mrol

For those that have read Farmers Weekly this week this might be interesting - the combines and corn carts of Pelham Farming in action today. Two NH CR9080s with NH tractors carting with HM trailers.

According to Classic tractor the fiat power version was a one off done by a Dutch dealer. It isn't something you can order from Basildon.

I think that's probably the problem - they focus on designing a machine for the US and Brazil Market and then try to tweak for European conditions. Claas are designed the other way round and hence work better in UK crops.

Finally an older JD 2256 with some wildlife

a couple more

Then an Axial Flow 9010 with a Puma on carting duties

First up a Lexion 480 with a nice backdrop and in an adjacent field, a very large corn cart tractor (JD8345r) awaiting an MF combine to get started again.

A Lexion 600 with 9m bar on the front. There was another one with a 10.5m bar in the adjacent field (they are a pair) but couldn't photo that one as too far away.

I think it looks pretty good - much better than the big nose Magnum sibling. Hopefully those front lights are plastic crystals rather than just stickers (as on the Britains T9 models). And agree - it definitely looks a lot better than the Siku version - some really good detail on the bonnet and front grill. Might need some new tyres but as it will probably be about 17-18 pounds that's not a problem at all.

Any ideas on release dates?

And followed up by two Lexion 580+ Terra Tracs both with V1050 35ft headers - again in OSR.

First up a CR9090 parked up in OSR with what I think must be a 30 or 35ft header:

I just followed the machine down the road and I think, on reflection, it might be a 5 or 6m unit. I couldn't see the model nos though to confirm!

Here's something a bit odd....in Brazil, the New Holland T8 is different. It's a re-bonneted Case Magnum and blue, but that's about it. Which is kind of what it is here as well...but different! http://agriculture.newholland.com/br/pt/Products/Tractors/T8/Pages/Products_overview.aspx

And here it is. Seems quite excessive having 535hp on the front of a 4m Top Down?

There's a Senator near me but can't think of any Matadors. There's another farmer near by who used to run two matadors, then upgraded to a Senator and now has a Dominator mega. He seems to like being about two generations behind the latest model - so on that basis, it must be getting near time for him to upgrade to a Lexion 4-series soon!

I thought I might try a new topic that builds on the Silage and Harvest theme - but focused on getting next year's crop in the ground as we're only 2-3 weeks before OSR needs to be planted and they're already ripping up the rape and barley land around me. There's a huge Case Quadtrack and Vaderstad Top Down working across the road from me as I type this - pictures later hopefully. Also seen a CAT Challenger and top down ripping ground this morning and an older Claas Challenger 85 and 7 leg subsoiler (I think), also on rape ground, over the weekend. What else has anyone seen so far?

I'm reckoning that must be a 3m model isn't it? I'd have ideally liked a 4m as that's what I used to drill with - but 3m will do fine as it looks a great model. Ros are doing a great job at bringing out some really interesting new implements this year - really big pat on the back for that.

Is the Amazon 3 or 4 metre? I can't quite tell.

It looks like this should be out in August according to the Siku website. Does anyone have any production model photos of this model - keen to see what it looks like in detail?

Are you sure it wasn't the Marston version that's been around a few years - seems more plausible.

Looks very similar to the prototype JD photos that Profi magazine ran a year or so ago - I wonder if it is just cosmetic (new panels) or if it will be a more substantial change.

Brilliant...now people are complaining that a model is too accurate! Ros should be applauded for the level of accuracy on this model. Well done.

I think the best thing in these situations is to try and get a few little bits of experience on everything. Have a chat with the boss and see if you could get 1/2 hour once a week sitting on a different machine with the usual operator (unpaid for the 30mins if necessary). No doubt many of the operators will stick you in the driving seat so they can have a break/laugh and you'll get a go at using all the kit. Whatever you do, try to keep it varied as it's really easy to get pigeonholed. As a harvest casual I always wanted the easy life of corn carting but in my second year, due to illness of the older guy on the farm i got put on a power Harrow drill combination to drill the rape. From that moment on, wherever I went for the next few years, as soon as soon the boss heard I could run a drill, I'd get stuck on that for the whole season. Barely saw the combines and carts! And didn't get the breadth of experience I'd hoped for. Saying that - drilling is a good job, but it's always good to have some variety when you're learning.

And before anyone says it, no- don't stick him in the Quadtrac/Challenger/FW60.