Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i Profi

Looking to extract maximum launch bang per buck, Ford is staggering the introduction of its all-new Ranger pick-up. First come Raptor and Wildtrak, which are already starting to appear in UK dealerships. Then in May we should see XL, XLT and Platinum. And last to arrive will be Tremor and Wildtrak X, scheduled for first deliveries in July. The phased introduction of the seven-model Ranger line may be less than ideal, but, with the new VW Amarok also rolling out of the Ford factory in South Africa at the same time, it was almost inevitable. Too many new variants all at once for optimum production set-up, reckons Ford. Hence the phasing. Not that there’s likely to be any shortage in demand. Ford says the overall European pick-up market has returned…

AgVantage UK has taken over the Dewulf distribution and support activities formerly provided in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire by Beverley-based Yorkshire & Humber Machinery. AgVantage will continue to operate from a local base in Yorkshire holding a parts stock and operating a local service team. This will be backed up closely by the larger stock and team at the Peterborough headquarters. “Operating from two locations gives us a much wider coverage across the UK,” comments AgVantage managing director Andy Carse. “Also, each depot will have access to a larger parts stock, meaning more availability and faster reaction times to better serve our customers.” All existing agreements customers may have with the Yorkshire & Humber business will be honoured. Russell Button, the new depot manager for AgVantage for the Yorkshire and…

Italian self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Grim has been bought by Milan-based investment fund Hyle Capital Partners. Based in Jesi, Grim manufactures sprayers with tank capacities from 3,500l to 5,000l and boom widths up to 36m. Distributed in Australia, Chile, Europe, North America and Japan, the UK debut was at Cereals last year, following a distribution agreement with Scottish Borders dealer Merse Agriculture. The plan is to increase sales in existing overseas markets and leverage the Guaresi dealer network to enter new ones. Grim is the fourth investment for Hyle, which aims to create an Italian agricultural group with a turnover of €50 million within the next five years. The company also has a stake in dried fruit company Manuzzi and sparkling wine producer Contri Spumanti. Last year it acquired Italian self-proplled…

New Vervaet self-propelled sugar beet harvesters and slurry applicators imported by J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) are already equipped as standard with Connect telematics. Now the Dutch manufacturer has introduced a system for older machines. Suitable for adding to the Beet Eater 617, 625 and Q-616 manufactured from 2011 onwards, and Hydro Trikes made from 2016 to 2019, application maps can be created for slurry spreading, whilst additional optional equipment makes yield mapping possible on sugar beet harvesters. Fitment requires additional wiring and a new touchscreen control terminal. There are two license levels – Essential and Premium. The basic level provides real-time machine tracking and remote access to operational data, service information and warnings. Premium allows field-specific data to be exported to farm management software including retrieval of historic data…

Articulated John Deere classics from the 1980s continue to command high prices in North America, but this 8850 takes some beating. The 1988-built 6,226-hour tractor recently changed hands for an eye-watering US$111,000. Sold by Hamilton-based (Illinois) Sullivan Auctioneers, the tractor is believed to be the last re-powered by Kinze in 2013. Nowadays, the North American manufacturer is best known for its chaser bins, planters and cultivators, but from 1988 to 2007 it re-powered over 600 John Deere 86-series tractors. Numerous 8630s, 8640s and 8650s were converted, but the majority were 8850’s where the V8 was swapped for a 360hp Cummins 855 engine. The recently-sold 8850 was re-powered much later than the rest. Incidentally, this is not the highest price paid for a Kinze re-powered John Deere 8850. A 1982-built (2,550-hour)…

How can the energy from 400 litres of diesel be replaced by an all-new emission-free driveline? Thiswas the intriguing challenge given to Mart van der Valk, of Electric Construction Equipment (ECE), on behalf of Dutch Fendt importer Agromec as well as the construction company Van Wijlen. Hydrogen or battery? One possible option was hydrogen. However, this is not only currently expensive and has a limited energy density, but the required fuel cell is also expensive. The second option was a battery pack that could be installed on the tractor. Yet this also proved to be impractical, because a battery capable of providing the same run time as 400 litres of diesel would weigh around 15 tonnes. Enter the exchangeable battery that could be mounted on the front linkage, the exchange…

It’s over a year since the Fraser family took delivery of their Vervaet Quad 550 with its 22m3 tank and 32m Vogelsang dribble-bar and in its short life it’s clocked some 900 hours. Developed for users where running down crops with three or five tyres is considered bad form – the four-wheeled Quad that joined the Dorset operation’s fleet was one of the first machines to come off the production line. “Having made the decision in the back end of 2021 to go with Vervaet we had a bit of a wait for our own machine and so they sent us their prototype,” explains Jonny Fraser. “We ran it from January to late April last year and it gave us a good opportunity to see how the product developed over…

