13 minute read
K Robson
B&F Potatoes
“The sample quality is always excellent. We often compare settings between the combines to achieve the best possible results, but the Fendts have no problem extracting grain from the straw even though when we check the swath, we find full stalks with empty ears still attached due to the gentle crop handling. They do a brilliant job.”
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Yorkshire farmer and Fendt 6335C PL user, Richard Bannister.
Extra flexibility, excellent straw and grain quality and the reassurance of top-class dealer back-up were all priorities when a Yorkshire family farm changed from using a single Fendt hybrid combine to two smaller Fendt straw-walker models.
Potatoes are the primary crop for the Bannister family which farms just over 800ha in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Trading as B&F Potatoes Ltd, farm partners John, Richard and Steve Bannister also grow vining peas, beans, winter barley for feed and spring barley for malting, as well as wheat for milling and feed. Borage is grown as a health food ingredient on part of the farm. The land is a mix of owned and contract-farmed - mainly in one block in the Yorkshire Wolds and just a few miles from the sea where steep slopes, a damp climate and prevailing winds can create challenging conditions for cereals harvesting. then ran the Fendt for three years very successfully,” explained Richard Bannister. “The service we receive from the Area Sales Manager James Falkingham and the rest of the team at our local Fendt dealer, Wilfred Scruton Ltd is superb, so although we considered it sensible to look at alternative brands when changing the combine last year - choosing Fendt again was a fairly easy decision.”
Limited harvest windows
Because of the location opportunities for harvesting are often limited by the weather, and the combines rarely start until conditions have improved in the afternoon. The farm doesn’t have its own grain drier, so the priority is to achieve high work rates when the crops are in optimum condition and moisture levels are low. Wheat and bean straw is chopped and incorporated, and barley straw is baled and swapped for pig and chicken manure and slurry from local farms, so achieving tidy rows of swathed straw in good condition for baling is essential.
Added flexibility
“Often our barley was ready when crops on contractfarmed land were also fit for harvesting, and with just the one combine we had to compromise as we couldn’t be in two places at once,” continued Richard. “We liked the simplicity of running one combine but thought that operating two machines would still provide the high work rates, but also allow harvesting in two different locations when needed. And although we always enjoyed excellent reliability from our previous Fendt combine, there was the added reassurance that if one suffered a breakdown then the other could continue working.”
The Fendt 9490X hybrid with a 30ft PowerFlow header was replaced by two 6335C PL straw walker combines with 23ft FreeFlow headers in time for the 2021 harvest. The straw walker models were selected for their gentle straw handling to ensure quality for baling, and ParaLevel (PL) versions were chosen for the steep slopes. Both combines were fitted with Trimble GPS guidance, yield mapping and moisture monitoring.
Challenging first harvest
“Conditions during their first harvest were quite difficult as frequent showers as well as misty, damp air kept crop moisture levels high and we also had quite a lot of laid barley,” said Richard. “However, the FreeFlow headers are a simple design and work brilliantly, and we cut close to the ground to pick up the laid crops and losses were minimal. We probably travelled slightly slower than with the PowerFlow table previously, but they did a great job and the crop fed in well.”
Richard said that most working days were short due to the conditions, and the largest area harvested in one day was 50ha between the two combines in a crop of wheat yielding 12t/ha, when grain moisture didn’t drop below 16.5 per cent. The ground and swath were checked throughout the day and losses remained under 0.25 per cent. “The sample quality is always excellent,” stressed Richard. “We often compare settings between
the combines to achieve the best possible results, but the Fendts have no problem extracting grain from the straw even though, when we check the swath, we find full stalks with empty ears still attached due to the gentle handling. They do a brilliant job.”
Losses remain low on slopes
The ParaLevel self-levelling system has proved worthwhile. “ParaLevel was recommended by the Scrutons Area Sales Manager, James Falkingham, and it allows us to maintain the same speed on slopes as on level ground without over-loading the separation and cleaning system. When we are trying to get as much done as possible when conditions are suitable that makes a big difference. Losses just don’t increase.”
