For one Oxfordshire grower, making the most of logistics when completing a 2,000ha harvest requires more than just combine capacity. The farm has invested in drying, storage and handling facilities … and adopted a 40m controlled traffic system, too
A 2,000ha harvest requires more than just a bit of luck if logistics and productivity are to be maximised. For Ben Smith, of Ben Smith and Sons, Manor Road Farm, Wantage, it’s all about making the most of resources to operate in a more timely and efficient manner. Since last season, those resources have included a pair of Claas Lexion 780TT combines equipped with the German company’s largest headers, the special-order V1350. Each header measures a colossal 13.8m overall, from end to end, with 13.5m available to the knife.
“We first moved up to the V1350 header in 2013, replacing a V1200 on our first 780TT,” explains Mr Smith. “It gave us a useful hike in output, as back then we were relying solely on one combine for over 4,000 acres. Everything we had was running pretty much to full capacity — there was nothing in reserve.”
The larger header coincided with a change in tramlines from 32m up to 40m, to make the most of sprayer performance from the farm’s Chafer trailed unit, which is tasked with applying liquid fertilisers in addition to sprays.
“Increasing our tramlines to a 40m spacing was straightforward for our 8.0m drill, but it was the V1350 combine header that created one of those lightbulb moments,” he says. “Three header widths would let us follow a controlled traffic system at 40m.”
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