Land drainage contractor Allan Collyer & Sons says a good drainage system helps to improve timely cultivations and drilling, and promotes good root structure, allowing crops to thrive not only in wet conditions, but also to tolerate drier spells.

Drainage by its very nature is long term – correctly designed and installed schemes can be expected to last 50 years or more, and improvements to soil structure and health can be felt as soon as the drains begin to work.

For advice on land drainage, ditch maintenance, or water storage, contact Allan Collyer & Sons. The company is a dynamic, family owned and run business operating from its base near Bungay, Suffolk.

It operates mainly in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and was started by Allan Collyer in 1980 as an agricultural drainage contractor. His main ethos was quality and value for money and this still holds true for his two sons Chris and Colin who now run the company.

Some of Allan Collyer & Sons’ original customers still regularly employ the company to carry out work.

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The new flagship, a trailed compact disc harrow called Qualidisc T, boasts four independently mounted frame sections that follow ground contours, with each section carrying two rows of 600mm diameter notched discs – the same as those found on smaller Qualidisc Pro models.

Ground pressure is maintained across pairs of wing sections, maintaining a level, worked soil layer and an even surface. The system remains effective at high forward speeds of up to 20km/hr.

Working depth adjustment is from 2–15cm, and a range of rear packer options are available.

Updates across the Qualidisc range have further adjusted the disc section to bring improved penetration and complete cutting of the soil surface in dry conditions, along with improved levelling on both sides of the machine.

For those operating in light, fluffy soils, an optional pair of star discs can be fitted in place of the standard steel levelling discs.

Two frame options are available on trailed models so you can choose a longer chassis to increase the press options available.

Choices include the soil-on-soil Actipress Twin with its u-profile rings, or the Double Cage rear roller.

Visit the Kverneland website for more information

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The company’s high-pressure water jets can swiftly clean tractors, trailers, and animal pens, making them a favourite for agricultural use.

The need for pressure cleaning repair services has surged as farmers seek to extend the lifespan of their equipment, ensuring uninterrupted service and optimal performance during crucial farming seasons.

Vacuum cleaners, meanwhile, have evolved significantly, from traditional models to advanced versions with HEPA filters and robust suction capabilities.

Repairing and maintaining these machines is crucial, as downtime can significantly disrupt farm operations, especially in areas requiring strict hygiene standards like dairy barns.

Scrubber driers, which scrub and dry floors simultaneously, are essential for large farm buildings, processing areas, and storage facilities. The market for hiring scrubber driers has expanded, allowing farmers to access high-quality equipment without the hefty investment of purchasing.

As farming operations evolve, so does the need for reliable repair services and flexible hiring options. Offering repair and hire services for these essential tools not only supports farm productivity but also promotes sustainability by maximising the lifespan of cleaning equipment.

Companies that provide comprehensive cleaning solutions – spanning sales, repair, and hire – are indispensable partners in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness on the farm.

Find out more by visiting the Pressure Clean website

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Sumo machines are designed and built to last by an experienced and a highly skilled production team.

The company says it’s pleased to support Tillage-Live again this year, on its home turf at Headley Hall in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

The Sumo product range consists of a wide portfolio of seeding and cultivation equipment, covering deep and shallow tillage, minimum tillage and zero tillage.

A compelling product offering to suit all crop establishment techniques, the company reckons.

The Yorkshire manufacturer will be presenting working demonstrations of shallow and deep tillage products, the 4m Vaxio, 4m deep Quatro and 3 leg subsoiler.

Sumo will be joining its long-standing dealer partner for the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire area, Ripon Farm Services, where they will showcase some static machinery including the 4m Low Disturbance Subsoiler, 3m Trio, 3m Rippa and 5m Mixidisc.

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Replacing the wheel drive with a motor linked to forward speed ensures consistent RPM of the seeding shaft, unaffected by ground conditions, simplifying calibration and achieving metering rates accurate to within 2%.

This system supports field mapping and variable rate drilling, maximising SFI benefits and conserving seed. It’s cost-effective, generating significant savings, and can be retrofitted to all Simtech mechanical seeders in under a day.

