Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Profi

The dangers of data. Have you ever read the terms and conditions of a mobile phone software update or even a website’s cookies policy? Yep, me neither. But we really should be taking more of an interest in the wording of data agreements, particularly when it comes to documenting field work or other aspects of your business. For instance, if a manufacturer were able to decipher your seed rate, fertiliser rate, what sprays you are applying, the crop yield coming off the combine or the amount of milk being produced from the robot, not to mention the amount of diesel the tractors are using, then suddenly the algorithms could soon paint a picture of how profitable (or not) a farm is and duly help set the price for each market/country…

The reworked cab on the latest version of Dieci’s Agri Pivot T80 articulated handler is not only quieter but also provides more legroom. Sitting above the existing Italian built T60 and T70, the 138hp (rated) Stage V FPT 4.4l block in the T80 reaches a peak power of 153hp. Mated to the new electronically controlled VS Evo2 hydrostatic ‘box, the top speed remains at 40km/hr, but the Eco function lowers fuel consumption and noise levels, and the creeper mode allows forward speed to be adjusted using the accelerator pedal while maintaining a constant engine speed and oil flow rate. Accessible from both sides via two 180-degree opening doors, the cab conceals an improved air conditioning system, and the elevated operator’s seat and large glazing area is said to provide the…

Nearly two years ago Finnish firm Valtra introduced a completely new line, the five-model 230 to 305hp Q series, and there has been uptake … particularly with the bigger models, the Q285 and Q305. Take away the Q’s cab and bodywork, and you'll see it shares the same AGCO platform as the Massey 8S (refer to profi 10/2023 for the 8S.305 test). This is a competitive part of the market with high expectations from owners, who, given the available horsepower, tend to be larger farms/contractors with varied workloads. With boost up to 305hp Our test tractor is the 210kW/285hp Q285, one down from the top Q305. All Qs share the same six-pot, 7.4-litre AgcoPower motor. Thanks to SCR and DOC, it not only meets Stage V exhaust emission, but it…

Some ISObus-compatible precision drills such as the Grimme Matrix 1800 used in this test, not only do section control but also variable rate along the row. The latter utilises application maps that are pre-prepared in the office and then downloaded to the ISObus terminal, either as IsoXML or Shape files. This doesn’t sound particularly complicated, but in reality it certainly can be. Folder structure is important Firstly, you need to ensure that you export and import to the correct folder. The IsoXML format files that make up one application map need to be saved to the Taskdata folder. Before the testers could import the files from this folder to the ISObus terminals on the Deutz-Fahr, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, McCormick, New Holland and Valtra, they had to ‘unpack’ the folder.…

Having replaced the Servo 6.50 with the T6000 18 months ago, Pöttinger has strengthened its semi-mounted ploughing position by adding its first on-land model. The difference between the on-land version and the in-furrow plough is the 50cm longer drawbar. It makes for pretty tight turns, and it’s attached to either Cat III, Cat III/IV or Cat IV couplers. There are also four double-acting spools to plug in and a free-flow return. The hoses are routed through a beefy holder. Next to the turnover mechanism is the on land swing arm. This can be fixed in one of three positions with a pin: for road transport or ploughing in the furrow; for ploughing with tractors up to 3.50m wide; and lastly a position for tractors up to 4.0m wide. The swing…

It will soon be that time of year again — getting bales shifted off the field and into storage. We have collected some practical tips that will hopefully make the job easier, go faster and just generally more pleasant. There may even be a few that spur you on to get into the workshop ahead of this season. Many of the ideas are around securing bales more efficiently, so you can get back out on the road. And, as always, there are couple of more complex modifications that merit a second look. ON TOP PROTECTION For an all-weather floor for his bale trailer Ludger Rickert scrounged some discarded rubber matting from a coal mine. ALMOST SECURES ITSELF After pondering on ways to safely transport bales for about five years, this…

A move towards increased automation of machinery, and for some sectors the use of autonomous machines, has focused manufacturers’ developments on communication to and from equipment. The ‘big four’ have been working on telematics for some time, mainly targeted at streamlining servicing for increasingly complex and demanding kit and allowing farm managers of large fleets to track and analyse their machines. Customers also have access to increasing amounts of data from a range of sources with the potential to make operations more productive and efficient, while meeting increasingly stringent environmental requirements, and need to make it work with the machines in their fleet. Here we’re taking a look at what’s on offer and what’s new and getting a glimpse into the future. Telematics is defined as ‘a technology system that…

