Contractors watch drivers set up own tractors

Working within a 100km of their base they do silage and round baling, cultivation and planting, and round off the quiet end of the year building races and re-contouring land.

Before their new business they had worked for other contractors who ran Fendt tractors, so they knew what they wanted in their own stable, not least because of the brand’s versatility and legendary fuel economy. It’s an impressive stable: three Fendt 936’s, a 930 and a nimble 924, none older than three years.

Versatility is a key: the business employs five full-time operators, each with ‘his own’ tractor set up individually to suit his preferences.  

The steplessly variable transmission is a case in point: some operators choose to drive in manual mode, others prefer to use the tractor management system (TMS) to control transmission speed and engine rpm to suit the task in hand. 

Carston comments, “there is no right or wrong way -- everyone just jumps on and gets on with the job, but the key point is the transmission is smooth and easy to control”.

Despite the tractors being the largest in the Fendt ranges, the business says they are nimble and adaptable to different jobs; the drivers might be power-harrowing in the morning and powering a set of triple mowers after lunch. 

The partners also note that the operators like the comfortable ride provided by the suspended air cabin and the suspended front axle, which results in productive days despite long hours at the height of the season. Visibility also gets a big tick, as does the general layout of the cabin.

All the tractors are fitted with Deutz 7.1L, 6-cylinder engines with SCR/Ad-blue systems to meet Tier 4 emission regulations; they are living up to their reputation for being fuel efficient, records showing consumption of around 35L/hour when hooked up to a power hungry triple mower combination.

Richards mentions the 160L/min closed centre hydraulic system always has enough flow for the biggest jobs, and its ease of control which allows prioritising oil flow to preferred circuits, or doing multiple tasks with one touch of a button.

With such a youthful fleet of prime movers, the partners remain undecided about replacement policy, but see it being around 7000-10,000 hours.  They expect to keep growing their business, by running the best tractors and machinery, and developing a reputation for doing a job well and on time.