Profi November 2020

Editor, profi international There are some big changes to the dealer landscape in Scotland and northern England at the moment. Perhaps it is a result of manufacturers having constant Teams meetings that is resulting in such upheaval with some longstanding franchise holders and other relatively younger partnerships not marrying up with future goals for either side. Probably the biggest surprise has been the announcement that HRN Tractors is saddling up with Kubota for its agricultural range in all depots while the construction and groundcare products will be offered in more selected areas. Of course, it is worth noting that the Scottish dealer has also tapped into a wider Kverneland area with this move. It has long been rumoured that Kubota is one to watch, it is gaining a stronger footing…

LELY TESTS AUTONOMOUS ZERO GRAZING CONCEPT The Exos is believed to be the first concept that autonomously zero grazes, loads and feeds fresh grass. The technical details are under wraps, but we can reveal the electrically-powered vehicle, which can work 24 hours a day, constantly monitors the percentage of fresh grass in the ration and also collects field data. Already working on test farms, the goal with the first prototypes is to collect as much information as possible about autonomously harvesting grass. Lely plans to further develop the concept during the next few years and is also investigating using it to apply liquid fertilisers. It is not known how much the autonomous vehicle will cost or when it will be commercially available. OPICO BRINGS CHRONO TO THE UK Following comprehensive field…

The coronavirus has hampered progress, but the Fendt plant at Marktoberdorf is on target to produce more than 18,700 new tractors this year. Short of the long-standing target of 20,000 in 2020, and down on the peak of 18,940 units in 2019, it is still a satisfactory number in this challenging Covid year. Speaking at the international press launch of the 200 Vario, Momentum planter and 1100 Vario MT tracked tractors from the Fendt Forum in Marktoberdorf, managing director Christoph Gröblinghoff of Fendt EME (Europe, Middle East), forecasts a roughly 6.0% decline in overall tractor sales in the region from 171,000 in 2019 to around 160,000 units this year. Some 16,700 of this year’s Fendt tractor production was delivered to customers in the EME region, where Fendt claims a 10.5% share…

KEY POINTS ▶ Both the 5075E and 5075M are in the 75hp segment. ▶ The open-platform version of the 5E costs about £4,983 less than the cabbed variant. ▶ In comparison, the 5E is more nippy, whereas the 5075M feels like a lot more tractor. Generally, the pages of profi are filled with 120hp-plus tractors, but there's still a sizeable market for sub-100hp machines. Add a front loader, and their versatility is increased to deal with a myriad of tasks, even on the largest estates. We pitted the mid-class 5075M against the open-platform 5075E. And it's not just the features that differentiate these two; there's also quite a chasm in price, £13,858 separating the pair. Same engine Both tractors utilise the same three-cylinder, PowerTech 2.9-litre block. The 5075M is the…

KEY POINTS ▶ The 4AX has a simple design but impresses with its automatic boom control and quick folding. ▶ Upgraded with a permanent system clean, single nozzle control and automatic section control, this trailed sprayer is still well loaded with spec. ▶ The filling and suction capacity of the induction hopper are average. When Horsch Leeb started selling trailed sprayers, it was with the high-spec, stainless steel tank GS, this was later joined by the plastic tank LT but it was just not hitting the right note for the 24m boom segment, which is where the 4AX slots in. Today, Horsch sells around 100 trailed sprayers into the UK and Ireland with all of the 4AX machines landing in the UK coming with a 24m boom, while Irish growers…

KEY POINTS ▶ The front mower has undergone detailed improvements. ▶ The 7100T BX is the firm’s first ISObus-controlled mower. ▶ Issues with the hydraulic rams have been eliminated. There is a growing demand for triple mowers as on-farm horsepower rises, with these wider working machines enabling farmers and contractors to drop a lot of grass quickly to optimise sugar levels and wilt times. One such combination is the Vicon Extra 732FT front and 7100T BX rear mower conditioner set-up, which we have been putting through its paces this season. The test unit came kitted out with Vicon's BX grouper, which wasn't installed on the rear mowers in our 2018 driving impression. Changes to front mower detail The Extra 700FT unit is seen as more of a progression of the…