What was intended to be a quick spruce-up soon turned into a much bigger project — and one that required a complete donor ROPS frame for the 2007 John Deere 7530. Indeed, the initial job should have only taken two weeks if everything had gone to plan, but, when the panels started being removed, the true and full extent of the rusting issue quickly became apparent. “We took off the green mudguards and then removed the trim from inside,” recalls garage owner, Ben Dunford, of Waterford-based B D Agri & Plant, who was tasked with carrying out the refurbishment project. “The gas strut that should hold the door open was just attached to this patch of rust, whie the B-post holding the door wasn’t attached to anything at the bottom.…

We start with a little history lesson: Claas had been pursuing the idea of having its own tractor since the late 1950s – launching the Jumbo or the HSG Trac before finally having success with the first Xerion system tractors and distributing the Caterpillar Challenger. But this still wasn’t the complete tractor offering Claas wanted. This all changed with a bang in 2003 when it announced the takeover of Renault’s tractor business. Initially this was a 51% stake, with 100% ownership in 2008, which coincidentally is the last year the Atles was produced. Upper class models This marked the beginning of a comprehensive programme that included small vineyard models at one end of the scale, and the large Xerion at the top end. The biggest wheeled model was the Atles…

DRIVING IMPRESSION Novag T-Force Plus 450CT drill There’s certainly no shortage of choice in the no-till sector. We head to the field to discover what’s so special about the 4.50m wide machine from French direct dill manufacturer Novag. PRACTICAL TEST New Holland CH7.70 Launched for harvest 2021, New Holland’s CH7.70 mixes twin rotors with conventional threshing hardware. Our test machine was tucked into a range of crops last season. USED MACHINERY Hardi Commander sprayers The Commander was launched nearly 20 years ago, so there is a wide range of machines out there for all budgets. We find out what has changed along the way and what spec sprayers Hardi sold in the UK. REPORT A T Bone & Sons Hertfordshire farmers A T Bone & Sons have converted a pair…

Zetor is changing the model numbering on its tractors. It will take a few years, but the familiar range names of Crystal, Forterra, Proxima and Major will gradually be phased out for a four-digit system. The first sign of the impending change was on the stand at the Techagro farm machinery show, in Brno, where the prototype of the new four-pot 6 series set to replace the Forterra HD (130, 140 and 150) and Crystal HD 170 was previewed. Zetor says that the numbers will allow it to better express the size of the tractor and approximate engine power. The transmission type will be included after the model number. “This is everything that customers need to know when they first look at a tractor,“ comments product marketing manager Kornélia Vanék,…

New Holland has made a special edition version of the T7.300 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Basildon tractor plant. Continuing a tradition that began with the Silver Jubilee 7810 in 1989 and the Golden Jubilee T6.180 and T7.270 tractors in 2014, the graphics on the T7.300 were created by CNH Centro Stile. The livery is inspired by the colours and patterns of ‘Swinging 60s’ London. The special edition T7.300, which is thankfully the only one, will be displayed at exhibitions throughout the rest of this year.…

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Some readers may well recall seeing the Talex Sprinter 1500 in a previous practical test. And you'd be correct — it was in the 4/2022 issue. This time we decided to see how it compares with the less familiar name of Vielitz, from Germany. Both of these trailed round bale wrappers are single, fixed dispenser machines, but differ in how they are operated, and therefore price. The Polish-made Sprinter has an electronic control box, while the FW160 SL sticks with traditional Bowden cables. Attachment The hitch on both is height adjustable for different size tractors. The Vielitz needs one single-acting spool and a return. If you opted for the magnetic mounted lights (€76), then these will need plugging in. You then need to mount the cable-operated levers, preferably in a…

A TVs and UTVs are proof that most can find a use for a light utility vehicle to move people and materials around the farm. But what if your needs are for more limited off-road use with greater ability to travel on the road? Here a vehicle like the Evum Motors ACar could possibly fit the bill. Background story The maker of the ACar, Evum Motors GmbH, evolved from a research project carried out by the University of Munich to develop a rugged electric utility vehicle for developing markets. The resultant ACar was subsequently put into small scale vehicle production in 2020 in a factory based in Bayerbach, near Ergoldsbach in Lower Bavaria. The initial aim was to make this simple fully electric utility vehicle for emerging markets, with subsequent…

