Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Profi

Just as this magazine arrives in your letterbox, (and by the way, thanks for subscribing), we'll be running around the show behemoth that is Agritechnica 2023. You can view the latest news from the exhibition at profi.co.uk, and we'll have a full written report within the January magazine on the new machines you can expect to see rolling off production lines next year. No doubt ISObus will be a major talking point for many manufacturers, especially now TIM (tractor implement management) is becoming more widespread. This could be judged as a sort of test bed or stepping stone, depending on how cynical you are, for fully autonomous machines, as the implement and tractor talk to each other to determine the current load and whether the forward speed or another parameter…

GRÉGOIRE BESSON AND MASCHIO GASPARDO The French and Italian family businesses have entered into a strategic partnership, which among other things will see them share R&D know-how. Strengthening their joint capabilities to invest in innovation and technology, the partnership also opens up new opportunities for both companies in terms of expansion, especially in Eastern Europe, the UK and North America. With three French production sites, an Italian factory and seven commercial subsidiaries, Grégoire Besson employs 350 people and generated a 2022 turnover of €75 million. Around 2,235 people work at Maschio Gaspardo’s (€460m turnover in 2022) eight production sites and 13 subsidiaries. FIRST KUHN MECHANICAL HOES Kuhn will unveil its first mechanical hoes at Agritechnica. Initially there will be two ranges: the Rowliner row-crop cultivator (six to 12 row configurations)…

The new S Series was the centre of attention at the recent press and dealer launch at the Suolahti factory in central Finland, but there was also time to quiz senior management about how the brand is faring in Europe and plans for the future. While talking tractor volumes was off-limits, the company was keen to outline its increasing share of the European market. Generally, when a manufacturer discusses these it refers to tractors above 50hp. “75hp is the minimum for us,” comments managing director, Jari Rautjärvi, who adds that Valtra has no plans to slot in a new range from 50-75hp. For the first nine months of this year Valtra enjoyed a 7.1% share of the main markets in west, central and eastern Europe (6.8% for the same nine…

Our continental cousins are big fans of the compact or yard loader, not just for farm work, but also in the construction sector. You'll regularly find them feeding livestock, moving pallets or shifting aggregate on building sites. And it’s probably the latter market that has seen the most interest in this new battery power source with reduced operating noise and no on-site emissions. The demand prompted Tobrocco Giant to introduce its first battery-powered loader in 2019. While the driveline was new, the rest of the machine used the expertise that had been gleaned from manufacturing diesel powered equipment since 1996. Wanting to see how the two powerplants compare, we tried out two Giant models: the diesel-fuelled G2200HD, which uses a Kubota motor producing 22hp; and the other is the G2200E,…

It was about 13 years ago when Amazone introduced its first self-propelled sprayer, the Pantera 4001 (see our profi driving impression 5/2011). At the time it only had a tank capacity of just over 4,000l, although the Pantera 4502 model was soon added with a 4,500l tank. It’s taken a few years, but now Amazone has once again upped its volume with the Pantera 7004. Overall, the 7004 pretty much follows the same format as the now 4504, with the same ‘wet system’ and boom options. One of the key changes is the chassis: the wheelbase has grown by 60cm to 3.70m and overall length by 90cm to now 9.78m … to accommodate the 6,600-litre rated, 7,000-litre actual tank. That new chassis But that’s not all: instead of max height…

Manitou attached the ‘NewAg’ tag to its telehandlers in 2016 to outline developments to include a higher specification cab, operator aids to improve ease of use and performance with detail changes to make machine maintenance easier. At the same time, the company also sought to rationalise its product offering, limiting the number of model variations heading down the production line. This meant customers wanting a powershift transmission MLT741 were out of luck. To cater for their needs, dealers would have pointed them toward the identically sized MLT737-130 PS+, albeit with 10hp less power at 130hp and 150l/min as opposed to 170l/min hydraulics. If this lacked capacity, the alternative would be to step up to the larger MLT840-145 PS+ with 140hp and 200l/min hydraulics. Although this helped ensure Manitou users in…

