FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE​​ 80​​ DECEMBER 2020

Field Test: ​​ We put a pair of new​​ Kubota M7173s​​ to work, one with a power shift, the other a CVT, to find out what they've got to offer.

First Impression: ​​ In the field with the UK's first​​ Kuhn SB 1290iD​​ baler. But was it worth the wait?

First Impression: ​​ Claas​​ UK's new HQ has space for all the latest machines.​​ ​​ Here's what's new from the German manufacturer.

First Impression: ​​ Why one Lincolnshire farm has invested in a pair of brand-new​​ Fendt 1290N XD​​ square balers.

Focus On: ​​ As diesel comes under pressure, here's how​​ future tractors​​ could be fuelled43.

Modern Farming: ​​ How​​ driverless tractors​​ are proving the technology to farmers in Canada, including a new kit on a​​ Fendt 1050 Vario.

Fleet Profile: ​​ Sam Horsfall shows us around the kit in his one-man​​ slurry spreading​​ set-up, built around a 2019​​ John Deere 6155R.

Running Report: ​​ This 2007​​ Claas Lexion 570+​​ at work in Scotland proves modern farms don't always need the latest combines.

Running Report: ​​ How a​​ John Deere C441R​​ has performed over the past three seasons in a busy Cheshire contracting outfit.

Opinion: ​​ With Brexit, Covid-19 and trade deals, now is the time to start thinking about​​ farm finances, says Phil Kirkpatrick.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ Commercial versions of the​​ Suzuki Jimny​​ and new​​ Defender​​ go on sale, plus an off-road inspired​​ Nissan Navara.

Working Vehicle: ​​​​ Do you really need a top-of-the-range pick-up for farm work? We drive two of the latest​​ Ford Rangers​​ to find out.

Used Buying Guide: ​​ What to look for when purchasing a second-hand​​ Siloking​​ feeder wagon.

Muck Spreaders: ​​ How to choose the right machine​​ for you, plus how to keep it running reliably.

Christmas Gift Guide: ​​ Need some present inspiration? Here's our pick of farming gifts for all ages.

Game Changers: ​​ The six-cylinder​​ Ford 7810​​ almost didn't happen, yet it became a best-seller.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 79​​ NOVEMBER 2020

First Impression: ​​ Why the​​ Fendt IDEAL 10T​​ combine doesn't have a steering wheel in the cab.

First Impression: ​​ How a new rake led to the purchase of a​​ Massey Ferguson RB3130F​​ round baler.

First Impression: ​​ The Devon contractor breaking records with a​​ Vicon FastBale​​ baler-wrapper.

First Impression: ​​ New​​ Fendt tractors and loaders​​ on show at official German press launch.

Focus On… ​​ Tyres​​ continue to evolve at pace. ​​ Here are the latest developments on offer.

Modern Farming: ​​ How a team of engineers hope to solve a vegetable picking labour shortage47.

Fleet Profile: ​​ Behind the scenes on a scheme to restore old coal mines back to farmland.

Running Report: ​​ This​​ John Deere 6170R​​ proves modern tractors can rack up high hours.

Running Report: ​​ A​​ Case IH Maxxum 150​​ has been a welcome change for one dairy farm.

Running Report: ​​ Giving​​ JCB​​ feedback has resulted in the best Loadall this contractor has owned.

Opinion: ​​ This new app will protect those who work alone, says Thomas McNamara.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ Toyota​​ has given its commercial vehicles a makeover and more power, plus​​ Isuzu​​ reveals its D-Max with a tipping body.

Working Vehicle:​​ ​​ The latest​​ side-by-side UTVs​​ and​​ quad bikes​​ coming to a farm near you.

Used Buying Guide: ​​ What to look for when purchasing a second-hand​​ Case IH Puma 160​​ tractor.

Product​​ Test: ​​ The new​​ CAT S42 phone​​ designed to survive the demands of life on the farm.

ATV Security: ​​ Theft of farm vehicles is on the rise.​​ ​​ Here's what's being done to protect farms, plus steps you can take to keep yours safe.

