Table of contents for April 2026 in Profi

Seven is the magic number this month as we test seven 100hp tractors and seven rakes — and it is not even the July issue! There’s still plenty of chopping and changing happening in the dealer network, and not just in the UK and Ireland. In Germany, things are shaking up, too. For instance, IPSO, one of the largest John Deere dealers in Europe, has taken over REBO Landmaschinen and B+S Landtechnik (a total of 17 depots across northern and eastern Germany). IPSO is part of the French Monnoyeur Group, a global business operating in 23 countries. The IPSO division has over 1,100 employees spread across 45 depots in Croatia, Romania and Turkey. But that is not the only change in the market. In the north of the country, Lankhorst…

It is 15 years since AGCO took over Fella, and in that time the engineering team has been busy. One of the new bits of kits from the grassland specialist is its top-of-the-range triple mower conditioner outfit, the Fendt Slicer 310 FQ KC and 960 KCB Pro or Massey Ferguson DM316 FQ HD and DM9614 TL HD. Among the initial goals was to come up with a contractor-speed mower conditioner with a merger. And that’s what the designers have done. To keep things simple, and because that is the machine we had on test, we're going to use Fendt language here. The Slicer 960 KCB Pro is ISObus- and TIM-compatible and mows just over 9.30m (or 9.60m when shifted out to its widest pin position). Completing the outfit was a…

There ls a certain Austrian logic to Göweil’s model designation for its G-1 F125 Kombi, which breaks down as: G-1 for Generation 1, F125 means fixed chamber, 125cm bale and Kombi is self-explanatory for this combi baler. But G-1 F125 Kombi doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue; nor does it help if you are trying to suss out which is an older or newer machine. So that’s why Göweil people refer to the newest model as the Version 14. Which, incidentally, last year replaced the Version 13 that had been launched in 2022 We caught up with the first Version 14 to land in Ireland during the 2025 season as it was doing its demo tour, and, although it looks almost identical to a Version 13, there have been numerous…

New Holland has redesigned its CX range of combines, including the VariFeed headers that go with them. We were able to use a preseries tracked CX8.90 last harvest to combine some oilseed rape and find out what has changed. Five models with walkers The CX series comprises five models, ranging from the CX7.80 with 340hp to the CX8.90 with 460hp. The 7 series are still five walkers while the 8s have six. Grain tank volumes ranges from 9,000- to 12,500-litres. Otherwise all five models are more or less identical. Engine and transmission Featured here is a CX8.90 with a six-cylinder FPT Cursor 9 engine with 338kW/460hp. The diesel tank holds 1,000-litres plus there is 120-litres of DEF. Thanks to the ‘on filter’ system, the exhaust emissions meet Stage V without…

● Tractor and Practical Tests ● Driving Impressions ● Technical & Tuning ● Used Machinery ● On-farm reports A perfect present for John Deere enthusiasts! SCAN TO ORDER ONLY £9.99 + postage ORDER ONLINE: SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/DEERE or CALL: 01959 543 747 quoting BZJOHNDEERE TELEPHONE LINES OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8.30AM-5.00PM. CALLS ARE CHARGED AT YOUR STANDARD NETWORK RATE…

Being an 80’s child, I have fond memories of visiting various dealerships in the local area and seeing their stock proudly lined up on show. From the brand spanking new to the old yet sound, they were all on the forecourt and there to cater for all budgets. Now, a glance across the classifieds shows many franchised dealers with nothing on-site over five years old. There may be an odd exceptional example of an older model with an equally exceptional price tag, but, on the whole, older trade-ins tend to be underwritten and shipped off rather than retailed. I can see why. More wear and tear gained over the years would need to be addressed before a machine could be retailed with any confidence. Also, it would not take many…

