Out And About With Ernest Cozens .sx Autumn is once again with us and the harvest safely gathered in - with the exception of late drilled linseed , which I suspect was grown for the acreage payment rather than the crop .sx With the weight tickets arriving noting the quantity of grain traded and stored , most farmers are saying " overall a much better harvest was had by most of us " in spite of the lack of rain and drought conditions .sx The exception being the south of England where I understand there are some rather poor crop yields on the thin skinned land .sx With the need to achieve early crop establishment in the event of there being another dry year ahead Autumn cultivations and drilling are now in full swing .sx These have been somewhat delayed through the dry , hard conditions , although some of the heavier land has ploughed up reasonably well .sx Conditions have once again made this a costly operation which has also meant a cut back in stubble cleaning , with increased cost and demand for wearing parts .sx I understand from several dealers that demand has been met with the exception of a very few instances involving specialised items .sx Once again this emphasised the importance of the local dealers .sx One interesting point made is the fall in demand for power harrows despite the cloddy conditions .sx Is it cost or had the demand been met in previous years ?sx John Deere .sx Following a 7 year period of intense development , John Deere launch their new system built 6000 Series Self Propelled Forage Harvesters which are being built in their European factories .sx The three models with greatly increased power consist of the 6710 with a 310 DIN HP engine , the 6810 with a 360 DIN HP engine and the 6910 with a massive 410 DIN HP engine .sx Its sic !sx interesting to note that the 2 largest models are fitted with Cummins engines as used in the large John Deere 60 Series Articulated Tractors .sx The new in line design follows a straight path for the crop from the header through the feed rollers and cutter head to a centrally mounted discharge spout .sx The cylinder knives can be sharpened automatically from the cab while travelling between fields .sx Grinding and adjustment of the stationary knife and adjustment of the kernol processors can also be automatically controlled by switches within the cab .sx These functions will most certainly appeal to users saving time particularly for contractors .sx A newly designed cab is now fitted incorporating a master joy stick which controls hydrostatic ground speed , 2 speed front end equipment lift along with spout and cap control .sx The Multifunction Info-Trak Monitor computer system displays a wide range of functions and diagnostic information - similar to that used on the 55 series tractors .sx With farms becoming larger and the growth and demand for the specialised agricultural contractor this range of Self Propelled Forage Harvester will meet the needs of many .sx Many improvements have been made on the existing range of John Deere Tractors , the large 4755 and 4955 now have easier cabs entrance , improved vision and the exhaust system has been moved to the right of the cabs with the silencer beneath the bonnet .sx The air intake is removed by a new screen in front of this bonnet .sx With the increasing use of larger trailers over longer distances the 40 KPH transmission is being offered in the 144 HP 3650 Tractor 4 wheel model .sx This is welcomed by both dealers and prospective customers , as is the availability of a compressor on all seven models of the SG2 range .sx This will enable trailers with 3 line air brakes to be fully and safely operated .sx Discs From New Zealand .sx With a wealth of experience in agricultural machinery , Ron Demby has returned to this country from New Zealand where he emigrated some 30 years ago .sx He brings with him a new set of heavy duty sophisticated discs , which he is planning to market in the U.K. , in many ways they are quite different to those we have in use .sx Weighing 4 tonnes for the smaller set and 4.25 tonnes for the larger ones , they are fitted with 26'' discs at 9 1/2 spacing and are available in two sizes - 15'6'' and 18'6'' .sx Incorporated in the design of the discs is the use of 9 double acting rays operated by electronic valves on the discs and switches in the cab .sx This enables the operator to control the front and rear discs automatically .sx Weight can be transferred from the front section to the rear and visa sic !sx versa to ensure penetration .sx Other hydraulically electronically operated functions include the slewing of the drawbars , depth control , operation of the transport wheels and folding of the discs for transport purposes .sx Ron informs me that these special discs are to be manufactured by an engineering company in Oakham Leics , and will be sold through the normal dealers channels .sx Delivery is expected to begin fairly soon when the price will be announced .sx Ford New Holland .sx 650 to lose their jobs at the tractor factory in Basildon .sx This has come as a shock not only to the 650 employees but to the trade in general - no doubt the downturn in tractor sales and the fierce competition has done much to bring this about .sx Does this mean that in view of the Fiat-New Holland merger there will be further rationalisation and the possibility that production could eventually be transferred to other factories elsewhere .sx A somber thought , but on the other hand if a miracle does occur and tractor sales improve substantially Basildon could become buoyant again .sx Gull Trailers .sx Gull of Manea who are long established manufacturers of trailers have been acquired by Wootton Trailers of Ancaster .sx This does not mean the end of Gull Trailers , as Wootton Trailers are to continue the manufacture and marketing of Gull Trailers as a separate range explaining that this quality product fits in with their existing trailer business .sx They are also to retrim the Gull network of dealers .sx Trevor Gull has also joined the Wootton Trailer organisation and will operate as the Southern Area Sales Manager , handling the complete range manufactured by Wootton .sx For those