Profiの August 2022 の目次

Another month, another show. For me, Cereals Event had fallen down the show pecking order in recent years, so I wasn’t expecting much. Wrong. As it turns out, I was struck by the real buzz around the field in Cambridgeshire, and that wasn't just from the swooping Spitfires from nearby Duxford Aerodrome. Little tip: if you're ever in the area, the air museum is well worth a look. And, no, palms haven't been greased for the plug. Anyway, back to Cereals. It seemed to be smiles all round this year, and there was a surprising amount of kit on display to give punters something to mull over. As well as the usual array of cultivation and spraying hardware, it was a good spot to get a feel for what's happening…

Even though the core elements such as the stepless transmission and axles are the same as on the 211S we tested in the 10/2020 issue, under the newly shaped bonnet of the latest 200 series there's more going on to get the 3.3-litre, three-cyl AgcoPower motor to reach Stage V. In addition to the DOC system, it now has an SCR unit plus a particulate filter, while EGR is no longer required. The engine also benefits from hydraulic tappets, because readjusting the valves became harder as there was less space under the hood. Fendt sent us the biggest tractor in the five-model range, the 77kW/105hp (rated power at ECE R-120) 211 Vario; the smallest is the 207 Vario. On the subject of power, the 211 is the only model within…

The ProfiKura 3D has three big pluses. Firstly, the new rubber flooring has a built-in slope of 3%, allowing urine to quickly run off and making the shed walkways drier. Secondly, less ammonia is produced. And, thirdly, because the 3% slope means the cows are no longer standing in a layer of slurry as the floor is being scraped, hoof health also benefits from the floor mats with integrated drainage. We caught up with one farmer who had the system installed in his 14-year-old barn for 130 dairy cows as part of an on-farm trial. Slippery when wet Given that water runs down a slope, why do so many cow sheds with solid floors have level walkways? The main reason is to stop excess drying, especially on concrete floors which…

New Holland T7 SWB models switched to Stage V (Tier 5) emission standards in 2021, with key developments as listed below. To avoid possible confusion, the Horizon Ultra cab launched on the T7 LWB Stage V models is not part of the SWB tractor’s development. Stage V emissions reduce particulate matter by a further 40%, achieved by adding a ‘clean-up’ catalyst within the SCR chamber. Stage IV engine service intervals of 600hours increased to 750 hours. Transmission service increased to 1500 hours. Fuel capacity increased to 330 litres (from 328 litres). New single tank on the LH side replaces the main and auxiliary tanks of Stage IV tractors. S models retain 260 litre tank capacity. Intelligent Trailer Braking System, (ITBS), option for AutoCommand transmissions tractors either as a factory install…

With harvest having started in some countries, there may not be enough time to implement all of our featured improvements, although there are a few that'll be quicker to do. So here's our list of reader-supplied mods tweaks and alterations. In short, there should be something for everyone. If you have any tips, then please get in touch Twins on the road The owner of this Case IH 9120 has welded a frame to make transporting the dual wheels that bit easier. The chunky frame can be mounted on the combine’s front or on a three-point linkage, and it has loads straps to hold the tyre in place. Reflectors highlight the width of the carrier to other road users. Light her up There's no excuse for not seeing the rear…

Note: hydraulics details show output of main pump plus gear pump for steering, clutch packs, etc, where fitted. ArmaTrac 54-series With its synchro shuttle 16x16 transmission, the 120hp ArmaTrac 1254 Lux CRD4 is in many respects one of the simplest tractors in this power category. But it is also pretty well equipped for what many would regard as a ‘budget’ tractor, having air conditioning, electronic rear linkage control, a pick-up hitch, fender-mounted linkage and pto controls, and so on. Power comes from a 3.6-litre four-cylinder Deutz TCD engine equipped for Stage IV emissions rules. Case IH Maxxum For something a little larger with a higher permissible all-up weight, the Maxxum models in this power band offer no fewer than three transmission options. Simplest is ActiveDrive 4, a semi-powershift unit with…

