Menu

Latest reviews and tests

TRACTORS

Video: 400hp reverse-drive Valtra S-series on test

Valtra has finally let its heavyweight S-series loose on the 400hp tractor scene and, armed with lorry loads of torque, a proven driveline and a redesigned cab, promises to unsettle…

TRACTORS

On test: John Deere's quick-fit EZ Ballast weight system

Adding ballast to a cultivation tractor is a time-honoured method of delivering maximum grip and making the most of the ponies it has to offer. Traditionally this has come in…

TOOLS

On test: Electric strimmers give petrol-powered performance

Battery and brushless motor technology has improved so much in recent years that even power-hungry machines such as brushcutters are beginning to go fossil-fuel free. At a recent press event…

MACHINERY

On test: Volvo V90 Cross Country Pro D5

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

MACHINERY

On test: Audi A6 Allroad

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

MACHINERY

On test: Mercedes E350d 4Matic All Terrain

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

ROOT CROP EQUIPMENT

Four-row planter and rotavator combo speeds up spud planting

A gang of six companies led by root crop specialist Niagri has co-operated to produce one of the most impressive potato planting rigs in the UK. The combination of a…

Tractors

See all

TRACTORS

Video: 400hp reverse-drive Valtra S-series on test

Valtra has finally let its heavyweight S-series loose on the 400hp tractor scene and, armed with lorry loads of torque, a proven driveline and a redesigned cab, promises to unsettle…

TRACTORS

On test: John Deere's quick-fit EZ Ballast weight system

Adding ballast to a cultivation tractor is a time-honoured method of delivering maximum grip and making the most of the ponies it has to offer. Traditionally this has come in…

TRACTORS

Video: On test - New Holland T5.120 v Fendt 312

This month’s tractor test sees the New Holland T5.120 go head-to-head with Fendt’s 312. You can find how they performed with a pair of four-furrow Ovlac ploughs by watching the…

TRACTORS

Driver’s view: 1997 Case-IH Magnum 7230

After a series of pricey breakdowns with newer tractors, Leicestershire contractors Leon and Simon Smith decided to try some older, simpler horsepower. The pair’s mechanical woes came to a head…

TRACTORS

Driver’s view: Versatile Delta Track - brawn on a budget

When Case-IH chose to bolt four track units to one of its articulated prairie monsters it created a new tractor concept that had no direct rivals for more than 15…

TRACTORS

Driver’s view: John Deere 9620RX power proves the difference

When Case-IH chose to bolt four track units to one of its articulated prairie monsters it created a new tractor concept that had no direct rivals for more than 15…

TRACTORS

Driver’s view: Case-IH Quadtrac 600

When Case-IH chose to bolt four track units to one of its articulated prairie monsters it created a new tractor concept that had no direct rivals for more than 15…

TRACTORS

Driver's view: Case Rowtrac reduces compaction in Suffolk

When it was time to chuck in the chief high-horsepower tractor at Home Farm Nacton, Suffolk, production manager Jason Smith decided to break from the norm and took a punt…

Telehandlers

See all

TELEHANDLERS

On test: JCB's 419S loading shovel brings extra muscle

Officially launched at Paris’ Sima show in February, JCB’s 419S loading shovel is now rolling down the firm’s Staffordshire production lines. As the main middleweight model in the company’s ag-spec…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandler test: 5 mid-sized loaders battle it out

This winter’s big machinery test is all about lifting and shifting as we thrash out the winners and losers in the rigid-framed telehandler market. Although a little thinner in participants…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandler test: Merlo TF 42.7 CS 140

The TF42.7 is one of the most popular models in Merlo’s extensive Turbofarmer range, which goes up to the TF45.11 with 10.5m reach and 4.5t lift. Previous versions came with…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandler test: JCB 541-70 AgriPro

JCB unveiled the new-look hybrid transmission back in spring 2016 to sit alongside its cheaper powershifting versions. There is a growing list of models equipped with the fancy gearbox and…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandler test: Manitou MLT 711-40 V+ Elite

Manitou had a big shake-up of its telehandler ranges last year, adding a new cab and a handful of different transmission options. There’s a four-speed Powershuttle torque converter set-up, six-speed…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandler test: Dieci Agri Plus 40.7 VS Evo2

Dieci offers a massive range of agricultural telehandlers covering almost every combination of lift capacity and reach you can think of. At the bottom end there’s the diminutive Agrovector 25.5,…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandler test: Bobcat TL 38.70 HF Agri

