Why pile hours on a tractor when you can stick them on a second-hand HGV instead?

That’s what Agri Industry Solutions (AIS) was thinking when it decided to graft a Schuitemaker silage wagon body onto a former tipper lorry.

See also: Dairy farmer converts bin lorry to dish out dairy rations

The Suffolk dealer certainly isn’t the first to do this, but having eyed up previous attempts it reckons it’s hit on a winning formula.

Plenty of thought went into choosing the tractor unit, with the team eventually settling on a 410hp Scania P410 XT with 12-speed automatic transmission.

Top of the desirability list were its four driven rear wheels with no third drop axle.

Plus, it had the benefit of diff locks and steering on both front axles.

As for the wagon, this is a 38cu m Siwi 660, complete with 210cm chain floor unloading system, extended back door and hydraulic top nets.

It’s primarily designed for hauling maize and grass silage, but according to AIS the body is strong enough to cart sugar beet.

All functions on the wagon – floor, back door and nets – run off a custom hydraulic system and it attaches to the chassis via a box-section sub-frame.

It’s also registered as an agricultural vehicle so doesn’t require a tacho.

Prices vary depending on the donor truck, with the pictured 230,000km example costing about £135,000.