Question 1

Which plough should I buy?

Accepted Answer

Start with your conditions, then match features to suit.

Quick guide:

Stone content: choose auto-reset legs for stony ground to reduce stoppages; shear-bolt protection suits lighter, cleaner land.
Soil type and residue: pick the mouldboard shape that will invert and bury trash cleanly in your soil.
Tractor power and width: number of bodies and working width must match the available horsepower. As a rough rule, allow about 20–30 hp per furrow on 14–16" bodies.
Ease of use: hydraulic vari-width and hydraulic front-furrow make in-field adjustments quicker.Browse our Lemken ploughs and Kverneland ploughs, or read the Used Plough Buyer’s Guide for a deeper checklist.

Question 2

Which seed drill should I buy?

Accepted Answer

The drill you buy will depend on the type of tillage system that youprefer, and the soil type and conditions, amongst other factors that can change with the weather! Take advantage of expert knowledge by discussing your needs with our experts and we’re sure to source a great machine for you. Contact us today!

Question 3

What are the benefits of direct drilling?

Accepted Answer

Direct drilling is very attractive to most farmers as it removes the need for multiple cultivation passes to create a seedbed. The main benefits of direct drilling are cost reduction due to the reduced groundwork and soil heath as there is less traffic and soil disturbance helping the soil to work organically as nature intended. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for everyone; in some situations, the soil or conditions mean that more cultivation is needed to increase the germination of the crop.

Question 4

What is a shear bolt, and why does the spec matter?

Accepted Answer

A shear bolt is designed to snap if a leg hits an immovable object, protecting the leg and frame, and your tractor. Using the wrong grade or size can prevent it from shearing when it should, leading to expensive damage. Always replace with the manufacturer-specified bolt and torque setting. If you want fewer interruptions in stones, consider an auto-reset plough.

Question 5

Which cultivator should I buy?

Accepted Answer

There is a huge range of cultivators available, mostly cultivators are designed with a tillage system in mind. Starting from a minimum tillage system using machines like the straw rake, you can go to the other end of the spectrum to a heavy cultivator like the Sumo Trio. One of the most popular cultivators of recent times has been the short disc. Machines like the Simba X-press and the Vaderstad Carrier are an excellent all-round light cultivator which are equally adept straight onto stubble or breaking down ploughing.

Question 6

Why should I Plough?

Accepted Answer

Ploughing completely inverts the soil, burying weeds and crop residues that shallow cultivators may leave near the surface. Used periodically, it can reduce persistent weeds such as blackgrass, reset surface compaction, and create a clean seedbed. Many farms alternate ploughing with low-disturbance systems to balance soil health and timeliness. For setup fundamentals, see our plough setup guides.

Question 7

How do I store my drill?

Accepted Answer

To extend the life of your drill and to reduce damage how you store your drill after use is very important. There are 3 main actions to carry out:

Ensure the drill is thoroughly cleaned out, and all the seed (and fertiliser if it is a grain and fert drill) is removed, leaving seed in the hopper can not only damage the drill but also encourages rodent activity which can cause a lot of expensive damage to the metering system and the electrics.
The drill should be cleaned and oiled/greased this will help keep any water out of the bearings and moving parts which will prevent them from being seized next time you come to use it.
Keep the control box in a warm, dry place. The control box is one of the most important parts of the drill but is also one of the most delicate. Ensuring that it doesn’t get damp and is kept at a constant temperature means it’ll be working again next year.

Question 8

What is the best drill for wet weather?

Accepted Answer

Weather can be a real problem when drilling, particularly when the conditions are too wet. There is no definitive solution or perfect machine, but the best types of drill for these challenging conditions are mounted machines like a tine seeder or power harrow/drill combination. The tine seeder is effective due to the lightweight and open frame helping to cope with high trash and damp soil and also preventing it from sinking.

Question 9

Are Massey Ferguson tractors any good?

Accepted Answer

Massey Ferguson tractors are generally regarded as excellent tractors. They are robust and reliable and have even served the US military in the past.

Question 10

Are Massey Ferguson tractors made in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Massey Ferguson tractors are manufactured in multiple locations worldwide. The company was established in the 1950s via a merger between two agricultural manufacturing companies: Massey-Harris of Canada and the Ferguson company, based in the UK.

Question 11

Where are Massey Ferguson tractors from?

Accepted Answer

Massey Ferguson was first created in the 1950s via a merger between two agricultural manufacturing companies: Massey-Harris of Canada and the Ferguson company, based in the UK. Massey Ferguson tractors are now manufactured by AGCO, and are built all over the world.

Question 12

Who makes the Massey Ferguson tractor?