Fitting and removing rear wheel weights is one of those jobs most will avoid. Hardly a surprise as handling heavy weights is seldom a one-person task. Where the EasyMass system scores is in its potential to do the job single-handed, both when fitting and removing weights. The adapter stays on the wheel At the heart of the system is a 35kg weight adapter that is attached using the tractor’s existing wheel fasteners. Cone washers are available to suit wheels attached with studs. Once fitted, the adaptor remains in-situ, with no need to remove it if the weights are taken off. As the adapter attaches to the wheel via six of the eight nuts or studs used to attach the wheel, there is no need to remove the wheel to fit…

Think of a loader tractor and it’s generally a 120hp-ish workhorse, buzzing around the yard filling feeder wagons, or out in the field shifting bales. But loaders are available for tractors right up to 400hp, and while the biggest models are rare in the UK, they do offer a useful way of getting more hours from increasingly costly 200hp machines. A tractor also scores points over a telehandler or loading shovel for towing capability, cab comfort and convenience. We look at what’s on the market and hear how they are being used. JOHN DEERE Designed for 6 series tractors up to the 6R215, the 663R front is available in a mechanical self levelling (MSL) or non self levelling (NSL) configuration. Options include a Return to Position (RTP) function plus loader…

It wasn't long since we were nicely simmering away in plus 30⁰ temperatures, with some of us lucky enough to reach a rolling-boil as our aircon went as limp as the lettuce in our unpalatably warm sandwiches. Dust swirled round the yard giving everything a matt finish, especially freshly cleaned cab windows. That heat and dust have well and truly been dampened by the recent downpours, which have brought flooding and misery to many. Having experience of a lambing shed full of water, I really do sympathise with those affected by the deluges. With all this damp in the air, the final jobs of the season became more of a smash-and-grab affair, dodging the rain and trying not to make a mess. Half loads, fat tyres and smooth driving have…

Bednar has added a 14.4m model to the Swifterdisc XE Mega range. Positioned between the 16.4m and 18.4m versions, the Swifterdisc XE 14400 Mega is for 500-550hp tractors. Two types of discs are available: 520mm (standard) or 560mm with a more aggressive cutting effect. Also new is the Versatill VO-L range of semi-mounted shallow stubble cultivators. Offered in widths of 5.8 and 7.5m, the five-row implements have a high frame clearance and tine spacing of 17cm. Optional equipment includes a trash cutting roller, hydraulically adjustable front levelling bar and a number of rear mounted packers. The Czech manufacturer has also developed a new generation of Fenix FN mounted cultivators. Designed for deep soil working, they combine a rigid frame design with the non-stop horizontal spring protection from the Fenix FO-Profi…

With a working width up to 11.08m, the Disc HD 1100D FS is the largest butterfly mower conditioner so far from the Slovenian manufacturer. One of two new models in the Disc range, the other is the HD 1000D FS (9.20-10.20m). Capable of outputs of up to 18.5ha/hr and 20ha/hr respectively, both are fitted with steel finger conditioners. The Disc HD 1000 can be equipped with cross merging belts, allowing users to mow, condition, and prepare swaths in a single pass. Other notable features include the Overload Monitoring System. This alerts operators to a drop in rotation speed anywhere along the driveline via the in-cab control box. Tractor power requirements range from 180-220hp. SIP has also launched two centre delivery Star twin rotor rakes: the R870|26 TC and R930|28 TC.…

The top speed of the revised CVT in the latest Kioti UTV is 50km/hr. Based on the K9 2400, the new K9 2410 is powered by a three-pot 25hp Kioti diesel block. Speed proportional electric power-steering and engine-braking improve handling and performance. Available with either a climate controlled factory fit cab, a ROPS frame with door, windscreen and canopy, or a retro fit field cab, the standard colour of the K9 2410 is Kioti red, but customers can also opt for less conspicuous green. The new model comes with a rubber floor mat, seat headrests and electric assisted bed tipping. The generously sized rear load area, ability to carry three people, selectable 4WD and high ground clearance is said to make it well suited to multiple jobs around the farm.…

