Sommaire pour November 2024 de Profi

Given the atrocious weather we've had throughout this year, it felt rather bizarre to be walking around the Irish National Ploughing Championships in glorious sunshine in mid-September. For those unfamiliar with what has been the main farming show in Ireland, it nearly always rains. To quote Forest Gump: “We’ve been through every kind of rain. There’s a little bit of stinging rain, big old fat rain, rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.” The better Ploughing weather seemed to help lift farming spirits, even for those who opted to stay at home and make the most of the fine spell. And for those that did attend, along with the countless hordes of students (if just half of them decide to follow…

SINGLE-SPEED AVANT 800 Lifting significantly more than the Avant 755, the next largest single-speed model, the 855i shares its Stage V Kohler engine and most other components with the 860i, the two-speed flagship in the 800 series. The newcomer also has the same lift capacity and height as the 860i. Where it differs is with the new Poclain single-speed (625cc) drive motors. Reaching a top speed of 15km/hr, the 855i is said to be ideal for users wanting the lift capacity, height and strong pulling forces of the 800 series, but do not want to pay extra for speed if they do not need it. Prices have yet to be released. LASKI KIT FOR BEN BURGESS Products brought to the UK by new Laski importer Ben Burgess include stump grinders,…

MCHALE F5 BALERS Fusion 4 features have made their way to the revamped F5 line up of fixed chamber balers – F5-540 (non-chopping), F5-550 (15 knife, semi-auto), F5-560 (25 blade, fully auto) and F5-560 Plus (film binding). These include the ProfiFlow adaptive pick which includes the tapered side augers for better crop flow. There is also the larger diameter rotor and sprockets with the option of a 1,000rpm gearbox instead of the standard 540rpm unit. Swapping between grass and straw is now done from the control box, increasing the bale size from 1.25 to 1.30m. Another operator improvement includes the quick attach pick up wheels and a larger oil tank. On the 560 and 560 Plus, ISObus controls are standard and depending on how it is connected, the unblock sequence…

Kuhn launched its first high-output hydraulic rake, the GA13031, over 20 years ago. Replaced by the second generation GA13131 in around 2011, this ‘gen 2’ variant shared the same working widths of between 8.50m and 12.50m as the original model, with advances to include easier set-up and reduced weight. In 2023, the GA13231 as tested here arrived alongside a wider GA15231 variant. The latter will work up to 14.70m but both it and the GA13231 are based around the same design as earlier models. Following our initial driving impression, Kuhn left the GA13231 with us so we could put it through more intense operation. This enabled us us to work in broad range of fields and crop densities. For the bulk of the test, we used the rake at its…

The main advantages of a pneumatic fertiliser spreader are obvious, but the big one is the ability to throw even questionable quality fertiliser more accurately across wider widths — even in strong winds. The multiple sections also mean better control on uneven headlands and corners, and, if we think even further ahead, there may be the ability to alter the rate applied by each section. On the other hand, the machine is much more complex, which of course is reflected in the price — not to mention wear and tear as well as the additional cleaning. Using the tandem sprayer as a model Having put a lot of work into developing the large TD trailed tandem axle sprayer (profi 10/2021), Horsch Leeb was now being asked by these sprayer customers…

Holmer has been making self-propelled slurry tankers for some time now, its Terra Variant ranging from the ‘small’ 435 with hydrostatic drive and 16m³ tank to the 650 with power-split transmission and 21m³ Zunhammer technology. For such a specialist machine to pay its keep, it needs to have plenty of work to do. While it can be busy applying slurry ahead of maize sowing, there is no glut of work until it comes time to incorporate digestate in stubbles, especially if you haven’t any grassland in the roster. Extending workload The SecatFlex SL is an in-house development, with the eight-row unit tipping the scales at around 2.1 tonnes. The ten-row implement weighs in at 2.3 tonnes. This weight hints at the amount of steel in the large frame with its…

No matter how well conceived, even the modern tractor is never perfect when it rolls out of the factory. There are always a number of details that can be tweaked and improved to make day-to-day work easier — whether it’s routing electric wires, moving sockets or adding work lights. We received lots of tips from owners of both the older and new generation short and longwheelbase CNH models. NO MORE RATTLING The cubbyhole in front of the steering wheel on Puma models is ideal for storing drinks. However, the bottles aren't supported and end up wobbling and rattling around. Paul Menz has a solution to this problem: he made a holder from a Styrodur, a type of polystyrene foam that has been shaped to exactly fit the cubbyhole. It can…

