Tractor test

Tractor test: McCormick X60.50

X marks the spot?

In the UK the CX range was McCormick’s bread and butter product until it was replaced last year by the X60 series. We took an initial tour around the X60 in our May 2011 issue, but now it’s time to put the range’s 82kW/112hp X60.50 flagship, complete with an Xtrashift transmission, through the rigorous profi tractor test

Practical test

Ausa, Giant, JCB and Weidemann handlers compared

Small is beautiful

Do you really need a full-sized telehandler for loading tasks around your farm? The current crop of compact machines suggests that for many routine jobs, small can be genuinely beautiful

Driving impression

Amazone UX11200 trailed sprayer

Spraying in the premier league

While the UK is still coming to terms with running 6,000-litre trailed sprayers, there are other parts of Europe where there’s demand for even more spraying capacity. This has prompted Amazone to develop the UX11200 model, complete with its colossal 12,000-litre spray tank. We take a closer look

Spraying in the premier league

Amazone UX11200

While the UK is still coming to terms with running 6,000-litre trailed sprayers, there are other parts of Europe where there’s demand for even more spraying capacity. This has prompted Amazone to develop the UX11200 model, complete with its colossal 12,000-litre spray tank. We take a closer look

Livestock equipment

Frost protection on a livestock farm

Mind the power of Jack Frost

Sub-zero temperatures, biting winds and poorly insulated water pipes — a recipe, if there ever was one, for burst pipes, massive inconvenience and what could be an enormous repair bill. Andy Collings takes a walk on the cold side and discovers how to avoid winter disasters

Used machinery

Kubota RTV 900 utility vehicle

Industrial build comes to the country

With its hydrostatic transmission and standard power steering, the nominal 22hp diesel Kubota RTV 900 was unique in the utility vehicle sector when it was launched in 2005. More than seven years later, essentially the same vehicle remains the only one in its class with hydro drive. But does this transmission make the RTV 900 a risky used buy? James de Havilland reports

Workshop

From the workshop

Simple solutions to perennial problems

For most farmers, 2012 is a year they’d prefer to forget — even if the boggy ground conditions are doing their utmost to prevent that from happening anytime soon. Still, why not take your mind off what’s going on outside by heading into the workshop and knocking up something special to welcome in the New Year? Here are more ideas from our own in-house optimist, Mike Donovan

Fit and use abrasive wheels

A rolling stone… takes no prisoners

Angle grinders and their bench-mounted brethren can do you serious harm if not treated right. Andrew Pearce went to St Gobain — the maker of Flexovit and Norton products — to find out how to fit and use abrasive wheels safely. Paul Gray and John Griffiths act as guides

Machine management

Self-propelled ‘bio’ spreaders in the South East

There is money in muck

Covering an area that stretches from Dover to Oxford (more than 120 miles) is all part of the workload challenge for FGS Agri when it comes to the spreading of sewage sludge. But there’s much more to this firm than just the running of specialist applications kit, as Mervyn Bailey finds out

Around the world

Time to try aerial application?

Think differently about weight

Report

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

Noise level measurement

Looking after your ears

Loud noise wears you down. One place that racket definitely isn’t welcome — particularly today — is in the cab, whether on a tractor, forager or combine. Measuring noise level is an essential part of profi tests, and here’s how it’s done

Vehicles

SsangYong Korando vs VW Tiguan

Looking to make a splash

In the market for a 2.0-litre diesel off-roader that can still accommodate a family? Here are two compact SUVs — one established, the other brand new — to get you started. Andrew Pearce sees how they drive