The company’s high-end range also has a new control system from Farmscan Ag Ltd, offering diagnostics and live data over an internet connection, with multiple inputs and outputs for comprehensive monitoring.

Current trials include seed counting and non-traditional calibration methods, feeding into the R&D program for 2025 machinery.

New products include the TSG-300SP, a 3M pneumatic version of the popular mechanical drill with fertiliser options. It combines pneumatic precision with the reliable T-slot tine for establishing grasses, herbal leys, and light arable crops.

The tine penetrates hard ground for early summer cover crop establishment and operates effectively in wet conditions where disc drills fail.

Fentech Agri is also developing new tools to combat blackgrass, including a chemical application tool and expanded mechanical rake machinery for creating stale seedbeds before seeding. Fentech Agri also aims to reduce slug populations to help establish OSR and other shallow-seeded crops.

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The Ceres Sub-Line Grassland Subsoiler is a low-cost, but highly efficient way to rejuvenate and sustain healthy grassland, by relieving compression from the year’s livestock, water and general traffic, with minimal disturbance, and helping to prevent water damage and further compression throughout the winter.

The Sub-Line is designed to achieve the maximum efficiency from your soil by lifting and shattering compaction, allowing air, water and nutrients to flow into the substructure, thus enabling the roots and microbacteria to fulfil their potential. The strong environmental credentials of this machine include its contoured, low-draft legs, which are mounted in-line, achieving great lift and shatter with minimal horsepower and fuel consumption.

It also helps water dissipate through the soil structure preventing flash run-off, or worse, standing water that will further compact the soil, deprive the soil of oxygen and emit greenhouse gases. Additionally, like all Ceres machinery, the Sub-Line is designed, built and manufactured in the UK, reducing its carbon footprint.

The Sub-Line is suitable for all levels of soil management, including contractors and farmers, and as it has been designed for UK soils, it can be more effective than other more expensive machines. The leading discs have independent suspension to help prevent damage to the discs and overload and shock of bearings.

All of the discs can be adjusted with one handle, which has six working positions and one out-of-work position. The discs can be kept in their optimum working position, cutting through the sward cleanly, allowing the leg to pass through without tearing the surface. Each of the legs are mounted on the substantial frame, with two M16 shear bolts for protection. The legs, knock on points and all other wearing components are widely available, which reduces cost and downtime.

It is equipped with a 460mm diameter flat rear roller, which has simple dual turn-buckle adjustment to control the working depth of the machine, and leaves a neat, level finish across the width of the work. There is a galvanised, adjustable scraper mounted within the roller arms to prevent congestion and build-up.

The Sub-Line is available from a single leg machine up to a five-leg machine. All sizes are compatible with Category 2 linkage, from 40–190hp.

Visit the Ceres Machinery website for more information.

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As combinable crop farms prepare for autumn crop establishment, Knight Farm Machinery highlights the technology its sprayers offer to help operators ensure best results from both sprayer and herbicide investment, particularly on pre-emergence and early season spraying.

With full soil coverage the aim for pre-em application, low-drift nozzles are advised. Some application specialists suggest alternate forward and rearward-facing nozzles can help to achieve full coverage, especially on cloddy seedbeds.

Agronomists advise that pre-em herbicide applications are made as soon as possible after drilling, with the boom set at 50cm from the ground and the sprayer travelling at no more than 10–12kph, for maximum boom stability. Sprayer boom end protectors, if removed, should be refitted to ensure tips cannot touch the ground.

Isolating vehicle dynamic movement from the boom is critical to its stability. On Knight Trailblazer and self-propelled sprayers, the air suspension cushions against vehicle movement, while booms of 28m and under have a standard heavy-duty back-frame and a combination of spring, hydraulic and aeon blocks to cushion pitch, roll and yaw.

Tri-fold booms wider than 28m feature Knight’s unique 4D back-frame, with the usual pitch, roll and yaw compensation complemented by an additional pivot point taking care of vehicle lateral dynamics.

Knight mounted sprayers feature a cushioned vertical frame, while trailed and self-propelled models use pantograph arms which are cushioned using accumulators. Back-frame locking is standard to level the back-frame assembly, providing safe boom folding.