Game Changers: ​​ Having pioneered the central boom telehandler,​​ RWC​​ built a twin-boom design.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 78​​ OCTOBER​​ 2020

First Impression: ​​ In the field with the latest five- and six-walker​​ Claas Lexion​​ combines.

First Impression: ​​ John Deere's X9 combines​​ have landed in the UK. Here's our early verdict.

First Impression: ​​​​ Why Irish manufacturer Tanco has reinvented the butterfly mower concept.

First Impression: ​​ FMJ​​ visits a​​ Pottinger Terrasem C4 Fertiliser Pro​​ seed drill in Leicestershire.

Behind the Scenes:​​ ​​ How the British-built​​ Grange Machinery​​ toolbars have filled a void.

Focus On… ​​ Four farms show us their​​ feeding equipment, from trailed to self-propelled.

Modern Farming: ​​ As more farms revert to​​ trailed foragers, Ashley Davies explains why he invested in a 2006 Reco Mengele SH40N.

Fleet Profile: ​​ Over in Ireland, this trailed forager specialist is seeing a surge in demand for second-hand​​ JF and Kongskilde​​ machines.

Running Report: ​​ In the first of two special features, this​​ Valtra T194 Direct​​ shows why reverse drive tractors are well suited to silage.

Running Report: ​​ Reverse drive isn't just for the clamp.​​ ​​ This​​ Massey Ferguson 8740​​ has been converted for high-speed mowing.

Opinion: ​​ With heat waves more frequent, here's how to keep herd hygiene in check.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ It's all change in the pick-up market – here's what new vehicles to expect from the likes of​​ Ineos, Isuzu​​ and​​ Toyota​​ in 2021.

Used Buying Guide: ​​ What to look for when purchasing a second-hand​​ Fiat F-Series​​ tractor.

Product Guide: ​​​​ We got hands-on with a new app designed to aid machinery safety checks.

Retrofit ISObus: ​​ How a tractor was updated to run a​​ Kverneland​​ mounted sprayer using ISObus.

Continental Tyres: ​​​​ What the German tyre giant's return to the market means for farm machinery.

Game Changers: ​​ How Matbro pioneered pivot-steers.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 77​​ SEPTEMBER​​ 2020

Field Test: ​​ Putting the new​​ John Deere 6120M​​ tractor through its paces on our test farm in Leicestershire.

First​​ Impression: ​​ More​​ new​​ John Deeres, this time it's a 350hp 7R, CVT 6Ms and updated sprayers.

First Impression: ​​ Why the​​ Grimme Matrix​​ drill is a favorite among sugar beet growers.

First Impression: ​​ Behind closed doors with the new​​ Kubota M8​​ and​​ Versatile Nemesis​​ tractors.

Focus On: ​​ Soil compaction is a hot topic but what should we really be doing about it?

Modern Classics: ​​ The​​ Claas Jaguar​​ forager has an enduring appeal.​​ ​​ Four users explain why it has become their go-to for silage.

Running Report: ​​ The​​ New Holland BR7070​​ might be out of production but it's still popular. Here's why Jason Hamilton rates it.

Running Report: ​​ How a farmer swapped two tractors for a​​ Fendt 513 Vario​​ without affecting productivity.

Opinion: ​​ Gordon Brookes​​ explains why tyres should be a concern at harvest time and what you can do to preserve them.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ Ineos Grenadier​​ unveiled, a 4x4​​ Ford Transit​​ and commercial​​ Defenders.

Working Vehicle: ​​ Is the new​​ Isuzu XTR​​ the perfect blend of workhorse and leisure vehicle?​​ ​​ We put one to work, and play, to find out.

User Buying Guide: ​​ What to look for when purchasing a second-hand​​ New Holland T6​​ tractor.

Product Guide: ​​ An essential round-up of the best cool boxes to keep your food and drink cold.

Fire Suppression: ​​ With combine fires still a burning issue, should harvesters be fitted with kits to stop fires taking hold?​​ ​​ We explored the issue.