In addition to the current 635mm and 735mm wide rubber belts, there is a new 457mm option for the Axion TerraTrac 930 (355hp) and 960 (445hp) making it suitable for row crop work, such as spreading fertiliser or working with mechanical hoes. The company says that the new narrower tracks are ideal for further reducing soil damage and compaction on fields and grassland, and active belt control when steering means there is no surface damage when turning tight. Although not available in the UK and Ireland, all three track widths can now also be supplied with a 3.0m track centre setting in selected markets, such as Australia, for CTF applications. A new option that is available here for the two half-track tractors is a CTIC tyre inflation system on the…

The redesigned screens on desktop and mobile versions of the Ag-Drive digital app are said to be simpler and faster to use, and bulk actions can now be processed, saving even more time. The most significant change is it is no longer necessary for users to enter their credit card details to start a 14-day trial. Other changes have made it easier to manage customer information and invoicing. Users can now add customers without having to specify a customer email address and the platform supports bulk imports of customer data to save time when setting up accounts. After the free trial period expires, users can choose one of four pricing plans depending on the size of their team. Plans start from £10 per month.…

Last month’s Twitter poll asked: ‘How would you most like to access profi’s content in the future?’ As you can see from the results, most of you would prefer to access profi’s content in the magazine, while the second most popular choice was to read it online. We will be sharing another poll on our Twitter page in the coming weeks so make sure you head over to @profitractors for where we’ll ask: ‘In view of rising diesel prices, are you actively considering using alternative fuels or switching to electric vehicles where possible?’ We’ll be giving you the options of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ but if you have any alternative suggestions, please DM us. We look forward to hearing from you.…

There's a developing market for large capacity forage wagons that can give a shorter crop chop length and run on ground-friendly big rubber. And a lot of these are using a moving front to boost capacity. Strautmann has the Magnon, a new wagon design that was unveiled in 2019. Yet it isn’t just the moving headboard that's different on the Magnon; it was presented with the new Flex-Load pick-up with plastic tines. Smooth running, less wear and better ground hugging are what the sales rep will promise. During our test, the smooth running and super easy tine changes really stood out. In normal conditions, their crop-raking ability is pretty similar to a pick-up's with steel tines. In very short grass, such as late in the season, a thin steel tine…

Gathering up straw bales can be a time-consuming task at a busy time of year … and even more so if the bales are dotted across the field and not grouped for speedier clearance. Spanish machinery maker Arcusin’s answer to this is the Forstack FRS bale chaser, of which there are two versions: the FRS8 for 80cm wide bales and the FRS12 for 120cm packs. Collecting power The featured FRS12 machine was fitted with a K80 spoon but a ring hitch is also available as a no-cost option. Also, part of the standard Arcusin package is a pto-powered hydraulic pump that slips onto the stub. There is the option (€2,250) of a permanently installed slip-on pump. Utilising this power, the electrohydraulic valves are operated from an in-cab control box. Hydraulic…

The majority of UK T7 SWB tractors will have been sold with a 50km/hr transmission Wide mix of Range Command semi-powershift, Power Command full-powershift or Auto Command CVT. Four rear spool valves. Front linkage (powered either by mid mount valves or via rear remotes so check on a used buy), Three-year telematics from new common. Check ability to extend on a used buy Options that can be retrofitted by a dealer include: Intelligent Trailer Braking software unlock (Auto Command models only) GPS receiver signal unlock upgrades Front PTO (and a front linkage if not fitted) Intelliturn unlock ISObus Task controller unlock…

Whilst casually hooking up a wholly unnecessary 160 of Deutz’s finest ponies to our heirloom three ton trailer, I was reminded of the first time I ever used a pick-up hitch — probably because it was with that very same trailer and my first love, an ’88 SAME Explorer 70. I can still remember the howl from the gearbox, the forward-hinged doors and it’s ability to mock mountain goats for their comparatively poor climbing skills. My father did tell the tale that he once had to top it up with diesel, but, as anyone with any experience of the Explorers will tell you, this is highly unlikely as they ran on no more than a whiff of the red stuff. Over the years other tractors, listed below, have since come…

We’ve made eight changes to this picture of a Kuhn VBP 2160 baler wrapper. Simply locate our changes and then mark them on the gridline picture at the bottom of the page. Submit your answers (A1, B2, C3, for example) via our website profi.co.uk by the 12th July and we’ll pick one correct entry at random. Don’t get too competitive — it’s just for fun! The differences spotted in last issue’s picture of a John Deere 7280 R tractor cab were correctly identified by: Ernest Jones Reading Berks. Congratulations! THE DIFFERENCES WERE IN THE FOLLOWING SQUARES: B/C11, D3, D6, E3, E5, E8, F4, G4 ORIGINAL NEW To submit your answers, please visit profi.co.uk and look for the Competition tab. YOUR ANSWERS…