Boom height and levelling can be specified as manual operator controlled, DC1 – which is automatically-controlled boom height plus back-frame tilt giving synchronised left and right boom inclination – and DC2, with automatically-controlled boom height, independent left and right boom inclination, and plus/minus control of horizontal positioning.

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Tramspread had been producing slurry spreading booms for a decade when it begun contracting with an umbilical spreading system in 1998. For this task company founder Terry Baker designed the first purpose-built Contractor Trailer engine driven pump unit (EDPU).

It was 24ft long and fitted with a used Iveco six-cylinder turbocharged engine driving a Bauer SM3500 pump via a Comer gearbox. It was controlled by a Murphy control panel. Remarkably, this original engine is still working for Tramspread Contracting with over 25,000 hours on the clock.

The contracting enterprise expanded rapidly, and a second Contractor Trailer was soon produced. These early single-axle versions used commercial trailer axles without suspension and carried a tractor-mounted 1,200m or 1,400m hose reel.

The second-generation Contractor Trailer was introduced in 2013 having been redesigned using first-hand contracting experience. It was new from the ground up, with a longer 8.6m chassis, twin-axle running gear, suspension, 435/50R19.5 wheels and tyres and hydraulic brakes.

The front section was reconfigured to carry two 1,000m random wrap hose spools. A larger fuel tank placed between the axles more than doubled capacity to 900-litres. A compressor was placed above the front axle, with room for a work platform and two large tool boxes over the second. The EDPU sat at the rear and was skid-mounted for easy removal if required.

These purpose-built units carried everything needed by a slurry spreading contractor with a self-contained engine-driven pump, compressor for blowing out the drag hose, hose spool carrying locations and storage for oils, tools, couplings and anything else needed. No straps were needed, saving time during loading and unloading, with the spools secured by locking pins.

Field testing of the prototype by Tramspread Contracting identified the need for a longer drawbar and greater rear ground clearance when reversing up lagoon banks, and these features were incorporated into production versions which proved to be very successful.

Further modifications in 2022 saw the Contractor Trailer widened by 200mm to accommodate Doda and Cri-man pumps specified by some customers and higher-output compressors.

Current standard specification includes a six-cylinder FPT engine and air-brakes. Compressors of 140 CFM, 180 CFM, 260 CFM and 425 CFM outputs can be fitted, and a suction hose transport kit is optional. Remote control options include a Tramspread Teletram 2020 GSM system or Tramspread SIL Vision IV radio remote control.

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Sam has continuously expanded his farming operations in Staffordshire over the past five years. He now manages a larger-scale operation, milking 350 high-yielding Holstein cows on one site, overseeing the dry cows on another, and running a robust contracting arm of the business from a third location. With such an extensive and busy setup, having reliable machinery is crucial for Sam.

Right-hand machine

The Dieci Mini Ag 26.6 has proven to be an invaluable asset across all his sites, acting as his right-hand machine. “Its compact size and agility allow me to navigate around the yard easily and safely,” Sam explains. “It’s brilliant for all the sites, each of which has tight spaces, and the Dieci handles everything we need.”

The Agri Mini’s exceptional manoeuvrability in confined areas, combined with its powerful control, excellent handling, and precision in movement across its three steering modes – front, concentric, and transverse – ensures smooth operation even with heavy loads.

Boasting a lift capacity of 2,600kg, a lifting height of 5.73m, and a horizontal extension of 3.2m, the Mini Ag is a powerhouse. “I believe it can handle even more,” Sam adds. “With its hydrostatic transmission, it operates effortlessly and remains surprisingly stable, even at full reach.”

This high-performing transmission ensures the optimal speed-to-power ratio for any condition. The combination of the electronic throttle and inching pedal allows for slow and controlled driving while maintaining maximum boom speed. Additionally, each Mini Ag is equipped with a stability control device that continuously monitors the vehicle’s stability in real time, preventing any unsafe movements when safety limits are approached.

Standing out from the crowd

The Dieci Mini Ag 26.6 is designed to meet the demanding needs of modern agriculture, Dieci says. Its compact dimensions allow it to access tight spaces and navigate easily around obstacles, making it ideal for farms with restricted access areas. The machine’s robust construction ensures durability and longevity, capable of withstanding the rigorous daily tasks on the farm.