The new Agras T50 drone from Chinese manufacturer DJI takes off with a sonorous hum plus a cargo of clover seed on board that it was going to spread on waterlogged grassland. But it is not just seed that the T50 can spread; it can also handle 0.5 to 5mm diameter granules when in its broadcasting mode. The spreading set-up is pretty simple: A dosing aperture and an electrically driven spreading disc are attached to the drone’s little hopper. Depending on what you are applying and how high you are flying, this can spread up to 10m wide. For our particular job, contractor Jan Schmidt opted for a width of 6.0m. The 75-litre hopper is an option to replace the 40-litre solution tank. When swapping, the hopper/tank is simply lowered…

Horlacher is a contracting firm that offers agricultural services 70km around the village of Untermünkheim in Baden-Württemberg, between Stuttgart and Nuremberg. Much of the German firm’s work involves the spreading of carbon lime from the Südzucker factory in nearby Offenau. Three variants Since 1982, the Horlachers have been relying on a couple of tractors with spreaders and a wheeled or telescopic loader for this lime work. “This made us efficient, but we always required three drivers and two tractors,” explains Michael Horlacher. As a key part of his agricultural studies at the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, he used his bachelor’s thesis to examine the lime application service. He was particularly interested in Siwi’s quick-coupling system, which converts the job into a one-man, one-tractor operation … just as Bedfordshire-based MJ…

By now you should all be well acquainted with my machinery acquisition policies and the perhaps over-ripe fruit it may bear. ‘Careful’ would be a polite way of describing things. But what if I thought ‘To hell with it’ and got myself signed up to finance something with the plastic still on the seat and virginal PDI cardboard on the floor? There are a certain few of us who, through good fortune, brains or hard graft, are blessed with the financial credentials to simply purchase whatever machine they like without the assistance of creditors or Hire Purchase schemes. Meanwhile, the rest of us usually have a decision to make — push for new or settle for used. New Pros + Everything works. And if not, the warranty should keep you…

V FOR VARIABLE AS TOUGH AS F FOR FIXED? In 2009, McHale launched its variable chamber V660 baler. For a company that had long promoted the virtues of a fixed chamber roller baler, this was a bold but ultimately successful move, with V660 and subsequent V series selling strongly. Here we look at the ‘chopper’ V660 and its direct successor, the V6750. MCHALE V660 Year: 2009 Condition: Sound Bale count: 72,000 Comment: Hydraulic brakes. Full dealer preparation. Entry level dealer price. Price point: £11,950 MCHALE V660 Year: 2015 Condition: Good Bale count: 43,000 Comment: Three belts. Hydraulic brakes. Manual greasing. Price point: £15,950 MCHALE V660 Year: 2016 Condition: Good Bale count: 36,000 Comment: Single belt. Hydraulic brakes. Manual greasing. Dealer prepared. Price point: £22,950 Before taking a look at the…

OCTOBER 2023 COVER STORY Sarah Calcutt INSIDE National Fruit Show preview, ploughing match results NOVEMBER 2023 COVER STORY Perry Court Farm INSIDE Vineyard & Winery Show, The Golden Boot, JD Richmond & Son DECEMBER 2023 COVER STORY The Oaks Poultry Farm INSIDE National Fruit Show review, End of year property review JANUARY 2024 COVER STORY Springham Farm INSIDE Vineyard & Winery Show, CLM, Farm Construction FEBRUARY 2024 COVER STORY Supply chain pressures INSIDE Farm Expo preview MARCH 2024 COVER STORY Lambing at Hadlow College INSIDE Wiltshires APRIL 2024 COVER STORY SOES INSIDE Farm Expo preview M&A Brown & Sons MAY 2024 COVER STORY Protest highlights challenges facing farmers INSIDE Southern Farmers JUNE 2024 COVER STORY South East Forestry INSIDE JD Richmond & Son JULY 2024 COVER STORY Fruit Focus preview…

Farmers have been urged to prioritise safety after figures revealed that 27 people were killed in Britain’s agricultural industry, including two in the south east, in 2023/24. The figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) related to fatalities logged under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) over the past year. The sector encompasses forestry and fishing as well as agriculture. “The number of fatalities serves as a stark reminder for anyone involved in agriculture that safety must always be a top priority,” said Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Management Services. “While accidents can happen, many are preventable. It is crucial to implement and maintain rigorous safety protocols, which may include regular training, the proper use of equipment and strictly adhering to all safety guidelines. In…

