Tractor test
Massey Ferguson 7624 Dyna-VT Exclusive
Middleweight punches like a heavyweight
While it may not rank as top dog in Massey’s 7600 tractor pack, the 163kW/222hp/219PS (rated output to 97/98 EC) MF 7624 still possesses a sizeable punch. Sold with either a mechanical or stepless transmission and in various builds, here we focus on the Dyna-VT Exclusive version
Practical test
New Holland CX6090 combine
Upwardly mobile, middle class
CX5000/6000 combines occupy the middle ground in New Holland’s straw walker machine range. The 6000s all have six walkers: the biggest of these is the Belgian-built CX6090 — the subject of this month’s combine test
Krone Big Pack 1270 XC HighSpeed big baler
Speedy by name, speedy by nature
We took a first look at Krone’s 1270 XC HighSpeed baler last year (profi 2/12), liking its claimed output. Later in the summer we put a pre-production example through a full test: it’s one rapid machine
Driving impression
Deutz-Fahr Agrotron Series 6 tractors
Number of the beast
First seen at 2011’s Agritechnica, Deutz-Fahr’s Series 6 tractors look the part. And there’s much more to the range than just a switch to a Stage IIIB SCR-catalyst engine…
Livestock equipment
Grassland rejuvenation
Moving on to pastures new
For livestock farmers in the UK and Ireland, a long winter and spiralling feed costs have highlighted the need to maximise the production of grassland. Andy Collings takes a look at pasture rejuvenation
Used machinery
Lely Welger RP220/235 and RP420/435 round balers
Roll your own with belts or rollers
Lely Welger round balers have a long-established pedigree in the UK, with fixed-chamber RP220/RP235 and variable-chamber RP420/RP435 models having only recently been superseded by the firm’s current RP245 and RP445 machines. So how do these popular balers stack up as a used buy? James de Havilland reports
Workshop
How they work: Baler knotters
Tying the knot
Knotters operate in a blur of 3D movement. To slow things down and see what’s going on, Andrew Pearce follows happenings on a training rig at Claas’s UK Saxham base. Explanations came courtesy of Ian Brydson (then Product Specialist, Green Harvest) and Alex Day, Technical Manager, Harvesting
From the workshop
Simple solutions to perennial problems
Summer might be here, but that’s no excuse to stop firing ideas out of the farm’s workshop. Short on inspiration? Then here’s the regular Mike Donovan bag in which to rummage. This month’s collection provides the usual broad selection — from a parlour roof fan to a hydraulically adjusted packer
Machine management
Options for sprayers
Application alternatives
Huge 6,000-litre+ self-propelled sprayers might grab the magazine headlines, but the majority of UK farmers operate more modestly proportioned applications kit. Nick Wigdahl talks to three users with 3,000-litre outfits, yet all with very different approaches to their preferred mode of sprayer propulsion
Around the world
Chaser bin takes top award Recap from largest indoor show in US Reducing compaction in South Africa’s maize crops First Dutch farmer to go articulated
Report
Cereals 2013
Eyes on the numbers
There were some big players missing from the exhibitor list at this year’s Cereals Event as manufacturers weigh up the cost of the show against the return. Yet there was still plenty to see, especially on the strip-till technology front. Andrew Faulkner and Mervyn Bailey provide this picture caption round-up
Contractor price guide 2013/2014
UK contractor charges
This is the National Association of Agric.Contractors’ charge guide, based on info supplied by its members this 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
Vehicles
Honda CR-V vs Range Rover Evoque Coupé
Peas from two ends of the same pod
Two surprisingly similar 4x4s at two very different prices line up for this month’s vehicle test. We decide whether to write a big cheque or a much smaller one