The cab is designed for operator comfort, with an ergonomic layout that reduces fatigue and increases productivity. The all-in-one joystick provides intuitive control, allowing operators to perform multiple functions seamlessly.

“We operate a couple of tractors and two telehandlers, but the Dieci stands out,” Sam continues. “Its handling is superb, and the all-in-one joystick provides full and safe control of the vehicle, enabling quick shifts between forward and reverse.” He further praises the Mini Ag’s steering and overall control, describing it as light, responsive, easy, and safe.

“The Dieci’s low profile makes it accessible and comfortable for everyone to use – even my Grandad can just step in,” Sam jokes. “And being such a high-performing machine, anyone can get all the jobs done around the farms.”

Sam’s previous Dieci clocked 6,000 hours and was the sole handler on his farm when he had 270 dairy cows. “This Mini Ag is just over a year old, and we’ve already logged over 2,500 hours. It’s regularly serviced and heavily used, but it has never let us down. Out of the two handlers we have, I know which one I’d choose. The Mini Ag is so comfortable that you can spend all day in it. The controls are easy to use, and the cab is well laid out.”

Indispensable

Dieci’s R&D team has invested considerable effort in optimising the cab’s ergonomics, making the controls intuitive, simple, and comfortable, thereby easing the operator’s workload.

Loaded with advanced technology, the Dieci Mini Ag features an on-board computer that displays all operational information in real-time, clearly and uncluttered. This technology ensures that operators have all the information they need at their fingertips, enhancing efficiency and safety.

Supported by the Dieci network, dealership support remains a top priority. Sam confirms: “The support we get from the dealership is excellent. They stay on top of all maintenance and servicing requirements.”

Sam concluded: “Even though we’ve added a bigger machine to our fleet to assist, we simply couldn’t function efficiently without the Dieci Mini Ag. It’s indispensable to our operations.”

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The right ATV for you depends largely on the nature of your land and enterprise, Suzuki explains. If you’re spending long hours in the saddle, routinely riding over very rough country, towing large loads, or using heavy attachments then choose the KingQuad 750XP (XP denotes independent suspension and power steering).

This model features QuadMatic 4-wheel drive, fully independent suspension, an advanced and improved engine braking system, and an impressive towing capacity of 600kg. The powerful 722cc engine, tuned for smooth power and torque delivery in all situations, makes it ideal for agricultural and sports use, as well as trail riding, the company reckons.

On lowland farms, estates and equestrian properties, the KingQuad 500X offers an ideal balance of features, toughness and easy handling. Also featuring 4-wheel drive, fully independent suspension and an advanced engine braking system, it has true off-road capability.

The 493cc fuel-injected engine’s cylinder head and piston are specially designed to provide power and torque across the rev range, making the 500X equally suitable for towing, using attachments, or just as a great work horse.

For the more demanding conditions of hill farms, or if you’re regularly in the seat all day, the power steering model (KingQuad 500XP) would be the choice as this model offers even greater control, precision and fatigue-free riding.

Joyce Campbell, fellow Suzuki ambassador and sheep farmer at Armadale Farm in the Scottish Highlands, said: “The Suzuki quads we use on our hill farm are vital tools for the smooth daily running of our business. They are reliable, comfortable and very nice to drive with their power steering system. When we’re gathering or checking sheep, out on our hill, they handle the rough terrain safely with ease.

“We would not be able to lamb and calve outside each spring, without our Suzuki quads to move and check our livestock. It speaks volumes that I’ve been a happy Suzuki customer for over 18 years.”

Paul Childerley, owner of Childerley Sporting Ltd and Suzuki ambassador, added: “I have been running Suzuki quad bikes for well over 10 years with fantastic satisfaction and reliability for the job. With day-to-day gamekeeping and estate duties, ATVs are put through their paces by myself and the team, maximising their use for all types of work over a variety of terrain and in all weathers. Suzuki ATVs are always reliable, easy and very comfortable to drive.”

Every Suzuki ATV customer can currently benefit from a fantastic trade-in offer, with 10% off the RRP of a new KingQuad when trading in any brand of quad bike in part exchange.

For more information, T&Cs and to discover the range, visit the Suzuki website.

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