Our test machine was the biggest in Bobcat’s line-up of ag-spec TL telehandlers, offering a lift capacity of 3.8t and a 7m reach. Those looking for a more compact machine…

TELEHANDLERS

On test: JCB Teleskid v Norcar a7545 mini pivot-steer

If you’re in the market for something that's small and agile around the yard, but still has plenty of capacity to shift decent lumps of material, then you basically have…

Tools, clothing and other equipment

TOOLS

On test: Electric strimmers give petrol-powered performance

Battery and brushless motor technology has improved so much in recent years that even power-hungry machines such as brushcutters are beginning to go fossil-fuel free. At a recent press event…

TOOLS

Video: 20 handy workshop tools, gadgets and knick-knacks

Having the right tool, gadget or knick-knack at hand can take some stress out of the most frustrating farm tasks. Here the Farmers Weekly Machinery team presents 20 potential gems…

MACHINERY

£50,000 silage conveyor invention keeps mud off road

After a constant battle to keep mud clear of the road during the wet silage season of 2012, contractor-cum-engineer Joe Williams decided he had to come up with a hassle-free…

TOOLS

Five 18V cordless grinders on test

Pokier batteries and high-tech motors mean many cordless power tools now promise performance to match their plug-in rivals. They’re not cheap, but are they worth it? To sort the good…

TOOLS

5 pieces of handy timber-processing kit

Processing timber on farm can be a time-consuming and tedious business, but thankfully there can be decent rewards for those willing to put in some effort. As a guide farmers…

MACHINERY

Farm welly boots on test - which is the best buy?

The wellington boot might be a farming institution, but how much thought really goes into replacing your worn-out rubber workwear? Some stingy wearers refuse to fork out more than £20…

TOOLS

Grease guns on test: Electric v manual

Grease guns may not be the most exciting or glamorous pieces of kit on the farm, but their role is vital. Get your lubrication right and your bearings will live…

TOOLS

4 inverter arc welders tested on-farm

[caption id="attachment_1184772" align="alignnone" width="636"] ©Jonathan Page[/caption] SIP Weldmate T183 Sealey Power Welder MW 180A Kemppi Minarc Evo180 Clarke AT161 How welders work Verdict Stick welders might seem a little outdated…

4x4s, cars and pickups

See all

MACHINERY

On test: Volvo V90 Cross Country Pro D5

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

MACHINERY

On test: Audi A6 Allroad

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

MACHINERY

On test: Mercedes E350d 4Matic All Terrain

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

MACHINERY

On test: Subaru's new XV 4x4

You’d be forgiven for approaching the Subaru XV with a degree of cynicism. After all, virtually every car manufacturer produces a compact crossover these days, and the closest most will…

MACHINERY

On test: Fiat Fullback Auto pickup

Fiat might not be a name you immediately associate with off-roaders, but here at Farmers Weekly we have always had a bit of a soft spot for the Italian firm’s…

MACHINERY

On test: Mercedes' £100k G-Class

The G-Class is one of Mercedes’ great success stories – an old warhorse kitted out with a few mod cons that now fetches huge fees from the rich and famous.…

MACHINERY

On test: Mercedes X-Class pickup

It’s official. The farm pickup has gone posh. Posh badge, posh spec and eye-wateringly posh money. Yup, we’re talking serious cash here. When the flagship V6 version of the Mercedes…

MACHINERY

Pickup test: Ford Ranger Limited

Big, brash, but somehow a little underwhelming. The Ranger finished comfortably in second place thanks to its enviable spec list, but the combination of five-cylinder engine and six-speed auto lacked…

ATVs and UTVs

See all

MACHINERY

On test: Can-Am’s 75hp Maverick Trail UTV is lots of fun

Can-Am is well-known for its adventurous and slightly bonkers products, and the Canadian firm has continued that trend with its new pocket rocket Maverick Trail UTV that is smaller and…

MACHINERY

On test: Yamaha launches Kodiak 450 ATV

Yamaha has continued its run of ATV upgrades with a new mid-sized Kodiak, which will fill the boots of the Grizzly 450 for next year. The Kodiak accounts for 30%…

MACHINERY

On test: Can Ubco’s electric bike compete with ATVs?