Located near Spalding, in South Lincolnshire, the 668ha farm grows wheat (182ha), vegetables (161ha), and sugar beet beet (115ha). Other crops include onions and celeriac, with some land rented out for daffodils. The potato area was down from 120ha in 2024 to 93ha last season, but the crop remains an important part of the rotation. Logistic efficiency Turning the clock back 20 years, like many other farms up and down the country, the business relied on a trailed two-row harvester. With land spread over a four-mile radius, the farthest fields tied up four staff - the harvester operator and three tractors and trailers. Keen to change this, Alexander and his son Charles Hay looked at self-propelled machines from AVR, Dewulf and Grimme. In the end, they concluded that the all-hydraulically…

The French collection Cheffins online thin-out sale, staged in the Home Counties finally finished at 10am Tuesday 6 January. It featured various parts of the vehicle preservation sector including some vintage 15 tractors, one steam portable and some lovely vintage lorries from the 1925-60s period. The tractors were original style and many needed lots of work of some kind or other and quite a few were preservation imports, but all straight. The best was the February 1958 Fordson Diesel E1A Major with cab that raised a £4,600 plus commission, here are the results. RESULTS • Minneapolis-Moline GTS clean undersized rear tyres needs work 3 £3,400 • John Deere D styled looks good well detailed rear tyres cracked 4 £5,200 • McCormick-Deering W9 2 £1,600 • Nuffield DM4 Universal 2 £1,400…

The Dutch OC-Group is known in its homeland for its bespoke machines, the most striking being the Torq HC (High Clearance) Trac straddle tractor. With a ground clearance of 1.7m it was developed for weeding between fruit trees. Now the Dutch company is looking to develop a more broader appealing Torq tractor for vegetable and arable farms. Developed following a customer request, the prototype has worked with a drill and mechanical hoe, and while it will be used mainly with a spot sprayer this season, could also be interesting with a laser weeder. The result of two years of R&D, the prototype is powered by a 135hp Deutz engine, top speed of the hydro-mechanical gearbox is 40km/hr, and road width is below 3.0m. Fitted standard with a suspended front axle,…

MANITOU FRANCHISE FOR GEORGE BROWNS Manitou UK has added George Browns to its dealer network with a territory covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire. Operating through its depots in Chesham and Daventry, the family-run business offers Manitou telescopic handlers, skid steer and track loaders, and industrial fork trucks. Managing director Steve Brown describes the appointment as a significant and positive step. “Manitou has a strong reputation for producing reliable, practical loading solutions that are well suited to the demands of UK farming, and its product range sits naturally alongside the brands we already represent.” STRONGER PRESENCE FOR NEW HOLLAND IN MID WALES Hall Agri has taken on the New Holland franchise for the Welshpool area. This strategic move strengthens the brand’s presence in Mid Wales, ensuring local farmers have seamless access…

KRONE STABLE IN WEAK MACHINERY MARKETS Krone Group generated sales revenues of nearly €2.3 billion in the financial year ending July 31, 2025; down €100 million on the previous year. Farm machinery accounted for approx. €846 million of the total, and despite the downturn in the markets, was a 1.2% increase on the last fiscal year. 26.3% of this was generated in Germany. One third of the rest was spread across other West European markets. Eastern Europe, North America, and the rest of the world, accounted for 10%, 20% and 10.7%, respectively. Sales are expected to remain at a similar level this year.…

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Last summer, Kuhn launched the widest working mounted mower model, the GMD15030, that can clear a 14.5m path on every pass. We had a chance to drop several acres with it, and it didn’t take long. Straightforward attachment Already sitting on the shelf was the heavy-duty headstock, the same one that is used on the triple mower conditioners. This Cat III unit is spot-on for the near 3.8t four-gang mower. Welcome additions are the integrated parking stands, which mean the GMD15030 can be unhitched while it is still folded up. Previously, these slot-in park legs were only available separately. Kuhn completely redesigned the left and right mower arms so that they can support two cutterbars. Massive bearings form the inner pivot point for the ladder frame style arms, with a…

