N141 Delivering Low Fuel Consumption

09.02.2010

Hill Crest Farm is 330 acres between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe in North Devon where established enterprises include 370 white and blackface mules lambing in February and ready for market through the summer. Thirty-five acres are let under contract for swede growing for the supermarket trade; “we do much of the ground preparation,” explains Robin. Of the remaining ground 60 acres is used to grow red clover and 95 acres for maize on contract for local dairy farmer Tony Dallyn – also a Valtra user. John and Robin also undertake contract tractor work in the area.

As is so often the case silage making, which commences in mid May, is pretty much a co-operative affair. Tony Dallyn cuts Hill Crest lays with a Valtra T191 complete with mowers front and rear. Picking up is done by a contractor with self propelled forager supported by a team of tractors (usually Valmet or Valtra) and trailers; a team of which John and Robin are also part. It was this procession of Valmet and Valtra tractors across Hill Crest Farm that led to conversations with owners and drivers; the reports were of reliability and fuel economy. As a result John Blackmore arranged a demonstration of an N141 HiTech. The four cylinder 150hp tractor surprised both father and son. “It handled our Kverneland reversible five furrow auto-reset plough with ease – even on some of the steeper banks,” recalls Robin. “It also appeared to live up to the Valtra reputation of being frugal on fuel – 1¼ gallons of diesel per acre - which on our heavyish land after swede or maize harvesting gangs have been working in poor conditions is good.”

Along with hauling their own grass the Hill Crest team also haul contract grown grass from other farms and with maize, the silage season can extend from May to November. Another important operation is the hauling back of slurry for spreading – all in all a lot of road work. The amount of road work had an impact on the N141 specification which was based on the HiTech option and included 50kph transmission, front axle and cab suspension and air brakes. “Roads round here are busy with tourists during the summer months and safety is a primary consideration,” is Robin’s comment. He also likes the comfort of the N141s cab; “Plenty of room for me and my dog” and the fact that Valtra are available in a range of colours; “I like yellow.” The tractor was also fitted with 540/65R28 tyres front and 650/65R38 on the rear. “These help to prevent a mess on wet grass and provide extra traction in maize fields and when ploughing and cultivating. They also improve the ride and put more rubber on the road making stopping more efficient – safer.”

Like all good contractors John and Robin keep records of their daily work. “It helps keep a check on costs and, while many prices are set as much by the competition as our own direct costs it does help to keep a check on reality!” On a recent contract Robin was hauling maize silage from beyond Barnstaple. “We hauled back seven loads that day with our 14 tonne trailer – that’s 185 miles – the maize field was also wet and hard going and we did it all on 180 litres of diesel and, remember, most of the trip back when loaded is up hill.” Robin is also keen to point out that, unlike his previous tractor, he can keep up with larger tractor and trailer combinations.

With almost two year’s experience under his belt is there anything Robin would change about his Valtra tractor? The answer is an emphatic no!

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