When it comes to on-farm transport, not much beats an ATV or a beaten-up pickup. They are perfect load carriers and tough as nails, but also happen to be noisy,…

MACHINERY

Video: Polaris Sportsman Big Boss v Can-Am Outlander

Can a six-wheeled ATV offer the best of both worlds between a standard quad and a farm buggy? Jos Jones takes a look at the two machines currently on the…

MACHINERY

On test: Quadzilla 520 ATV offers budget alternative

Chinese-made machines might have a mixed reputation, but the promise of cheap prices and generous specs are proving an irresistible lure for plenty of budget conscious ATV buyers. While several…

MACHINERY

On test: Can-am's 72hp petrol-powered farm buggy

Oil-burning farm buggies have got a lot going for them – they keep you dry and warm (ish), they can carry and tow way more than a quad bike and…

MACHINERY

Farm test finds Tracked Gator expensive but effective

If there’s one thing that excites any farmer mad about kit, it’s tracks. Put tracks on anything and it instantly becomes more exciting, partly because of the way it looks…

MACHINERY

Choice of ATVs expands as new names crowd in

Farm buggies may have increased in popularity over the past decade, but quad bikes still sell in their thousands each year to users who simply want a nippy vehicle to…

Arable

See all

MACHINERY

Big baler innovations could help farmers cut costs

The latest batch of big square balers are packing even more straw into a heavier bale, which not only drives down the cost of baling, fewer bales also cuts down…

SEED-BED PREPARATION

New drill options for seed-bed fertiliser

[caption id="attachment_1287373" align="alignnone" width="900"] Combi version of the Horsch Express KR one-pass drill and power harrow will have a bigger hopper than the standard outfit and a ‘mix’ unit to…

PLOUGHS

A round-up of new ploughs at Cereals 2016

There was plenty of evidence at Cereals 2016 that ploughs still have a significant role to play, judging by the new and improved models that manufacturers had on display. Whether…

TRACTORS

New tractor tyre technology offers 18% more traction

The tyre designer’s job, it seems, is never done. As tractors continue to gain power and weight to meet farmer demand for greater performance, new tyre designs are needed to…

TECHNOLOGY

14 useful machinery, tractor and arable apps for 2016

With more and more farming apps coming on to the market each month, we have produced a round-up of some of the latest and some old favourites to help you decide…

MACHINERY

Round-up of the latest strip till kit to cut your cultivation co...

If it’s possible to cultivate only the ground where the crop will grow, why waste money moving soil across the entire field? That is the question posed by proponents of strip…

WEED MANAGEMENT

New Defy 3D nozzle: Sprayer operators give their verdict

Agrochemical giant Syngenta has launched its new Defy 3D spray nozzle, which will provide growers with improved grassweed control and reduced spray drift. The new nozzle is an evolution of…

SPRAYING AND FERTILISING

Sprayer technology keeps wider booms in balance

Sprayer operators who appreciate the time- and stress-saving advantages of technology will appreciate the efforts Chafer designers have gone in developing the firm’s latest Guardian and Sentry trailed machines. Isobus…

Livestock

See all

LIVESTOCK

Buyer's guide to latest dairy monitoring technologies

Gadgets and devices to monitor dairy herds are becoming commonplace. There are established precision technologies for heat detection and rumination, and these remain the most widely used technology in dairy herds.…

LIVESTOCK

Buyers guide: 6 options for calf housing compared

Investing in calf housing that meets the animals’ needs and dovetails with the farm system can improve productivity and save thousands of pounds in reduced costs and poor performance. Calves…

SHEEP

6 alternative bedding options to straw compared

Poor weather conditions at harvesting and diminished crop yields on the back of a dry spring, coupled with strong demand from renewable energy plants, have converged to create an unprecedented…

LIVESTOCK

Buyers guide to grass-measuring equipment

There is a range of grass-measuring equipment and software on the market, which means choosing the right one can be a minefield. Farmers Weekly looked at a range of measuring…

LIVESTOCK

Buyer's guide to brushcutters

When it comes to keeping farm fence lines clear of overgrowth, there is no substitute for brushcutters. These machines are so good that it’s hard to find a bad one.…

PIGS

10 Danish loose farrowing pens compared

Ten European loose-housed farrowing pens are being assessed for pig, piglet and worker welfare in a world-leading product test. This follows industry targets for 10% of Danish sows to be…

TECHNOLOGY

Beef and sheep weigh head buyers guide

An array of weight recording systems on the market can make choosing the appropriate set-up difficult for livestock farmers. Most manufacturers will have a variety of models in their range,…

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

Buyers guide: Calf disbudders on test

Disbudding calves is a procedure that takes place on many beef and dairy farms across the country to promote safety of humans and stock. The use of hot iron disbudding…