The key positive of deep-litter cubicles is cow comfort, but that comes at the cost of extra work. Looking to help remedy this at a reasonable price is Austrian firm Rosensteiner, which has come up with the Libox T3 loader attachment. As a two jobs-in-one machine, it takes care of levelling the cubicles and applies fresh litter — which suggests significant savings in time and labour. The main feature of the Libox T3 is a metal arm (which comes in various lengths). It is fitted with spring steel tines that level the deep-litter cubicles as the telehandler, yard loader or skidsteer travels up and down the alleyways. The Libox does have a simple depth control system to prevent the raking arm from being overworked. There’s also a collision guard that…

Bushes, bolts and holes — these three components are among the most frequently worn parts on intensively worked machines. Poor lubrication, overloading, defective bearings or worn shafts can lead to serious damage. Replacing complete parts is often neither practical nor necessary, and this is where a mobile boring machine can save the day. We took a closer look at the process in Troja Baumaschinen’s repair shop in the small town of Salzkotten (for the history buffs, this was in the former ‘British Sector’) in Germany. Here we met the owner Christoph Troja and watched him carrying out a repair. In the firm’s workshop was a high-tip bucket off a wheeled loader. The bores in the pivot bearing were worn. Outside in the yard, an old telehandler with a worn carriage…

Linking multiple implements in combination has evolved over the years from simple tillage trains to balers and wrappers, streamlining multi-machine tasks into a single tractor and operator job. With the introduction of ISObus, and the prospect of ever more intelligent machines, it appears that manufacturers are looking for additional ways to make field work more efficient, by pairing up more complex machinery. German maker Krone took the humble twin rotor rake, covered it with sensors and wires, and paired it with one of its combi round balers to create the snappily named Krone Swadro Bale Train TC880 Pro. Last stop, Yorkshire At first glance, it’s a lengthy combination, particularly when a twin-axle Comprima CV150 XC Plus baler-wrapper brings up the rear of the rig. And you could be forgiven for…

Contracting is all about delivering the results, and while continuing to expand and develop his Dawson Gritting business this is very much at the forefront of Ed Dawson’s mind. “We aim to always have the capacity to ensure that we can get the job done, even if the unexpected such as a breakdown happens, and keeping operators happy is another important strand of this.” Gritting for schools, hospitals, business parks and local airports is one task where dependability is essential, and having the resources to achieve this has led Ed to invest in specialist machinery and premises. “I did a lot of grassland work with one major client also being the landlord for my yard,” recalls the contractor. “When he decided to sell the land, I had a choice to…

Agrii has announced a new partnership with TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods that will transform how farm data are connected and used across digital technologies. The collaboration, unveiled at the Oxford Farming Conference, will integrate Agrii’s Contour platform with TELUS Crop Management, bringing greater interoperability across a farm’s digital ecosystem. Dr Ruth Mann, head of Integrated Crop Technologies at Agrii, said the partnership supports the industry’s move towards Agriculture 5.0 – the next stage in the evolution of farming, building on precision technologies while keeping farmers and agronomists central to decision-making. “We have been looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) can take all of the big data available – such as from sensors, satellites, drones, AI and other emerging technologies – and pull it together to provide better analytics,” she…

In 2026, Fruit Focus will turn 40 years old and will celebrated at Bradbourne House. In order to mark the occasion, Fruit Focus will be hosted at a new location on 8 July 2026 at Bradbourne House, Kent and will include a full day of special events within the main event. Bradbourne House is owned by The East Malling Trust, a registered charity supporting UK fruit growers. The 500-acre estate around Bradbourne House is filled with orchards, crop trials and vineyards with all types of British fruit growing. In addition to the expanded exhibition and networking, Fruit Focus 2026 will include new seminar stages for more advice: • Niab research stage covering the latest R&D • Vines and viticulture stage for technical advice • NFU Fruit Forum for business strategy…

● Tractor and Practical Tests ● Driving Impressions ● Technical & Tuning ● Used Machinery ● On-farm reports A perfect present for John Deere enthusiasts! ORDER ONLINE: SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/DEERE or CALL: 01959 543 747 quoting BZJOHNDEERE TELEPHONE LINES OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8.30AM-5.00PM. CALLS ARE CHARGED AT YOUR STANDARD NETWORK RATE SCAN TO ORDER ONLY £9.99 + postage…

