Machinery practical advice and tips Latest practical advice and tips MACHINERY MAINTENANCE20-year-old John Deere telehandler gets perfect £20k refurbIt’s boom time for noughties farm machinery, with demand surging for mechanically sound workhorses devoid of the electronic and emissions-related aggravations of their successors. While John Deere, Case IH and… FARM MAINTENANCEWhat to look for when buying a farmyard CCTV systemAs the nights grow longer, darker and danker, so does the window of opportunity for unscrupulous ne’er-do-wells to pilfer from farmyards. Sadly, there’s no single answer to keeping undesirables out,… MACHINERY MAINTENANCELatest technology for putting out harvest machinery firesIt’s hard to imagine given the sogginess of the past 12 months, but there’s always a chance we could be in for a tinder-dry harvest, à la 2022. That year,… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to set up a farm machinery sharing syndicateAs farmers transition to more resilient systems, greater scrutiny is applied to fertiliser, seed, herbicide and other agronomy costs, but is that same degree of analysis applied to machinery outlay?… TECHNOLOGYHow to get cheaper or more accurate RTK guidanceThere is something to be said for keeping the old skills alive, but when it comes to driving in straight lines, few people want to go back once they’ve had… MACHINERYWhy better planning can reduce farm machinery costsBetter planning and closer scrutiny of machinery purchases were key points among the tips and advice at a recent Farmers Weekly Transition webinar on buying new kit. The expert panel… TRACTORSValtra tractors: Common problems and how to fix themWhen Valtra joined the Agco stable in the early 2000s, it brought with it dependable Sisu engines that have since been given the parent company’s branding. They are still solid… TractorsSee all TRACTORSValtra tractors: Common problems and how to fix themWhen Valtra joined the Agco stable in the early 2000s, it brought with it dependable Sisu engines that have since been given the parent company’s branding. They are still solid… TRACTORSClaas tractors: Common problems and how to fix themAmassing a sales tally of roughly 600 tractors a year at the last count makes Claas the eighth most popular tractor brand in the UK, just behind Valtra. And of… TRACTORSFendt tractors: Common problems and how to fix themIt might be the premium brand of choice for large-scale farms and contracting businesses, but just like any other maker, Fendt’s tractors can suffer the odd mechanical gremlin. Engine problems… TRACTORSWorn-out tractor seats: How to refurbish or replace themThousands of hours subjected to bouncing backsides, grubby overalls and flatulence can take its toll on a tractor seat. But considering it’s such a crucial contributor to driver comfort, this… 101-200HPHow to keep a four-cylinder Valtra N-series running wellValtra has long been a proponent of the pokey four-pot engine, but the introduction of its N174 in 2015 pushed the concept to new levels. Serving up 165hp from its… TECHNOLOGYCentral tyre inflation systems – the options and pricesPump ’em up for the road, let ’em down for the field. That is the essence of using a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) to actively manage inflation pressures and… TRACTORSTips for buying a second-hand Challenger MT765ERising input costs, falling subsidy payments and squeezed profit margins mean many farmers are turning to the second-hand machinery market to add extra firepower or replace their ageing prime mover.… TRACTORS22-year-old Fendt Favorit 515C gets £15k revampThe allure of a new, top-spec tractor might win over many farmers and contractors, but Matthew Barnett has considerably more time for older machines with a proven track record. He… TelehandlersSee all MACHINERY MAINTENANCE20-year-old John Deere telehandler gets perfect £20k refurbIt’s boom time for noughties farm machinery, with demand surging for mechanically sound workhorses devoid of the electronic and emissions-related aggravations of their successors. While John Deere, Case IH and… TELEHANDLERSHow to maintain a Merlo telehandler to get the best from itMerlo might play third fiddle in the telehandler rankings to JCB and Manitou, but the Italian brand’s compact models take a bit of beating. Combining powerful hydraulics with some careful… TELEHANDLERSUltimate guide to buying a telehandler 2020The introduction of additional models to fill gaps in existing ranges is the main theme of this year’s Ultimate Guide to telescopic handlers – along with the surprise addition of… TELEHANDLERSWhat to look for when buying a used JCB telehandlerThe process of buying any second-hand machine is full of pitfalls, but with telehandlers it can be particularly fraught, given how they can be used and