Welcome to the December issue of profi international. In this issue we have an exclusive driving impression of the new Massey Fergsuon 8S which not only looks radiacally different to its predecessor but has some major hardware tweaks including a new powershift transmission. Visit the test centre to learn more.

Tractor test focus this month is the Fendt Varo 942 Gen 6 which as we have come to expect has some seriously impressive fuel economy. We also caught up with John Deere during harvest to find out if the new X9 1100 is really a 100t/hr plus machine in real world harvest conditions.  

Have a look for yourself to see what else you can read about in our latest issue.

Contents:

Driving impression: Massey Ferguson 8S

Massey Ferguson has massively revamped its 200-260hp offering with the new 8S and we have been behind the wheel to get a closer look. Turn to page 22 to find out more

Tractor test: Fendt Vario 942

Now with more power, the latest generation of Fendt 900 borrows a lot of tech from the larger Vario 1000 such as the low engine speed concept which has helped it achieve record low fuel consumption results in our Powermix tests.

Practical test: Walterscheid hydraulic top link

Not only does this hydraulic top link offer the convenience of quick adjustment it also has an integrated dampener to help cushion any bumps and thumps. Hubert Wilmer finds out how well it works.

Driving impression: McHale R62-72 rake

The R62-72 is the smaller of the two McHale rakes which was first shown at the Irish Ploughing in 2017. The well-built 6.2m to 7.2m twin rotor machine impresses us in the field.

Driving impression: Schuitemaker Rapide 6600 forage wagon

Now working in partnership with Veenhuis, Schuitemaker has given its contractor spec forage wagons an overhaul to boost output as we discovered in our first drive.

Used machinery: Spearhead Mutlicut 460 mowers

Even when seen shaking like a worried dog a Spearhead batwing topper can still work. This robust nature means it is easy to overlook the obvious when buying a used example. James de Havilland explains what checks you need to make when opting for a secondhand Multiwing mower.

Report: John Deere X9 1100 output challenge 

John Deere has been shouting from the roof tops just how good its new combine range topper is. But can it really harvest over 100t/hr? Turn to page 80 to find out.

Report: High speed Hanomag

Old and slow? Not this vintage Hanomg, which is capable of hurtling along at 105km/hr. Find out how the owner has given his steed some pep in its step.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Test

Fendt Vario 942 . . . . . . . . . . .  12

Walterscheid hydraulic top link . . . .……. 20

Driving impression

Massey Ferguson 8S.245 tractor . . . .……. 22

McHale R62-72 rake . . . .……. 26

Giant GT5048 telehandler ….  . . . …….30

Schuitemaker Rapide 6600 forage wagon . . . . . . . . . . .  32

Pegas-Agro Tuman 3 sprayer . . . . .. . .  36

Used machinery

Spearhead batwing topper . . . . . . 40

Workshop

Deutz-Fahr AgroStar 6.21 overhaul – Part 2 . . . . 48

Versatile universal socket . . . . 52

Livestock

Metcalfe Farms self-propelled feeding . . . .54

Special

Telehandler market round up . . . . . 62

Index for 2020 . . . . . . 93

Technical

B-ISOBUS IO Gateway . . . . . 76

Report

Birch Farm auction report . . . . 78

John Deere X9 1100 output test . . . . . 80

John Deere T670i output test . .  . . . . . . 84

Contract combining in Europe . . . . . 86

High speed Hanomag . . . . . 90