Back in July 2024, Rotherham-based farmers and contractors S & R Burden invested in a high-specification Bunning Lowlander 175 HD Mk2 HBD to spread biosolids accurately on their own land. Earlier this spring I went to see it in action yoked to their new John Deere 8R 410, and spoke with operator Toby Hewitt to find out how the two were performing together. You can read all about these impressive machines in the July issue of Farm Machinery Journal.
“It might seem like a bit of a luxury and overkill running a single-axle spreader on a 458hp tractor, but it makes perfect sense when the smaller John Deeres in our fleet are so much busier than the 8R 410,” explains Toby.
“Despite its size it's an incredibly versatile, nimble and economic tractor, and is capable of sharing a lot more responsibility with the other wheeled tractors we run — just like the 8R 370 that preceded it, which was bought to replace an 8335RT rubber-tracked crawler that was great for cultivation work but not much else.”
“The Lowlander 175 HD Mk2 HBD's size and efficiency allows us to spread significant amounts of biosolids on our land at our busiest times of the year, when our customers' contract farming agreements come first.”
“Since purchasing the Lowlander we've also received excellent advice from Bunning, and it's likely to remain in our fleet for many more years to come.”