Finalists are under orders
Finalists are under orders
This years Tractor Driver of
the Year final takes place on
Aug 1 at Silsoe. In the first
of a two-part series,
Andy Moore talks to three
of the five finalists
SANDY DONALD
AS workshop manager for a farm on a large estate, Sandy Donald could be considered a unique finalist among this years four other dedicated tractor drivers.
Based at Grange Farm, Nevenby, Lincs, Mr Donald believes his experience of servicing and test driving machinery will give him a good chance at the final.
"Skilful tractor work is not just about driving the machine, a good operator will also understand the technical and safety side," he explains. "After a tractor or piece of machinery has been repaired, I spend a lot of time testing the equipment in the field for safe and correct operation."
Another key for the finals, he says, will be his knowledge of operating a wide range of tractors – a range which includes 30 tracked and wheeled machines.
"There are not many tractors I cannot drive on the farm," he muses. "One day I might be expected to test drive a 70hp model – the next a 340hp machine."
Is he confident for the final? "Being one of the more mature finalists, I hope my experience and wisdom will ultimately come out on top over youth and enthusiasm." *
RICHARD WATKINS
GWENT finalist Richard Watkins admits he was over-the-moon after reaching the finals on his first attempt of entering the competition.
At 22, Mr Watkins also believes he did well despite his youth. "I was very surprised and thrilled after qualifying," he muses. "All the other finalists looked older and much more experienced with farm machinery than me."
Coming from a non-agricultural background, Mr Watkins has worked on friends farms since the age of 11, before settling down at Thomas Brothers contracting firm near Newport, Wales last year.
A keen member of Gwent YFC, his main responsibilities for the contracting firm include silage work in the spring and straw baling/carting throughout the summer months.
Mr Watkins says spending long hours rolling a silage clamp with a Valmet 8050 have strongly improved his tractor driving skills.
"Rolling silage clamps can be slow, tedious work, but requires a lot of concentration to carry out the job safely and efficiently, he explains.
"Although tractor driving is my stronger point, telehandler operation and fertiliser spreader set-up could prove a challenge at the final. Time will tell." *
Servicing and testing driving a wide range of machinery is claimed to be Sandy Donalds key for the finals.
Youth and enthusiasm is considered by Richard Watkins to be his secret weapon for the finals.
GRAHAM FENSOME
NORTHERN England finalist Graham Fensome hopes he has not become rusty since competing in the final five years ago.
"Fingers crossed, the old magic is still there after reaching fourth place in the 1995 finals," says Mr Fensome. "This years final will provide a new challenge and I hope to have not lost my touch."
Based at Crawleas Farm, Leasingthorne, Durham, Mr Fensome reckons his strongest advantage for the finals will be his fertiliser spreading experience. His main workhorse is a Case MX100, which he uses with a Lely Centerliner fertiliser spreader to apply top dressing on over 810ha (2000 acres) a year. "I have been operating the spreader for the past two years and should have the job off to a fine art by now," says Mr Fensome.
Autumn work sees Mr Fensome using a Case Maxxum 5140 to operate a six-furrow plough, with his MX100 coming back into use for power harrowing and drilling.
Preparation for the final will include machine test drives at dealers and swotting up on operator safety manuals.
As for the final itself, he aims to keep a cool head. "There is no point getting your nerves on edge at the final," he says. "The best approach is to carry out each task slowly and surely." *
Durham finalist Graham Fensome will rely on his extensive fertiliser spreading and ploughing experience at the finals.