Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Profi

Dear Reader These are worrying times for arable farmers in the UK. Uncertainty over the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (assuming it has a future), competition from the US for our domestic ethanol markets and a low harvest feed wheat price of sub-£170/t. And, on top of that, most of the UK is still desperately in need of substantial rainfall … or it was as this magazine went to press. Long gone is the time when the occasional 15mm of drizzle will be of any real benefit. A steady soaking over several days is required, and it might even be too late for that. The prospect of a droughted 6-7t/ha winter wheat crop is a distinct possibility. Against this backdrop, it’s hardly surprising that UK tractor registrations, the traditional…

APOLLO TO CLOSE TYRE PLANT Apollo Tyres NL is planning to shut its Dutch plant at Enschede with the loss of 500 jobs. The nearly 80-year-old site looks set to close by the summer of 2026. The intended decision is driven by continued high energy and labour costs in the Netherlands, a decline in demand for Vredestein ag tyres and pricing pressure from low-cost competitors. The closure is subject to consultation. Until the process concludes, the company says that production and business operations will continue as normal. It is believed that the entire production process will then be transferred to an Apollo factory in Hungary or India. DELAVAL UPDATES MILK ROBOT The latest version of the VMS V300 robot is claimed to be faster, smarter while offering more space for…

PTx Trimble says that users of the new NAV-960 GNSS guidance controller will see improvements in terms of increased uptime and reduced overlap. Designed as a successor and upgrade to the flagship NAV-900, as well as the additional processing power of the upgraded CPU, the next generation receiver is now capable of tracking more satellites. Paired with enhanced inertial sensors, this provides up to 50% improved vehicle positioning and line following performance compared to the previous version, and centimetre-level accuracy when used in combination with the company’s CenterPoint RTX or RTK correction signals. Compatible with all GFX series displays (includes the GFX-350, 1060 and 1260) the new version can also be matched with current PTx Trimble steering systems, using the same cables. Onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will make it easier…

When things get hectic on the clamp, you need reliable tools that make your life easier, not harder. And having a fork that you can easily fold to get closer to the wall when rolling, or has the ability to carry loose, short material, can make the difference of quickly clearing forage and creating a neat-sided, level clamp. Visibility The back of the fork determines the view of the fork tines and the clamp edge. Visibility on the Fliegl, JCB and Kock & Sohn was particularly good while okay on the Saphir and the ProDig and VDW. With the Bressel & Lade, you can only see the tines if you lean off the seat, as the rear of the rake is made from cut-out sheet metal; in fact, visibility was…

Based on a standard tractor and a mounted sprayer, this self-propelled sprayer was created by agricultural machinery dealer Van der Sluis from the North of Holland. The dealership began thinking of ways it could improve crop care applications for its customers 30 years ago. The five-depot dealership is surrounded by mainly vegetable and flower bulb producers who all have specific, special demands from their pesticide application equipment. For instance, with the narrow headlands, which are not used to grow vegetables or bulbs, having a machine as physically compact as possible is a priority. This is even more understandable when you learn that land prices in the area amount to €200,000/ha, so the smaller the area not making a return the better. Field sizes are also relatively small: 3.0ha is the…

When we were investigating the option of establishing our crops with a no-till drill on our 20ha of land, we quickly found that these drills were too expensive for us. And as contractors offering this service are few and far between around here, I decided to build the new drill myself. The first step was to buy sturdy double-disc coulters (340mm diam.) from Wintersteiger, which I bought online. These coulters came already installed on a coulter bar, because the previous owner had trialled them in a mid-axle configuration on a tool carrier. I fitted the coulter bank to the frame of a scrapped Lemken Achat mounted cultivator. The coulters have a downward pressure of 40-50kg, which is controlled by coil springs that are individually adjusted by refitting R-clips. The row…

BH Savidge & Son farm near Ross on Wye, grow a wide variety of crops from berries to cereals, their potato crop alone amounts to 352 hectares per year. Their planting operation was scrutinised a number of years ago in search of efficiency, the business still runs a bed tiller-destoner-planter outfit, but three seasons ago, they invested in a bed tiller and planter combination. The concept wasn’t unproven, the farm had used a three bed, bed tiller ahead of a two row planter, with success, favourable soils and few stones meant forgoing the destoner was a viable plan. And taking a tractor and operator out of the equation too. Grimme had the answer, the set-up is an off-the-peg solution… mostly, in that there isn’t a special build, the modular system…

