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Latest reviews and tests

SPRAYERS

Driver's view: Luke Haynes’ Bateman RB35 sprayer

Basis-qualified Luke Haynes reveals the good and the bad of the Bateman RB35 he operates for the Montreal Estate in Kent. See also: Broadacre spot spraying kits: All you need to…

SPRAYERS

Driver's view: Tristan Newens' trailed John Deere R952i

Tristan Newens was the only 2020 Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year finalist running a trailed sprayer. He explains why he made the switch away from a self-propelled and how…

SPRAYERS

Driver's view: Michael Knight's Sands Horizon 5500

Experienced spray man Michael Knight now runs a modestly specced but high-output Sands Horizon 5500, which replaced a five-year-old 4,000-litre Vision in February. He tells us how it has performed…

SPRAYERS

Driver's view: FSOOTY winner Matt Fuller's Bateman RB35

Matt Fuller, winner of Syngenta's Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year competition for 2020, gives us the lowdown on his Bateman RB35 fitted with Capstan's pulse-width modulation system. He works…

SPRAYERS

Driver's view: Peter Dennis’ Househam Merlin sprayer

Peter Dennis has been a sprayer operator since the 1980s, driving a host of different machines from sprayers mounted on David Browns to self-propelled Chafers and his current Househam Merlin.…

101-200HP

Video: Massey Ferguson's entry-level 5711M on test

Massey Ferguson has enjoyed a fair amount of success in the loader tractor market, with its basic Global Series catering for the keep-it-simple brigade and the comparatively swish S series…

CLOTHING

12 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…

Tractors

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101-200HP

Video: Massey Ferguson's entry-level 5711M on test

Massey Ferguson has enjoyed a fair amount of success in the loader tractor market, with its basic Global Series catering for the keep-it-simple brigade and the comparatively swish S series…

101-200HP

Video: John Deere 6120M Command Quad tractor on test

Last year’s unveiling of a heavily reworked 6M tractor range may have been lost in the razzmatazz of John Deere’s high-end tractor and combine launches, but these simple(ish) models could…

TRACTORS

Video: John Deere four-track 8RX – an alternative to wheels?

Since its launch at Germany’s Agritechnica show in November, the web has been awash with pictures and videos of John Deere’s shiny new 8RX tracked tractor range. The hype has…

TRACTORS

Video: John Deere 6175R Directdrive tractor on test

The John Deere 6175R’s spacious, quiet cab and well-thought-out controls made it a clear favourite among our test team. We also got on well with the Directdrive transmission, which is…

TRACTORS

Video: New Holland T7.230 Power Command tractor on test

New Holland’s T7 might lack the glamorous cab offered by the likes of John Deere and Valtra – noise and space being its most obvious shortcomings – but there is…

TRACTORS

Video: Valtra T174 Versu tractor on test

Valtra has made huge progress with its T-series tractors over the past couple of years, so it was no surprise that it ranked so highly in our test. Its cab…

TRACTORS

Video: Massey Ferguson 7718S Dyna 6 tractor on test

Massey Ferguson’s six-cylinder tractor line-up is now a little long in the tooth. On the one hand, that means the Agco Power engine and Dyna 6 transmission are both solid…

TRACTORS

Video: 180hp tractor test 2019 preview

This summer, FW’s machinery team took four 180hp tractors from some of biggest names in the industry to a Hampshire farm for a rigorous workout during a busy cultivation period.…

Telehandlers

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TELEHANDLERS

On test: Kramer’s KL60.8 loader

Kramer's KL60.8 offers the unusual combination of four-wheel steer and central cab layout, giving operators great views from a lofty perch and the manoeuvrability of equivalent telehandlers. That might make…

TELEHANDLERS

First drive: Manitou MLA-T 516 pivot-steer

Manitou has owned the Gehl and Mustang compact loader brands for more than a decade, but has only recently made the decision to start selling these machines in its own…

TELEHANDLERS

First impressions: JCB spends £6m on new telehandler cab

A new cab is the centrepiece of JCB’s latest-generation Loadall telehandlers and it promises to take comfort and practicality up several notches. Though the old version was perfectly functional –…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandlers on test: Massey Ferguson TH 7038

In an extension of our telehandler test in the 4t lift and 7m reach category, we have taken a look at the best-selling rigid-frame machines from Kramer, Claas, Cat and Bobcat.…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandlers on test: Caterpillar TH408D

In an extension of our telehandler test in the 4t lift and 7m reach category, we have taken a look at the best-selling rigid-frame machines from Kramer, Claas, Cat and Bobcat.…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandlers on test: Claas Scorpion 741

In an extension of our telehandler test in the 4t lift and 7m reach category, we have taken a look at the best-selling rigid-frame machines from Kramer, Claas, Cat and Bobcat.…

TELEHANDLERS

Telehandlers on test: Kramer KT407

In an extension of our telehandler test in the 4t lift and 7m reach category, we have taken a look at the best-selling rigid-frame machines from Kramer, Claas, Cat and…

TELEHANDLERS

On test: Manitou returns to pivot market with its MLA-T

It might have a chequered past in the world of pivot-steer loaders, but Manitou has returned for another crack at a market monopolised by its old enemy, JCB. The French…

Tools, clothing and other equipment

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CLOTHING

12 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…

TOOLS

6 handy new tools for the farm

Several 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…

WORKSHOP SKILLS

Video: On test – 20 workshop tools recommended by farmers

Off the back of the low-cost tool, gadget and knickknack review we carried out last year, scores of readers got in touch with nifty suggestions of their own. Oliver Mark…

