Well it’s June already. Half way through the year! I hope and pray that by the time you read this your farm would have had at least a partial amount of your single farm payment. What a fiasco! I bet the Europeans are just laughing at the way our government mishandles our affairs, but for us it is no laughing matter, with scores of farm business really going to the wall through a shortage of cash. As we all know, problems just don’t stop at the farm gate. There are hundreds of other rural businesses depending on the day to day spending power of farmers, and the shortage of short term cash affects us all. We hope one of our local dealers advertisers,and good loyal supporters of NORMAC will be able to find their way out of their present financial position and will be back with us soon

But let’s not get into gloom and despondency; there are plenty of NORMAC summer events to get into. Lots of visits and farm walks, treasure hunts, competitions etc.

Many of these are arranged at the last minute and have happened by the time the next Top Link comes out, so keep in touch with your club chairman or secretary for all the latest in your area.

NORMAC has just turned 60!

Yes, 60 years old, and reading through some of the old minutes of club meetings, things aren’t really much different now to happenings then. There was still problems getting speakers for meetings, and various outings had to be cancelled at the last minute for all sorts of different reasons, so secretaries, when things go wrong,- don’t despair, its all happened before! I have done a short article about our first year in existence, and hope to pull a few more gems from NORMAC’s past in future Top Link’s.

Royal Norfolk Show

If you go looking for us in our usual site, we won’t be found – because we have moved!

In a major reorganisation of the showground, the big building that used to hold the sheep has been turned into the food hall, and we will now occupy a couple of the old sheep judging rings. It’s a nice spot with lots of mature trees to stop and mardle under, and it’s much closer to the majority of the machinery dealers. We have a new tent – our own, and bright new displays and banners to show who we are. As always, the tea-pot will be on and you are most welcome to use the stand as your base whilst at the show. That’s what the stand is there for. I always look forward to the show as a time when I can talk to you our members and catch up on the local gossip.

We will be having the two Teleporters doing battle again in the machine handling ring together with a new competition involving a mini-digger and some plastic ducks! You will have to come along to find out more.

We are doing quite well with the New Ideas with a good selection of machines, adaptions and gadgets. But there is room for more, so if you have got anything lying about in your workshop half built, why not use the show competition as a goal to get that last coat of paint on, and up to the showground for an honest opinion on your latest brain wave!

As always I am appealing for help to look after the stand, if only for an hour one day. Please do come forward and give us a hand. Its great fun and I will give you a free ticket and car pass for the day as payment for your labours. Just give me a ring as soon as you can and I will try to accommodate your times to suite you. I had a particular problem last year with ladies help in the tent. If you could persuade your spouse to come as well, I would be very grateful.

Demonstration

During the spring I sent out over 170 invites to companies asking them to participate in our Demo this year, and so far I have had a very good response. I shall be spending a lot of time from now on persuading more to attend. It promises to be a cracking event with many new pieces of kit not seen before. Remember this is a Free event. No admission charge and no car parking charge, so you will be sure of a good day out. The site on Hardingham Farms is a good one and access from the A47 and from the A11 at Wymondham is excellent. So note the 14 th of September in your diary now and do please come and make it worthwhile for all the exhibitors time and effort in putting on a show for you.

So, as always there is a lot going on, and a lot to look forward to during the coming months. NORMAC has just turned 60, here’s to the next 60 years!

NORMAC is 60 Years Old!

This is an anniversary which has rather crept up on us unawares, but none the less is a very important one. We are still the largest farm machinery club in the country, and certainly the oldest.

Our origins go right back to a discussion within the Norwich branch of the Institution of British Agricultural Engineers, who’s members thought a more broader outlook on the use and operation of farm machinery then becoming more widely used in the county, could be better served with the formation of such a club. A small sub committee met at Dereham in January, consisting of Ben Burgess, J.C. Mann from the Norfolk Agricultural Station at Sprowston, MR. R.R. Wright and Mr.J.R. Ware.

The objects of the club were soon established.

For the promotion of education and technical instruction in connection with all branches of farm machinery.

For the study and development of agricultural machinery and plant.

For making recommendations to the appropriate authority through the Norwich Centre of the Institute of British Agricultural Engineers.

To organise Demonstrations, Competitions etc., to further the interests of the members of the Club.

