Profi Harvest 2020

Welcome to the extra issue in the proficalendar year, our Harvest Special. We have travelled wide and far to look at what new machines are coming on the market and discovered how more unusual crops such as pumpkins are harvested for their seed. Finnish machinery makers Elho and Sampo both chose last year’s Agritechnica to preview their respective new trailed forage harvester and hybrid combine. Steven Vale has been in touch with both firms to find out more details on what they could offer you for next harvest. Our colleagues managed to catch up with the Rostselmash F2650 self-propelled chopper to see if the mix of western components and a cheaper price tag could tempt users to take the plunge. If you want to stick with something more mainstream James…

Pöttinger financials In its 2019/2020 business year, Pottinger sales amounted to €366 million, its second highest ever result. The firm points out that while this represents a 4% decrease on the previous year, it is still 3% above the two years previous. Grassland kit accounted for around 70% of total sales and arable machinery just under 30%. The spare parts business increased by 7%. Almost 60% of sales were achieved in Germany (19%), France (15%), Austria (10%), Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland. There were big sales increases in Australia and the USA. Opico owner buys Stocks Ag Stocks Ag, the Cambridgeshire-based manufacturer of agricultural wheels and applicators, was recently purchased by Opico owner James Woolway. Whilst his intention is to run Stocks Ag and Opico as two separate companies, with…

Slotting in between the A and N Series, Valtra’s new 100-135hp four-pot G range represents the first time the maker has offered five tractor ranges. Built at the Finnish plant in Suolahti, it comprises the G105 (105/110hp), G115 (115/120hp), G125eco (115/125hp), G125std (125/130hp) and the G135 (135/145hp). Sourced from AGCO’s plant in Changzhou (China), the four-cylinder 4.4-litre Stage V engine (SCR and DPF but no EGR) offers a power boost in all models at field speeds when driving in B5 or higher. The block is mated to a six-speed and four range (24f+24r) powershift. Shifting from B to C range and C to D ranges is automated and the parking brake is integrated in the powershuttle lever. The AutoTraction hill-hold function keeps the tractor stationary even on steep hills without…

The dimensions, 4.5m lift height and 1.25t payload are the same, but the Stage V engine is not the only update on Weidemann’s T4512 compact telehandler, which comes with a new cab and drive system. Yanmar still supplies the Stage V engines. There are two power options - 25hp (no after-treatment system) on the basic version and 45hp (DPF and DOC). The new ECDrive (Electric Control Drive) is claimed to increase the basic engine performance. There are four drive modes. Auto mode ensures maximum performance. In eco-mode, the engine speed reduces to 2,200rpm once the desired driving speed has been reached. The two other optional drive modes are designed for use with hydraulically-operated attachments. The smaller engine has a top speed of 20km/hr. The 45hp is available in 20km/hr or…

The Terria trailed stubble cultivator can be used for a wide range of applications from shallow stubble work to depths of 35cm. Offered in working widths of 4.0m to 6.0m and as three- (4030, 5030, 6030) and four-row (4040, 5040, 6040) models, auto-reset include the mechanical Nova (600kg trip force), or new hydraulically adjustable version (650kg trip force). Wearing parts comprise the well-known Classic, Durastar and Durastar Plus variants. A 40mm wide Durastar narrow share is also available for deep loosening. Integrating the wheels within the main frame not only results in a tight turning circle, but also reduces the length. The standard chassis is of a two-wheel design. There is also a four-wheel chassis option. The Terria comes with full hydraulic depth adjustment as standard. Available with a wide…

The twin bunker option on the two-row Keiler 2 Classic trailed potato harvester allows smaller tubers to be separated from the main crop flow. Believed to be a first for a two-row trailed machine, smaller tubers separated by the four infinitely adjustable (25-40mm) grader rollers are automatically directed to the 2.1t capacity bunker. The two bunkers, which have a combined capacity of 8.5t, can be emptied individually. The maximum unloading height is 4.2m. Added to the price lists at last November’s Agritechnica, the hydraulically powered Keiler 2 Classic has two pintle belts (four on the Keiler 2), and the picking-off table provides space for up to eight people. The harvester comes as standard with an ISObus control unit and an integrated telescopic axle that increases to track width from 3.0m…