Tractor test
John Deere 6210R tractor
Deere dances on
Engine developments are just one part of John Deere’s mid-line 6R story. To see how the company’s mass-market tractor range is performing in the field we caught up with a 6210R model that has racked up more than 3,000 hours over the past 18 months
Practical test
John Deere vs Kubota UTVs
Tough Kub tackles the leaping Deere
The choice of utility vehicles (UTVs) now takes in everything from established premium brands to low-cost alternatives. Here we go mainstream with offerings from John Deere and Kubota. Andrew Pearce reports
Driving impression
Stepless-transmission Case IH Magnum 370 CVX tractor
A ghost is laid to rest
Back in the mists of time we nicknamed Case’s original Magnum 7120 the ‘Jolting Jumbo’ for the delicate way it shifted gears. Things have changed over the past 25 years…
High tension
Fendt X Concept
Agritechnica produced new ‘clean air’ 800- and 900-series Fendts. But first, here’s the Bavarians’ take on an electric tractor… Will it ever make it to market? Who knows? There’s talk, though, that the firm’s X Concept might be on sale by 2018-2020
Livestock equipment
Slurry aeration
Forever blowing bubbles
Recent years have seen some big changes for dairy farmer Andrew Brass — a change from a herringbone parlour to high-tech robots, a change from loose bedding to cubicle housing, and a change to an innovative slurry handling system. Andy Collings charts the Brass progress
Used machinery
Fendt 900 Vario tractors
Affordable entry to top Fendt muscle?
We first drove a Fendt 936 in 2005, the tractor making headlines due to its 60km/hr top speed, new cab, a switch to Deutz power and a price of around £130,000. James de Havilland assesses how this and other 900 Vario models now stack up as a used buy
Workshop
From the workshop
Simple solutions to perennial problems
Still suffering from those mid-winter blues? Blue fingers? Blue toes? Blue mood? Never mind. At least those chilly temperatures mean there’s time in hand to complete your out-of-season workshop projects. Or perhaps even to share your mechanical inspiration with Mike Donovan, whose contact details are on p39
Diaphragm carburettors How they work
Understanding your carbs
In the first instalment of a two-part series, Andrew Pearce examines the workings of a typical chainsaw carburettor with help from Stihl Technical Services Trainer Mark Hellewell. Next time: How to strip, inspect and — most important of all — put a diaphragm carb back together, so no bits are left over…
Machine management
Running a mixed fleet of tractors — old and new
An eye for detail
The decision to develop the family contracting business 12 years ago has seen the Prestons machinery fleet grow in number. Doing so has required an investment in high quality, second-hand tractors to supplement nearly-new frontline horsepower, as Geoff Ashcroft finds out
Harvest logistics
Chaser bins – harvest linchpin or a luxury?
Chaser bins are established pieces of kit on the Continent, but in the UK they remain niche products and divide farming opinion on their merits. Yet, with growing concerns over soil compaction and ever increasing combine outputs, bin sales are starting to rise. Nick Wigdahl talks to two users and one non-user
Around the world
Liquid applicator for smaller vehicles / Sugar cane is still harvested by hand / Deere launches MyJohnDeere platform / Hydraulic help makes drainage easier
Report
Contractor price guide 2014
UK contractor charges
This is the National Association of Agric.Contractors’ charge guide, based on info supplied by its members last spring. The figures are ONLY A GUIDE and assume a red diesel price of 70p/litre. Prices will vary according to UK region, size of job, type of equipment used etc.
Humby Hall Estate sale
Clean kit makes top money
A complete sale of Humby Hall’s arable tackle took place at the tail end of last year and, thanks to its impeccable condition, it made some excellent prices
Go East, young man
From Bavaria to Ukraine
On 18th June 2013, a 400hp 936 Vario set out from Fendt HQ for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. We followed with a camera and crew…
Renewable energy
Going for green
Renewable energy production is now a well-established, rapidly expanding industry offering numerous opportunities for businesses. At the same time there is now an abundance of advice available for those who wish to start or invest in a renewable energy project. Andy Collings reports from the Nextgen conference recently staged at Stoneleigh Park
Technical
Tractor ballast
Care saves cash
Ploughing or deep cultivating? Real savings on diesel and faster work are around the corner if you take care over how your tractor puts power to the ground — in terms of your tyre selection, tyre pressures, tractor ballasting and weight distribution. Andrew Pearce has the details
Hobby
Agritechnica 2013 models
Small machines attract big interest
Over recent years Agritechnica has become an important event in the farm toy and model collectors’ calendar. Just like their full-size counterparts, there’s always an interesting selection of limited edition models and new models unveiled at the show, and it’s largely this that pulls in the punters. Here is David Pullen’s pick of the models
Vehicles
Land Rover Freelander 2 vs Subaru New Forester family SUVs
Old rivals renew their battle
A look at the upper end of the five-seat family 4×4 market this month, as Andrew Pearce compares and contrasts offerings from Land Rover and Subaru — a case of West meets East. So who’s the winner?
