Latest reviews and tests 4X4SOn test: Ford ramps up Ranger pickup power with 281hp hybridMarrying the powers of petroleum and electrons has produced one of the pokiest Ranger pickups ever built. Ford’s Plug-in Hybrid (Phev) powertrain – the first of its genre in Europe… 4X4SOn test: Electric assistance for Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48VYears of unadulterated diesel propulsion have come to an end as Toyota has equipped its latest high-spec Hilux with a hybrid powertrain. Yet this is no ordinary pairing of combustion… 4X4SOn test: Revamped Land Cruiser still a true off-roaderIf you want a vehicle that’ll stand the test of time, you won’t go far wrong if there’s a Toyota badge on the tailgate. Team this with the words Land… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: Tom Dinsdale's Schuitemaker Rapide 580Schuitemaker has been bolting forage wagons together at its Dutch factory since the mid-1980s and now has an extensive line-up to cater for farms big and small. We’re focusing on… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: Alan Ramsay's short-chop Krone RX 370The RX is top dog in Krone’s mid-sized forage wagon line-up, with a trio of models offering capacities from 33cu m to 40cu m. Standout features include a pivoting headboard,… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: George Reed's wide-body Fendt Tigo 65 XRAgco completed a multimillion-pound deal for Lely’s forage machinery division in 2017, giving it access to a vast range of mowers, tedders, rakes, balers and forage wagons. The latter have… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: James Ireland's Pottinger Jumbo 5340Pottinger introduced a new Jumbo model last summer, promising the features of its big 7000- and 8000-series forage wagons in a cheaper and more compact package. There are six twin-axle… TractorsSee all TRACTORSDriver's view: Sisto family's 7-year-old New Holland T7.210A dependable engine, solid transmissions and keen pricing have made New Holland’s T7.210 one of the most popular six-cylinder workhorses on the market. It might not be the most powerful… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Lamb's 9-year-old Massey 7718 Dyna-6For many mixed and arable farms, Massey Ferguson nailed the sweet spot between power and size with its 200hp 7718. This was the middle model – and biggest small-framer –… TRACTORSDriver's view: Ollie Raybould's 7-year-old John Deere 6155RAs one of the best-selling models from the most popular brand in the UK, few tractors dominate the farming landscape like John Deere’s 6155R. Built from 2015 to 2021, it… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Claas unveils 92-120hp Axos 3 tractorsClaas has bolstered the lower reaches of its tractor range with a quartet of new Axos 3 models that run from 92hp to 120hp. The foursome has been shoehorned in… 401+HPFirst impressions: Claas Xerion 12.650 takes on US articsTo the casual observer, Claas’ Xerion 12.650 looks like any other articulated crawler – just a Quadtrac, 9RX, or Versatile Deltatrack dressed in a different outfit. Yet it’s nothing of… TRACTORSFendt's four-cylinder, 224hp 620 – small engine, big powerFour cylinders? 224hp? It’s hard to believe just what can be wrung from a relatively small engine these days – one that finds itself propelling the successors to Fendt’s uber-popular… 401+HPFirst impressions: John Deere’s bonkers-big 913hp 9RX 830John Deere’s new 9RX 830 is the biggest, most powerful and most expensive tractor ever to go into series production. In pure horsepower terms, it can be bettered only by… 101-200HPOn test: Deutz-Fahr 6150.4 with peculiar RVshift transmissionPostnatal electronic surgery has transformed the Deutz family’s CVT transmission into a faux powershift that aims to offer the best of both worlds. This non-binary gearbox, born a TTV at… TelehandlersSee all TELEHANDLERSFirst impressions: Powershift cut for JCB's TM280S telehandlerShort of a pivot-steer telehandler to sit between its compact TM220 and heavier-duty TM320 Telemaster, JCB decided to build one. Well, two, actually. The fruits of this endeavour are the… TELEHANDLERSDriver's View: Chris Brettell's Merlo TF42.7 CSThe TF42.7 is the flagship in Merlo’s mid-sized telehandler range and comes in a handful of configurations to suit different applications. Most variants are fitted with the same two-speed hydrostatic… TELEHANDLERSDriver's View: Harry Whiteman's Claas Scorpion 741 Gen 2As the name suggests, the Scorpion 741 Generation 2 is the second iteration of Claas’ Liebherr-built 7m/4t telehandler. The standout upgrade from the original is a power hike from 136hp… TELEHANDLERSDriver's view: Adam Symonds' Bobcat TL38.70 HFBobcat might be the first name in skid-steers, but it’s yet to find the same success on the telehandler scene. That’s gradually changing, with the Czech-based manufacturer focused on growing… TELEHANDLERSDriver's view: Steve Miller's Manitou MLT 741-130 PS+There’s no shortage of choice as far as Manitou’s telehandler range is concerned, with most shapes, sizes and specs accounted for in a line-up that runs from 35hp and 