Machinery practical advice and tips

Latest practical advice and tips

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How to set up a farm machinery sharing syndicate

As 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?…

TECHNOLOGY

How to get cheaper or more accurate RTK guidance

There 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…

MACHINERY

Why better planning can reduce farm machinery costs

Better 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…

TRACTORS

Valtra tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

When 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…

TRACTORS

Claas tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

Amassing 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…

TRACTORS

Fendt tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

It 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…

Tractors

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TRACTORS

Valtra tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

When 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…

TRACTORS

Claas tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

Amassing 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…

TRACTORS

Fendt tractors: Common problems and how to fix them

It 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…

TRACTORS

Worn-out tractor seats: How to refurbish or replace them

Thousands 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…

101-200HP

How to keep a four-cylinder Valtra N-series running well

Valtra 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…

TECHNOLOGY

Central tyre inflation systems – the options and prices

Pump ’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…

TRACTORS

Tips for buying a second-hand Challenger MT765E

Rising 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.…

TRACTORS

22-year-old Fendt Favorit 515C gets £15k revamp

The 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…

Telehandlers

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TELEHANDLERS

How to maintain a Merlo telehandler to get the best from it

Merlo 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…

TELEHANDLERS

Ultimate guide to buying a telehandler 2020

The 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…

TELEHANDLERS

What to look for when buying a used JCB telehandler

The 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…

TELEHANDLERS

Tips for buying a used Matbro telehandler

JCB 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…

TELEHANDLERS

Buyer’s guide to telehandlers and loading shovels

Take 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…

MACHINERY

Tips for farmers buying a second-hand JCB telehandler

Love 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 test

Tests – 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…

Top tips for buying a £15,000 telehandler

Sourcing a decent second-hand telehandler for under £15,000 is something of a challenge. But if you’re not too concerned about looks then there are bargains to be had. Nick Fone…

Tools, clothing and other equipment

MACHINERY MAINTENANCE

Latest technology for putting out harvest machinery fires

It’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,…

CULTIVATORS

Tips for picking the best cultivator wearing metal

Replacing 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 MAINTENANCE

How to fix farm tracks with an adapted road grader

Bouncing 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 MANAGEMENT

Guide to ensuring electric fences are stockproof

Checking 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 MAINTENANCE

How to get the best from a McConnel hedgecutter

Since 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 SKILLS

Top tips for upping the quality of workshop projects

Every 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…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Railway fencing safety: What livestock farmers need to know

Figures produced by Network Rail in 2019 show that incidents involved more than 800 animals through the year. Of these, about 80 were struck by trains. The downtime caused by…

FARM MAINTENANCE

6 tips to minimise problems with blocked fuel filters

Farmers across the UK are continuing to report problems with blocked fuel filters in tractors and other farm vehicles. An increase in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) blend component for…

4x4s, cars and pickups

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4X4S

Investing in a runaround: Second-hand vans compared

Thirsty 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…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: VW Amarok

The 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…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Nissan Navara

Nissan 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…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-Max

Isuzu 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…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Mitsubishi L200

Mitsubishi’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…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Toyota Hilux

Toyota’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…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Ford Ranger

For 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 LEGAL

Video: All you need to know to pass your B+E trailer test

So 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 UTVs

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ATVS AND UTVS

Guide to keeping your farm ATV legal on the road

Lots 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 UTVS

Security kit to protect your quad bike from thieves

The 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 UTVS

Buyers' guide to ATVs and UTVs

Whether 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 UTVS

Compare new UTVs with our 2017 buyers guide

Side-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 buggy

When 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 ATV

Getting 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 LEGAL

A guide to keep you legal on your ATV

ATVs, 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…

Arable

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How to fit Avadex applicators to drills and Cambridge rolls

Growers 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…

MACHINERY

Advice on managing machinery costs before BPS phase-out

Arable 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 kit

Ultra-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 machine

Growers 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 farming

The 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 start

The 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…

Livestock

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LIVESTOCK

Sharing livestock machinery: Advice and options

Justifying 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…

MACHINERY

Tips and advice for planning and building a new silage clamp

Tucked 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 age

Once 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 robot

Milking 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…

LIVESTOCK

4 ways to improve your milking parlour routine

It’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 technology

Precision 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…

MACHINERY

Slurry spreading: tanker v umbilical

At 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.…