NEW WELSH DEALER FOR BOBCAT A&M Group is now responsible for sales and service for the entire Bobcat range of loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers, light compaction and attachments in south, west and mid Wales. Newport-based Border Bobcat, the previous dealer for the area, is now specialising in the Bobcat skid-steer, compact track, compact wheel and small articulated loader ranges for the counties of Powys and Gwent. The A&M Group has purchased two plots on the Brackla Industrial Estate in Bridgend, one of which will form the location for the company’s new headquarters. The new facilities in Bridgend complement the existing operations in St Clears in Carmarthenshire, from where A&M Group serves the west of Wales. PÖTTINGER CONNECTS TO SMART NETWORK Looking after the functions for controlling, recording and transmitting data from…

The larger 3.6-litre four-cylinder FPT Stage V engine in the latest versions of Case IH’s Luxxum takes up the same space as the previous block, but provides increased power output at the lower end of the range, and up to 5.0% higher torque levels. Reaching its maximum torque at the lower engine speed of 1,300rpm, the new block is said to improve load response and start capability under heavy loads. The exhaust after-treatment system meets Stage V emission regs by using a DOC, a maintenance-free particulate filter and an SCR unit. The electro-hydraulic joystick on the new models combines the new L series front loader and transmission controls. New options include a leather steering wheel, and carpet floor mat plus two new work lights, increasing the total number to 10.…

A 2011 Range Command T7.210 SWB T7 Stage IIIB tractor with around 8,000hrs on the clock can possibly be priced from around £25,000 for a private sale, with non-franchised dealers perhaps offering similar examples at nearer £35K. Lower hour and later Stage IIIB examples can breach £50K if in really good order. Move to a 2016 Stage IV tractor and prices for an entry spec 3,000-3,500-hour Range Command model on half worn tyres can command north of £56K. Late Stage IV T7.210 tractors will retail for prices that can start at £70k, Auto Command models with around 2,000 hours selling for nearer £76,000 to £78,000 or more if you want a fully tricked out Blue Power model. As to availability, a great deal will depend upon when you are looking.…

New Holland FPT six-cylinder 6.7 litre power units have been around for long enough to have earned a good dependability record, with service intervals increasing from 500 to 600 and now 750 hours since the first TSA models appeared back in the early 2000s. The key used checks include looking for leaks, checking the water trap is filled with clean fuel, ensuring the oil is not filthy (and is showing above minimum on the dip stick) and that the radiators and air filters are clean. A key to longevity and future dependability is to keep on top of servicing using the recommended engine oil and filters plus using a quality AdBlue and ensuring the fuel is clean and not degraded. If buying a high hour tractor with a less than…

With the decision to switch over to organic production, Oykel Farms, which is a farming tenant on the Sandringham Estate, decided to hold a dispersal auction as it re-kits for the future. On offer was a selection of machines that will no longer be needed as well as a clear-out of the sheds of older implements not used for some years. Also part of the sale was a range of high-hour tractors: the John Deere 6630 stayed local whereas the 7310R made its way down to a farm in Devon. “This is a typical, light sand West Norfolk farm with big fields that has been growing cereals and beet,” says auctioneer Simon Wearmouth of Brown and Co, the firm that was tasked with staging the sale. “The farming business was…

PRACTICAL TEST Forage trailer group test The second part of our forage trailer test checks out each model in more detail. TECHNICAL Ag Leader SteadySteer With a simple-to-remove drive motor, Ag Leader’s SteadySteer can be swapped between tractors quickly and easily. PRACTICAL TEST Kubota BV5160 Plus SC14 baler A reliable variable-chamber baler with no frills that can reliably make a good bale. That's just part of our test assessment of Kubota's BV5160 Plus SC14. DRIVING IMPRESSION Pöttinger Mergento merger Pöttinger has taken the wraps of its foray into the merger market, and our test team managed to obtain an exclusive first look. TECHNICAL Stepping up on rubber Have you got the right tractor but booted with the wrong tyres? We explain what you need to consider when changing wheel sizes.…