With more than 400 vehicles in the car park, the recent K W Wilson & Sons retirement sale was the biggest Brown and Co auction since before the COVID pandemic. Even the auctioneer on the day, James Walton, was surprised by the turnout at Sandbraes Farm, Caistor, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. “I’d been concerned that the highly specialist nature of the slurry equipment up for sale might limit its appeal. But this proved to be completely unfounded,” Mr Walton says. “Folk travelled from all four corners of the UK and Ireland, and we also had a very strong international presence online, especially from Eastern Europe. Everything fell into place. We had the right kit, the right crowd and the right weather. And every lot made its reserve and sold. The trade…

Designed for self-propelled sprayers, the VF710/60 R46 is the first very low-pressure flotation tyre in the Michelin SprayBib CFO range. Like the rest of the 2022-launched SprayBib CFO (Cyclical Field Operation) range, the winder tread pattern and casing design on the new 2.05m-diameter VF710/60 R46 allows axle loads to be increased and in-field inflation pressures to be lowered. The optimised footprint is claimed to provide up to a fifth more traction. Already available at Michelin dealers, the SprayBib CFO VF 710/60 R46 is also available as an OEM fitting on AGCO, CNH, and John Deere machines.…

A fire under the hood of a tractor spreads quickly and is difficult to put out with a handheld extinguisher. Valtra reckons to have a solution in the form of an automatic fire suppression system. Claimed as fast, compact, and efficient, it comprises an agent tank linked to a network of hoses and nozzles located under the bonnet and cab. Fitted at the Unlimited Studio at the Suolahti factory in Finland, and available for the N5, T5 and Q5 ranges, all the operator has to do to release the extinguishing agent is press several buttons on the in-cab control box. It is also possible to operate the system remotely.…

Kubota (UK) has approved use of the paraffinic fuels hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and gas to liquid (GTL) in all its diesel engines. Both comply with the European standard EN15940 and the change can be made without any modification. The company says that there is no requirement to flush fuel tanks or change filters, as both fuels are safe to mix with diesel. Nor are there changes to existing maintenance intervals or warranty conditions, although operators may notice a slight degradation in engine performance from using the lower density paraffinic fuels, compared to diesel.…

This 6250R is the two-millionth tractor to leave the assembly line at John Deere’s Mannheim plant in Germany. Wrapped in portrait photos of more than 300 employees, the most powerful model currently produced at the facility will soon join the one-millionth tractor, a 6400, in the factory museum. Some 3,300 employees help produce 40,000 tractors a year at Mannheim. The largest John Deere production facility outside North America, it is also the largest tractor production facility in Germany, as two-thirds of all tractors manufactured in the country are produced in Mannheim. John Deere acquired the former Heinrich Lanz Ag facility in 1956. It took 70 years from the start of production of the first Lanz Bulldog tractor at the plant in 1921 to produce the one-millionth tractor in 1993, but…

The demand for slurry dribble bars and trailing shoes is huge at the moment, which clearly explains why so many relatively new faces have popped up offering tanker-mounted applicators. One of the more longstanding manufacturers is Vogelsang, and in 2020 it introduced the UniSpread as either a drop hose or a trailing shoe. Available in widths of 6.0m, 7.5m and 9.0m, these booms all fold vertically behind the tank, rather than horizontally down the sides of the barrel. The above units were more recently joined by a 10.5m version, which has a double-fold vertical boom and first featured in profi in our 11/2022 issue, where we explained how the UniSpread was retrofit-mounted to a 10m³ Bauer BSA slurry tanker. While the vertical-folding boom is a good pairing for the tandem-axle…

It sounds like nirvana for tanker owners: no wear, no additional drive and, in the event of a blockage, you don’t need any tools to fix the problem. The Schleppfix distributor seems to have what it takes to become the new benchmark in trailing shoe applicators. But where are its limits? And what sort of job does it do? Before we can answer these questions, we should explain how the applicator, which is made from stainless steel and powder-coated steel, actually works. Up to 11.5m wide Swiss firm Brunner offers the Schleppfix in three working widths: 7.20m, 9.00m and 11.50m. According to the maker’s spec sheet, these weigh in at 570kg, 680kg and 980kg, respectively. The two smaller units fold in half for a transport width of 2.55m and can…