Accepted Answer

The Massey Ferguson tractor is made by the AGCO corporation, a global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery and equipment.

Question 13

Who makes the engine for the Massey Ferguson tractors?

Accepted Answer

Massey Ferguson tractors are fitted with Iseki engines. Iseki engines are available either as tractor-only, tractor-loader-backhoe, or tractor with loader.

Question 14

Does Ford still make a tractor?

Accepted Answer

Ford no longer makes tractors. In 1991, Ford sold its tractor division to Italian company Fiat. Fiat has since renamed Ford-identified tractors to “New Holland” tractors.

Question 15

Is Ford and New Holland the same tractor?

Accepted Answer

After Ford sold its tractor division to Fiat in 1991, the tractors were renamed by Fiat as “New Holland” tractors.

Question 16

Is a New Holland tractor a Ford?

Accepted Answer

New Holland is the name given to tractors manufactured by Fiat after Ford sold its tractor division to the Italian brand in 1991.

Question 17

Is New Holland and John Deere the same?

Accepted Answer

No, New Holland and John Deere are different makes of tractors and agricultural machinery.

Question 18

When did Ford stop making tractor?

Accepted Answer

Ford sold its farm equipment and tractor division to Fiat in 1991.

Question 19

What is the difference between a forklift and a telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The forks on a forklift can only lift loads up and down. Telehandlers, on the other hand, have booms which can be fitted with different attachments, and can lift loads forwards, backwards and side to side. Telehandlers can also move loads without moving their base, whereas forklifts must be driven forwards and backwards to move loads.

Question 20

How high can a telehandler lift?

Accepted Answer

Telehandlers come in a variety of different specifications, each with different maximum lift heights. Typically, the maximum lift height will range between 4 meters and 20 meters.

Question 21

What is another name for a telehandler?

Accepted Answer

A telehandler can also be referred to as a cherry picker, a reach fork truck, a lull, a teleporter or a telescopic forklift.

Question 22

Is a loadall a telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The JCB Loadall is a type of telehandler.

Question 23

Is it “plough” or “plow”?

Accepted Answer

Both are correct. Plough is standard in the UK and most of the world. Plow is used in the United States and Canada.

Question 24

What types of plough are there?

Accepted Answer

Ploughs can be classified by:

Body: mouldboard or disc ploughs.
Turnover: conventional or reversible.
Mounting: semi-mounted or fully mounted.
Line: on-land (tractor runs on unploughed surface), in-furrow (follows previous furrow), or on-land and in-furrow (most versatile).

Question 25

Uses of a Plough: Turn soil, bury weeds, ready the seedbed

Accepted Answer

A plough turns and breaks the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface while burying crop residues and weeds so they decompose below. Set correctly, it levels and loosens the top layer to create a clean, even seedbed that drills well, improves seed to soil contact and supports uniform emergence.

Question 26

What licence do I need to drive a John Deere Gator?

Accepted Answer

If the Gator’s ULW (unladen weight) is under 550 kgs, you’ll need either a category B1 licence, or a full category B car licence.

Question 27

How much can a JCB telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The maximum lift weight of a JCB telehandler will depend on the model. The JCB 540-200 Telehandler, for example, has a maximum lift capacity of 4000 kg.

Question 28

Who makes JCB telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The JCB telehandler is made by JCB, a British construction, demolition and agricultural machinery manufacturer.

Question 29

What is the largest JCB telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The JCB 560-80 Agri has the highest maximum lift capacity of any JCB loadall at 6000 kg.

Question 30

What HP is a Fendt 716?

Accepted Answer

The Fendt 716 tractor has 167 HP.

Question 31

What HP is a Fendt 724?

Accepted Answer

The Fendt 724 tractor has 242 HP.

Question 32

How much does an anaerobic digester cost?

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic digestion systems can be expensive investments, costing anywhere from £750,000 to well over £1m on average.

Question 33

What does an anaerobic digester do?

Accepted Answer

An anaerobic digestor uses the process of fermentation to break down organic matter and waste from animals, plants or sewage to produce biogas. The biogas can then be used as an energy source.

Question 34

Why are anaerobic digesters bad?

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic digesters are oxygen-free environments, meaning they release methane, carbon dioxide and other gases into the environment, which can be fatal to both animals and humans.

Question 35

How does fence post driver work?

Accepted Answer

A fence post driver, or post pounder, is used to drive fence posts into land surfaces. The open end of the post driver is put over the top of the post, and the tool is then lifted and dropped repeatedly onto the top of the post, with the closed end striking and driving the post into the ground.

Question 36

What does a post driver do?

Accepted Answer

A post driver, post rammer, post pounder, post knocker or fence driver is a tool used to drive fence posts into land surfaces.