We just invested in a new muck spreader from Tebbe. Before this machine was even used we decided to retrofit a number of custom details. These included an extendable side that we also installed on its predecessor and which allows us to fill the spreader with a front loader and ensures no muck is lost in transport. In addition to this movable side wall, we added the following design details to the new machine: ● We bolted a VA sheet above the spreading vanes to protect the top lights from muck.● To protect the axles, we bolted two sheets to the frame that runs above the axles.● Up front, we bolted another sheet plate that is wider than the original below the perforated area. This plate is as wide as…

It was a surprise when CNH announced it was purchasing Raven Industries for its precision farming tech in 2021, a deal with a price tag that is rumoured to have the word ‘billion’ attached to it. In this part of the world, we were probably not fully aware of just how big Raven’s ag offering is. Indeed, it is commonly associated with rate controls and other sprayer operating paraphernalia, but there is also a wide range of precision farming tech and it has even been running some autonomous tractor projects in the broadacre farming acres. Changing lanes Now that the ink has well and truly dried on the deal, we are seeing the Case IH and New Holland precision products transition from Trimble to Raven. If you have been on…

Champagne is a vehemently protected brand. Only wine that is produced here in the Champagne region is eligible for this famous label. The specialist manufacturer Although it is sparkling wine which has made this area world-famous, other forms of agriculture also takes place around the town of Châlons-en-Champagne. There is a small plough factory in the village of Vitry-la-Ville to the south of Châlons-en-Champagne which stared in 1879 – Charrues Charlier. The vast fields begin directly behind the inconspicuous factory that bears the Charlier logo. Inside, a small team of less than ten develop and manufacture a broad range. The company started out building seed drills. Ploughs were added to the line-up after World War II. These ploughs are primarily sold in France, namely in Champagne and neighbouring regions where…

Getting an idea off the ground, whether you are a farmer, engineer or tech innovator is a costly and lengthy process, but there are numerous sources of funding, support and collaboration available. The UK government has identified agriculture as an industry which can benefit from funding at various stages of the innovation process. The government agency UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has been set up to develop enterprising ideas for industry, and its Innovate UK division supports business-led innovation by helping businesses grow through the development and commercialisation of new products. Innovate UK points out that it is important for new companies to have a funding and finance roadmap, which should identify what is needed at each stage and milestone in the development of a new product. This is also…

MARCH 2023 WHAT’S USED Lemken power harrow drill combination: Zirkon 12 and Solitair 9 APRIL 2023 WHAT’S REVIEWED Spaldings workshop tools MAY 2023 WHAT’S USED He-Va TIP Roller JUNE 2023 WHAT’S USED Valtra N JULY 2023 WHAT’S USED John Deere 750A No-Till/All-Till drill AUGUST 2023 WHAT’S USED Case IH Axial Flow SEPTEMBER 2023 WHAT’S USED Sands Agricultural Machinery self-propelled sprayers OCTOBER 2023 WHAT’S USED Amazone ZA mounted twin-dics fertiliser spreader NOVEMBER 2023 WHAT’S USED Makita saws DECEMBER 2023 WHAT’S USED Stihl cordless tools JANUARY 2024 WHAT’S USED Valtra N series FEBRUARY 2024 WHAT’S USED Mzuri Pro-Till Visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/farm-machinery-magazine Call the hotline 01959 543 747* *Hotline open Mon – Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm. Calls charged at your standard network rate or scan me!…

Oxbo is well-known for its slurry and manure machines, and pea, bean, potato, spinach, sweet corn and grape harvesters. It is less well known that firm’s self-propelled portfolio also includes a coffee berry harvester. The best place to find one is in Brazil where more than three million tonnes of berries are produced each year from around 1.8 million hectares. Some 200 to 400 new coffee berry harvesters are sold in Brazil each year, making it a target market for the latest version of the 9240. The big change on the 9240+, as it is now called, is the ditching of the previous 72hp Stage III Cummins QSF2.8 motor for a Stage IV block. Capable of covering up to 5ha/hr, berries can be unloaded on the move or stored in…

AGCO AND TRIMBLE CLOSE TECH DEAL AGCO and Trimble have completed their joint venture transaction and set up a new company called PTx Trimble. Combining Trimble’s precision agriculture business and AGCO’s JCA Technologies, the two partners (AGCO 85% stake/Trimble 15%) reckon that the new business will provide farmers with greater access to next-generation factory fit and retrofit precision ag tools, no matter what brands of tractors and implements they operate. AGCO expects its consolidated precision ag revenue to exceed US$2.0 billion by 2028. KTWO LOOKS FOR SOLUTION Buckinghamshire based Ktwo has called in the administrators having fallen into financial difficulties. It is understood that the muck spreader and trailer maker is looking to resolve the situation and return to business. One person associated with the company pointed out that there…

