Test drive telehandlers at the Farm Handling Experience

Looking to try out a new telehandler, front loader, pickup or ATV? A new hands-on driving event from Farmers Weekly will allow you to try different makes at the same venue.

Register to take part

This isn’t a stand-and-watch affair either. It’s a professional materials handling event for farmers and contractors only and you’ll be driving the machines. So you’ll need to tell us you’re coming beforehand and bring your handler certificate (or similar) with you on the day.

Get involved 

Go online to register your interest. You can book test drives from 2 March.

The event is free to attend – all we ask for is a donation to the Farming Community Network.

We’re expecting good numbers of farmers and contractors on each of the two days, but the good news is that you won’t be swamped with thousands of tyre-kickers. Instead, you’ll be in the seat with muck, wheat, bales, potato boxes and gravel to shift and a chance to try different makes back to back.

When is it happening?

Wednesday 22 April and Thursday 23 April 2015. The event opens 8.30am and will close at 5pm.

Where is it happening?

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV. We’ve taken over a big area by the old cattle yards with separate zones for different types of machines. There’s plenty of parking.

What will be there?

  • Muck handling zone – See how effectively the different machines lift, grab and tear out muck. Meanwhile, smaller machines reveal how agile they are when it comes to getting around the inside of the sheds.
  • Clamp zone – Handlers from different makers will be showing their effectiveness on the clamp with wheat, gravel and brewers’ grains. It’s a chance to assess power, visibility, hydraulic output and ease of use.
  • Indoor zone – This static area is the place to see other types of equipment, including trailers, pickups, ATVs, lighting, seating, safety, muck and slurry equipment, security, tyres and wheels and fuels.
  • Attachment zone – An opportunity to see how quickly and easily attachments can be put on and taken off.
  • Bale handling zone – Here you can assess the machines’ visibility, reach and agility.
  • Ride and drive zone – A chance to test drive machines on a range of tasks involving bale-stacking, muck handling, and pallet and potato box work.

New Holland

What machines will be there?

The main focus of the event is handling, so JCB, Merlo, New Holland, Dieci, Avant and Massey Ferguson will be there with a variety of models and Zetor and Valtra will have front-end loaders to try out.

But handling isn’t just about handlers, so we’ll also have an area where you can try out the latest pickup trucks and get your hands on farm trailers, slurry tankers, muckspreaders.

What will it cost?

Bridgestone tyres

Bridgestone will be showing its new VT tyres on the roadways of the National Agricultural Centre. These can be used both in the field and on the road for most normal uses without having to change tyre pressures. You’ll even be able to try them for yourself to see the difference.

It is free to attend – all you need to do is register.

Will I really get the chance to drive?

Yes, you can drive up to three machines a day and each person will get 15-20 minutes in the cab on each drive. Don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with a particular machine – there will be someone on hand to guide you.

Where do I go when I first arrive?

Go to the check-in desk. Staff there will know which machines are being used and which ones are ready to drive. During the day, it’s best to get to your chosen machine 30 minutes beforehand in case it’s free earlier.

Do I need to bring my telehandler certificate?

If you’re planning to drive a telehandler, you will need to bring your certificate with you on the day or complete a short competence check on the day.

How many machines can I try?

You can do three drives each day, so six over the two days. We’ll also be giving a prize to the best-driven machine at the event.

Avant_760i_1

 

Machines you can drive at the event

 

Max lift kg

Max height m

Power (hp)

Price

AVANT

320

400*

2.4

20

£10,500

R28

900*

2.79

28

£19,900

R35

1,050*

2.82

37

£24,900

528

800*

2.79

26

£20,600

635

1,000*

2.83

37

£25,200

640

1,000*

2.83

37

£26,600

750

1,400*

3.08

49

£30,900

760i

1,400*

3.1

57

£34,900

What’s special? The unique articulated chassis design makes Avant an unrivalled machine in its class, says the company. It is very stable, easy to drive and turns smoothly, without damaging sensitive surfaces. * Tipping load values

DIECI

Agripivot T60

2,250

4.72

75

£59,833

Agripivot T70

3,000

5

115

£75,950

Agrifarmer 30.7VS

3,000

6.35

101

£64,850

Agriplus 40.7 Evo 2

4,000

7

141

£69,145

Agriplus 40.7 evo2

4,000

7

152

£69,910

What’s special? Dieci says its new range of models specifically designed for agriculture offer great visibility, strong engines for good pushing power and an inching pedal for precise movements.

JCB

Loadall 516-40

1,600

4

51

£41,167

Loadall 527-58

2,700

5.8

109

£61,173

Loadall 541.70

4,100

7

145

£80,856

Loadall 560-80

6,000

7.9

145

£91,355

Telemaster TM220

2,200

4.5

75

£61,810

Telemaster TM320

3,200

5.2

145

£72,776

Skidsteer 190

862

2.8

46

£32,450

Teletruk 35D 4×4

3,500

4.3

62

£46,771

WLS403

419/838

2.9

38

£22,142

WLS 418S

3173/6293

3.4

173

£117,181

WLS435S

4,023/7,97

3.6

230

£139,419

MASSEY FERGUSON

MF5613 EF Dyna-4 with MF956 loader

2,520

3.7

130

£69,863 (tractor) £8,820 (loader)

MF 9407S Xtra telehandler

3,500

7.0

122

£70,610

What’s special? The MF5613 Loader joystick control system gives one-hand-control of forward speed increase/decrease, forward/reverse shuttle control, neutral button, and 3rd 4th service function buttons. Front axle suspension and cab suspension give ultimate comfort and visio roof, Dyna-4 transmission and fast loader cycle times.

MERLO

TF42.7-156

4,200

4.2

156

£72,300

P32.6PLUS

3,200

6.4

101

£59,840

TF50.8T-CS-156CVtronic

5,000

7.8

156

£87,400

TF38.10CS-120

3,800

9.6

120

£76,400

What’s special? Merlo’s TF50.8T-CS-156CVtronic flagship is the only agricultural machine to have frame levelling and cab suspension, says the company. It’s also equipped with a stepless transmission.

NEW HOLLAND

T4 + loader

2,060

2.69

75-115

£40,005

T5 + loader

2,539

2.69

95-115

£48,474

LM Elite

4,200

7.0

143

£79,988

L230 skid steer loader

1,450

3.3

90

£54,265

Wheel Loader W170C

13,607

3.98

195

£154,267

What’s special? T5 + loader combi provides good value, comfort and visibility for loader work, as well as good fuel efficiency, says the company.

VALTRA

Valtra NX 163 Direct with Valtra Loader V66

3,000

3.95

160

£86,546

N163 Unlimited with Valtra Loader V56

2,400

3.65

171

£76,241

What’s special? Good manoeuvrability and stability, with a CVT geatrbox. Intelligent steering front wheels and chassis adaptable for all types of work.

ZETOR

Proxima Plus 110 with Zetor System loader ZL46

2,320

3.7

106

£38,100 (both)

Proxima Power 120 fitted with Zetor System loader ZX3.1P

2,400

3.75

117

£39,500 (both)

What’s special? Proxima comes with Swedish-made Alo front loaders. So customers now get great visibility, easy operation, solid construction and patented hydraulics.


Farmers and Mercantile

Farmers and Mercantile insurance brokers are the main sponsor of the Farm Handling Experience. The company provides independent machinery inspections across the UK that cover the Puwer and Loler requirements for telehandlers and other equipment. We are proud to be part of this hands-on experience and want to support farmers in improving their levels of safety. 

Need a contractor?

Find one now