The first Midland Machinery Show took place at the Newark Showground last week. David Cousins was there.

Show success

With 160 stands and 5,000 visitors over the two days of the show, the Midland Machinery Show organisers say they are pleased with the turnout. Feedback from exhibitors has been good and the event is well placed geographically for farmers and contractors in the Midlands and North.

See also: Midland Machinery Show kicks off today

There was a range of seminars on rural crime, improving soil organic matter and the new CAP reforms, and organisers say that the Midlands Machinery Show demonstrates there is a need for a show in the area. Next year’s event will be held on the 25 and 26 November 2015.

Larrington Farmer trailers

Larrington twin-ram trailer

Richard Larrington is well known for its high-spec trailers and clever systems, such as the front-pivoting ejector trailer, but less so for more basic kit. However, that’s been rectified with a new twin-ram farmer range that includes 10, 12, 14 and 16t models. These are the first twin-ram trailers the company has made since 1996. 

Key features are a swivel drawbar stand that folds up out of the way and does not need to be removed, so there are no worries about misplacing it. Ten-stud commercial axles are standard and the 406 x 120m brakes are set on a 1.9m track to help keep things stable. Single-line hydraulic and twin-line air brakes are both available.

Four-leaf parabolic spring suspension is standard and coil and air suspension upgrades are available. A full-width grille helps the tractor driver see what’s on. Prices for the four models are £12,250 for the 10t, £13,500 for the 12t, £14,550 for the 14t and £15,700 for the 16t model. The company expects the 14t model to be the most popular.

Elho reverse-drive mower

Elho reverse-drive mower

Reverse drive may be limited to Valtras and Fendts, but for anyone who wants to get over the ground quickly, likes good manoeuvrability and panoramic vision (not to mention radiators that don’t get bunged up), it’s a great system. Finnish company Elho is one of a small band of manufacturers making reverse-drive mowers and has sold them through via Derbyshire firm Shutts Farm Machinery.

The latest mower is this massive 7.3m Duett 7300 model, which has two 3.7m cutting bars yet still manages to fold down to a modest 2.8m on the road. Having the bulk of the weight over the tractor’s rear wheels is a big benefit, too, says the company, and the output matches most butterfly mower systems. Cost is £32,000.

Grano Shark fast-pass cultivator

Grano-Shark fast-pass cultivator

Well-priced machinery from eastern Europe continues to pop up at British farm shows. Aberystwyth-based firm Agritrend was showing this well-priced Polish-made-but-UK-designed Grano Shark fast-pass cultivator designed to do secondary cultivation and knock back the demon blackgrass. It’s sold through 45 UK dealers and there are three depots in Lincoln, Wales and Essex.

This 2.5m model with 18 510mm discs and an £8,500 price tag is one of a range that goes up to a 6mm folding unit. There is also scope to add a drill on the back, too.   

Tanks R Us

Tanks R Us dual bowser

As more and more machines require AdBlue as well as diesel, farmers are having to deal with the nuisance of carting two sets of liquids out to the field rather than one. This neat dual bowser from Tanks R Us could be the answer, though, thanks to a 1,000-litre main tank at the back and a 200-litre AdBlue tank at the front.

There’s a 12v 50 litres/min pump and dispenser for the AdBlue at the front and a second 85 litres/min pump at the back for the diesel. Three-digit flow meters are fitted at each end.

The tank is bunded (and has baffles) and ADR compliant so it’s fully legal on the road. A 10 micron fuel filter is fitted and there’s also an anti-vandal lockable door to keep our light-fingered friends away.

195/50 x 13 radial tyres are fitted and large five-stud braked hubs should give you a decent service life. Meanwhile, twin high-speed axles help stability. Cost is £6,750.