After several seasons of confidence building, Tanco is now ramping up the production of its triple mower combination — the front-mounted M3 can be partnered with a semi-mounted M9 or M10 with 9.0m and 10m respective working widths. In fact, Tanco is so confident in the triple’s performance, they gave us the 9.0m version to test last season. Pulled front There’s no A-frame, as the front mower hitches directly to the tractor’s lower links. Once these are about 65cm off the ground, the frame is in its optimum position for the cutterbar to make the most of its travel — 85cm vertical and +/-16° of movement front to rear and 19° of oscillation, according to Tanco. The top link is correctly adjusted once the headstock is vertical. The two hydraulic…

Not only is this the fourth generation of Cirrus, the 9004-2C Grand is also the widest working cultivator drill to come from the Amazone stable. Standout key feature on the 9.0m machine is the pressurised double hopper for both seed and fertiliser. For the time being, the seed and granules are mixed and sent down the same spout to the coulter, but there are plans for a ‘double shoot’ system that will keep the two products separate. The optional track eradicators that follow the tractor wheels now live on a separate toolbar. The tines can be swivelled in and out of work hydraulically while driving on the headland, for instance. Each tine has its own coil spring protection and can be fitted with a variety of feet from chisel points…

When we took our last used buying look at New Holland variable chamber round balers (profi 01/2012), the then current BR7000 could trace its design DNA back to the 600 series launched back in 1998. As we outlined, BR balers benefited from developments and model number changes, with BR700, BR700AandfinallyBR7000 numbering making it easier to follow various updates over the decade of BR production. Roll-Belt RB series reached UK and Irish customers in 2014 and were a new design but with no model number changes marking their evolution it is a bit harder to easily identify when changes were made. Apart from the latest models, with their revised colour scheme and decals, a 2014 RB baler will look much the same as a 2021 model. Most popular variants The most…

The regular pushing up of feed promotes improved rumen health and increases feed intake. But just how often this job is done will differ from farm to farm, in just the same way as the method employed — manually forked in, with a loader-mounted wheel or, an increasingly popular option, an automatic feed pusher. The latter will routinely travel along the feed fence at a fixed time of day, every day of the year. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Sunday or public holiday, it just gets on with the job. And because it is electric, there are no exhaust fumes in the shed and little to no noise. But there is a downside, the not so insignificant price tag. A tempting offer This is where Sveaverken comes into play.…

I can’t avoid the subject any longer, probably due to a bit of ‘ostriching’ on my part, but it doesn’t matter if you’re trying to grow beef, barley or begonias the weather has the ability to take your methodically drawn out plans and burn them to a crisp or wash them down the drain, or both. We are currently facing one of the wettest Springs on record leaving soils waterlogged, unworkable and even stagnant. If you were lucky enough to have got winter crops sewn you’re not out of the woods yet as prolonged water exposure is slowly making countless acres unviable. Those recently trying to establish a seedbed have been resorting to the good old plough in an effort to turn up some dryer soil, but late sown crops…

It seems to vary from area to area, but, while some Irish farmers are happy to fetch their silage bales from the field to the stack themselves, others just want someone to come in and do the complete field to stack operation. But ask at the contractor, and the challenge of finding the extra labour, not to mention the machinery investment, means they often don't want the added workload of hauling bales back to the yard, either. Indeed, while not a steadfast rule, it would be fair to suggest that there are a good many Irish baling contractors who are just two- or three-person operations, revolving around a mower, rake and combi baler. This is where a new breed of contractor is starting to appear, those that just handle the…

DORSET DELIGHTS Across the border in Dorset a smaller sale mirrored the results seen in Hampshire.…

MARCH 2023 COVER STORY Rhino Agricultural INSIDE Farming review, J&H Robinson (Iford Farms) APRIL 2023 COVER STORY Olivers  INSIDE Diversification, show previews, Farm Supplies, South East Marts MAY 2023 COVER STORY Kent drilling day INSIDE Southern Farmers, Ernest Doe, Future of Farming JUNE 2023 COVER STORY Agricare INSIDE Pickham Farm, Pleasant Land Distillery JULY 2023 COVER STORY Watercess Festival  INSIDE Fruit Focus preview, show results, Biddenden Vineyards AUGUST 2023 COVER STORY NP Seymour INSIDE Fruit Focus review, Forma, Hole Farm SEPTEMBER 2023 COVER STORY Lyding Farm INSIDE Ploughing matches, Groundswell, JRJ Construction 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…