Game Changers: ​​ How JF bridged the gap between 1960s trailed and self-propelled combines.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 76​​ AUGUST​​ 2020

Field Test: ​​ It's the benchmark for our loader tests but how has an 11-year-old​​ Merlo P40.7​​ fared in over a decade of work??

First Impression: ​​ Genesis is back, but does the​​ New Holland T8​​ live up to the name's reputation?

First Impression: ​​ Bednar​​ introduced us to the range of Omega seed drills working on British soil.

First Impression: ​​ FMJ​​ went to see one of the last McHale V660 balers to be built in action.

Modern Classics: ​​ Charting the 25-year evolution of Massey Ferguson's 8000-Series tractors.

Focus On… ​​ Seven loader operators reveal the attachment that they can't live without.

Modern Farming: ​​ As well as making field walking quicker, this drone operator has built a system that also aids agronomic decisions.

Running Report: ​​ In the field with a rare Japanese​​ Morooka MK160S​​ tracked tractor.

Running Report: ​​ How a​​ Valtra T183​​ transformed the forestry operations of a Scottish contractor.

Opinion: ​​ Dyutiman Chattopadhyay​​ talks though the latest farm tyre developments.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ New​​ Toyota Hilux​​ unveiled, longer​​ Ssangyong Mussos, and an​​ electric bike​​ …

Working Vehicle: ​​ Has the new​​ Land Rover Defender​​ forgotten its farming roots?

User Buying Guide: ​​ Armed with £60,000 we set off in search of a second-hand​​ 180hp tractor.

Thorough Examination: ​​ Everything you need to know about the mandatory inspection of loading equipment to keep on the right side of the law.

Understanding Data: ​​ How to introduce a simple and practical management system to keep on top of the multiple streams of farm data.

Game Changers: ​​ Developed in 1936, the Farmhand loader was the first machine of its kind.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 75​​ JULY​​ 2020

Field Test: ​​ Following early concepts and extensive testing, the electric Fendt e100 Vario will soon be going into production but is battery power the future for farms?

First Impression:​​ ​​ The Case IH XPower electric weeder is being touted as an answer to replacing chemicals.​​ ​​ FMJ​​ took a closer look.

First Impression: ​​ All you need to know about the two new Claas Jaguar foragers mounted on the company's Terra Trac rubber tracks Features.

Focus On… ​​ Why five-furrow ploughs have had to evolve to match the rising power of tractors, plus the models on sale today.

Modern Farming: ​​ How a Scottish feed company is revolutionising the way livestock are fed.

Running Report: ​​ After more power and comfort, this operator made the switch from a Ford 5610 to a New Holland T5060.

Running Report: ​​ After four seasons,​​ FMJ​​ went to see how this John Deere L1534 has performed.

Running Report: ​​ Preferring his tyres the same size, this farmer bought a JCB Fastrac 2170.

Opinion: ​​ Hannah Hubbard explains why farms need protecting from fly​​ tipping.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ Suzuki Jimny pick-up unveiled, ATV thefts soar, and a high-speed Polaris.

Working Vehicle: ​​ It was late to the party, but has the Honda Pioneer been worth waiting for?

Modern Engines: ​​ Manufacturers are quick to cite the benefits of the latest engines, but what are the drawbacks?​​ ​​ FMJ​​ investigated to find out.

Keep GPS Kit Protected: ​​ Following a rise in thefts of machine guidance equipment, here's what you can do to keep your tractors and GPS safe.

Game Changers: ​​ History says gas-powered tractors don't work, but what went wrong?

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 74​​ JUNE​​ 2020

Field Test:​​ ​​ After many hours behind the controls, here's our verdict on the​​ Sumo DTS drill, plus two owners' evaluations.

First Impression:​​ ​​ How does the new​​ JCB TM420​​ stack up against its pivot-steer predecessors?

First Impression:​​ ​​ We visit the first new​​ Vredo VT7028-3​​ tanker to start work in the UK.

First Impression:​​ ​​ John Deere​​ gives its range an overhaul with a new line-up of​​ 6M tractors.