The Skyline cab is popular with both operators who describe it as comfortable and well-equipped, and the main 10.4-in Varioterminal is easy to use and allows almost every aspect of the performance to be adjusted from the seat. This includes distribution of chopped straw from the chopper, and due to the farm’s windy location this is used frequently to maintain an even spread and prevent chopped straw being blown into standing crops.
Performance and efficiency
Asked how overall work rates for the two new combines compare to the previous single, larger machine, Richard said he believes productivity has increased. “It’s hard to tell as each season is different, but whereas we achieved 50ha in one day between the two combines this harvest, I estimate we would have managed 40ha with the previous machine in similar difficult conditions. There were days when we did more in previous years, but that was when conditions were drier.”
The grain tank of the 6335C ParaLevel is slightly smaller than the standard version, but Richard said it suits the farm well. Using 14t grain trailers allows both combines to empty full tanks on the move.
Average fuel consumption for the 6335C combines when harvesting wheat and chopping straw is approximately 32 litres per hour. “Each machine uses less fuel per hour than the previous larger 9490X which isn’t surprising, but over the harvest we estimate that total consumption was similar. Daily checks are quick and easy, and the few teething problems on the new machines were sorted immediately by the dealer. Service Manager Oliver Vasey and Service Technician Andrew McKinley are both excellent, and when we phone with problems then they or another team member either explains how to solve the issue over the phone, or turns up in the field within half an hour.”
Pleased with decision
One combine was purchased and the other is on longterm contract-hire. “Moving to two smaller combines did worry us a little, so we hired one machine so that if we later regretted our decision, we could more easily change it for a bigger model. During our first harvest we achieved the work rates we needed, gained flexibility, and benefitted from excellent grain sample quality and low losses. Straw quality for baling was quite good from our previous machine, but it’s even better from the new combines. The only disadvantage is needing two operators rather than one, but that hasn’t been a problem. “Our experience of Fendt tractors as well as our previous Fendt combine suggests that longer term reliability should be good, and we probably won’t change the two combines again until maintenance and repair costs become an issue. We have heard good reports of the Fendt Ideal, including its gentle straw handling, so when we do next upgrade it’s something we might consider - we are very unlikely to move away from Fendt or our dealer.”
Trading as B&F Potatoes and farming in the Yorkshire Wolds, the Bannister family replaced a single Fendt hybrid combine with two Fendt straw-walker models giving them the flexibility to harvest in two locations simultaneously. Experience of Fendt tractors and back-up from local main dealer Wilfred Scruton Ltd meant that although other brands were considered, the decision to buy Fendt again was always likely.
Yorkshire farmer and Fendt 6335C PL user, Richard Bannister.
G Shepherd
“We produce crops of good quality for our target markets and achieve respectable yields but operate in an area where conditions for harvesting can be challenging, Our Fendt 6335C maximises harvesting opportunities while minimising straw damage and it achieves an excellent sample with very low losses.”
Farmer Graham Shephard – Bridlington, North Yorkshire.
Changing to a Fendt 6335C straw-walker combine from a competitor brand rotary model five years ago has proved a good decision for a Yorkshire family farm.
Trading as L&J Shephard & Sons, Graham Shephard farms at Fraisthorpe, near Bridlington close to the Yorkshire coast. The all-arable farm comprises approximately 300ha of owned and rented land and cropping includes wheat, barley, oilseed rape and spring beans.
Wheat is grown for milling or feed, barley is for malting, and all the straw is baled by a contractor and swapped for muck from a local pig farm. Located just a few miles from the coast, damp air and sea mists restrict harvesting opportunities, and the combine must achieve a good sample with low losses while also keeping the straw in good condition.