1.25t/4.3m… TELEHANDLERSDriver's View: John Walker's JCB Loadall 542-70 Agri Xtra As the second largest telehandler in JCB’s extensive agricultural range, the Loadall 542-70 is geared up for handling large grain buckets, bale grabs and bag lifters. Four versions are available… TELEHANDLERSDriver's View: John Cartledge's Kramer KT407 EcospeedKramer’s handler range came to prominence following the conclusion of its manufacturing agreement with Claas in 2017, and its subsequent integration with John Deere’s dealer network. A year later, it… TELEHANDLERSOn test: Stacks of power in diddy JCB 530-60JCB’s engineers have successfully completed telehandler themed Tetris by cramming almost all the components from the largest Loadalls into a package condensed in all dimensions. That makes the diminutive 530-60… Tools, clothing and other equipmentSee all TOOLSOn test: We rate the latest battery-powered grease gunsNo gadget is fancy enough to make greasing machinery a pleasurable pastime, but a battery-powered dispensing gun can go some way to easing operator ire. Many will argue they’re purely… CLOTHINGOn test: Reusable half-mask respirators – which is best?Time to swap your disposable dust masks for a reusable respirator? Oliver Mark and James Andrews gear up and try out seven widely available options. Any job involving a dust… MACHINERY MAINTENANCETest: Pto shaft guards rated for quality, price and servicingWe’re all taught from an early age about the dangers of living and working on farms, yet the accident statistics remain horrifying. Agriculture accounts for some 16% of all workplace… TOOLSOn test: Five top-spec electric chainsaws comparedThey might sound more like an electric carving knife than a serious piece of timber-felling equipment, but don’t be fooled… battery powered chainsaws mean business. In fact, such has been… TOOLSMakita v Milwaukee: Impact wrenches and combi drills testedThe latest generation of brushless combi drills and impact wrenches offer punchy power output in a compact package. Oliver Mark and James Andrews put high-spec 18V models from two of… TOOLSOn test: Cold water pressure washers – which is best?Having a decent, easily portable pressure washer about the farm is always handy but, increasingly, it seems that what you buy doesn't always measure up to expectations. We put five… CLOTHING12 reusable farm gloves on test: Which are best?Whether it’s filling up with fuel, connecting a pto shaft or wrangling with hydraulic pipes, a decent set of gloves will make the job far more pleasant. We know there… TOOLS6 handy new tools for the farmSeveral big companies have been busy launching new farm-friendly tools, including ZF with its clever do-it-yourself oil analysis kit, Karcher with a new-look pressure washer lance and Draper, which has… 4x4s, cars and pickupsSee all 4X4SOn test: Ford ramps up Ranger pickup power with 281hp hybridMarrying the powers of petroleum and electrons has produced one of the pokiest Ranger pickups ever built. Ford’s Plug-in Hybrid (Phev) powertrain – the first of its genre in Europe… 4X4SOn test: Electric assistance for Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48VYears of unadulterated diesel propulsion have come to an end as Toyota has equipped its latest high-spec Hilux with a hybrid powertrain. Yet this is no ordinary pairing of combustion… 4X4SOn test: Revamped Land Cruiser still a true off-roaderIf you want a vehicle that’ll stand the test of time, you won’t go far wrong if there’s a Toyota badge on the tailgate. Team this with the words Land… 4X4SOn test: Subaru Forester e-Boxer still a countryside favouriteThere’s much to hate about hare coursers, but they do know a good 4x4 when they see one – and the Subaru Forester’s tolerance for abuse is almost unmatched. While… 4X4SFirst impressions: More tech for big-selling D-Max pickupIsuzu has given its D-Max pickup its second facelift in as many years, as it looks to build on a record-breaking 12 months. The Japanese manufacturer saw its sales rise… 4X4SFirst impressions: Ineos Grenadier Commercial 4x4The issue of inheritance might be the most talked about nasty in Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, but another gremlin lurking in the small print promises to clump double-cab pickup buyers… 4X4SOn test: Low-cost Dacia Duster 4x4 finally gets its polishWe’re partial to a cheap off-roader on the Farmers Weekly Machinery desk. While top-end vehicles can hide behind their plush trim and expensive add-ons, the budget end of the spectrum… 4X4SCzech 4x4 specialist toughens up MAN and VW vansWhat do you get when you let a MAN TGE van slip into the hands of a military-grade, off-road specialist? The answer is the Terrastorm – a four-wheel-drive load lugger… ATVs and UTVsSee all ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Sharper handling for Polaris Sportsman X2Contrary to their workaday Japanese cousins, US-built ATVs are big, brash and offer bountiful horsepower. And the latest Sportsman 570 from Polaris is no exception. Just like its forebear, it… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Electric Corvus UTV shows