The new kids on the block
Mark and Colin Dent farm at Bridge End, Kirkby
Thore, on a 950 acre farm with 650 Dairy cattle plus
followers. They purchased a Claas 630 C range to
replace an older tractor with less horsepower.
"Although the Claas 630 is a larger tractor we have
been very impressed as to how economical it is. It
is used for all applications around the farm, from
running the diet feeder, to spreading slurry, ploughing
etc. We have found it very manoeuvrable it is perfect
for sheds, with good visibility . The cab suspension
make it extremely comfortable, especially as we do a
lot of road work, he continues,
Mark likes the gearbox and feels that it can't be
abused . David Salkeld and Rickerby's have been very
helpful with their advice in assisting us to purchase
the model that was right for our farm.
630
Andrew Frizell Agricultural Contractor started in business in 1993 and now employs three self
employed staff, plus himself and part time help as required in the Summer. Andrew concentrates
his business on ploughing, cultivation, hedge cutting slurry spreading and silage work. His brother
Stephen is also an Agricultural Contractor and between them they cover the full spectrum of
agricultural work. "When replacing two of my tractors, one of the most important things that
I considered was the back up and support from Rickerby's. Claas have a good name for reliable
machines, so I purchased two Claas Arion 640's. For a larger horsepower tractor they are very
compact and are able to access tighter farm yards and
gateways. Andrew continues, "Cab comfort is a priority
in our job and Claas have certainly got it right, the cab
is roomy and user friendly, and the arm rest controls
are easily accessible. Front cab suspension makes for
increased comfort on the road and in the field, and as
contractors we do a lot of road work, "Andrew said.
The first two tractors have been no trouble at all so
I have now bought a third Claas Arion 640 to join
the others, having them all the same is a benefit in
many ways, said Andrew. The tractors are not too
technological, so part time drivers can familiarize
themselves within minutes and get on with the job.
Rickerby's service and back up is second to none and
vitally important in our job, we can't afford any down
time," concludes Andrew.
640
Andy Anderson, is farm manager for Lord Inglewood overseeing the three farms which are owned
and 7 tennanted ones. They have 200 dairy cattle with three hundred followers and progeny kept
as bulls.With 700 acres of arable land, 200 to wheat, 200 winter barley, 200 oil seed rape, 100 spring
wheat for wholecrop and 20 acres of maize.
They had a Claas Arion 630 on demonstration and
liked it very much. Richard who drives the tractor
is very impressed with it's performance." Our last
tractor was
135 hp so the 155 hp of the Arion 630 has made a
difference, but I still find it to be very economical,"
says Richard. It is used to do a lot of seeding and
ploughing with a front press to increase the speed
of the plough, which it finds effortless. The front
suspension is really good as we do quite a bit of road
work with some land a mile and a half away. The con-
trols are really easy and being on the armrest helps
too. The tyres are not wide which makes it very good
for the tram lines. I like the auto gearbox , and the
tractor is very well balanced even when transporting
heavy pieces of machinery, concludes Richard.
630
South Farm, Barlow is farmed by a family partnership of Brothers Henry and William alongside
their wives Elizabeth and Sylvia. There are 500 acres in total, 250 of which are sown down to cereals.
They have 60 suckler cows plus 200 followers. When the time came to replace an older tractor they
had a Claas on demonstration and were impressed by the way it handled, as they had previously
had other Claas equipment through Rickerby's and had
been looked after well extremely well they went ahead
and bought a Claas Ares 610C complete with a Quicke
loader. They told me that they had been looking for
a basic tractor to work around the farm but with the
capability of ploughing and cultivation work, along
with round bale work and feeding cattle. It had to be
substantial and reliable as it is used on a daily basis
. They have found the maneuverability and visibility
very good and the controls at hand and easy to use.
The Quicke loader has been a valuable addition and the
interchanging of attachments is very good along with
the versatility of the attachments for example bucket
grab with squeezers.
610
540
Farmer and Contractor Mr Brian Robinson of
Gelt Hall Farm, Castle Carrock, runs a mixed
farm of Dairy, Beef, Sheep and arable on 400 acres.
Brian undertakes silage, drilling, hedge cutting,
spraying, and ploughing on the contracting side
of his business."When looking for a tractor I was
looking for a fairly high horsepower but compact
enough for working within buildings. The Claas
Axos 540 fit the bill perfectly, the 4 cylinder engine
is slightly shorter. It is fitted with front linkage
and front pto for doing most of the mowing. I have
found having both the front suspension and cab
suspension is ideal if I encounter any rough fields
when mowing fast. I am impressed with the
Hexashift gearbox and the armrest controls,
it makes driving the Claas Arion very
uncomplicated, "he said.
