Tractor test

New Holland T6050 Range Command:

Busy being blue

New Holland’s T6000 is a popular enough range of tractors in the UK and Ireland, so we decided to see what a still current 93kW/127hp T6050 has been like to live with. Our ‘T’ is an especially busy bee, clocking up an annual 2,000 hours over its first three years. Mervyn Bailey reports

Practical test

Deutz-Fahr 6060 HTS combine harvester:

Tried and tested

In the market for the ultimate in high output, high-tech combining capability? That won’t be the 6060 HTS. But if you’re after a five-walker machine that takes a century of combine-building experience and spices it up with some very modern touches, then look no further

Rauch TWS 7000 and Axera-H EMC fertiliser spreader:

Big Red can spread

German Rauch equipment is handled by Kuhn Farm Machinery in the UK. Topping the spreader range is a 7,000-litre unit that takes a radically different approach, so we couldn’t resist the chance to see what it can do

Driving impression

Exclusive driving impression: AGCO E-RoGator sprayer

Four motors = 25% less fuel use

Last year US farm machinery giant AGCO showed the E-RoGator, a version of its existing self-propelled sprayer featuring a unique hybrid driveline. We travelled across the Atlantic to Florida to drive the first prototype

Driving impression: John Deere Gator XUV 855D 4×4

Better suited to a farming lifestyle

When Deere launched the Gator XUV 850D, it was the adoption of independent rear suspension that grabbed the headlines. Now its replacement is on sale, the Gator 855D. James de Havilland takes a pre-production model for a quick spin in Oxfordshire

Exclusive driving impression: MF 5440

Modest in size and optimised in design

Four new models set Massey Ferguson up to take on the 80-100hp four-cylinder opposition. We couldn’t refuse the chance to drive a 74kW/100hp 5440, ahead of it being shipped across from France to the UK and Ireland

Livestock equipment

Merlo Multifarmer telehandler with rear linkage and pto:

Jack of all tasks, master of some

A telescopic materials handler with a three-point linkage and pto is an interesting concept, the mention of which incites debate and divides opinion. Surely, it can be no more than a ‘master of some’? Andy Collings reports

Used machinery

Grégoire Besson Discordon stubble cultivators:

Proven French legs continue to dig deep

Launched way back in 1992, the Grégoire Besson Discordon disc cultivator is now offered in widths of up to 7.2m in the UK and comes with a choice of disc size and tine leg designs. What are the other relevant developments when seeking out a used machine, asks James de Havilland

Workshop

From the workshop:

Simple solutions to perennial problems

Reflecting what is a busy time of year for all farmers, this batch of low-cost ideas contains items that should be of interest to arable and livestock businesses. Mike Donovan sits in the compiler’s chair and, as always, is very keen to hear from anyone who would like to feature in these pages. Mike’s details are at the bottom of page 39

Lincoln central lubrication:

Easy greasing

Want to know how Lincoln’s central lubrication system works, how to look after it and what to do if something goes wrong? Andrew Pearce passes on the low-down from the company’s technical engineering manager, Chris Gregory

Around the world

Tyre costs in the limelight High-horse Fendts head to US Deere importer switches allegiance to Landini and McCormick No-till planting for small-scale farmers

Report

Grassland and Muck 2011:

Heavy metal gobbles up light demo grass

Much of the talk at this year’s Grassland and Muck demo was of the shortage of rain, dusty ground conditions and serious lack of grass at the event site in Warwickshire. Nonetheless, the kit manufacturers still managed to put on quite a show. Mervyn Bailey and Andrew Faulkner pick out some of the hardware highlights

Updated contractor price guide 2011:

UK contractor charges

The UK-based National Association of Agricultural Contractors has updated its guide of contractor charges for 2011 based on info from its members. They 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

Cereals 2011:

Fingers crossed for an easy harvest

Cautious optimism best sums up the pervading mood at this year’s Cereals Event, from where Mervyn Bailey and Andrew Faulkner provide the following round-up of just some of the arable machinery highlights on display

Electronics

Claas CEMOS:

Electronic aid speaks operator’s language

Claas scooped a gold medal at Agritechnica in 2009 for its CEMOS combine operator assistance system, and, over the following harvest, independent trials duly provided practical proof of the potential that it can offer to users. Here we find out what this electronic adviser does and how it works