The name of the club shall be “The Norfolk Farm Machinery Club”

It was agreed that an inaugural public meeting should be held in Norwich, followed by monthly meetings held alternatively at Norwich and Kings Lynn, and then at other centres around the county as the need arises. Winter meetings would consist of a speaker, followed by a discussion. Summer meetings would be outside events, Demonstrations, competitions and outings to places of interest to members.

Well the first meeting was held on Saturday March 9 th at the Electricity Building, Duke Street, Norwich, and 40 members of the public paid 5/- to become members. Mr. W. Newcombe-Baker took the chair, and a committee was formed consisting of B. Burgess, S. Eglington, A. Garrod, N. Langridge, J.C. Mann, W. Parker, J.R. Ware and R. Wright.

Mr. J.E. Cleveland, from the Norfolk Agricultural Station was appointed Hon Secretary and Treasurer. The following meeting should have been held at The Dukes Head at Kings Lynn on the 31 st of May. However because the proposed speaker could not come, the meeting was postponed. A demonstration of Row crop work held at Gayton during the afternoon did go ahead, and the well known authority on farm machinery, Mr. Culpin gave a commentary on the various items of row crop machinery from a loud speaker van. The operators with the best work were awarded a prize of £3 and £2. A report of the event was sent to the I.B.A.E., but it was sent back as it was too critical of some machines demonstrated!

In September, members undertook a tour of Bin Storage and Farm Grain Driers in the Docking area, where they visited Mr. Parker at Church Farm Heacham, Mr. Newcome-Baker at Sedgeford, Mr. Peacock at Docking, Mr. Everington at Dunham and finally Syderstone Driers. You must remember then that combines and bulk handling of grain was a very new thing then, probably on a similar scale that satellite guidance systems are today!

By October the Committee were starting to think about meeting in other places, and on the 14 th of November a meeting was held at the town Hall, Aylsham, followed by a Brains Trust, the subject being “Mechanised Farming”.

The first actual NORMAC “Centre” was formed at Docking in January 1947, followed by Watton and then Attleborough.

So that was the first year in the life of NORMAC. Many problems like finding speakers and demonstration sites existed then as they do today, as does the enthusiasm to do things, see things and compete together, as many members of NORMAC do today.

P.S. If any members can lay their hands on any photographs of people or demonstrations in those early days could let me borrow them for reproducing in the next issue of Top Link, I would be very grateful. I promise I will take care of them and get them back to you promptly.-Ed.

Wymondham Club

Due to a last minute change of speaker, Wymondham Club heard about the problems of drug abuse and young people. Chris Sayer from the Wymondham College Drugs Education Group, and a couple of students gave a detailed account of the class A,B and C drugs being peddled in our locality, and the problems associated with drug taking by youngsters as young as 12. A good supply of leaflets were given out to members.

Well done Wymondham for finding a different subject at the last minute. Most of us have got children of our own, and often because of work commitments, cannot find the time to learn of the problems of our young people. I hope members who was there learnt a great deal about a huge drug problem we have in our area. As a result of the excellent raffle held at the annual Christmas dinner, a £200 cheque was presented to the Air Ambulance

Club members went on a trip to the Terrex Compact plants in Coventry and Leicester, and later to the Stanford Battle area. They have also been to see the Paul Rackham Collection of vintage tractors at Bridgeham, where 50 members and guests were able to inspect over 200 tractors and implements stored in purpose built buildings with full workshop facilities. Staffed by Ivan Cowlem, most of the exhibits were fully restored and working. Ivan started up a 1941 Fowler Challenger 111 for the members present.

Diss Centre

Diss Club enjoyed a good day out to the S.E.D. Show at its new site at Rockingham, Corby, Northants.

One problem many show organisers have, especially on new sites are just how to sign the event, and it was in this area that the S.E.D. organisers sadly dropped a clanger.

Due to poor signing, somehow our coach got into the exhibitors car park rather than the public car parks, and an impromptu tour of the Rockingham Raceway ensured.

Not being helped by over zealous security, we trudged around the perimeter of the showground not finding our way in until a little more helpful security official let us in and directed us to the official entrance where we wasted more time filling out registration cards and getting the official and mandatory name tags.

Well the show was worth the wait. A fantastic show of every possible machine used in the construction world in the broadest sense. From the largest 360 degree diggers to laser and GPS surveying equipment. From Rock Crushers to small tools, the whole spectrum was there and all of it extremely interesting to us all. How some of the demonstrators can stay in their cabs or how they don’t turn over on some of the slopes amazes me!