Regardless of whether it’s the sinister matt black rims, the deep red metallic paint or the slick bonnet, like the X7 (profi 9/2021), the X8 is something of a stunner. And a lot of the hardware under the panels is equally impressive. Starting out with the six-cylinder, 6.7-litre FPT motor, the ZF-sourced TMT 32 stepless transmission and the hydraulic components from Bosch, Argo has done everything right for its entry into the high-profile 300hp tractor market with its big key models, the X8.627 (199kW/270hp) and tested X8.631 (221kW/301hp). Given the mentioned top drawer components, we were keen to see how the McCormick glue would perform at the DLG test centre, the first port of call for our in-depth test. Apart from the criticism that McCormick never mentions the 301hp rated…

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Did you know over 9,000 farmers currently benefit from our unrivalled advice? If you want to know what they know, take a look at some of our subscription offers where you’ll get the latest news, updates and guidance, as well as our unique DLG tractor tests delivered to your door, every single month. Subscribers can also enjoy free access to our 27-year in-depth test archive, PLUS receive access to a complimentary digital copy of Agricultural Trader every month. Guarantee you make the right choice when purchasing machinery by subscribing to profi today. BECOME A SUBSCRIBER & ENJOY THESE BENEFITS: ✤ Enjoy one whole year of profi magazine ✤ Free access to our entire 27-year in-depth test archive, including the unique DLG Powermix tractor tests ✤ PLUS,…

Kaweco has been part of the Royal Reesink Group for several years now, and today the firm operates from a new factory in Hengelo in the east of the Netherlands. The name is probably best associated with large slurry tankers, recently trying to break into the UK and Irish markets. Another manufacturer that has been bought by Reesink is Dutch compact loader maker Quappen, which was snapped up in 2019. Up until last year, Kaweco was manufacturing the Farmer 25 wheeled loader, taking it off Quappen’s blueprints but finishing it in its own orange livery. Fresh slate Emission standard and customer-led feedback resulted in a return to the drawing board to develop a new loader from scratch, which was first shown last year. Straight from the off, the differences with…

The interest to get cows out of cubicles is increasing on Dutch and German beef and dairy farms, and is behind the development of so-called free living barns. Sand is proving to be a popular bedding material in these open structures, but while this is a good disinfectant, it is not easy to remove the solid manure. Requests for a solution to help keep the sand clean led to the development of the BeddingCleaner, which scrapes off the top 4 to 5cm, sieves it to separate the faeces, which are stored in a 1.5m³ rear hopper. It sounds simple, but it has taken three years to develop and perfect the system. The starting point was a beach cleaner, which as the name suggests separates rubbish from sand. It did not…

Year of manufacture 1996-2009 Renault Agriculture really pushed ahead with its tractor development in the 1990s. Ares production kicked off in 1996: Replacing the TX/TZ series, the Ares was a mid-range tractor line that bridged the gap between the smaller Ceres family (54-97hp until 2003) and the Atles flagship (197-250hp until 2006). Following the Claas investment in 2003, the Ares series continued with the 500, 600 and 800 series; Renault had already discontinued the 700 series in 2002. Looking back, the Ares was a survivor and stayed in production until 2009 with Claas. Modern gearboxes from Beauvais-based Gima The spacious and comfortable cab was already a hot topic in the first driving impression on the new Ares (profi 5/1997). Its suspension (version RZ) could be adjusted in three stages. At…

Pöttinger has no plans to make fertiliser spreaders and sprayers, but is keen to grow the arable side of the business, which currently accounts for one third of turnover. The company would like to increase this to 50%. “We can supply the entire chain with grassland kit, but still have a few gaps to fill in the arable sector,” commented Gregor Dietachmayr, speaker of the executive board. “Fertiliser spreaders and sprayers are not our business areas, but we could at some point see something on precision fertiliser placement front.” Speaking at a pre-Agritechnica press meeting at company HQ in Grieskirchen, Austria, Mr Dietachmayr said that the acquisition of Italian manufacturer MaterMacc in November 2022 is a consequence of the strategy to not only strengthen Pöttinger’s arable division, but also a…

As with many other ag machines and implements, there is an increasing demand for wider working widths to get through work more efficiently … and tedders are no exception. This fact hasn't escaped the attention of Samasz, which last year added its first ever trailed machine. For now, there’s just the one model, the 10-rotor, 11.0m wide P10-1100T, but this will be joined by a 12-rotor P12-1350T in the near future as the Polish machinery maker looks to up the ante in the grass machinery market. There is sound logic behind adding a trailed machine, as it is becoming the go-to choice for contractors and larger farmers. Indeed even in the mounted market, it is now the six- and eight-rotor models that are proving to be the bread winners as…