batteries have a way to goFarmers have roughly the same appetite for electric vehicles as they do a vegan nut roast. Which is why battery-powered UTVs such as Corvus's Terrain EX4 need to knock the… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Battery-powered Polaris Ranger XP KineticThe UTV might have taken the farming world by storm, but these compact off-roaders have several compromises to counter their convenience. Downers for ubiquitous diesels are sluggish acceleration and a… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Can-Am Outlander Pro HD7 packs gutsy 50hp engineBuilt to satisfy the tastes of demanding North American buyers, Can-Am ATVs have always been powerful, comfortable and loaded with optional extras. But the payoff compared with tough-as-old-boots Japanese bikes… ATVS AND UTVSCan-Am Traxter 6x6 UTV is clumsy but offers plenty of gripFour-wheel drive has most of the bases covered when it comes to off-road driving, but there are a few renegades out there that think six will do the job better.… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: CF Moto challenges the big brands with new ATV lineWhile the West has been casually writing off Chinese products as cheap tat, its manufacturers have been beavering away to make them better… a lot better. The tsunami of throwaway… ATVS AND UTVSFirst impressions: Segway Fugleman UT10X Deluxe UTVFarmers looking for a cheap runaround now have the option of the Fugleman, a comparatively low-cost but surprisingly pokey UTV from Segway. The Chinese maker is a relative newcomer to… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: John Deere Gator XUV 865R UTVWhen John Deere launched its 865 Gator at the start of 2020, it looked as though the American giant had intentionally blurred the lines between conventional UTVs and base-spec pickups.… ArableSee all DRILLINGHow new tech turns standard drill into variable-rate systemThanks to a new drill-conversion kit, arable farmers hoping to adopt an adjustable-rate system can now simply and affordably convert any standard drill into variable-rate capacity. Developed by crop production… BALERS AND WRAPPERSBig baler innovations could help farmers cut costsThe 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… CEREAL DRILLSNew drill options for seed-bed fertiliserNew options for growers wanting to apply dry fertiliser when sowing spring cereal crops take different approaches to delivering the material, either down the same spout as the seed or… PLOUGHSA round-up of new ploughs at Cereals 2016There 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… ARABLENew tractor tyre technology offers 18% more tractionThe 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… 14 useful machinery, tractor and arable apps for 2016With 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… 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… New Defy 3D nozzle: Sprayer operators give their verdictAgrochemical 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… LivestockSee all YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTCalf coats on test: Which works best for you?Numerous scientific studies have shown the benefits of using calf coats in the colder winter months. As well as improving weight gain in young calves that aren't yet able to… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to use digital rainfall gauges and what's on the marketThe rain gauge is one of the easiest tools farmers can use to measure precipitation. The concept of the original cylindrical cup and funnel design dates back to ancient Greece… LIVESTOCKCalf bottles and tube feeders on testIt is unsurprising many farmers are switching from bottles to buckets with teats for feeding milk to older calves. Our test, carried out over a four-month period at my family… HUSBANDRYVideo: 5 cattle clippers on test - which performed best?Clipping dirty tails and coats should be a regular job on a dairy farm to protect milk quality, as dirty cows are more likely to get mastitis. Brand identification beneath… HEALTH AND WELFAREBuyer's guide to ketone testers for dairy farmersSimple and quick tests that measure ketone levels in dairy cows are allowing farmers to act promptly with interventions to protect milk yields and herd performance. Subclinical ketosis can’t be… HEALTH AND WELFAREBuyer's guide: 5 of the latest cow brushesCows like a good scratch, so satisfying that instinct with a brush designed for the job can only be good for herd wellbeing. A happy cow will always perform better,… LIVESTOCK#Calfmatters survey: Have your say on dairy calf health nowThe annual Calfmatters survey is now live at www.calfmatters-survey.co.uk and runs until 9 August 2019. Results will be presented at UK Dairy Day, so why not take a few minutes… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTSlurry separation options comparedDairy farmers are investing in slurry-separation systems amid tighter environmental controls. Balanced with the cost of increasing storage infrastructure to be compliant with nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) regulations, separation technologies…