Well we all met up again at the point where we thought we could get out reasonably near our coach, but no – security were going to have the final say, and no matter how much we protested, a long walk to the other end of the showground allowed us to get out. Our group finally got back to the coach and we headed for home. An excellent meal was waiting for us at the Marlborough Arms, Hepworth on the way home and this ended a very enjoyable if somewhat frustrating day amongst the diggers and concrete mixers!

The Multidrive is back!

The Multidrive systems tractor business has been purchased by Kellands Agricultural, based in Gloucestershire. This demount unit has flexible mechanical drive, considerable carrying capacity, and a powerful John Deere engine making it popular with contractors. With both the four and six-cylinder models in full production and a new six-wheeler design being designed at the moment, Kellands expects to sell around 50 a year. Kellands Agricultural ensures that the products will have full backup from their experienced team, which also imports the Jacto sprayers from Brazil, and manufactures the Agribuggy range. The multidrive unit can be fitted to a range of sprayers, including Chafer, Knight, Spraycare and Landquip to offer self-propelled high capacity machines.

The BiG X Forager: here to stay.

The new BiG X forage harvester has the largest cutting drum in the world, six pre-compression rollers, and is available with a choice of 8, 10, or 12 row maize headers. Manufactured by Krone, the BiG X comes with a Mercedes Benz 500hp, 605hp, 780hp or 100hp engine, and the cutting length can be set at intervals between 4mm and 22mm directly from the cab. Krone offer spare parts support from the Krone Forage Centres, and also offer advanced operator training to optimise output.

Turbolift for Landini.

A new range of hydraulic loaders from Landini provides a choice of specifications to match different needs and budget requirements. The new TurboLift series replace the ProLift models, and are available in sizes to suit the Landini Rex, Alpine, Powerfarm, Vision, and Mythos ranges of tractors. The ProLift models are all fitted with Joystick operation, quick-release implement couplings and double acting hydraulic lift cylinders as standard, and there are three levels of specification for each of the loaders to suit the individual need. The model 20 TurboLift Eco for Powerfarm and Vision tractors has a lift height of 3.8m, and a full height lift capacity of 1170kg, with a maximum lift from ground level of 1300kg. The model 20 TurboLift Techno (available for Powerfarm and Vision tractors) has a third hydraulic service as standard, and mechanical self-levelling. It has the same lift height as the TurboLift Eco of 3.8m and a full height capacity of 1300kg. The maximum lift from ground level is 1400kg. The model 20 TurboLift TOP can be fitted to tractors from the Powerfarm upwards, and has a full height lift capacity of 1600kg, to a 3.8m pivot height. The maximum lift from the ground is 1700kg. The largest specification hydraulic loader in this new range is the model 50 for the Landini Legend six-cylinder tractors, and will lift from the ground a maximum of 1700kg. This model can lift 2300kg to a maximum height of 4.4m.

Classic Farm Machinery

The Fordson Major

Ask anyone during the 1950s to name a common tractor, and you were on a pretty safe bet that the answer would be either a Ferguson T20 or a Fordson Major.

More correctly designated the E1A, the Major started life in the R & D department of Fords at Dagenham during the early days of the war. At that time Fords realised the limitations of the dated Standard Fordson N, and began a rather bazaar series of experiments involving a dated N engine (first made in 1917) mated to an Allis Chalmers “U” back end. One or two prototypes were made and tested at Boreham House, Fords farm near Chelmsford and elsewhere at another Ford farm known as Mudlands. These experiments became the basis of the E27N “High” Major, introduced in 1945 as a stop gap after the old faithful “N” ceased production in June of that year. War time restrictions preventing any further development.

However in 1944 the board of directors under Sir Patrick Hennessy initiated a development programme for a new overhead valve engine. This challenge was taken up by Laurie Martland, an experienced engineer who had served his time at Vickers at Weybridge before joining Fords. His brief was to design a basic engine which could be built to burn petrol, vaporising oil or diesel. It was the diesel version which was badly needed not only for tractors, but also for trucks as at that time they only had the V8 petrol unit, noted for its thirstiness.

