Tractor test

Massey Ferguson 5440 Dyna-4:

Little Red Sloping Hood

Last year Massey Ferguson subjected its 5400 tractor range to something of a shake-up, and one of the resulting newcomers was the 74kW/100hp 5440. We briefly drove this tractor in our July 2011 issue, but, as it’s one of MF’s key models for the UK and Irish markets, we reckoned it would be worth bringing it back for a full tractor test. Here are our findings

Practical test

Kuhn VBP 2160 baler/wrapper:

To infinity and beyond

Wrapping in the third dimension’ is Kuhn’s promise to buyers of its new VBP 2160 combo. We stirred from our usual two-dimensional existence to find out just what the French machinery giant means

Driving impression

New Holland T9.560:

Bring on the big boots

Many big-scale UK arable businesses prefer the rubber-tracked route when looking to transfer maximum tractor power to the ground and tread softly; for proof, just refer back to our cost management reports over the past 15 years. But what of tyres? Their technology has come on a long way over the same time period — as, incidentally, has that of articulated tractors? New Holland is an enthusiastic

Look — no Hans

Fendt GuideConnect:

By combining GPS with sophisticated control technology, Fendt can yoke moving machinery together like great-grandfather yoked his oxen. As the operator steers the tractor he’s in, a driverless tractor moves in step. We take our partners for this Gold Medal-winning waltz

Livestock equipment

Farm track reclamation and maintenance:

Take the short way home

Traffic on farm tracks has probably never been more demanding due to larger machines and, from dairy farmers, bigger dairy herds. Which means that keeping these field- to-farm routes in decent order has become increasingly important. Andy Collings studies the track reclamation scene

Used machinery

JCB 400-series Farm Master S shovels:

Master Blaster marches on

It’s nearly a decade since we last took a look at buying a used JCB articulated loading shovel. James de Havilland outlines what has changed over the intervening years and offers a general guide on what to focus on when seeking a used example of this long-serving loader

Workshop

From the workshop:

Simple solutions to perennial problems

Practical Farm Ideas’s Mike Donovan assembles another collection of farm-generated problem solvers. To feature on this page, please contact Mike via profi (editorial@profi.com) or text/telephone him on 07778 877514

Cutting the Gordian Knot

Baler mis-ties:

The needle brings the lower twine up to the knotter, on the way picking up the top twine from the tucker arm.

Machine management

In-house cultivation tweaks to bolster performance:

Cultivation evolution

Since two Cambridgeshire farms came together five years ago they have been continuously refining their combined cultivations policy. Mervyn Bailey sees how the system has evolved to increase daily outputs and reduce the time spent in the tractor seat

Around the world

Exhaustive answer to old problem Lemken sets up shop in South Africa Muck-Truck saves sweat Tough ‘tele’ for the Fendt back-end

Report

Tractors receive a custom job:

Fear no Deere but beware Krazy Kev

Not all operators are satisfied with the colour and comfort options provided by the mainstream manufacturers. Nick Wigdahl goes in search of those users who want something a little different

Cereals 2012:

Wider, taller and comfier

Improved cab comfort was just one of the themes to feature in the Sprays and Sprayers section of this year’s Cereals event. We pick out a selection of the spraying kit on display

Contractor price guide 2012/2013:

UK contractor charges

This is the National Association of Agric.Contractors’ charge guide, based on info supplied by its members this 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

Technical

20 hours for 1,361 tonnes

Claas Lexion 770 TT breaks world record:

Marketing departments love to see new output records set. Brochures, adverts, videos — the promotional opportunities are seemingly endless. Yet the catch is that most headline-making feats are achieved in unrealistic going. Last autumn Claas went to Lincolnshire to put that right…

Vehicles

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Discovery 4:

Tussle in the middle of the Pond

This month we again neatly avoid comparing like with like (in terms of price) by pitching the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee against a Land Rover Discovery 4. The reason for carrying on regardless? Both have a V6 turbodiesel and the Discovery is the larger 4×4 market leader