The Exos autonomous robot is not Lely’s first foray into the world of zero grazing. Back in the 1960s, before it was decided that TMR and silage making were the way to go, farmers in some parts of Europe were feeding housed stock fresh grass and hay. Feed Express This is where the LT7 comes in. One of the leading forage wagon manufacturers in the 1950s and 1960s was the Bavarian company Dechentreiter, which was taken over by Lely in 1963. The loader wagon know-how in the Lely Trac LT7 — the pick-up, drum, four-blade cutting unit as well as the chain-and-slat floor — comes from Dechentreiter. With the nifty LT7, Lely could offer a forage express; mowing, loading, transporting and unloading were all possible with this single machine. However,…

If you have a story, or an event, please do get in touch: peterlove@madasafish.com, TEL: 01323 833125 Just to say thank you for everyone’s support for my Bodle Street Green Charity ‘Drive It Day’ event on Sunday 6 April. We had over 400 vehicles of all ages including 64 tractors and thanks to my marshals Bryn and Trevor and so many helpers we got you all in or down the road on this very tight site. Colin Anton did an excellent job with the 12 mile tractor road run and we had all cleared up and in doors by 6.30pm. By the looks of it we have raised £3,000 + from the day in aid of the Village Hall and Prostate Cancer UK. While South East Farmer magazine featured an…

On Tuesday, 11 March, Ashley Walker held its monthly collective sale at the garden centre at Lower Withington, Cheshire, just a short distance from the company’s HQ. Some 1633 lots were offered, with 54 tractors from basically three collectors. The highlight had to be the 1981 County 1184TW which had come from Haydock, sadly the owner is now in a nursing home. It looked dusty and ran, but the log book could not be found and it sold here for a good £42,000 grade 4. The other four lots from this collector also sold well with the 1998 New Holland 8260 R518PCK with 5,227 hours, £18,000. It was followed by a 1975 David Brown 1210 with loader an older restoration which raised £4,600 grade 4. Looking good was the grade…

Case IH has upped the power and tweaked the powershift at the top of the Magnum range. The new lineup comprises the 355 (390hp boosting to 410hp), 385 (417hp/435hp) and 405 (435hp, no boost). The 385 and 405 models can be specified in Rowtrac configuration. Replacing the Magnum 340 (340/375hp), 380 (379/415hp) and 400 (396/435hp), the six-pot, Stage V FPT 8.7-litre motor delivers a lot more power in the smallest model and a higher rated output in the 355. The maximum output of the 405 is on a par with the outgoing 400, but the 435hp is now available all the time. The transmission options are the same (PowerDrive (21F/5R) full powershift or CVXDrive), but the powershift box now includes brake-to-clutch that disengages the transmission when the brake pedals are…

During the photo shoot with the test 6170.4, in a quarry, the headline ‘Stone age’ briefly came to mind. After all, the Agrotron cab in terms of its basic frame is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Moreover, the Agrotron 4.95 was the first ever tractor test in profi international 3/1996. However, things have certainly moved on inside the cab of the 6170.4, which we will get to later. Our test tug is the largest of the four-model 6.4 range which stretches all the way from 96.2kW/129hp up to 127.5kW/171hp and is made in Lauingen, Germany. The 6130.4, 6140.4 and 6150.4 can come with a RVshift box (semi-powershift) or the TTV (stepless) transmission, whereas the 6170.4 has the additional option of a powershift, which is what we have here. 4…

Kuhn has shortened overall coulter length on the Venta 330 by as much as 20cm compared with on the ‘big’ Venta 3030. "This will be exciting in min-till," commented our test farmer when the power harrow combi was dropped off. Things actually proved to be exciting several times over when sowing cover crops, OSR and cereals last autumn, but not because of the coulters. Kuhn developed the Venta 100 series as a lighter alternative to the well-known Venta 1000 (driving impression profi 7/2021). We mostly used our test unit with a New Holland TVT 145 (108kW/147hp rated power). This tractor coped comfortably with the power harrow drill, which tips the scales at around 2,640kg without seed. In line with Kuhn’s naming strategy, the first ‘3’ on the 330 name stands…

Split-shaft power units, that can operate attachments as diverse as line trimmers, pole saws, hedge cutters, through to brushes, water pumps and cultivators, have the key advantage of sharing a single power unit. Additionally, because these systems can be separated into the attachment and power head, they are easier to store and transport. On top of that, purchasing one of these on its own will typically set you back far less than when purchasing each as a dedicated tool with its own power unit. A point to note is that Stihl offer a choice of AP battery powered Kombi. It also offers dedicated battery powered tools to include twin AP battery clearing saws for intensive applications. It follows these will deliver differing levels of performance to suit the application. Moreover,…