requiring Gull Trailer spares these are now obtainable from Wootton Trailers at Ancaster .sx East Norfolk Machinery Ring .sx Stephen Robertson a farmer in East Norfolk has been appointed manager of the above machinery ring which has been set up by Lodden Farmers Ltd. The ring is open to all and already has a membership of 70 , and is " expected to rise to 100 very soon " says Stephen .sx Membership offers , in addition to the normal machinery and labour demands , a wide variety of services including computer and secretarial work and workshop service on the farm .sx The ring is fully operational and many requests have already been completed with work beginning within 3 hours of being requested .sx With farming still a little doubtful , machinery becoming increasingly more expensive and with fewer people employed on Farms Machinery Rings , particularly the efficient ones will become part of our agricultural scheme and operation .sx New From Bauer .sx For those anticipating updating irrigation equipment , Bauer have brought out a new irrigation boom .sx It was seen working with the Rainstar with hydraulic lifting support legs enabling the boom to be lifted on the headland and moved to the next irrigation strip without the need to fold the boom .sx The newly designed and constructed boom covered 45 metres and fitted with sectoring sprinklers gave an overall coverage of 72 metres .sx Water flow rates can be varied and as a lower connection pressure is required , costs can be saved .sx This system says Tony Lount makes more economical use of water .sx A completely new computer system is also now available which accurately controls the pull in rate of the machine .sx Should the irrigator develop a fault and fail to pull in for 20 minutes , the computer shuts off the water supply , preventing flooding and waste of water .sx This computer system is also available for other makes of irrigator .sx New Equipment & Thinking From Richard Pearson .sx Potato harvesting specialists Richard Pearson Ltd of Frieston Nr Boston , market leaders in potato harvesters have no doubt done a great deal over the last 30 yrs to expand and perfect the mechanical harvesting of the potato crop .sx Today they enjoy 73% market share which is quite outstanding .sx Richard Pearson , along with Grimme have worked extremely hard to reach such a position and maintain it , but no doubt much of their outstanding success is due to supplying the customer with what he wants .sx Continued developments have improved the harvesting of potatoes , reduced labour and cost requirements and more importantly have significantly reduced damage and crop losses while at the same time improving output and efficiency .sx A wide range of machines is available , many of which vary in specification and include machines for both the 2 and 4 row 2 stage system which is growing in popularity .sx The needs of today's potato grower be it for single or two stage harvesters or other specialised ancillary equipment , have to be catered for .sx The complete range is available from this progressive company .sx Looking at the future 50 years , Managing Director Roger Pearson and his team held a most informative press day at the time of the National Potato Demonstration setting out quite clearly the future aims of the Company and at the same time introducing some interesting new potato harvesters from Grimme .sx It is clear to see that there are some exciting developments on the way .sx One of these is the new Pearson Megastar stone and clod separator .sx In the late 50's Pearson first pioneered the system of stone and clod separation and it is now widely used .sx In those early days webs were used which sifted the soil and conveyed the clod and stone to a cross conveyor , this severely restricted output in wet conditions and certain soil types .sx It was therefore realised that a new approach was necessary .sx Following extensive testing a new stone and clod separator is to be introduced at the forthcoming Royal Smithfield Show .sx The new system involves 12 rows of plastic star shaped wheels which replace the web , the shafts carrying the star wheels are chain driven in pairs .sx This new approach to stone and clod separation offers a dramatic increase in output , allows increased forward travelling speed , a reduction in power requirement and leaves a neater and more consolidated finished bed enabling more efficient planting and improved productivity .sx Unique to the design of the Megastar is the automatic depth control system which consists of a pneumatic rubber tyre wheel running on top of the pre-formed bed .sx This follows the contours and through a series of switches and a sensor a signal is relayed to an actuator which operates a depth control ray .sx With its rear wheel steering and quick return automatically on entering the next bed , here is a machine that will capture a major share of the market .sx Also being introduced is a new single row harvester with advanced design features .sx Special attention being given to damage free separation and haulm removal .sx This is aimed at the early potato growers .sx Another new machine seen was the new 'Q' Continental , a 2 row unmanned harvester very popular with large growers which easily handle large quantities of haulm .sx Two stage machines were of course to be seen with the 2 row windrower working in conjunction with the new Grimme Digger Loader - capable of harvesting large crop volumes with a minimum of damage .sx With the investment taking place , both in personnel and continued expansion , research and development , potato growers can look to the future with confidence .sx How nice it was to have the founder Richard Pearson join the meeting .sx Reconditioned machines are also available from one of Pearson's subsidiary companies .sx The Triennial Potato Marketing Board Harvesting and Handling Demonstration .sx The twentieth potato harvesting and handling demonstration was staged this year by the Potato Marketing Board at East Kirkby in Lincolnshire this years sic !sx theme being 'Growing For A Market' .sx The crop of records grown was on contract with Dalgety Produce for making into Golden Wonder Crisps .sx