NORTHERN FENDT DEALERS JOIN FORCES The two family-owned businesses of Brockhills of Yorkshire and P.V. Dobson have formed a new partnership as a Fendt dealership for Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the Northeast. Trading as P.V. Brockhills, in addition to the head office at the Dalton depot, P.V. Brockhills operates dedicated Fendt service centres from P.V. Dobson’s existing sites in Levens and Skipton, with an additional centre established at P.V. Dobson’s Washington depot. Fendt specialists will provide dedicated sales and service support in these areas, operating independently from P.V. Dobson’s existing service hubs, which will continue to support existing franchises. JOHN DEERE EXPANDS IN THE US John Deere is to open a new distribution centre in Indiana early next year. Anticipated to generate around 150 new jobs, the new facility will…

Designed to improve spreading efficiency and lower maintenance costs when spreading lime, the Duraflo discs and vanes from British company Simcox are the result of seven years of development. Unlike most lime spreaders where the vane is mounted on a base plate and bolted to the disc, the spreading vane on the patent pending Duraflo system slots through the disc and is secured by a locking nut. “By slotting through the disc, the product being spread flows freely along it and onto and off the vane with no obstruction,” comments Simcox director, Graham Simcox. The one-piece no-weld design is said to last up to twice as long as conventional lime spreading discs and vanes. “Also, one retaining bolt per vane makes maintenance a breeze, slashing time spent in the workshop.”…

There is a sizeable market for 100hp tractors across Europe, especially in countries such as Turkey. Even in Germany last year, there were over 5,000 tractors sold in this power bracket. Meanwhile in the Republic of Ireland, the 50-120hp sector represented over 19% of the more than 2,000 tractors sold there in 2025. The reason is simple, versatility — from the array of specs and builds to the type of work they are expected to take on, from jobs around the yard to chores in vegetable fields. Last summer we took a close look at seven models, and the initial results of our test can be found overleaf within the table that outlines the main performance stats. In this first part of our test, we primarily focus on engine performance.…

Now that the four-rotor rake market is maturing, there are more buying options on the table. For the more intensive user that can justify the additional expense, there are the all-singing, all-dancing machines with section control and automatic working width adjustment etc. But at the other end of the scale, there is a growing market for simple models. So, for this practical test comparison we are looking at these ‘jump on and go’ entry-level machines, those models with uncomplicated hydraulic operation (preferably without ISObus) that can row up 12m of grass into a neat swath. The line-up The following 'seven' matched that criteria: • Claas Liner 4700 Business • Fendt Former 12545 Gen. 2 • Krone Swadro TC1250 • Kuhn GA13031 • Pöttinger TOP VT12540 C • SIP Star HD…

If you're already a forager fan, then you will know why Claas has developed the Jaguar 1000 series. So let’s get straight down to business. In its backend sits the same MAN engine that has been fitted in the Jaguar 990. The MAN D2862, a twelve-cylinder, 24.24-litre motor, can generate up to 5,000Nm of torque at the crank while purring quietly at 1,400rpm. In terms of ponies in the biggest model, the Jaguar 1200, it maxes out at 1,110hp, which Claas says is enough to pump out up to 500t of material per hour. Apart from the engine, which is mounted higher and farther back, the 1000s are a completely new design that has been six years in development. Designated the Type 507, there are four models, with the 1080…

As is increasingly the case these days, potential choice and actual availability are two different things, the more so when you start to look for a used buy at the start of the grass growing season. When it comes to the Kverneland-Kubota-Vicon branded tedders we consider here, the models that have been the strongest sellers will obviously make up the key potential used market finds. Or at least that is in theory. In the UK and Ireland mounted eight rotor, 8.0m Kverneland Compact Line 8480 and heavier duty eight and 10 rotor 9.00m and 11.00m Pro Line 8590 and Pro Line 85112 (and the Kubota and Vicon branded equivalents - see table) are now the strongest sellers new but you will struggle to find used examples. Current models In broad…