By January 1946 a prototype engine was fitted to a modified E27N back end and was known as experimental unit No2085. At this time Harold Brock was brought in from America to assist with the development of the tractor along with another experimental tractor known as the 4p. This had a Continental petrol engine installed and only a 4 speed transmission. It never got any further over here, but was loosely used as basis for a new design by Mick Ronayne after Harold Brock returned to America after a year. Wooden mock ups were made to determine the final design of the tin work and at lest 5 complete tractors were made for trials which continued until September 1948 when the whole project was shelved in favour of a new version with a six speed gearbox based again on the old N and E27N design. This design of gearbox was conceived one Saturday Morning by engineer John Foxwell and consisted of a two speed primary gear set mounted in front of the existing three speed gearbox, thus providing six forward speeds and two in reverse.

This was developed further and was eventually incorporated into yet another new prototype called 5035, but using a Perkins P6 engine and front end from an E27N.

Finally, during 1949 a further prototype tractor was produced incorporating the new six speed gearbox with Martland’s diesel engine, and this became the basis of the Fordson major we all know so well. Again many mock-ups were done to finalise the tin-work during 1950 before a few pre-build tractors were hand built for field trials and publicity work in 1951.

Special previews were held for selected Ford personnel, press and dealer principles at the Kursaal, Southend on Sea in November 1951, where after a hefty lunch, over 20 different variations including County Crawlers, Roadless half-tracks and 26 approved implements were introduced. The first public showing was in December of that year at Smithfield. Both TVO and petrol variants were offered, but by far the most popular engine was the diesel, which must have been one of Fords best products. It was economic, powerful (for its time), and most of all it would start easily, even in the coldest of weather, and thousands were made for trucks, industrial, maritime as well as agricultural applications. The tractors sold well at around £500 each. Over 30,000 were made in the first year of production alone, many being shipped to America as well as other foreign countries.

A mark 11 version with a slightly more powerful engine was introduced in April 1957 before the Power Major was launched in 1958. Differential Lock and Draft Control for the hydraulic system was developed and launched with the Super Major in 1960, and cosmetic changes in July 1962 brought the line to a conclusion before the World wide 6X range were launched in 1965-but that’s another story.

Marginal drilling

The new Fiona margin and plot drill has a following rake and a three point linkage as standard, and can also be towed behind a quad bike or utility vehicle as the drawbar has a built-in remote raising and lowering system. A 360cc, four wheel drive ATV provides enough power in level, dry conditions. When moving between sites or turning, the metering drive is disengaged and the system raises, by utilisation of a clutch. The Fiona margin and plot drill has the same gearing and sowing ability of the larger drills, and sows seed sizes from rape through to beans by using 13 conventional coulters at 11.5cm spacings.

A new cutting head for the Bomford Kestrel hedge cutter has been introduced to tackle thicker growth expected in hedges managed under the new S.F/P. With a cut width of 1.2m, this head can accept the heavy duty 60mm T flail. Called the Pro-Trim, fitted to the Kestrel, 45 hp is available to the cutting rotor.

New Maxxum

Case IH have slipped a new 130hp model into its current line up with the MXU130X. Powered by a 6 cylinder, tier11 turbo diesel engine, and married up to a 16 X 16 four speed semi power shift transmission with power shuttle. Electronic hitch control with lower link sensing is standard, with a separate hydraulic service for steering and remote services giving 63 lt/min to three remote valves. Two mid mounted hydraulic valves with a seat mounted joy-stick for a loader control can be fitted if required. Standard 540 and 1000 rpm PTO speeds are provided plus a 540 economy mode. A low profile cab with a loader top window can be specified at the time of order in place of the standard cab fitment. Prices, they tell me start at £42,414.

Direct Drilling

The options and the machines

A series of interesting articles appeared in the Farm Contractor recently about the pros and cons of direct drilling, and what follows is a summary of the techniques, machines and the figures that will help to decide what system is for you. Of course, you can see for yourself machines working in a practical environment at the NORMAC Demo at Hardingham this September.

As returns from cereal growing as well as other types of farming have diminished over the last ten years, we have all been eager to cut our establishment costs, and as the screw has tightened even further, this need has become more and more important. Whilst this in the forefront of our thoughts, we must not forget that we have been here before, sometimes with disastrous results when weeds and diseases began to overcome all the chemical controls we threw at them, and before long we were back in with the plough and more conventional cultivation techniques to overcome the damage done.

This time as the economic belt gets even tighter, and with the introduction of the SFP we are having to go down that road of minimum inputs again, this time a little more wiser than before. Probably the secret is to know the limitations and to know which soil type of cropping will allow direct drilling, and when it is better to go back to the plough and a more traditional method of establishment. A little research will find a system that works in the majority of seasons, with lower operating costs and using the minimum number of machines possible.