The hoses are black and the couplers silver-grey – and there is a whole bunch of them. As the number of hydraulic functions increases, so does the number of oil lines and the risk of confusing them. Ever raised the tailgate of your tandem-axle tipper instead of the body? Hardly anyone needs an introduction to the topic of the big benefit of marking up the oil lines. Today, many manufacturers will mark them by default, while suppliers such as Kennfixx are offering practical retrofit solutions. But with a little ingenuity, you can easily create you own solution, which is inexpensive, too. Our readers share their ideas on the following pages. Do you have an idea along these lines? Or on one of the upcoming topics? Please write in. COLOUR-CODED CONTROLS…

Sprayer capacity continues to grow, with a wide choice of self-propelled machines over 5,000-litres now available. The drive to maximise output in increasingly challenging conditions has to be tempered by the suitability for the farm and its terrain, with manufacturers suggesting that customers are increasingly looking to technology to help ensure that chemical – and in many cases fertiliser – gets to its target in a timely, cost-effective way. At this volume, operators have a good choice of self-propelled or trailed machines, and John Deere’s sprayer specialist Mark James comments that some farms have switched strategy to make better use of a costly tractor in recent years, and large trailed machines are on the increase, mainly at the expense of smaller sprayers. “But we do find that self-propelled machines are…

The impressive and squeaky-clean glass-fronted facility at company HQ and production site on the fringe of the Danish town of Viborg is a far cry from the dirty conditions the machines work in. We were met by David Bowman for a chat about muck and slurry related matters and a detailed tour of the production facility. With decades of experience with the TerraGator, two years ago, David, who took on the role of area sales manager for Samson Agro in the UK and Ireland, knows a thing or two about the muck spreading markets. The numbers continue to increase (slurry tanker market up 5.0% in 2024), and Samson Agro made around 1,000 machines in 2024. This comprises roughly 250 slurry tankers and a similar number of muck spreaders, plus, around…

Developed for a wide range of applications, including trailers, loading and transport vehicles, spreaders, and slurry tankers, Agriterra Ultra is engineered to establish new industry benchmarks in performance and durability. Leveraging engineering expertise, Agriterra Ultra features a newly designed structure that enhances strength and durability. This new reinforced construction minimises stress and heat buildup, ensuring greater efficiency and stability both in the field and on the road. Rigorously tested under the most demanding conditions, Agriterra Ultra not only delivers superior durability and stability but also consistently outperforms comparable competitor products, reinforcing its position as the top choice for modern agricultural needs. "Agriterra Ultra represents a significant milestone in our commitment to providing high-performing solutions. Its redesigned Ultra construction and advanced compounds ensure exceptional durability and reliability, making Agriterra Ultra the…

The safe and reliable way to buy and sell machinery and equipment Wrights Farming Register offers farmers and contractors a unique service through its team of brokers. They are the ‘men in the middle’ who give an impartial opinion on the items of machinery they handle on behalf of their clients. The brokers, who currently cover an area stretching from the Scottish borders to the South Coast, can save farmers time and money when it comes to buying or selling anything from a combine harvester to a cattle trough. In these security-conscious days, they also provide a discreet alternative to a public farm dispersal sale and can help farmers avoid the tax pitfalls these can cause. CONDITIONS CATEGORIES EXCELLENT Full working order, bright and undamaged paintwork, low usage for year.…

Tickets are valid on any day from Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th November inclusive. SCAN NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO ENTER AND WIN! Tickets offered are for one day admission on any of the specified dates. Additional admission tickets can be purchased from the show organisers. Winners will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation. SCAN ME…

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If you have not got up close to a Weidemann T4512, the first point you will note seeing one in the metal is the machine’s compact dimensions. Although it may look like a shrunken version of a ‘conventional’ telehandler, which in effect it is, the appeal goes beyond small size. Of course, a T4512 can access smaller buildings and yards, but these diminutive handlers score in their simple handling abilities. These are ‘jump in’ and go machines well-suited to handling the loads that will barely warm up a larger alternative. It is this wider appeal that has seen interest in these models increase, with many livestock users seeing them as more than just a compact alternative to a larger machine that is frequently under-utilised capacity wise. With new retail prices…