A pressure washer is an indispensable tool around barns, the farmyard and especially when it comes to cleaning equipment. So, it’s no wonder that resourceful farmers have made their pressure washers even more practical by adding some clever modifications. And it’s not just the washer itself that’s been the focus of our farm modifiers; the washdown area also has potential for improvement — for machines, people and accessories. Whether permanently in place compressed air hoses or an insulated hut for the pressure washer, the ideas are diverse. Here we show you a range of improvements to help you with your spring cleaning or how to avoid freeze damage from a late frost. Hopefully you find some inspiration among them. REPLACE THE GUN AND STAY DRY TRACTOR WASH STAND FROM THE CEILING…

Cheshire-based N D Harper operates both a 10.5m UniSpread dribble bar on an umbilical system and a 10.5m trailing shoe version on a HiSpec 4000 (18m³) tanker, while its slightly older tanker counterpart has a 12m SwingUp shoe applicator. It’s fair to say the contracting and farming business has something of a penchant for Vogelsang applicators, so its contracting manager, Jamie Taylor, is well placed to speak about the merits of the various systems. The UniSpread dribble bar on the umbilical system replaced an older Spread Wise unit, which had done its time when the decision was taken to replace it with Vogelsang’s latest offering. The dribble bar is supplied with slurry from a Doda HD 35 pump, working through 5in and 4in hose directly from slurry lagoons and stores.…

Kent-based FGS Agri and FGS Organics have a long-established history of operating self-propelled muck and slurry application rigs. In the mid 1990s the business’ founder – Trevor Heathcote – started running a single Big-A spreader. A decade later he invested in a fleet of Terragators and since then the business has had all manner of machines. Today, sister-companies FGS Agri and FGS Organics run a total of six self-propelled solid spreaders and a further three dedicated liquid applicators. These include Ploeger and Vervaet five-wheelers, Claas Xerion 5000 with 28m3 Kaweco tanker and a quartet of Vredo fourwheelers – two with manure bodies and two with tanker packs, trailing shoe applicators and disc injectors. On top of that tractor-drawn spreaders, tankers and umbilical rigs help to further spread the business’ reach.…

Norwegian start-up company N2-Appliedhas been researching new technology for slurry processing for more than 10 years. And the company name pretty much sums up what it is achieving — applying airborne nitrogen (N2) to slurry. Basic chemical theory states that while atmospheric nitrogen will often occur at up to 78%, it also reacts sluggishly. In other words, it takes enormous amounts of energy to get nitrogen in the air to react with other atoms. This is exactly what the Norwegian company has achieved with its plasma reactor, and it uses this system to further ‘upgrade’ existing slurry/digestate. The result is called N2-Applied in a futuristic way with NEO (nitrogen-enriched organic fertiliser): simply nitrogen-enriched liquid manure. Modular principle To do this, N2-Applied supplies a 6.0m long container in which the technology…

Weaving Machinery says that the new easier to use and maintain 3.0m and 4.0m mounted GD disc drills will appeal to small farmers and those who prefer compact mounted machines. New features include a tubular coulter frame which helps to keep it clean, and a two-section folding mechanism for easy calibration and hopper emptying. Resulting in better weight distribution and through-flow of material, the 2,000l plastic tank comes from the Sabre drill. Heavy duty steel lids and a side door offer good access for maintenance and cleaning, and rear folding steps and two-stage platform provide plenty of space for filling the hopper. A gas spring in the upgraded GD coulter system is said to be more reliable than the previous hydraulic cylinders and results in easier set up. Seed distribution…

The Landini Landpower has returned to the European price lists in the form of two Stage V models: the 160 (155hp-165hp) and 180 (166hp-175hp). The iconic range disappeared from Europe in 2014, but Argo Tractors continues to make Stage III Landpower II models (117hp-157hp) at the Italian plant in Fabbrico for non-emission markets. Slotting in between the current four-pot 6RS (up to 155hp) and 7 series SWB (7-165 and 7-175) ranges, the Stage V Landpowers share their front end and 6.7l FPT six-pot 24-valve block with the latter. This is mated to the same T-Tronic powershift currently offered on Stage III Landpower tractors. Aimed at customers with no need for the firm’s Robo-Six (six-speed powershift) or VShift (CVT), the simpler six gear/three range box provides 54f x 18r speeds, and…

