Tractor test
Case IH Maxxum 130 EP
Take it to the ‘Max’
To help identify its Stage IIIB/Tier 4i Maxxum models from their predecessors, Case IH has given them the Efficient Power tag line. Presumptuous? Maybe. Here we look at the range’s most powerful four-cylinder model, the 96kW/131hp/129PS (ECE-R120) Maxxum 130 MultiController, to see just how ‘Efficient’ the tractor really is
Practical test
John Deere 900-series round balers
The curtain goes up…
…on Deere’s new variable-chamber round baler, which delivered high bale density and output in our field tests. That’s probably just as well, as both were priorities during the French-built machines’ development
Driving impression
New Holland CX7000/8000 Elevation combine harvesters
CX combines take the high (speed) ground
New Holland’s mid-range CX7000 and CX8000 straw walker combines have a new tag — ‘Elevation’. Much is different: highlights include straw walker speed control and 40km/hr road travel… although the latter is sadly not for the UK
Cushman 1600XD-R Diesel 4×4 utility vehicle
It’s cushty
Fully-road legal, the Cushman 1600XD-R is one of the new breed of vehicles eating into ATV sales. But is the Cushman contribution farm-tough? And what’s this UTV like to live with on a daily basis? James de Havilland reports
Massey Ferguson 5613 tractor
One for the dairy boys?
At Agritechnica Massey Ferguson unveiled three new tractors in the 100-130hp bracket. We grabbed one of the first production models for a quick spin in the field
Zetor Major 80 tractor
Little big man
Zetor’s new Major sports a big capacity four-cylinder turbodiesel. A test drive? Certainly, sir. We find out what this refreshingly simple tractor has to offer…
Livestock equipment
Calf housing
Keep the calves cosy
Calf rearing techniques have taken some sizeable steps forward in recent years as both the dairy and beef industries recognise that the way calves are housed, managed and cared for has a major impact on their performance in later life, be it in terms of weight gain for beef or milk yield for dairy cows. Andy Collings reports
Used machinery
New Holland T7030–T7060 tractors
Affordable Basildon muscle
Replacing New Holland 177hp TM175 and 194hp TM190 tractors for the 2007 season, the four-model T7000 series spans rated powers from 167hp to 213hp. Although these tractors carry over a substantial amount of long-wheelbase TM ‘DNA’, they are different in a number of important areas, including their engines. James de Havilland reports
Workshop
From the workshop
Simple solutions to perennial problems
It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a New Year. Mike Donovan kicks off our 2014 ‘Simple solutions’ with another batch of cost-saving ideas from his extensive collection, including, in this instalment, a smart silage additive applicator and robustly built two-bale carrier. Happy New Year from ‘Simple Solutions’
Machine management
Large-scale digestate spreading
Muck in money
Anaerobic digesters, a large pig finishing enterprise, large arable areas and large contracting businesses with large machines — they all add up to large-scale slurry and digestate spreading operations. Andy Collings reports
Around the world
The 6M arrives in South Africa / Sprayer wins awards / Deere buys planter maker / Slim combination for mowing jobs
Report
Agritechnica 2013
Bigger and better
Spot some familiar machinery faces along the top of this page? Agritechnica has long been a showcase for new kit, and the 2013 event proved no different. OK, so many of the major tractor players had few surprises on display, but then there was still plenty to see in the implement halls for Mervyn Bailey, Steven Vale and Andrew Faulkner. And, as a bonus, there’s even more kit to be found on
Contractor price guide 2014
UK contractor charges
This is the National Association of Agric.Contractors’ charge guide, based on info supplied by its members last spring. The figures are ONLY A GUIDE and assume a red diesel price of 70p/litre. Prices will vary according to UK region, size of job, type of equipment used etc
Tractor guide 2014
Our over-80hp guide shows max engine hp for draft work and, if available, max hp with boost. Other columns: engine (T = turbo, capacity in litres, E = electronic fuelling); shuttle (P/S = power shuttle, S/S = synchro shuttle); transmission; hydraulics (G = gear pump, P = piston pump, max output in litres/min, M = manual spools, E = electric spools); and linkage (capacity in tonnes, E = electric
Technical
Powershift gearbox operation
Gearing up for a finish
For the third and final part in this series comparing hydrostat and torque converter/powershift transmissions, Terry Evans (Engineering Manager, Turner Powertrain Systems) shows Andrew Pearce the way through Turner’s PG 115 powershift box