New Holland used the recent AgroTechniek Holland (ATH) farm machinery show to preview a model from the revamped range of T5 Dual Command tractors. There are no changes to the engine, transmission and model numbering, but there is fresh exterior styling, courtesy of the restyled engine hood, front and side grilles and new decals. All models can run on larger R38 tyres, rear lift capacity is up to 4.7t and hydraulic flow has risen to 82l/min. Main changes within the six-post cab include the new steering column and digital display. The U-shaped exhaust improves visibility and there are upgraded work- and headlights (optional LED package). Brake-to-neutral is standard, and a new auto differential lock and auto 4wd engagement simplifies headland turns. New on the options list is a mechanically suspended…

With a capacity from 2,200 to 2,400l, the Progress TF is claimed as the first capable of managing up to four hoppers, all controlled through a single ISObus interface. Allowing the simultaneous management of four different products, distributed through two independent air circuits, flow rate from the pressurised pneumatic circuit (hoppers are not pressurised) is up to 60kg/min, and the wide opening cover is said to simplify filling and maintenance. Road safety played an important role during the development and the sloping cover maximises the operator’s view to the front. Two side cameras increase visibility at road junctions and there are numerous work lights. Options include a twin-wheel front packer, and the new front hopper can also be equipped with the French firm’s EDrive system. Additionally, with the new CCI…

Suitable for slurry and digestate, Tramspread’s newly-launched nurse tanks are available in capacities of 45m³, 70m³ and 90m³. A product not previously offered by the company, but one it has been asked for, the design uses an individual hydraulic lift and lower axle with hydraulic suspension and full air braking. The wheels are recessed into each side, and the hydraulically-pivoting drawbar is said to be handy when negotiating awkward gateways or positioning the tank in uneven ground. Standard spec includes a plexiglass sight gauge, internal and external aluminium access ladders, LED lights and beacon, reflectors and 385/65 R22.5 tyres. The tanks are supplied with one 6” or 8” blind flange. Sump access is optional. Prices start from £30,000 (plus delivery) for the basic 45m³ model.…

SAFE WHEEL The Safe Structure Wheel offers all the benefits of cage wheels, but with the added benefit that it can be left on the tractor when travelling on the road. Developed by Dutch firm Jacotech, it comprises a series of steel plates hinged to a twin ring arrangement. Three hydraulic cylinders push the outer ring out by some 80cm where the steel thread plates assume a horizontal position. For different scenarios other thread plates provide more tractive force when ploughing on-land and rubber versions are available for grassland. Suitable for use with all rear tyre sizes, the patent pending solution weighs around 500kg and is expected to cost approx. €5,000. The first units will be delivered next spring. The company is also exploring the possibility of fitting the system…

Slotting in between the Cayros XS and the Cayros XS Pro, the Teres plough is available in different versions as a four-, five- or six-furrow. The furrow width can be bolt-adjusted or hydraulic, and overload protection is either mechanical or hydraulic. Our vari-width five-furrow test Teres 300V had shearbolt leg protection as well as the combi support set-up and comfort hydraulics. Uncluttered front end The headstock has two slotted and one fixed hole for attaching the top link. Flanged Cat III/III N and IV N pins are available for the lower links, which are equipped with clamping cones from Walterscheid. These links can be mounted in two positions: either close to the tractor to reduce the effort needed to lift up the plough or farther back, which noticeably increases the…

Kioti launched its 73hp RX7330 back in 2016, this model seeing some detail changes such as the engine going through three generations to meet Stage V emission regs. The RX8040 has much the same running gear and hydraulics as its predecessor so is it just a case of ‘old wine in new bottles’ then? Part yes, but not quite. Kioti has managed to ‘modernise’ the RX without taking away key attractions to include an outline spec well-suited to those looking for a simple tractor but without the basic spec that can compromise operator comfort. Although Kioti does not enjoy the bigger sales volumes of sector leaders like CNH, AGCO and John Deere in the UK and Ireland, it has seen a growing presence in both the amenity and municipal sectors.…

