Latest reviews and tests TRACTORSDriver's view: Lee Henzell's Fendt 728 VarioFendt’s 700-series overhaul was big news in the summer of 2022, with the ever-popular 724 downgraded to mid-range status and a new 728 thrust to the apex. It strayed well… TRACTORSDriver's view: William Heslip's New Holland T7.300A new cab was the stand-out improvement on New Holland’s “long-wheelbase” T7s when they were introduced at the Sima show in Paris three years ago. There are five Auto Command… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Dirom's Valtra Q285Valtra’s long-awaited Q-series finally broke cover in 2022, filling a void between its existing T and S ranges. Second biggest in the five-strong line-up is the Q285, which matches the… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Mixture's John Deere 6R 250Sitting at the apex of John Deere’s “mid-size” tractor line-up, the 6R 250 offers a healthy slug of power in a modestly proportioned chassis. Its versatility in tackling jobs both… TRACTORSDriver's view: Robin Ward's Massey Ferguson 8S.305For the Massey Ferguson buyer seeking 300 horses, both the 8S and 9S can deliver the goods. But the former’s blend of power and manoeuvrability made it the sensible choice… TRACTORSDriver's view: Dan Chanin's Claas Axion 870Armed with a 6.7-litre FPT engine and a choice of transmissions, Claas’s five-model Axion 800 range has the 200-300hp sector covered. And it’s the range-topping 870 with Cmatic CVT that’s… TRACTORSDriver's View: Ben Sharp’s Case IH Optum 300Case IH’s Puma 260 might be the obvious match for the 300hp tractors featured in this series, but, with the near-identical T7.300 already covered, we’re instead focusing on a model… TractorsSee all TRACTORSDriver's view: Lee Henzell's Fendt 728 VarioFendt’s 700-series overhaul was big news in the summer of 2022, with the ever-popular 724 downgraded to mid-range status and a new 728 thrust to the apex. It strayed well… TRACTORSDriver's view: William Heslip's New Holland T7.300A new cab was the stand-out improvement on New Holland’s “long-wheelbase” T7s when they were introduced at the Sima show in Paris three years ago. There are five Auto Command… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Dirom's Valtra Q285Valtra’s long-awaited Q-series finally broke cover in 2022, filling a void between its existing T and S ranges. Second biggest in the five-strong line-up is the Q285, which matches the… TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Mixture's John Deere 6R 250Sitting at the apex of John Deere’s “mid-size” tractor line-up, the 6R 250 offers a healthy slug of power in a modestly proportioned chassis. Its versatility in tackling jobs both… TRACTORSDriver's view: Robin Ward's Massey Ferguson 8S.305For the Massey Ferguson buyer seeking 300 horses, both the 8S and 9S can deliver the goods. But the former’s blend of power and manoeuvrability made it the sensible choice… TRACTORSDriver's view: Dan Chanin's Claas Axion 870Armed with a 6.7-litre FPT engine and a choice of transmissions, Claas’s five-model Axion 800 range has the 200-300hp sector covered. And it’s the range-topping 870 with Cmatic CVT that’s… TRACTORSDriver's View: Ben Sharp’s Case IH Optum 300Case IH’s Puma 260 might be the obvious match for the 300hp tractors featured in this series, but, with the near-identical T7.300 already covered, we’re instead focusing on a model… TRACTORSOn test: Four-cyl Claas Arion 570 proves punchy and nimbleThe high-horsepower four-cylinder tractor fraternity gained a new member this year as Claas gingered up its compact Arion to deliver a mighty 180hp and 730Nm of torque. Better still, it… TelehandlersSee all TELEHANDLERSOn test: Merlo TF30.7 - small frame, pokey hydraulicsA surge of farmers pining for more lifting and loading capacity without compromising on size has spawned a slew of pint-sized telehandlers. Merlo’s TF30.7 is one of the latest to… TELEHANDLERSOn test: Neomach's versatile Nova X40 pivot-steer loaderFarms are perennially craving more power and capacity, but for those still mucking out pokey old sheds built in the pitchfork era, size matters. Miniature pivot-steers, with their typical 3m… 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… Tools, clothing and other equipmentSee all TOOLSOn test: Four 9in battery-powered grinders comparedCordless power tools are a farm workshop staple these days, and most will run happily on a modestly sized 18V battery. Yet there remain a few amp-eating beasts for which… 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… 4x4s, cars and pickupsSee all 4X4SOn test: GWM Poer pickup offers value for moneyAs GWM rolls out its latest Poer300 pickup in the UK, it will be hoping buyers have a short memory. For this is the Chinese brand’s second attempt at proffering… 4X4SOn test: Van-spec KGM Rexton Commercial looks good valueHollowed out two-seater SUVs have had a resurgence of late, as car makers scramble to find tax-efficient alternatives to the double-cab pickup. South Korean brand KGM is one of the… 4X4SOn test: Ford Explorer offers speed and comfort – at a priceFord’s unlikely alliance with rival Volkswagen has spawned a series of electric SUVs, as it looks to replace some of its best-known nameplates – Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, et al –… 4X4SMWM Spartan 2.0: Loveable electric 4x4 is a tad too dearThe second coming of Spartan, the little-known electric 4x4, has been a saga so rich in drama that it could be ripe for a big screen adaptation. Opening scenes commence… 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… ATVs and UTVsSee all ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Kawasaki's keenly priced Brute Force 450 ATVYou’d be forgiven for thinking Kawasaki had forgotten about agricultural ATVs. Ever since the Mule rose to prominence, the Japanese firm’s attentions seem to have been focused on steering wheels… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Small Segway UT6 UTV is nimble but not a workhorseThe Chinese maker Segway is best known for its stand-on hoverboards, but broke cover with its debut range of ATVs in 2021. It has since supplemented a modest selection of… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Budget Aodes WorkCross 650 UTV decent for its priceAodes might be a new name to the UK, but the Chinese brand has been building ATVs and UTVs for more than 30 years. It’s an established player in many… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Punchy TGB Landmax 1000 UTV proves a handfulTaiwan Golden Bee is a longstanding campaigner in the ATV market, and the recently launched Landmax represents its first foray into the side-by-side sector. Plenty of the components are tried… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: High-spec CF Moto U10 Pro UTV offers car-like comfortChina and Taiwan have capitalised on the exorbitant prices charged for some mainstream UTVs by peppering the UK market with budget friendly alternatives. Oliver Mark and James Andrews find out… 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… 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…
