Simon

Today I have been designing the interior and branding for a new opticians chain. Marky's got me into the colour red, a departure from my usual blue & grey!

She was incredibly tidy, no rot or dents in the cab or mudguards, paint was on the bonnet and the fibreglass front panel was intact and in good condition. Only minor damage was some wear to cab trim, lower half of rear window was smashed but frame was in the cab, was missing a mirror, PUH release cable snapped - been replaced with a wheel brace [!!] bucket needed plating in the base of it and the NSF tyre was pretty slick. It had had a new seat recently, vinyl wrap around, not a proper one, fairly recent service by the looks of the CNH filters. Oh, but the gearbox was toast. Apparently. I would say it probably just wanted a clutch. Reserve was set at ?5k, don't know if she even made a bid. Felt a bit high to me even if she had been mechanically sound.

I did now boys....

My son getting to grips with a 'Sunbeam ATV'. Never seen one before, neither had the guy who entered it. 250cc, 1200ks on the clock, probably a cheap bike for someone. Plenty of trailers there on Saturday

Smart looking 3040 OPU and pretty straight 545 baler

Aged Matbro Telestar and tidy IHI 5t 360

Was there really to look at this 66 for the boss, turned out she was on her last legs and didn't sell. Tidy tractor but needed a bit of attention mechanically. The alternative was the dexta. Strangely he didn't go for it...

Blues, super major diesels, 1 runner, 1 not

Few photos from around the regular collective sale next door to my office. Before anyone asks, I have no idea what anything made since I couldn't stay - had the kids with me. The only price I know was for a very tidy tandem axle IW trailer, 8' x 5' bed with mesh extensions and ramp, made ?1000. Shame, wanted that! Couple for Marky first, tidy 135 and TVO fergy in need of some love.

I think there are more economical machines out there! I do like the power delivery on the NH's though, feels like it's more about getting the job done than giving a hessian knickered tree hugger a warm feeling inside! You mean the little Wolvo Texas? You don't see that many over here either to be honest. They were developed in Italy [by Wolvo and also an alternative by a company which traded as Rekord from what I remember] for European countries with mountainous regions, Italian Alps type terrain, specifically for cattle farmers in these banky areas. Most of the publicity stuff showed them behind Cararro or Aebi tractors. They became popular in the UK for the equine market because you can get the density of a big bale in something which can be man handled. Good for haylage for horses as it reduces the chance of 'mould' in the bales which affects horses' respiratory system.

It doesn't seem to have been too bad so far. The TS115 was a bit thirsty under load but not bad considering how much I had it turned up (!) but this one doesn't seem any worse. That being said - it may just be the bigger tank!! The 6040 Elite we tried in the first place was hugely thirsty when working. That 4 pot just had to be run flat out to do anything and it was constantly fuelling to get some power, no good at all. The 6 cyl machines are under far less stress and seem to amble along at much lower revs to keep a constant speed. We don't do that much thirsty work so it's not something we tend to look into that much if I'm brutally [and environmentally unfriendly] honest.

It is a nice tractor, I'll give it that. the TS115 it replaced was an awesome machine, perfect for us, so this one had to be pretty special and we're pleased so far. It made it in time for the end of autumn planting but I'll have to take some time off to have a proper go on it on spring bean planting. I think it'll be ok though!

Nice to see a couple of Renault's working away there Gav. I think they looked far smarter in orange than in the Claas colours [as much as I like Claas]. Keep posting them, nice pictures.

That's a nice little unit Gav, what harrow is it sat on? Don't know how you'd get round a QR coulter tip, everything is a wearing part on them isn't it. I suppose a fine rod on the back of the coulter going backwards through the spout to a pin on the back of it would do it, but would the fixings be sufficiently well protected on the back of the coulters? Hmmm, sounds like some R&D needed!

They are a superb development. I'm struggling to think of anything else so simple but with such a huge impact on productivity which has come along to challenge it. I'm sure we'll get suggestions though..... hydraulic q-fit on loader attachments maybe? I used to gas them off the Roterra, still took hours on a 3m wide one though. And invariably you ended up with oil leaking out the breathers because we tipped it onto it's back with the forklift....

Thanks Gav. Yes, the 303 does, in fact I've got to pick 2 up to replace a couple of broken ones. And that is a much nicer prospect than it was on our old Roterra!

Not strictly today, saw it last week but interesting nonetheless. Passed a Maxxum 5130 or 5140, didn't see which, hedgetrimming on the road from Martley to Worcester. Interesting because it was painted in pseudo-Fendt colours. Not quite the right shades but everything which should have been burgundy was green and the wheels were red. *****.

couple more..

Feeding the cattle with the Manitou 526

Couple more of the T

Sorry Rich, missed this one. Yes, you had to lift them onto the wrapper. They weigh anything around 1 to 2 conventional hay bale's worth, so can be awkward. Here are a couple more taken over the weekend. Took the T6030 out for a spin round the headlands with the Amazone KE303 power harrow...

Why don't you two do a deal?!

Ah, I see your point! Looking at Sean's, go for it, vast improvement over the old Ertl tat!

That's a stack of stuff, 32nd quite limited against the other scales though. Shame. For me anyway!

It is a pretty nasty piece of work but as a boxed item it must be worth saving? If for nothing other than showing how much things have moved on!! Stick it on ebay and buy a Marston to convert instead...