SPN

It's a very detailed model but looks quite robust. It will hitch up to the T7.300 which has the new UH linkage, but it isn't 100% secure. I think it might sit better on a Schuco, Wiking or Weise rear linkage, but I don't have any of these to hand. The 5 metre cultivator is also a lovely model, detailed but robust, however it wouldn't sit on the T7.300 linkage as the tractor linkage is too wide. I will try it on a Schuco Schluter at some stage and see how that works.

At long last, a Tier V LWB T7. And what a beauty. Trying to decide which weight block to pair it with, or possibly a tractor bumper. I think the NH wafer weights on the carrier look the best of the bunch, plus it is resin, so light enough to stay up. Just needs a lick of paint.

Toyota are so far behind in the EV game that they are guaranteed to be bankrupt within a few years as they will be rapidly losing market share at the same time they need the revenues to build out new EV manufacturing plants. The two EVs they are selling at the moment are made in China by BYD. There are two insurmountable problems with hydrogen. 1) It is the smallest atom. Who remembers learning the Periodic Table of Elements in school? Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Berillium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Etc. This means you straight away have a problem finding a material for your storage tanks, your pipes, and your valves that won't leak. Now factor in that hydrogen is stored at very high pressure, 5000-10,000 psi for the gas, or at -252.8DegC for the liquid. These problems are solvable, but the solutions are very expensive, and they are still quite risky in harsh environments (such as vibrations in a vehicle). 2) You put more energy into making hydrogen than you get out of it. If you have a kWh of electricity you will travel 6 times farther using it directly in an EV than you will if you convert it into hydrogen and use it in a hydrogen vehicle due to all the losses at every stage in the hydrogen conversion and utilisation process. Here's an article that covers most of the important points. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/13/will-hydrogen-overtake-batteries-in-the-race-for-zero-emission-cars The other thing worth noting is that battery prices continue to fall and are expected to be 50% lower again by the end of 2025 (if not sooner).

I met one of the World's leading hydrogen scientists at a conference a few years ago and he said that "the hydrogen economy is 20 years away, and it always will be". The technical issues and the costs around hydrogen infrastructure mean that although it appears to be a brilliant solution, it will never be practical or economical. There are a lot of people investing big money in trying to make hydrogen work for various uses, and while there is an outside chance that JCB might be able to create a business case for their heavier equipment, for most/all of the other uses it will turn out to be a complete waste of time, money and effort. As Sean pointed out, BMW have been trying to make hydrogen work for the last 35 years (https://www.bmwgroup-classic.com/en/history/hydrogen.html) and they have a fleet of iX5 mules running on hydrogen as a big trial at the moment, but they are doing this seperate to their work on EVs, and it lots of ways it is throwing good money after bad. BMW are not ditching the full electric route. Their main factory in Munich will be 100% EVs by 2027 and their other plants are also scaling up production of EVs, starting with the new iX3 later this year. I'm already saving up to buy a Neue Klasse when it is released in 2026. This is a real throwback to the proper BMWs of my younger days (2002/E21 3 series/E30 3 series) https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/bmws-flagship-factory-will-only-make-electric-cars-2027 There will no scattering of electric batteries because the batteries will be the most valuable part of the car. They will be in demand both for recycling of the materials into new batteries, for upgrading old ICE vehicles to EV power, and for use at home to power the house. If you have solar panels and a small wind turbine charging a battery then you can very quickly reduce your electricity bill to almost nothing. There's already a huge market for used batteries out of Norway. They have a unique combination of very high uptake of EVs together with very slippery roads in winter, so lots and lots of used batteries available for upgrading other vehicles. https://www.newelectric.nl/en/ Hydrogen, however, is 20 years away, and always will be.

Drat. I bought a Marge one hoping it might fit.

Poppema have them in stock https://www.poppemalandbouwminiaturen.nl/en/marge-models-2023-marshall-d844-4wd-limited-edition-350-stuks-132/

21mm diameter, 6.5mm width, from Artisan32. €5 the pair https://www.universmini.com/2613-3-1-2-roues-de-jauge-n3-ART04228-Artisan32_0_0.html

I'm disappointed that they don't come with the front weight.

It's a general release. There are two versions, UH6604 in the standard New Holland livery and UH6491 in the Blue Power livery (not forgetting the Steyr and CASE branded derivatives) I'm hoping there will be a limited version branded as a T7.270 Methane before too long.

Update, The UH5375 Terracotta T6.175 came to hand. The links don't fold, but they look like they can be unscrewed and positioned in the raised position.

Take deep breaths Justin. Deep breaths. In on the count of five, out on the count of ten.

I'd suggest contacting Peter directly to ask if he could build one for you. https://www.facebook.com/p/132-farming-models-100064523479350/

I think so, but I don't have one to hand. The T6.180 Heritage certainly does and it is the same model.

Peter does one-offs to order, and I don't recall they were for silly money. Maybe contact him and get a quote.

Who has the Fendt 1050?

That is tidy. Well done.

I've always been a fan of using a sledge on John Deere's. 😂

I see the Pacton container trailer is now available (at €115) as well as the 20ft containers (€41.90) and 40ft containers (€51.90). The containers are also available in kit form (in white) for those who want to decal them up (like me. My Dad worked for Bell Lines at one stage, so want to get some decalled up in their colours)

That's made my day. Something to put behind the Roadless Super Major to make it grunt.

Am I correct in thinking that they are using tooling what was originally in Banner Lane back in the day?

One of the most amazingly detailed dioramas I have seen.

When is Carrickdale coming up?

I got 175 decals last year to convert mine. Would much prefer if Replicagri made a 175 themseoves (without the air filter - not worried about the wheelbase)

I think it was about 20 years ago. Where does the time go? I remember a number of us travelled over to Spalding around that time and some of the lads stopped off to see the diorama as it was close to their route to the show.