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…

FARM MAINTENANCE

£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…

MACHINERY

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…

MACHINERY

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…

4x4s, cars and pickups

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4X4S

On test: Dacia Logan MCV – a new estate car for just £8,500

Romania’s remedy to the spiralling cost of family cars is the Dacia Logan – a vehicle that, in its most basic guise, provides spartan four-wheeled transport and shedloads of boot…

4X4S

Pickup test: Isuzu D-Max Utility

The D-Max Utility is a proper no-frills workhorse with a generous towing capacity, impressive payload and a reasonable price tag. Couple this to a five-year, 125,000-mile warranty, and it makes…

4X4S

Pickup test: Toyota Hilux Active

There is little doubt that budget Hilux models are well made and reliable workhorses. Tidily laid out controls and a comfortable drive make it a particularly appealing option at this…

4X4S

Pickup test: Mitsubishi L200 Club Cab 4Life

A major redesign of Mitsubishi’s L200 has delivered a stand-out exterior, though whether it has actually improved its looks is debatable. Base spec 4Life models get a smart cab with…

4X4S

First look: Isuzu’s refreshed D-Max pickup

Isuzu has given its popular D-Max pickup a ground-up restyle with lofty promises of a far superior ride, cutting-edge technology and the return of a rear diff-lock. The company’s roots…

4X4S

New top-spec XTR pickup joins Isuzu D-Max range

Isuzu has released a new top-of-the-range pickup sporting aggressive styling and a fine-tuned suspension system, that it hopes will smarten the firm's workaday image and give it a better chance…

4X4S

On test: Electric Tesla Model X serves up taste of future

Rocket-building, weed-smoking billionaire Elon Musk is leading an electric revolution intent on transforming transport on earth and beyond. The engineering entrepreneur only started his Tesla motor business in 2003, but…

4X4S

On test: Dacia Duster 4x4

There are certain sacrifices to be made if you want a sparkling new car on the cheap and they usually involve slack performance, low-grade interiors and unremarkable looks. The lure…

ATVs and UTVs

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ATVS AND UTVS

How the ATVtrac tracker finds stolen bikes in under two hours

Millions of pounds’ worth of ATVs and farm buggies have been recovered thanks to retrofit tracking systems. The covert kits are fitted discreetly in the machine’s shell and ping regular…

ATVS AND UTVS

Video: Yamaha Kodiak special edition 450 on test

Yamaha fits the Kodiak 450 with its own single-cylinder petrol engine, which at 421cc is a little smaller than the branding on the bodywork suggests. The firm neatly dodges the…

ATVS AND UTVS

Video: Suzuki King Quad 4x4 500 AXi on test

For general farm duties, the Suzuki King Quad 500 takes a bit of beating. Its 493cc engine develops a reasonable 39hp, but when coupled with the company’s recently updated CVT…

ATVS AND UTVS

Video: Honda Fourtrax 420 DCT IRS on test

Having just 420cc to play with, the Honda was the lowest-powered bike in our test, which showed when it came to towing duties. However, power-conscious buyers have the option of…

ATVS AND UTVS

Video: Polaris Sportsman 570 X2 on test

Polaris doesn’t build anything near a 450cc ATV – the lowest-powered machine in its line-up still carries a 567cc engine that provides a far-from-princely 44hp. That put it some way…

ATVS AND UTVS

Video: Can-Am Outlander 450 on test

It might sport 450 branding on its bodywork, but the Outlander actually gets its power from a 427cc single-cylinder engine, built by sister company Rotax. Despite the lower-than-suggested displacement, this…

ATVS AND UTVS

On test: Polaris Ranger Diesel UTV

A new Kubota engine, uprated suspension and redesigned cab mean Polaris now has a farm-friendly Ranger Diesel to match its petrol-powered range. Keen Farmers Weekly readers may remember we tried…

ATVS AND UTVS

On test: E-Bike is nippy farm runaround

A mountain bike might be an odd sight in the pages of Farmers Weekly, but the machine we are about to feature already boasts a couple of agricultural customers. The…

Arable

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BALERS AND WRAPPERS

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…

CEREAL DRILLS

New drill options for seed-bed fertiliser

New 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…

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…

ARABLE

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…

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…

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 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…

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

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HEALTH AND WELFARE

Buyer's guide to ketone testers for dairy farmers

Simple 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 WELFARE

Buyer's guide: 5 of the latest cow brushes

Cows 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,…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

Slurry separation options compared

Dairy 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…

DAIRY

Buyer's guide: Teat disinfection technology

As herd sizes increase and labour sourcing continues to create challenges, more farmers are turning to automated teat disinfection technologies to ease pressure in the parlour and promote efficiencies. Although…

DAIRY

9 new products to be showcased at Dairy-Tech 2019

After the successful inaugural show last year, Dairy-Tech is back for 2019 and will feature lots of the latest inventions and equipment on the market. New products at the event…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Video: Buyers guide to ad-lib lamb feeders

As lambing approaches and labour is harder to find than ever before, it could be time to invest in an artificial lamb feeder to lighten the workload. With a variety…

ASSESSING PERFORMANCE

Livestock buyer's guide: EID readers compared

Electronic identification provides a real opportunity for farmers to assess performance and improve efficiencies by identifying best performers. While it can be quite costly to implement, depending on the system…