Abimac Avantime 7810-13 rake  ….  . . . …….36

Sichelhacke interrow cultivator  . . . . . . . . . . .  40

McHale Fusion 3 Pro baler combinaion  . . . . .. . .  42

Becklönne hydraulic dual wheel system . . . . . . 44

Livestock

Milking 20 cows with robots. . . .……. 46

Used machinery

Väderstad TopDown cultivator . . . . . . 48

Workshop

Wearing metal compared . . . .56

How it works: Starter motor . . . . 60

Technical

Michelin EvoBib versus MachXBib . . . . . 62

AgXtend ISOmax . . . . . 66

Report

Four potato toppers compared . . . . 72

Deutz-Fahr Intrac 6.60 user . . . . . 76

Under the hammer – Cheffins . . . . . 86

Tuning

Round balers . .  . . . . . . 83

Regulars

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Contractor prices . . . . . . .  . . . 59

Preview . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Spot the difference . . . . . . . . . . . 90