Customers brave deep snow to attend spring open days

Ambitious open days arranged by John Deere and JCB main dealer P Tuckwell Ltd were well attended by farmers and contractors from across East Anglia, despite inclement weather. David Williams was there.

pq The event included an opportunity to try out the latest models and new technology.

The dealer operates from seven branches in Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire employing more than 180 staff of which over 65 are fully trained technicians with a fleet of service vans to provide depot and on-site customer care. The 2018 open days were held at Bentwaters Airfield in east Suffolk, at Agrii near Dunmow, Essex and at Shuttleworth College, Bedfordshire to ensure customers from across the trading area could attend an event nearby. Heavy snow combined with strong winds blocked both major and minor roads during the two-day Bentwaters show, which stopped many from attending but also meant nothing could be done on most farms in the area, making it possible for those who might have expected to be spring drilling to come along. Managing director James Tuckwell said 2018 has started well, with the number of tractors sold already matching last year’s total. Demand has mostly been for the 6R series including

10 flagship 6250R tractors, all with the new award-winning Command-Pro joystick. The latest 5-series tractors are also proving popular in both M- and Rspecification appealing to agricultural users along with landscapers and utility companies. John Deere combines are in demand too, with a good number sold for the coming harvest and the Vaderstad franchise is in high demand and enjoyed its highest sales for several years last year. JCB machines have attracted strong sales to date on the back of a very strong 2017. “It’s mainly Loadalls,” said James, “but wheeled loaders are taking off, the Teletruks are in demand and TM articulated telehandlers are continuing to impress.” “The team has put a lot of hard work and effort into the set-up and planning of these events and it shows our continued commitment to the industry. I would like to thank the Tuckwell team and all the manufacturers for their hard work which made our events such a success.”

More over page... Zurn Harvesting UK sales manager George Dance is pictured with his company’s latest product; a front bumper for use with larger tractors increasing road safety and making it easier to add ballast. There are two versions; Baseline which is 220cm wide and can carry up to 1,000kg ballast and Weightline which is 250cm wide and carries up to 2,000kg. Both incorporate bright LED marker lights and a clever feature is that even with the bumpers fitted, the front lift arms can be used for implements, lifting through the frame while the front PTO remains accessible. The Agribumper costs from £2,500.

Tuckwell area manager for south Suffolk Steven Smith (left), is pictured with farmers Vanessa and Tim Edwards of TM & VE Edwards of Barking Tye near Stowmarket, Suffolk. The Edwards have an arable farm and also carry out local contracting, operating John Deere tractors. Their farm fleet includes several older John Deeres as well as the brand new 6155R pictured beside them. “We get on well with Steven and he arranged a suitable deal to trade in our 6930 and replace it with this 6155R which will become our main-line tractor,” explained Tim. “We tend to upgrade the main tractor every six years or so and this will be our first with autosteer which will help our accuracy of operations including combination drilling on our own land and for local farms.”

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