The MiniE thermal imaging camera from Hikmicro measures just 4.2cm x 2.3cm x 1.1cm and costs around £110 (Amazon.co.uk). It connects to IOS or Android phones or tablets (from IOS 14 or Android 7.0) using the USB-C port or with one of the included adapters (Lightning for iPhone, USB-C). With a low power consumption of 0.31W, this should give you six to eight hours of runtime, depending on the phone’s battery. Setting up the camera is easy: Download the Hikmicro Viewer app, plug in the camera and you’re good to go. The thermal image is created based on nine temperature readings. The image resolution is 96 by 96 pixels, and the image frequency is 25Hz, which is sufficient. The camera measures temperatures in a range between -20 to +400°C. We…

Rather than compare all the different working widths and specific models, for this tedder round-up we focus on the rotor design. As well as getting details of the rotor arms, tines and ways of making adjustments, we asked all the manufacturers that are active on the UK market to provide recommended retail prices for their respective arms and tines plus for any fasteners that are likely to need replacing. Most tedder makers will have a number of rotor diameter sizes, and there are a couple of manufacturers also offering a choice of both straight or hook tines (Fendt, Rozmital, Sip, and Massey Ferguson). We've included these details within the individual sections listed on the following pages. Reasoning for the choice of small, mid and large rotor diameters, with similar working…

Reiff Contracting, from Troisvierges, in Luxembourg, is well known to many in the farm machinery world, thanks to its impressive premises and its large Fendt collection. Since our visit almost seven years ago, the Reiff business has continued to grow at a rapid pace. Quick recap Reiff brothers Josy and Johny joined their parents' business in the 1970s. In 1986, the first Fendt tractor arrived, a Farmer 310 that has now clocked nearly 15,000 hours and is still in use. Before that, they used Fords and Internationals tractors, as well as MB tracs. Back in 2003, Josy’s brother retired from the firm, sparking the company’s growth — Josy had always wanted to expand while Johny preferred to keep things small. Josy’s son Jeff joined the firm in 2008, just as…

If you have a story, or an event, please do get in touch: peterlove@madasafish.com, TEL: 01323 833125 Well we are already in February, yes the weather is not to warm but I still have been in the workshop with multiple layers to keep warm. I hope you all enjoyed the Lamma Show at the NEC over 14-15 January, our biggest machinery show these days. Well it’s time for the fabulous Doe Show over 3-5 February at Ulting, Essex the largest dealer show in the UK today. Sadly the classic and vintage ploughing section has been called off over the wet ground conditions. Over 21-22 February we have Kelsey Media’s Tractor World Show the biggest of its kind in the UK today, which I created 25 years ago now, time flies…

9-10 February Cambridge Machinery Sale. Machinery Saleground, CB6 2QT. Cheffins, www.cheffins.co.uk 13 February Plant & Machinery Auction. Brightwells, www.brightwells.com 21 February Auction at Tractor World – Vintage & Classic Tractors, Implements, Tractor Spares & Agricultural Bygones. Three Counties Showground, Malvern Worcestershire. H J Pugh & Co, www.hjpugh.com 23 February Online Collective Timed Auction of Tractors, Machinery & Effects. Greenslade Taylor Hunt, www.gth.net 26 February Plant & Machinery Sundry Items Auction. Brightwells, www.brightwells.com 27-28 February Maunce Collection Sale featuring restored MF & Ferguson,1,000 models, literature, 160 implements + more, H J Pugh, Hazle Meadows, Ross Road, Ledbury, HR8 2LP auctions@hlpugh.com 6 March Chepstow Collective Machinery Sale. Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire NP16 6EH. Greenslade Taylor Hunt, www.gth.net 7 March Sale of Automobilia, Petroliana, Globes, Pumps & Rare Signs. Hazle Meadows Auction Centre,…