Question 37

Are hand spreaders any good?

Accepted Answer

Hand spreaders are a convenient tool for putting down product quickly, easily and uniformly on smaller areas of grassland or lawn. For larger areas of farmland, a farm sprayer or spreader would be a more appropriate tool for applying fertiliser or nutrients to fields.

Question 38

Can you put fertilizer in a spreader?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fertilizer can be put in a spreader for even, uniform application to a lawn or field.

Question 39

Do I need a spreader for fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

Spreading fertilizer over a lawn or field should be done with a spreader, as it ensures the nutrients are spread over the ground efficiently and uniformly.

Question 40

What is a combi seed drill?

Accepted Answer

A combi or combination seed drill is an agricultural machine that allows for efficient seed planting. A combination drill combines ploughing and sowing into one, using tine or disc cultivators to turn and produce a stale seedbed before sowing the seeds.

Question 41

Where are Väderstad drills made?

Accepted Answer

Väderstad is a Swedish company, and most of their products (including seed drills) are manufactured in Väderstad, Sweden, the town after which the company is named. All Väderstad Farm Machinery is manufactured at their factory in Langbank, Saskatchewan, in Canada.

Question 42

Where is Seed Hawk made?

Accepted Answer

Väderstad’s Seed Hawk line is manufactured in the company’s factory in Langbank, Saskatchewan, in Canada.

Question 43

Who makes Fendt tractors?

Accepted Answer

Fendt is a German agricultural machinery manufacturer, which was purchased by AGCO Corporation in 1997.

Question 44

Can a JCB Fastrac go on the motorway?

Accepted Answer

Yes – the JCB Fastrac can be driven on the motorway at a maximum speed of 40 mph.

Question 45

How fast does a JCB Fastrac go?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the model, a JCB Fastrac will have a maximum speed of between 40 mph and 47 mph.

Question 46

What is a JCB Fastrac used for?

Accepted Answer

The JCB Fastrac is a high-speed agricultural tractor, and can be used for field work, livestock and haulage operations.

Question 47

Is Valtra and Valmet the same?

Accepted Answer

Valtra and Valmet are the same brand – the company was initially named Valmet, before changing its name to ValtraValmet in 1998 and finally to Valtra in 2001.

Question 48

Is a Manitou a telehandler?

Accepted Answer

Manitou is a brand which manufactures telehandlers.

Question 49

What is the smallest Manitou telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The smallest Manitou telehandler is the MT 420 H super-compact telehandler. It is extremely narrow, which allows for increased manoeuvrability.

Question 50

Who makes the Manitou telehandler?

Accepted Answer

The Manitou telehandler is made by Manitou Group, a company comprised of two brands: Gehl and Mustang.

Question 51

Do Case still make tractors?

Accepted Answer

Case IH still make tractors, offering a variety of ‘families’ or models, including the Steiger, Puma, Magnum, Maxxum and Farmall.

Question 52

Who makes the engines for Case tractors?

Accepted Answer

The Case tractor engines are designed by Fiat’s Powertrain technologies, a sister company of Case IH.

Question 53

How many horsepower is a John Deere 7810

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 7810 tractor has 175 hp (horsepower).

Question 54

What engine is a John Deere 6930?

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 6930 is a 6.8 litre, six-cylinder engine, which offers 155 hp (horsepower).

Question 55

What HP is a John Deere 6930?

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 6930 has 155 hp (horsepower).

Question 56

What weight is a John Deere 6930?

Accepted Answer

A John Deere 6930 tractor weighs approximately 12,960 lbs, or 5878 kg.

Question 57

How much does a John Deere 6215R weigh?

Accepted Answer

A John Deere 6215R tractor weighs approximately 19610 lbs, or 8895 kg.

Question 58

What horsepower is a John Deere 6150R

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 6150R has 165 hp (horsepower).

Question 59

What horsepower is a John Deere 6155R?

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 6155R has 152 hp (horsepower).

Question 60

What engine is in a Valtra tractor?

Accepted Answer

Valtra tractors are powered by AGCO Power engines.

Question 61

How much HP does a 2955 have?

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 2955 tractor has 97 hp (horsepower).

Question 62

How much HP does a 4640 have?

Accepted Answer

The engine of a John Deere 4640 tractor has 185 hp (horsepower).

Question 63

How much can a JCB Loadall lift?

Accepted Answer

The maximum lift weight of a JCB Loadall will depend on the model. The JCB 535-125 Loadall, for example, has a maximum lift capacity of 3500 kg.

Question 64

What is a JCB Loadall?

Accepted Answer

A JCB Loadall is a type of telehandler.

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