Sencrop offers a comprehensive range of modular components for recording weather data as well as irrigation management technology. Our team installed and tested a few of the company’s solutions out in the field. One thing quickly became clear: the more farms that use this technology, the more valuable the final data interpretation will be! Sencrop’s Raincrop and Windcrop units are suitable for many farms and are widely used. Raincrop records rainfall, humidity and temperature and then calls on these measurements to compute the dew point, whereas Windcrop measures wind velocity and direction. The company mounts the measuring units on a sturdy stainless-steel tripod that can be sited in the middle of the field and withstand any disruptions. Integral GPS antennas are fitted to deter thieves. The measurements are typically transferred…

A two-and-a-half-year-old John Deere 7R350 is now the prime mover on the Baker family’s farm at Gipping in central Suffolk. As well as an 800ha arable operation, unusually for Suffolk there is also a dairy enterprise which allows for slightly more diverse cropping but also means there is fodder and manure to be dealt with. Setting the scene Historically the farm had always been steadfast Massey Ferguson users, aside from a lone John Deere 3130 in the 1970s. The first of a series of changes begun in 2001 when the farmed area was virtually doubled by a contract farming agreement, and the machinery fleet was upgraded to cope with the additional workload. This saw a pair of 180hp Massey Ferguson 8240 tractors purchased. The cultivations strategy was completely plough-based, so…

To those of you who may have, inadvertently, paid any attention to my monthly offerings, I hereby offer an apology. I have, in previous issues, extolled the virtues of inspecting a second-hand machine before reaching for the chequebook, something which I still stand by as sound advice. Yet again, however, I am guilty of not practising what I preach when, just last month, I bought a tractor unseen. Last time I did such a thing the tractor in question was notably mechanical in operation with an associated reputation for longevity, hence why I rationalised that, should anything be wrong, a solution shouldn’t be beyond me and the local spanner men. And so it turned out to be, as the tractor was split without drama for brakes and clutches to bring…

JUNE 2024 COVER STORY South East Forestry INSIDE JD Richmond & Son JULY 2024 COVER STORY Fruit Focus preview INSIDE N P Seymour AUGUST 2024 COVER STORY FW Mansfield & Son INSIDE New Labour government. Fruit Focus review. Groundswell SEPTEMBER 2024 COVER STORY Incoming Government promises stability INSIDE Ploughing match fixtures OCTOBER 2024 COVER STORY Mousehall transforms into a sustainable distillery and winery INSIDE National Fruit Show preview NOVEMBER 2024 COVER STORY Charlton’s new pack-house and distribution centre INSIDE G J Elgar Construction DECEMBER 2024 COVER STORY Farmers flock to Westminster INSIDE National Fruit Show review JANUARY 2025 COVER STORY Farm construction INSIDE Charles Palmer Vineyards FEBRUARY 2025 COVER STORY South of England Farming Conference INSIDE Farm Expo 2025 preview MARCH 2025 COVER STORY Now could be the perfect time…

Tama UK Ltd, a trusted leader in the UK’s agricultural sector, proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of providing first class service and industry leading crop baling products to farmers and contractors across the country. Since its inception in 1995, Tama UK has been at the forefront of baling technology. Tama’s range of premium crop baling products is trusted by farmers and contractors, not just to ensure bales are secure, weather resistant, and easy to handle, but that all of this is delivered at a ‘cost per bale’ that enhances both productivity and profitability. Whether it’s preserving the nutritional integrity of silage or maintaining the structure of hay and straw bales, Tama’s products consistently deliver results. Over the years, Tama has been instrumental in driving innovation in the…

JUNE 2024 WHAT’S USED Kubota M7 series JULY 2024 WHAT’S USED Joskin slurry tankers AUGUST 2024 WHAT’S USED John Deere 8000 Series forage harvesters SEPTEMBER 2024 WHAT’S USED Weaving drills OCTOBER 2024 WHAT’S USED McHale V660 NOVEMBER 2024 WHAT’S USED McHale C460 DECEMBER 2024 WHAT’S USED New Holland T7 SWB JANUARY 2025 WHAT’S USED Fendt 900 Vario MT twin track FEBRUARY 2025 WHAT’S USED Manitou NewAG telehandlers MARCH 2025 WHAT’S USED Well proven tractors make sound used buy – Massey Ferguson 7700 series APRIL 2025 WHAT’S USED No fumes or fuss is a battery tool plus. Why burn timer you can turn into planks? MAY 2025 WHAT’S USED Simple mowers, simple checks – Kuhn FC314 mower conditioners Visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/farm-machinery-magazine Call the hotline 01959 543 747* *Hotline open Mon – Fri…