JCB’s 457 was one of four machines working the Slacks Farm pit, exerting its 20t-plus mass on incoming grass.

It remains top dog in the Staffordshire maker’s range, and the industry at large, thanks to the 282hp/1,350Nm output of its Cummins six-cylinder.

But Volvo’s L110H almost matches it for size and weight. Dealer SMT opted to bring a four-year-old version propelled by a 256hp D8J engine that has since been subject to a major revamp.

See also: Driver’s view: The good and bad of JCB’s 435S loading shovel

Despite its age, the shovel was otherwise well specced with the likes of lever steer and “reverse-by-braking” – the latter allowing seamless, brake-free directional changes at the foot of the clamp.

New Holland W170D Forage Power © James Andrews

Also plying its trade in front of pit-side spectators was New Holland’s 16.4t W170D+ Forage Power.

Launched last year with a re-tuned FPT 6.7-litre motor, it now delivers 255hp and 1,300Nm – both up roughly one-third on the standard, quarry-spec model – to compete with JCB’s popular 435S.

And completing the quartet was a 15.5t Claas Torion 1611P Varipower, propelled by Deere’s 6.8-litre straight-six that serves up 252hp and 970Nm through a hydrostatic transmission.