Focus On…​​ ​​ The​​ 60-70hp hedge-cutters​​ available for self-sufficient farmers.

Modern Farming:​​ ​​ With farm workers confined to isolation more than usual, here's​​ how four operators cope with long hours in the cab.

Fleet Profile: ​​​​ Why a Yorkshire farm overhauled its fleet with three brand-new​​ Manitous.

Running Report:​​ ​​ It's been 10 years since a Scottish farm switched to a​​ Claydon Hybrid drill, but have the results been as expected?

Running Report:​​ ​​ It's not a best-seller, but​​ the​​ Claas Uniwrap​​ baler-wrapper is a hidden gem.

Running Report:​​ ​​ Tight deadlines mean this​​ Spearhead hedge-cutter​​ has to be reliable.

Opinion:​​ ​​ Phil Burge discusses the benefits of using​​ high-quality bearings​​ on machines.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News:​​ ​​ TGB​​ unveils its new​​ ATV, Isuzu​​ stays open,​​ MOT rules​​ temporarily relaxed.

Working Vehicle:​​ ​​ Pick-ups​​ haven't always been the top choice for farm transport. Here are​​ three commercial 4x4s​​ to consider.

Used Buying Guide:​​ ​​ What to look for when buying a second-hand​​ Renault Ares​​ tractor.

Sprayer Technology:​​ ​​ Pulse width modulation:​​ What it is, how it works, and why your sprayer needs it.

Game Changers:​​ ​​ How​​ Mercedes-Benz​​ became the pioneers of diesel engines in tractors.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 73 MAY 2020

Field Test: ​​ We try the new​​ Manitou MLT 420-60​​ compact telehandler to see if it's up to life on a livestock farm.

First Impression: ​​ The​​ Kuhn​​ Vari-Master 183​​ plough helping a contractor tackle wet conditions.

First Impression: ​​ We drive the new​​ John Deere 7R and 8R​​ wheeled tractors in the UK.

First Impression: ​​ Why a Northern Irish contractor was first to invest in the​​ Claas Jaguar 880.

Focus On… ​​ The best methods for​​ moving bales from the fields to your farmyard.

Modern Farming: ​​ Expert advice to help work out when or if it's advisable to start​​ working in fields after a long, wet winter.

Fleet Profile: ​​ Why a Dutch contractor came to help a​​ UK potato grower​​ with his harvest.

Running Report: ​​ A two-year-old​​ John Deere 6130R and a Quicke Q5M loader​​ at work on a dairy farm in North Yorkshire.

Running Report: ​​ The​​ Kent cobnut grower​​ mixing modern​​ New Hollands​​ with classic tractors.

Running Report: ​​ The ultra-narrow​​ Landini Rex 4​​ tasked with cultivation duties​​ for hops.

Opinion: ​​​​ Matt McWhirter explains why​​ complacency is dangerous on an ATV.

Pick-Up, 4X4 & ATV News: ​​ Peugeot​​ unveils new pick-ups and​​ Polaris​​ shows off its latest quad bikes.

Working Vehicle: ​​ The end is near for the powerful​​ Volkswagen Amarok​​ pick-up, but should you buy one while you still can?

Used Buying Guide: ​​ What to look for when buying a second-hand​​ Vaderstad Rexius​​ cultivator.

Camera Technology: ​​ Why​​ imaging systems​​ can be more​​ accurate in fields than satellite guidance.​​ 

Model Zone: ​​ The latest​​ scale models​​ to boost your fleet of miniature machinery.

Game Changers:​​ Why the adoption of​​ alternative fuels​​ isn't a new concept for tractors.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 72​​ APRIL​​ 2020

Field Test:​​ ​​ We try the latest​​ New Holland TH7.42 Elite​​ to find out if it's got what it takes to disturb the UK pecking order.

First Impression:​​ ​​ Here's why a​​ ROC RT870​​ merger may be the ideal upgrade from a more conventional twin-rotor rake.

First Impression:​​ ​​ After a long wait, we've been behind the wheel of the​​ John Deere 8RX​​ tracked tractor to see if its benefits extend to cultivation work after a very wet winter.