abused on a daily… TELEHANDLERSTips for buying a used Matbro telehandlerJCB might be top dog in the telehandler world these days, but in the 1990s it couldn’t get a look in. Back then rival UK firm Matbro was king, and… TELEHANDLERSBuyer’s guide to telehandlers and loading shovelsTake a look through the latest Farmers Weekly telescopic handlers specification and price guide and it is clear that whatever size and shape of machine you fancy, someone will be… MACHINERYTips for farmers buying a second-hand JCB telehandlerLove a pivot-steer but reluctant to splash the cash on a spanking new one? We get the lowdown on potential trouble spots on JCB’s bend-in-the-middle TM310S from Dai Thomas at… Top tips for passing your telehandler testTests – whether they involve youngsters becoming qualified to drive a trailer or mature workers being assessed on a telehandler – may not be fun but they are an unavoidable… Tools, clothing and other equipment MACHINERY MAINTENANCE20-year-old John Deere telehandler gets perfect £20k refurbIt’s boom time for noughties farm machinery, with demand surging for mechanically sound workhorses devoid of the electronic and emissions-related aggravations of their successors. While John Deere, Case IH and… FARM MAINTENANCEWhat to look for when buying a farmyard CCTV systemAs the nights grow longer, darker and danker, so does the window of opportunity for unscrupulous ne’er-do-wells to pilfer from farmyards. Sadly, there’s no single answer to keeping undesirables out,… MACHINERY MAINTENANCELatest technology for putting out harvest machinery firesIt’s hard to imagine given the sogginess of the past 12 months, but there’s always a chance we could be in for a tinder-dry harvest, à la 2022. That year,… CULTIVATORSTips for picking the best cultivator wearing metalReplacing cultivator legs, wings and points can be a depressingly regular and ruinously expensive pastime for those working in the nation’s most abrasive soils. But instead of hunting around for… FARM MAINTENANCEHow to fix farm tracks with an adapted road graderBouncing along potholed farm tracks is an unpleasant business, putting unnecessary strain on tractors, implements and their operators. But with input costs through the roof and margins tight, shelling out… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTGuide to ensuring electric fences are stockproofChecking electric fence systems for faults should be a priority ahead of spring turnout to make paddocks and fields secure. From testing the flow of electricity to locating where overgrown… MACHINERY MAINTENANCEHow to get the best from a McConnel hedgecutterSince the launch of its first Power Arm trimmer in the early 1950s, McConnel has been a dominant force in the world of flail hedgecutting. From a starting point of… WORKSHOP SKILLSTop tips for upping the quality of workshop projectsEvery year, the Farm Inventions Competition unearths a horde of impressive workshop builds that provide ingenious answers to some of agriculture’s recurring conundrums. Traditionally, farmers and contractors have sketched out… 4x4s, cars and pickupsSee all 4X4SInvesting in a runaround: Second-hand vans comparedThirsty farm pickups are now expensive to run, so it might pay to invest in a nippy two-wheel drive van for regular mud-free errands. The choice is wide and the… 4X4STips for buying a second-hand pickup: VW AmarokThe Amarok arrived in 2011 as VW’s first foray into the world of pickups, bringing with it a level of car-like comfort that other trucks have struggled to match. All… 4X4STips for buying a second-hand pickup: Nissan NavaraNissan Navara D40 (2005 to 2014) Nissan’s D40 Navara was built from 2005 to 2014 and superseded the D22, which had been around since the late 90s. At its UK… 4X4STips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxIsuzu D-Max RT50 (2012 to 2017) The D-Max RT50 was launched in 2012, replacing Isuzu’s line-up of simple, tough Rodeo trucks that had been knocking around since 2003. These new… 4X4STips for buying a second-hand pickup: Mitsubishi L200Mitsubishi’s fourth-generation L200 had a nine-year lifespan and the firm stuck with the same 2.5-litre engine throughout. Initially, this block was tuned to deliver 134hp in base-spec models and 164hp… 4X4STips for buying a second-hand pickup: Toyota HiluxToyota’s Hilux is one of the most desirable second-hand pickups around, and as a result values hold firm, even for early examples. For less than £15,000, buyers will be looking… 4X4STips for buying a second-hand pickup: Ford RangerFor more than 20 years, Ford’s pickups were essentially rebadged Mazdas, and they were pretty simple, solid vehicles. However, in 2011 the firm decided to take the job in-house and… ROAD LEGALVideo: All you need to know to pass your B+E trailer testSo you’ve been driving since you could reach the pedals, passed your tractor test at 16, car test at 17 and can reverse 40ft trailers around the yard for fun.