You might think that beet harvesting contractors only buy giant self-propelled six-row (or even 12-row) machines.

Well, Norfolk contractor SC & GM Savory has just bought a new trailed machine – a type that isn’t much seen on UK fields these days.

See also: Big beet chaser bins growing in popularity

The Edenhall 753, sold in the UK through J Riley, may be tractor-pulled but it is packed with much the same technology found on larger harvesters. Basic configuration is a three-row lifter with hydrostatically driven oppel wheels, although walking shares are an option.

The bunker holds a useful 12t but compaction is reduced by having a double axle on the left-hand side. A hydraulically powered axle provides extra oomph up the hills and cleverly kicks in only when required.

The topping and harvesting units automatically disengage when lifted at the end of the row. All operations can be controlled from a touchscreen monitor, including the speed of each of the three cleaning turbines, height of the cleaning gates and elevator speeds.

Operator Jonathan Savory rates the build quality and says that fuel consumption is good. Price is a surprisingly modest £155,000.