Carlingwha Farm is a tenanted farm, farmed by
Matthew Waller and his wife Rachel..
As well as farming Matthew does some Agricultural
Contracting work, and he had a previous cabless
tractor which he changed for a Claas Cabless.
"For buckraking it comes into it's own,"says Matthew
"it can give you up to 5feet extra in the pit, the wide
set tyres give it extra stability and the roll frame is
strong and sturdy. It works well as a loader tractor
also, digging silage out and moving bales around. It
has been an asset to the farm and contracting work.
The Claas 836 is used for chopping work and the 536
for trailer and hedge cutting, spreading and general
contract work.
456CELTIS
Top Road Machinery or TMR is a partnership of five farmers who between them manage 3,500 acres
of arable land. Adam Marshal one of the five partners, tells me that they have farmed together
in this way for eight years now. Last year they took delivery of a Claas Xerion 3800, the machine
is owned between them and driven mostly by Adam. "We have moved back to a power harrow
combination unit which should last 6-7 years, and
we bought the Claas Xerion to complete
the ensemble, they are designed to suit each other,
for minimum tillage and pulling a heavy press,"
continues Adam.
"Considering the size of the tractor when you are
in the cab driving the Claas xerion it doesn't feel as
if you are driving anything cumbersome.
It is a great machine and we are delighted with it.
We can all see the potential of the whole unit to
drill 100 acres per day with no problem. Last years
poor season was not the time to ascertain this, but
the unit still performed well under very difficult
circumstances," continued Adam. "We originally
operated a Mintill system which took longer, but we
can accomplish more and faster with just the one
unit now. 3800XERION
Mr Shaw of Crookdyke Farm bought a Claas Ares 540 in the Spring and liked it
so much that he bought a Claas Ares 520 also.They are excellent tractors the
Claas 540 can do anything on the farm, it is used with
a combination drill,
forager, plough, etc. The 520 ploughed ready for 40
acres of Winter Wheat after Maize, and the 540 fol-
lowed on and sowed it down on land that wasn't fit
to walk on after the bad Summer, but they accom-
plished it with ease.
Both tractors are user friendly with good visibility
and the front suspension is great fo r road work, the
cabs are very comfortable, and the 520 is in and out
of buildings with the feeder wagon, where it is easy
to reverse and compact enough to put in buildings,
but also very capable of heavier work too.
Crookdyke is a family farm, farmed by Simon, his
son Matthew and Dad John, they have 350 acres and
farm Dairy cow plus followers and 100 beef cattle. 520 + 540ARION
A Claas Arion 640 tractor came to A & B Taylor
Agricultural Contractors on demonstration and they
liked it very much." We traded in a larger hp model
for the Arion, we liked it's fuel efficiency, versatility
and comfort, says Alan. "The cab suspension was a
big plus for road work as we travel around a lot and
the spaciousness of the cab and the controls on the
armrest, always at hand, plus the gearbox made it
superior to previous models. Plus the very good back
up provided by Rickerby's.
640ARION
Geoff Bland of Flatt farm liked his Claas Arion 630 so much that he took delivery of a Claas
Arion 520 with a loader too. Geoff farms with his wife Sue and Dad Clifford. They have 400 acres
and the farm is mainly dairy plus beef cattle and arable. "I find the Claas Arion 520 very nimble
and agile, with a lot of power, three months of the year it will be working with a hedgecutter and
doing round bale work. The 155hp Claas Arion 630
is equally nimble, it runs the diet feeder, is good for
ploughing and combination drilling, they will average
1100 hours each per year , as we do some contract
work, round baling, wrapping and hedgecutting, says
Geoff. "Their versatility makes them both a good buy,
they are very comfortable to driveand easy to drive
and having front suspension on the 630 makes it even
better for roadwork. The arm rest controls are really
good, the sprung cabs also contribute to a comfortable
ride, and they are equally at home around the farm and
in and out of buildings. Rickerby's provide a service
second to none and all Claas products which I have had
such as balers and rakes are well manufactured and
built to last.
520 + 630ARION
Call Phil Myerscough on 07770 642 784
4 Years 0% interest free 30% off retail price
ARION
ARION
ARION
ARION
ARION
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