The unmistakeable Deutz-like livery of Italian outfit Grim returned to the permitter of Cereals’ Sprays and Sprayers Arena, with Scottish Borders dealer Merse Agriculture showing the first of the firm’s 9-series models to land in the UK.

It follows on from the launch of the low-ground-pressure 7-series three years ago – a 3,000-litre/24m machine designed to compete with the likes of Househam’s Spirit and the McConnel Agribuggy.

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The bigger 9-series is cut from a similar cloth: it remains relatively lightweight, at 7,800kg, and runs a Danfoss hydrostatic transmission mated to mechanical differentials that give a top speed of 50kph at a modest 1,600rpm in “eco” mode.

Grim also makes a version with Poclain hydraulic wheel motors – dubbed the P, rather than M – but Merse has opted not to get involved in an already saturated market.

As well as two-wheel and crab steering modes, there’s four-wheel steer with an optional delay so it only engages beyond a 5deg turning angle.

This allows operators to loop tightly on headlands and keep a straight bearing on tramline runs without having to alter anything between times.

Power is provided by a rear-mounted 230hp, 6.7-litre FPT engine, as found in New Holland T7 tractors, and the machine on show was equipped with a 4,000-litre tank and 36m Pommier booms.

Priced at £230,000, Merse reckons it could undercut the competition by up to £70,000.

The 7-series comes in at £195,000.