Focus On:​​ ​​ The choices for​​ conventional square balers​​ are limited, but for some farms these machines are still essential.

Modern Farming:​​ ​​ Why trailed and self-propelled​​ Beet chasers​​ have been vital to getting crops out of the ground this season.

Fleet Profile:​​ ​​ Pooling machines and joining forces has helped two Yorkshire contractors grow their businesses.

Running Report:​​ ​​ A 10-year-old​​ Krone​​ BiG X 650​​ is still the maize forager of choice for this contractor despite owning a newer model.

Running Report:​​ ​​ After three seasons, here's how a 2017​​ Claas Jaguar 860​​ has performed in grass and maize for a Cheshire contractor.

Opinion:​​ ​​ Paul Madeley​​ discusses what the new post-Brexit regulations and Agricultural Bill means for farmers.

Pick-up, 4x4 & ATV News:​​ ​​ The​​ Gator​​ gets comfort upgrades, as launched,​​ Mercedes​​ ditches its pick-up,​​ and​​ Suzuki​​ ponders the Jimmy's future.

Working Vehicle:​​ ​​ Does a sporty, race-ready​​ Ford Ranger Raptor​​ have what it takes to do a proper day's work on the farm?

Used Buying Guide:​​ ​​ What to look for when buying a second-hand​​ Merlo TF33.7​​ telehandler.

Towing on the Road:​​ ​​ Here's what you need to know to stay within the law when hitching a trailer.

Game Changers:​​ ​​ Why the technology behind electric tractors really isn't anything new.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE 71 MARCH 2020

Field Test:​​ ​​ We got behind the wheel of the latest​​ JCB 427​​ wheeled loader to find out how it performs on the muck heap.

First Impression:​​ ​​ Upgrading​​ to a​​ Grimme Varitron 220​​ meant this grower could complete his harvest, so why has he sold the machine?

First Impression:​​ ​​ Out in the field with the first​​ John Deere​​ forager in Europe to be fitted with a 9m​​ Drago​​ stripper header to harvest maize in Warwickshire.

Focus On:​​ ​​ The latest new​​ mowers​​ and​​ vegetation maintenance​​ machines available to buy now.

Modern Farming:​​ ​​ Exploring​​ evolutions in drilling​​ to meet changing conditions, including the opinions of four drill manufacturers.

Event Report:​​ ​​ A round-up of​​ the new machines and product launches at​​ LAMMA 2020, held again at the NEC in Birmingham.

Fleet Profile:​​ ​​ Deutz-Fahr​​ tractors and combines have long been in favour for this Irish contractor, who now runs the latest models.

Running Report:​​ ​​ North Wales native​​ Mike Edwards has been running​​ Pöttinger forage​​ wagons for years and now runs a Jumbo.

Opinion:​​ ​​ With vast areas of the UK flooded, the situation for farmers is becoming very serious says​​ Mark Chatterton.

Pick-up, 4x4 & ATV News:​​ ​​ A new​​ Isuzu D-Max​​ has​​ launched,​​ Ineos​​ recruits off‑road experts and​​ Mitsubishi​​ reports strong L200 sales.

Working Vehicle:​​ ​​ Is the new​​ Mitsubishi L200​​ as good as the old model?​​ ​​ We put the Barbarian X version to work to find out.

Used Buying Guide:​​ ​​ What to look for when buying a​​ second-hand​​ McCormick MC135.

Quad Bike Security:​​ ​​ With rural crime on the rise, here's how to keep your ATV safe from thieves.

Game Changers:​​ ​​ Why farmers turned to David Brown to meet their drainage needs.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE​​ 70​​ FEBRUARY 2020

Field Test:​​ ​​ We took control of the latest​​ Claas Scorpion 741​​ telehandler to put it through a series of tough on-farm tests.

First Impression:​​ ​​ The first​​ Versatile DT520​​ has​​ landed in the UK.​​ ​​ FMJ went to see it in​​ action with its new owner.

