Tractor test

Tractor test: John Deere 5100M

Economy spec for baby Deere

For John Deere in the UK and Ireland the 5M is the jewel in its sub-100hp crown. This tractor family offers owners a mix of key creature comforts, but stops short of providing the higher spec items that are rightly reserved for the premium 5R. To see what the lower spec 5M is like to live with, we put a 74kW/100hp/98.8PS 5100M model through our in-depth test

Practical test

Överum VariFlex EX 51080H mounted plough

A very substantial Swede

After two seasons’ work behind different tractors, it’s time to pull together our thoughts on Överum’s variable-width five-furrow reversible

Amazone, Hardi, Vicon, Lemken, Vogel & Noot

Mounted sprayers compared

In the first part of this practical test we concentrate on the design and spec options of five popular mounted sprayers. Next month we’ll look at their operation in the field

Driving impression

Honda Foreman TRX500FE ATV

What, no power steering?

Once you’ve ridden an ATV with power steering, reverting to non-assisted bars can be a real chore. So why did Honda decide against offering power steering on its 475cc Foreman TRX500FE? James de Havilland investigates

JCB Loadall 541-70 Agri Super

Change is in the air

When installing its Stage IIIB/Tier 4i engines in the larger Loadall and TM models, JCB used the opportunity to do some fettling — in part to address previous niggles, but also to improve overall performance and save on juice. We take a closer look to see what else is different

Livestock equipment

Robotic milking

Suit you, sir?

Far from being universally adopted, robotic milking remains something of a niche system and certainly isn’t for everyone. Andy Collings visits a farm that has recently reduced its cow numbers so a robotic set-up could be installed

Used machinery

Claas Arion 600 six-cylinder tractors

The Arion call

For clarification purposes Claas divided its nominal 120 to 160hp six-cyl Arion tractor series into three lines: the entry-level C, and the more advanced CIS and CEBIS. Yet for the used Arion buyer these are far from the only specification differences to note, as James de Havilland discovers

Workshop

From the workshop

Simple solutions to perennial problems

Tips on the tines, fans in the roof, a scraper brush for the floor…. Plenty, then, to stir the grey matter of those with a mechanical bent. Conversely, should you have an idea of your own and be looking to inspire others, please do get in touch with this page’s compiler, Mike Donovan. Mike’s details appear in the box opposite

Reviving a cordless tool power pack

Old fiddle, new tunes

Once a cordless power tool’s battery pack dies, that’s usually the end of it. And maybe the end of the tool too, depending on its original cost, present condition and the state of any other battery pack(s). But the recycling bin isn’t the only option for end-of-life batteries, as Andrew Pearce discovers

Grease guns

Choose your weapon

A grease gun can be a wonderful tool for delivering frustration. Must that always be so? Andrew Pearce runs a rule over a bunch of different-price units — from Abnox Wanner, Alemite, McNaught, Spaldings and a mystery no-name model (see the ‘Brands and Costs’ panel)

Machine management

Pick and mix silage operation

One man and his wagon

Finding new ways to pay the bills is always a challenge and one that David Roberts faced when he took over the reins of the family farm, near Milford Haven. While silage contracting brought in some welcome cash, difficulties with sourcing reliable labour and coping with an ageing machinery fleet meant something had to change. Mervyn Bailey reveals why the switch to a wagon is making a real

Around the world

Goodbye to good times for Australian tractor market High-clearance sprayer from Peake New Holland brings back the Genesis Police officers are our best friends

Report

Telehandler guide 2013

Our guide to agricultural telehandlers on offer in the UK. In the ‘Hydraulics’ column: F = fixed flow pump; V = variable flow demand response pump and valving; litres/min. ‘Engine’ column: power and engine make. ‘Drive’ column: speeds; H = hydrostatic; MS = manual box and torque converter; PS = powershift with torque converter

Contractor price guide 2013/2014

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

The plough

A tweak here, a tap there

As we head into what’s likely to be a frantic crop establishment autumn, timely tips on setting up a six-furrow reversible plough come from Lemken UK. Andrew Pearce takes charge of words and pictures

Vehicles

Ford Ranger vs Isuzu D-Max double-cab pick-ups

Ranger takes it to the Max

Double-cab pick-ups from Ford and Isuzu line up for this month’s vehicle test. Andrew Pearce wheels out the tape measure to find out which of these two commercials is better equipped for everyday life down on the farm