Often, when there is not a dramatic alteration to the styling of the big panels of a ‘new’ machine, it’s easy to dismiss any changes as just minor tweaks and a lame attempt to get back into the limelight. The Fusion 4, however, is a really good example of how this is not always the case: a completely new electronic architecture, essentially a new pick-up and several other revisions are all aimed at placing less of an onus on the operator and explain why McHale has decided it’s time for the Fusion to pass on the baton to its successor. Crop journey So, where better to start, then, than at the pick-up, which has been dubbed Profi Flo? For fans of the five-bar, cam-controlled tines, these are still on the…

The EasyCut B950 has undergone a comprehensive overhaul — that’s of its hardware, along with the fresh addition of ISObus controls. We were able to take a close look at the new PreSelect controls in our driving impression. Comfort for the driver The Krone PreSelect system is for machines with and without ISObus control and comes in two versions. First up is PreSelect DS50, a standard pre-selection controller with membrane keys. It’s an already familiar set-up, though this revised version is more user-friendly. The hydraulic functions on the machine are preselected via the controller and then operated using the tractor’s spools. For precise operation, your hand rests on the DS50, and LEDs show the various mower parameters and help monitor the machine functions. Small displays show further machine information such…

A move away from a village farm that was increasingly enclosed by development gave T Swift and Son the opportunity to design a bespoke beef unit nearby which has also allowed expansion of the existing herd and a refocus away from dairy. ‘We had this greenfield site in mind and the developer which purchased our farm in the village helped with the planning application,” explains John Swift who farms with father Charles and partner Hayley. Bridge Farm, near Wheaton Aston in Staffordshire is also home to a new poultry unit for 32,000 free range laying birds, John’s farmhouse and workshop as well as the purpose-designed beef unit with a 300 head capacity, completed in spring 2023. “The new building meets all the FABBL requirements for animal welfare and hygiene but…

With more wheeled tractor options above 400hp on the market these days, tyres vs tracks presents an interesting dilemma for larger farming operations. Belvoir Farming Company swapped its Quadtrac for a Fendt Vario 1050 this year to take on main line cultivation and drilling duties and for farm manager Keith Challen, getting the right operating weight for both roles was key to matching the performance and benefits of a tracklayer. “The Fendt has a central tyre inflation system built-in, so the first task was to get the right tyres to work with it. I swapped the Trelleborgs that it was supplied with for Michelin Variflex, 900/65 R46 on the back and 710/60 R38 on the front and consulted Michelin to ascertain the correct weight for both jobs.” This required getting…

When Suffolk farmer Robert Baker set out to redevelop the yard at J.D & R.J Baker Farms’ Crossways Farm, Elmswell, there were a whole host of factors to take into account. The sizeable project included a new grain store, machinery store, sprayer filling area, chemical store, welfare and office areas, weighbridge and wash bay. Developments to the business had seen the Crossways Farm yard become more central, putting additional demands on the buildings and infrastructure which needed updating. Being located away from the local village centre also made it the perfect site for the proposed new development. “The primary motivation behind the project was to upgrade our facilities for the future,” explains Robert. “We had an array of ageing grain silos, which were still being used, and at the same…

Out DECEMBER 15th DRIVEN Dieci AgriMax 50.8 Power X2 A top speed of 50km/hr is just one of the key stats for this new Italian telehandler, which can lift 5.0t and has a reach of 7.8m. Is it ideal for farms wanting more handling power? TEST Ag Maxi and Flingk SE250 Our colleagues in the Netherlands have compared two walk-behind bedder options. Don’t miss the next issue if you're looking for an easier way to dust down cubicles. USED MACHINERY Fendt 500 Vario Fendt Vario 500 tractors arrived in 2013, spanning nominal power outputs of 110 to 150hp. Apart from the now familiar changes to make the engines compliant with prevailing emission regulations, are there any other important developments for used buyers to focus on? DRIVEN Nexat Wide-Span Kalverkamp has…