… ATVs and UTVsSee all ATVS AND UTVSGuide to keeping your farm ATV legal on the roadLots of farmers use all-terrain-vehicles to scuttle between pockets of land, which means their bikes need to comply with UK road rules. So what are the dos and don’ts? All-terrain-vehicles,… ATVS AND UTVSSecurity kit to protect your quad bike from thievesThe rise in reported thefts of farm ATVs shows no signs of abating, with recent NFU stats revealing that 284 machines were stolen in the first six months of this… ATVS AND UTVSBuyers' guide to ATVs and UTVsWhether it’s a four-wheel drive range topper or a bog standard run of the mill bike, our comprehensive guide to all the specs and prices on the market will make… ATVS AND UTVSCompare new UTVs with our 2017 buyers guideSide-by-side UTVs that provide seating for at least two and a load behind the driver and passengers continue to make ground in terms of popularity compared with quad bikes. According… How to choose a reliable second-hand farm buggyWhen the rain is lashing down and you’re covered from head to toe in sloppy mud, thoughts quickly turn to trading your ATV in for something a little more comfortable.… The low-down on buying a second-hand ATVGetting hold of a decent used ATV with £2,500 in your back pocket sounds simple enough. But after several phone calls enquiring about bikes for sale in the southern counties… ROAD LEGALA guide to keep you legal on your ATVATVs, such as sit-astride quad bikes and side-by-side or sit-in utility vehicles, have become indispensible on many farms and are a useful tool for contractors. Whether it’s to check on… ArableSee all How to fit Avadex applicators to drills and Cambridge rollsGrowers planning to fit a granular applicator to their drill or Cambridge rolls need to make sure they are set up with a high-volume fan and wide-bore pipework to ensure… MACHINERYAdvice on managing machinery costs before BPS phase-outArable businesses are being urged to scrutinise machinery costs and purchasing policy ahead of the potential industry changes arising from the government’s new Agriculture Bill. AHDB benchmarking data shows machinery… How to cut weed control costs with GPS steer kitUltra-precise GPS steering systems can undoubtedly improve the efficiency of field operations but is there room for improvement? We look at a system that uses the implement’s position to steer… Upgrade improves OSR drilling without cost of new machineGrowers considering a shift away from the "subcast" technique of establishing oilseed rape to improve the performance and economic viability of their crops are being offered an upgrade that enables… The best guidance on controlled traffic farmingThe time is definitely right for guidance, but is it also right for, perhaps, the logical next step: controlled traffic farming? Intro Design Road limits Trial basis Benefits Management CTF… Why banding could get your rape off to a good startThe idea of applying nutrients in a band rather than as a blanket application has a lot in its favour. Targeted application allows plants to make the best use of… LivestockSee all LIVESTOCKSharing livestock machinery: Advice and optionsJustifying a new tractor or baler for a beef and sheep enterprise on a family farm is becoming increasingly hard as costs inflate to erode margins. The depreciation and power… MACHINERYTips and advice for planning and building a new silage clampTucked away in a corner of the yard and inherited from a previous generation, silage clamps are often at the bottom of the priority list. But given how important forage… Grass volume recording steps into digital ageOnce the preserve of a keen eye or a graduated stick (or simply markings on a Wellington boot), measuring and recording grass volume and growth has gone high-tech with plate… Top tips for buying a used milking robotMilking robots are a big investment, but with machines beginning to dribble on to the second-hand market, you can pick up a good one for a fraction of the new… LIVESTOCK4 ways to improve your milking parlour routineIt’s very easy for a parlour routine to become established, but time spent undertaking a review of exactly what does happen during milking time can often highlight areas where improvements… Livestock farmers' picks of useful precision technologyPrecision farming technology is an essential part of a livestock farmer's business now. We asked past Farmers Weekly Awards winners and runners up what technology they are using on their… MACHINERYSlurry spreading: tanker v umbilicalAt a time when slurry is being recognised as a valuable source of fertiliser, the industry is now increasingly aware of how and when it should be spread, it seems.…