Considering how Claas has such a major presence in the green harvest market, its bigger tedder offering has been lacking. However, this changes with the introduction of the Volto TS range, which, for now, consists of just two working widths, 13.0m and 15.1m, the 1300T and 1500T. Yet there are hopes that the new trailed tedder chassis can be utilised for even wider models in the Volto range. From the nose The Volto T does look a much more meaty machine, and that starts at the drawbar. While the old model was carried on the lift arms, the newcomer is hitch-mounted either using a 40/50mm pin or a K80 spoon. A multi-hole arrangement allows you to optimally match it with the height of tractor. The parking stand on the left…

To drill maize crops efficiently and cost effectively, we decided to put together a combi drill using our new Lemken Zirkon 8 power harrow and a rather older Monosem drill. But we had to make the following modifications: ● On the power harrow, add lower links that could couple to the drill. ● Extend the top link. ● Install a hydraulically powered pto unit to drive the maize drill. ● Fit a sensor on the hydraulic drive to check it’s turning. ● Add an over-run slip clutch between the hydraulic drive and the fan. The link arms are attached to the front of the roller frame. Support cables connect the arms to the power harrow headstock. These cables then transfer the weight of the drill to the headstock, so the…

The free, basic program version can be used to monitor plant growth in each selected field, relying on satellite images from the Sentinel-2 satellites and calculating the vegetation index NDVI. The results are used to generate a coloured map with a pixel size 10 times 10m. If you want more features, then you need to register for the Pro version of the web app. You can then test the Pro functions free of charge in up to three fields for two weeks. This includes generating application maps with control strips, yield analysis and soil maps that also show the sampling points. After the free trial, OneSoil charges an annual fee of €5 to €6 per hectare. This fee is only for the selected fields you have enabled and retrieved the…

PRACTICAL TEST Horsch Leeb 1.4CS Who'd have thought 10 years ago that Horsch Leeb would ever build a mounted sprayer? Read how the 1.4CS, fitted with a 21m boom, performed in our practical test. REPORT Harvesting in the GDR In July, a special harvest event took place on the Hohenfinow Estate in Germany. It was a throwback to the times of the GDR, with several Fortschritt combines working their way across the field. DRIVING IMPRESSION JCB Loadall 514-40 A 4.0m lift height with compact dimensions and a large cab. We give the little Loadall a run. PRACTICAL TEST Fendt ErgoSteer Could steering by stick make for the ideal loader tractor? The new ErgoSteer joystick system gets the profi test treatment. DRIVING IMPRESSION Volvo L25 Electric Volvo has dropped the diesel…

Rob Burr describes himself as “not a gambling man”, but risking 1,500 Euros on the drawings for a range of quality vineyard equipment when the Italian manufacturer ceased trading proved to be a good bet. The investment resulted in a Dropbox link to 2,500 technical plans for a range of machinery that Rob knew from experience was some of the best on the market. Using his own expertise to make a number of improvements, he now includes those pieces of equipment amongst the Voxx Machinery range he manufactures at Marden in Kent. “It was a bit of a gamble,” he confessed. “When I knew the company was going out of business, I emailed the address on the website and asked if I could buy the drawings. I didn’t get a…

The South of England Agricultural Society’s 2024 Farming Conference will take place on Wednesday 13 November, at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex. It will address the question, ‘What is our land for?’ This year’s event, which will take place in person and online, will be led by Charlotte Smith, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today. It will feature an in-depth discussion with a panel of distinguished guests, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities related to land use in the South East of England. As always, the conference will conclude with a Q&A session, providing ample time for audience interaction and debate. Talking about this year’s subject, Duncan Rawson, a Nuffield Scholar sponsored by the Society, and chair of the conference organising committee, said: “The…

A new foundation has been launched to support and improve the mental health of those living and working in rural and agricultural communities and try to reduce the number of suicides across the industry. Although focusing on supporting people in Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, the founders of The Rural Communities Mental Health Foundation have said it will extend its services to people from other counties who reach out for help. The co-founders of the charity, Kate Scott and Lewis Hunter, are from farming backgrounds and have been directly affected by suicide, giving them an understanding of the impact of losing a loved one in such circumstances. They were inspired in part by statistics that show the suicide rate for male farm workers is three times the male national average and…