Successful demonstration
The Fendt was selected following a demonstration by local dealer Wilfred Scruton Ltd. “We have always found the Scrutons team easy to deal with, and buy most of our machinery from them,” explained Graham. “The Foxholes depot is local and when breakdowns occur the engineers usually get us working again quickly. When our previous combine was due for replacement the dealer’s Sales Specialist, James Falkingham recommended the Fendt. It impressed us during the demonstration so we placed an order, and it continues to suit us well.”
Good results
Steve Carl has been the Fendt’s only operator since it arrived new. “We tend to cut very low as the straw is valuable to us, and even though conditions are often damp due to our coastal location, the large sieve area makes it easy to achieve a good grain sample with minimal losses,” he explained. “Most separation and cleaning adjustments are made from the cab and when I have achieved optimal settings for each variety, then these are stored in the terminal. Each variety has different harvesting characteristics so having the settings recorded and ready to use the following year is a help, and I can easily tweak the settings to suit conditions as they alter through the day.”
User-friendly features
Steve likes the Skyline cab and describes it as comfortable and quiet and says the visibility all around is excellent. Infinite travel speed control allows fine adjustment to optimise work rates and two speeds can be stored. “That is a really useful feature,” stressed Steve. “When harvesting barley my usual harvesting speed is approximately 4kph, but where there are areas of laid crop then this is reduced which gives me time to monitor the table and reduces flow through the separation system while the damp crop is processed. With the two speeds saved I just push the joystick to the left to select the lower speed and then to the right as soon as I am passed the laid area to return to 4kph.”
The FreeFlow table provides an even flow of crop to the threshing system and helps minimise losses in all crops and especially laid barley. For harvesting oilseed rape, a Zurn table extension is fitted which Steve describes as ‘brilliant’.
Proved reliable
The Fendt had recorded almost 800 drum working hours by the end of harvest this year and remains very reliable. Steve looks after routine maintenance and daily checks and annual servicing is carried out by the dealer. “It’s very easy to look after and there is little daily maintenance. Breakdowns are rare, and since it was new it has only had one new belt, one new chain and a new clutch which was replaced in its first season. Apart from those items only service and wearing parts have been needed.”
Steve said his only suggested improvement concerns the sensor skids for the automatic table levelling. Small stones can become jammed preventing the skids
from closing which causes the table to tilt and dig into the ground. “It’s a minor problem and easily solved by modifying the skids which is on our list of jobs for this winter,” he added.
Plenty of power
“We have large straw volumes to process as we cut the stubbles so short, but we rarely use the chopper and power isn’t an issue,” added Steve. “The only time more power would be an advantage is when we are harvesting beans and chopping the straw while unloading on the move. An auger full of beans is like trying to pump gravel, so we close the chute at the bottom of the tank to restrict the crop flow and reduce the system load.”
Maximising opportunities
“We produce crops of good quality for our target markets and achieve respectable yields but operate in an area where harvesting windows are often limited by the weather,” added Graham. “The Fendt copes well, but as with any other combine there are limits and when sea mists come in during the day then we have to reduce the speed or stop until conditions improve. However, despite dealing with high straw volumes, we can always harvest when neighbours with other brand combines are working, so we are confident that the Fendt is maximising our opportunities to work. “We average 25 to 30 hectares of harvesting on a good day, with minimal straw damage and achieve an excellent sample with minimum losses. With annual servicing by Scrutons the 6335C has proved a cost-effective and reliable harvester during its first five years, and we know we can rely on back-up from our dealer.”
Farmer Graham Shephard – Bridlington, North Yorkshire.
A Fendt 6335C straw-walker combine which has completed its fifth harvest on a North Yorkshire coastal farm remains reliable and achieves the farm’s harvesting objectives including an excellent sample and minimal losses while leaving straw suitable for baling. Operator Steve Carl says the Skyline cab is comfortable and quiet and he says driver aids including full adjustment of the separation and cleaning systems from the cab and the ability to save preferred settings for each crop and variety are an advantage. “When our previous combine was due for replacement the dealer’s Sales Specialist, James Falkingham recommended the Fendt. It impressed us during the demonstration so we placed an order, and it continues to suit us well.”
