Latest reviews and tests 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… PLOUGHSFirst impressions: Kuhn Multi-Master L six-furrow ploughFor risk-averse, geologically challenged or weather-beaten farms, few implements match the reliability and consistency of a plough. Sales of these time-honoured implements have now flatlined following a near decade-long drop… 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… TractorsSee all 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… 101-200HPKioti bids to undercut rivals with 140hp HX tractorName an up-and-coming East Asian tractor manufacturer that starts with K and has a penchant for orange paint. The Pointless answer, for fans of the BBC's favourite teatime quiz, is… 101-200HPFirst impressions: More power and speed for Deere 6M-seriesThey might be simpler and cheaper than their premium-spec cousins, but the lack of a 50kph transmission has long stymied sales of John Deere’s 6M tractors in the UK. Keen… 401+HPFirst impressions: Valtra's revamped 420hp S416 gets new cabValtra’s big S-series has finally been given some Finnish affection, having been left as little more than a masquerading Massey for nigh on two decades. As well as acquiring a… TRACTORSDriver's view: Why Norfolk grower runs trio of Deutz 7250sDeutz-Fahr tractors are now the go-to prime movers for Norfolk-based potato grower Ian Mason Farms, primarily because of their keen up-front costs and driver-friendly controls. The business runs four of… TelehandlersSee all 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… TELEHANDLERSFirst impressions: Kubota's diddy debut KTH telehandlerTwelve years on from its multimillion-pound acquisition of Kverneland that yielded new mower, baler and fertiliser spreader ranges, Kubota has now nosed in on the world of materials handling –… TELEHANDLERSDairy goes electric with Avant e6 pivot-steer telehandlerAfter 40 years of running Bobcat skidsteer loaders on his 60-cow organic dairy farm near St Davids, Wyn Evans opted for a completely different type of materials handler. Not only… 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: 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… 4X4SOn test: Toyota's super-frugal Rav4 plug-in hybridToyota reckons its latest Rav4 plug-in hybrid can return an impressively frugal 282mpg. James Andrews finds out if it delivers in the real world Comfortable, capable and practical they might… 4X4SOn test: Ineos Automotive's debut 247hp Quartermaster pickupIneos has built what could be the toughest mainstream pickup on the market, but simple, solid engineering comes at a cost. With its snorting straight-six diesel, creamy eight-speed gearbox, and… 4X4SOn test: Bog-basic Isuzu D-Max Utility isn't cheap enoughIf you’re the type of penny-pincher to wear hole-ridden pants, conjure two brews from a single teabag, and keep your house thermostat sub-double digits then, as new vehicles go, Isuzu’s… 4X4SOn test: Nissan X-Trail gets new practical hybrid powertrainWorried that a fully electric car could leave them conked out miles from a charger, thousands of buyers have played it safe and bought a hybrid instead. A sensible move… 4X4SOn test: Base-spec and bestselling Ford Rangers face offAlmost £20,000 separates the two Ranger pickups featured in this week’s Country Car, in what looks a rank mismatch. It’s the meat-and-potatoes XL, yours for a smidge over £28k, versus… 4X4SOn test: Daihatsu's lightweight, high-spec Hijet 4x4The success of modified Suzuki Jimnys at providing an alternative to costly UTVs has paved the way for another quirky method of off-road transport – compact Japanese pickups. Slotting into… ATVs and UTVsSee all 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.… ATVS AND UTVSOn test: Corvus Terrain DX4 UTVCorvus is the new kid on the block, launching its first utility vehicle in 2018 and dispatching it to the UK in 2019 via importer Boss ORV. The Spanish brand… 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…