First Impression:​​ ​​ Despite the difficult weather last autumn, the​​ Deutz-Fahr 9340 TTV​​ still managed to impress.

Focus On:​​ ​​ Being more efficient can result in considerable savings, both in time and costs, and a​​ straw spreader​​ is one​​ way farms can improve their livestock regime.

Modern Farming:​​ ​​ For farms with inadequate drying facilities and storage capacity, now is the time to upgrade​​ grain drying​​ systems.

Fleet​​ Profile:​​ ​​ Fendt tractors have taken over at​​ Harrison Farms​​ in East Yorkshire, where the fleet now covers over 3500 acres.

Running Report:​​ ​​ After three months with a​​ Case IH​​ Maxxum 140, Carl Bradbury gives his​​ verdict on the tractor.

Running Report:​​ ​​ Northern​​ Irish contractor Seamus McClements explains why a​​ New Holland T6.180​​ is a perfect sidekick to his T7.

Opinion:​​ ​​ With rural crime on the rise,​​ Will Kendrick​​ is urging farmers to consider their insurance cover.

Pick-up, 4x4 & ATV News:​​ ​​ The new​​ Isuzu D-Max​​ is launched, Tesla unveils an electric truck and LDV returns with a double-cab pick-up.

Working Vehicle:​​ ​​ Is the entry-level single-cab​​ Toyota Hilux​​ up to the demands of farm life despite having only two seats?

Product Review:​​ ​​ Will the​​ Kärcher Easy!Force​​ trigger gun transform how you wash your tractor?

Auction Essentials:​​ ​​ How to buy and sell machinery at auction, plus the latest sale trends.

Electric Loaders:​​ ​​ Is new battery and charging tech starting an electric machinery revolution? Here are 10 loaders that are on a charge.

Game Changers:​​ ​​ How a tractor trial pioneered a new way of demonstrating machinery.

FARM MACHINERY JOURNAL ISSUE​​ 69​​ JANUARY 2020

Field Test:​​ ​​ We took to the seat of the new​​ Claas Axion 960 Terra Trac​​ to find out how the half-track setup works in the UK.

First Impression:​​ ​​ FMJ​​ went to see the latest​​ Hatzenbichler​​ mechanical weeders at work with Opico in Cambridgeshire.

First Impression:​​ ​​ Faced with unpredictable weather, Brinklow Biogas was grateful for this new​​ Gourdon TBG 330 side-tip dump cart.

Event Report:​​ ​​ The essential​​ round-up to some of the most influential and highly anticipated launches at​​ Agritechnica 2019, including a Fendt telehandler and mad MF concept.

Focus On:​​ ​​ The way slurry is viewed and used is changing, and so too are the methods of moving it with these​​ twin-axle tankers.

Modern Farming:​​ ​​ Guy Martin​​ has piloted a modified​​ JCB Fastrac​​ to a new world speed record.​​ ​​ FMJ​​ spoke to the man behind the wheel.

Running Report:​​ ​​ After years of using​​ McHale​​ bale​​ wrappers, does the latest 998 High Speed​​ model live up this owner's expectations?

Running Report:​​ ​​ With a shift to controlled traffic farming, these Scottish farmers switched a Challenger for a​​ Fendt 1050 Vario.

Opinion:​​ ​​ With the use of​​ Drones​​ now more regulated, here's how farmers can avoid breaking the law.

Pick-up, 4x4 & ATV News:​​ ​​ Life-saving​​ Isuzus, special edition​​ VW Amaroks​​ and new liveries for​​ Polaris​​ all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles.

Working Vehicle:​​ ​​ The​​ Mercedes-Benz Unimog​​ has long skirted on the sidelines of agriculture, but could it soon be set​​ to shine in the field?

Used Buying Guide:​​ ​​ What to look for when buying a second-hand​​ Massey Ferguson 4400.

Top Spraying Tips:​​ ​​ Operators give their expert advice​​ for better efficiency and accuracy.

Game Changers:​​ ​​ How​​ Harry Ferguson​​ pioneered the concept​​ of field engineers for tractors.