The full HD resolution John Deere G5 display comes with additional memory and increased processing power. The two portable versions (10.1” G5 and 12.8” G5Plus) can be used on all brands. Plus, there are two integrated monitors for specific John Deere machines and an extended monitor option. Offering up to a third more space for maps and information compared to the predecessors, both ISObus compatible displays, which use the familiar G4 user interface, come with IP65 water resistance. The G5 Plus comes standard with AutoTrac and section control. The new license program for advanced features means users only pay for what they need, and upfront costs are reduced. Both displays will be available for order later this year, and the G5/G5Plus CommandCenter will be available on John Deere machines from…

The recent Polish Agrotech farm machinery show was the world premiere for Landini’s first 300hp tractor. Called the 8 series, the two models: the 8-270 (273hp) and 8-310 (313hp), are both fitted with a V-Shift CVT. Landini dealers and customers have requested a tractor with more power than the 7-230 for some time. Landini and McCormick owner Argo Tractors is keeping much of the spec under wraps, but the Fabbrico plant has confirmed that the 8s are powered by the same 6.7l six-cylinder Stage V FPT block as the McCormick X8. This is equipped with an electronically controlled turbocharger eVGT and SCR exhaust aftertreatment system. The V-Shift CVT, which reaches 40km/hr at a quiet running engine speed of 1,300rpm (optional 50km/hr at 1,600rpm), also comes from the McCormick flagship. Inside…

Way back in 2017, Fendt released its first stepless-box tracked tractors with the three-model 900 Vario MT, topped by the 317kW/431hp 943MT. Fast forward on to 2021, and it was the turn of the four higher horsepower tracked units (376kW/511hp to 495kW/673hp max outputs) to get the Vario treatment. But it wasn’t just the transmission that saw a fundamental change, as there was also a change in engine: rather than AGCO Power’s own 12-cylinder, 16.8-litre motor, Fendt opted for a six-cylinder MAN with the low-revving concept (1,730rpm), which we've seen rolled out across many of the firm’s bigger wheeled tractor models. While the 1151, 1156 and 1162 have the D3876 engine with a 15.2-litre displacement, the top tractor, the 1167 Vario MT with a rated output of 439kW/588hp is equipped…

Rotary lobe pumps are made by a number of firms and can be found in various types of slurry handling kit. The so-called Blueline models from Börger are just one example and come in 25 different sizes with outputs of 1 to 1,450m³/hr. The maximum pump pressure of the smaller pumps is 16 bar. The larger the pump, the lower this stat is, with the largest models having a maximum of 6 bar. For agricultural use, pressures of more than 3 bar are rarely reached. Straightforward design The pumps' actual design is relatively simple: two intermeshing, rotating pistons feed the liquid through the spaces between them and around the outside of the housing to the outlet. Each piston has two or three lobes that can be straight or slightly twisted.…

Farmyard manure is a useful tool in any farm’s armoury to improve soils and reduce reliance on synthetic fertiliser, and in Northumberland, BJC Smalley & Co have been looking to maximise its use since 2016. “We have access to muck on the farm from 120 beef cows and followers, and we thought there had to be a way to make better use of it,” explains Michael Leyland, who runs the business with his father, Hugh. After calving in April, weaning takes pace in October and before the steers go off to market in March, the cattle are bedded on straw from West Kyloe’s cereal crops – there is 250ha of land in total, made up of arable plus temporary and permanent grassland. Muck to compost “We began looking for a…

With farming operations looking to expand whenever possible and take on more ground, land blocks will often become rather fragmented and out of reach of light-footed umbilical spreading set-ups — not ideal when the slurry spreading window is getting shorter, resulting in huge demand for contractors such as Andrew McConaghy. Based near Bushmills in Northern Ireland, McConaghy Contracts is a three-generation family business, with Andrew managing the day-to-day agricultural operation while his father, Robert, focuses on digger and ground work. Even grandfather and business founder, Bob, is still actively involved in the decision making process and helping out. It’s not just silage and slurry that keep the firm busy, but also crop establishment and combining; indeed, there aren't too many jobs this contracting enterprise doesn’t tackle. Its latest investment is…

Field-specific guidelines and full documentation relating to slurry application is becoming part of modern farming. So too is the recognition that slurry is nutrient rich but also that its nutrient value can vary. To optimise its value the slurry needs to be spread to provide a uniform distribution of the nutrients available to crops. This is not easy as the nutrient content of slurry is typically taken from a number of samples which can only provide a broad outline of the material’s overall values. In practice, nutrient levels can vary widely between tanker load, reducing the reliability of slurry as a fertiliser. As slurry is not homogenous, even mixed and stirred in storage, an additional degree of difference in nutrient values are to be expected which can mean the even…