The challenge of moving a big tractor on dual wheels along narrow village roads prompted our long-term test owner to purchase the Axion 960 TT. Arriving on the arable farm in spring 2021, the main jobs included pulling a Horsch Terrano and a Bednar Terraland subsoiler. For shallow cultivations, the Terrano is used to its full working width of 6.50m, but then for any deeper work down to 25cm, the wing extensions are removed from the machine making it 4.80m. The original plan was also to have the tracked tractor pull the fertiliser spreader and sprayer as well as the chaser bin whenever conditions required a large footprint. And the Axion Terra Trac certainly has plenty of contact area: the 735mm wide tracks and 710/60 R34 front wheels combine to…

Pasture topping: We are not going to get into the old debate of tidying up grazed grassland with a rotary topper versus a disc or drum mower. There’s infinite space on the internet for that to and fro conversation, which no doubt will never reach a definite conclusion. For those in the pasture topper camp, Teagle has this intriguing option of its rear-mounted offset Topper 8 model working together with a reconfigured inline Topper 9 unit on the front linkage. It’s not alone in offering such a front/rear outfit, but the real eyebrow raiser is the cost of this combination, which on-farm is less than £9,000. Yeah, that’s right: 4.9m of cutting width for sub-£9k! Now, we'd be steering you down the wrong path to suggest that these units could…

Time flies when you're … it’s almost a decade since Grimme introduced its first precision seeder following the acquisition of Kleine. Now the second generation is about to appear. The number of planter rows won't change (12 and 18) and neither will the 45, 48 and 50cm row widths. Three model lines But, from now on, Grimme will distinguish between two model lines: the entry Matrix and a high-end Matrix Pro. We were in the field with the simpler of the two versions, which is pitched at those doing their own work or contractors who only have to deal with uniform, consistent soils. These machines come with mechanical springloaded coulter pressure adjustment. There are no longer pre-emergence markers, as tramlines will be created by the hydraulic rams that control the…

An early heads up - Kverneland Exacta Geospread twin-disc fertiliser spreaders are also branded in Vicon and currently less common Kubota colours, a point to note if you are on the hunt for a particular spreader specification. It is the Geospread models we look at mainly here but ‘mechanical’ Exacta variants share the same core spreading elements so much of what follows will also apply to these as well (also see profi used machinery, Vicon RotaFlow 03/2017). As Kverneland, Vicon and Kubota branded models are essentially all the same, you can cross reference alternative equivalents once you have established the key spec and models on offer. As a starting point, Kverneland disc spreaders fall into two broad categories: Mechanical adjustment Exacta EL, CL, HL with hydraulic on/off via spool valve.…

Spreading fertiliser products along field boundaries demands precision, even more so where there is a watercourse or public path or road. But achieving this with a broadcaster can be tricky: not only is each type of fertiliser different, but there can also even be variations in each batch of fertiliser that impact its flight characteristics. Granule size, hardness, surface roughness and number of smaller granules in the batch are some of the physical parameters that have a strong influence on distribution — especially along field edges. Bear in mind that nitrogen and phosphorus are much more relevant for the environment and legislators when compared to fertilisers containing sulphur, potassium and lime, for example … although it is obviously in every farmer’s interest to apply these costly inputs in the fields…

Maize has become in important crop in recent years for H C Beales, a family faming partnership based in Norfolk. Alongside 2,500ha of cereals, the business grows 2,000-2,500ha of maize for bioenergy supplier Future Biogas, including the majority of the company’s crop in Norfolk. “I purchased a third share in a forager when the Methwold AD plant was commissioned, and our maize enterprise developed from there,” recalls managing partner, Charles Saffell. Now H C Beales is responsible for drilling, growing and harvesting maize on land which is rented from local farmers by Future Biogas alongside one feedstock agreement on its own land. The season starts with cultivations – Charles suggests that conventional seedbeds still provide better results than strip-till or other techniques – before drilling with a Väderstad Tempo, preferred…

Kubota (UK) has extended its range of Kubota Care tractor warranty and aftercare packages to include 1,000 hours of servicing with all new M7003 models purchased before 31 December 2024. This latest promotion, alongside 0% finance and a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, contributes to lowering the total cost of ownership for those customers looking to make the change to a Kubota M7003 tractor. The M7003 series offers three models – M7-133, M7-153 and M7-173. Power outputs from the EU Stage V emissions compliant, 6.1 litre four cylinder engine are 130hp, 150hp and 170hp respectively, with a 20hp boost on the two lower powered models, and a 5hp boost for the flagship M7-173. Transmission options include the stepless KVT or a powershift gearbox that uses six powershift speeds in five synchronised ranges.…