Tractor test

Deutz-Fahr 6165 RC Shift:

It’s the little things:

One of the outside runners, Deutz-Fahr now has something for everyone in the 150-200hp category. We find out what one farming business thinks of its 6165, an example that‘s fitted with Deutz‘s auto semi-powershift RC Shift transmission.

Practical test

John Deere AutoTrac Turn Automation:

Approaching autonomous headland turns

Following on from last month’s tractor test on the 6250R, we had the opportunity to take a closer look at John Deere’s new generation of automatic headland control system.

Lower-cost disc harrows compared:

New discs, used money

Wanting a brand new disc harrow on a budget? We assess three makes from Poland (Agro Masz, Akpil and Mandam), to see what bang you get for your buck. And you may well be surprised by the impressive results.

Driving impression

Stihl MS 462 C-M chainsaw:

One saw does it all?

Stihl is replacing its MS 441 and 461 chainsaws with the lighter weight, higher tech MS 462 C-M model. One of the benefits of the new machine is more advanced fuel injection meaning less finicky running.

Power Precision Engineering Powerbale 14:

Load, go, stack

If you‘re seeking a trailer to gather round bales and leave them in the stack ready for wrapping, this Powerbale 14 merits consideration.

Kramer KT559 telehandler:

Going it alone

For this season Kramer made several updates to its side-boom agricultural telehandlers. We catch up with the flagship KT559 to sample the changes.

SIP Silvercut Disc 1500T FC mower:

Record breaker

With a massive 15.0m working width, SIP showed the Silvercut Disc 1500T FC mower at Agritechnica. We tracked down one of the prototype machines dropping grass in The Netherlands.

Livestock equipment

Automated feeding of dairy cows:

Feeding in Finland

We travel north to Finland to check out the Pellon auto feeding system. Just fill the hoppers and let the machinery do the rest.

Used machinery

Gaspardo precision maize drills:

Simple precision

Gaspardo ‘maize’ precision drills were first brought into the UK by Gloucestershire Claas dealer Mill Engineers in 1992 — now Claas Western. Gaspardo was taken over by Maschio in 1997, but Mill continued as importer until 2012 when OPICO took on UK distribution. Although these
drills have evolved over the years, the core operating principles have remained very much the same, making even the earliest examples a viable used buy

Workshop

Overalls compared:

Dirty work

Busted zips, ripped pockets or melted holes … have your overalls seen better days? Putting brand allegiance to one side we take a detailed look at what a selection of machinery makers have to offer.

Parts survey:

Get the calculator out

Last month we published our parts suvey looking at consumables and other items that a 180hp’ish CVT tractor is going to need over its life. But there were a couple of gremlins in the system. 

Machine management

Chasing high quality forage:

A focus on quality control

With 650 cows plus followers to feed, the Simcock family has a broad range of machinery at hand to make the best forage possible … including
running a furrow press on the silage clamp. It‘s all about attention to detail.

Technical

How it works – Cab suspension Part II

Making the cab comfy….on air

Last month we looked into steel spring modules and how they work. In this issue we switch the focus on to pneumatic and semi-active suspension systems.

Buyers guide:

Agri telehandlers 2018:

Our guide to agricultural telehandlers on offer in the UK.