The Vaderstad Rapid drill for instance uses a combination of serrated discs as well as tines which are adjustable to suite the prevailing conditions. They are mounted to the main frame via a rubber suspension system and are connected to the rear press wheels with a linkage rod system. This allows the drill coulters to follow ground contours accurately and rapidly minimising variations in drilling depth. These drills are able to operate at high speeds in a wide variety of soil conditions. A similar arrangement can be said of the Moore Unidrill, which has been on the market now in various forms for a number of years. At speed the drill creates a fine tilth for the seed to drop into before being firmed by the rear press wheels. Moore’s are keen to point out that the initial seed bed need not be much at all, as the drill does it all, thereby keeping the costs down. An 8m version has just been introduced which folds into two sections for transport, and with extensions, the Simba – Horsch hopper can hold 3500 litres of seed. Behind a 300hp tractor, drilling rates of up to 5 ha/hr have been achieved.

John Dale uses the Seed Hawk tines to enable accurate drilling in all conditions. Each tine assembly has independent depth control, and a hydraulic ram pulls the coulters down into the ground, even in hard dry conditions often encountered post harvest. Again following press wheels firm the tilth around the seed.

Another drilling system, the Cross Slot No Tillage Systems, uses wings on spring loaded blades on the inner and outer faces of the coulter discs to create horizontal slots at drilling depth into which seed and fertiliser are placed. Press wheels again close up the channel.

The Kockerling “Ultima” principle of press, sow, level and press is said to enable the tined drill to work in any surface including bare stubble. At drilling speeds of up to 20 kph, the machine creates its own tilth with a certain levelling action. Sowing depth is obtained by hydraulic control. The company goes on to suggest that a period of creating a mulch seedbed as a way of improving the soil conditioning is required before direct sowing can be contemplated. Chopped straw should be spread over the full width of cut of the combine, and a shallow working of the stubble to produce enough loose soil to absorb most of the straw and other residue. This should be firmed up to allow good weed seed to soil contact for a good chit before going in with the drill.

We have come a long way in drill metering design, and one of the latest designs come from Kuhn. Using a combination of gravity feed and a seed separation device within the coulter, seed rates can be 10 to 15 % lower than your normal seed rates without compromising the optimum plant population. Gravity feed of the seed through the coulter system is made possible by the diversion of the air away from the seed placement zone by an air filter at the end of the seed pipe. Without this filter, the air blast associated with air drills would make the seed bounce off the bottom of the placement slot, thereby reducing the accurate placement and depth of the seed. The Accura coulter is complimented with a Cascade seed separation device, which is a series of ramps down which the seed slide and separate on their way to the coulter. This whole device is contained within an interchangeable package which can be removed for cleaning.

Many drills can of course be used in conventional as well as direct drilling situations. The Cultidisc coulter used in the machines from KRM consists of a 400mm serrated disc mounted at an angle on a heavy “C” spring giving a coulter pressure of up to 80kg per unit. This won’t bounce much and is able to slice through existing crop residue. As it works, it sets up vibrations which clears trash from the slit and creates a fine tilth at the bottom of the opening into which the seed is placed. The offset cast coulter tip is protected by the angled disc. As an option, the Cultidisc-R has an individual pressure adjustable press wheel.

A similar system can be found on the Amazone RoTeC+, where up to 50 Kg of pressure can be exerted onto each coulter. The seed is guided down into the furrow via a furrow former that widens the slot caused by the disc. The seed is then pushed further down into the firmed soil for better seed/ soil contact. Used in a power harrow/ drill combination, the machine is said to be able to operate up to 16kph.

The He-Va Vector drill from Opico is another dual purpose drill. Fitted with a Shatterboard on the front of the drill that can be used to level and consolidate ploughed land but can then be lifted when working on min till seedbeds. Again the opening is by angled discs, and depth control is on the rear roller. A levelling harrow placed between the discs and the rear roller is important because it covers the seed in the slot before it is pressed.

A drill said to be able to cope with large amounts of trash is the Techmagri Techmasem, imported by Remac UK. The seed bed is formed by four rows of spring tines. At the rear is a Springflex roller, which consists of spring steel bands that press directly over each row, sealing in the moisture and maintaining even depth. The same drill can be supplied with different tine or disc combinations for different soil types and conditions.

One machine that has seen keen interest in this region, especially in rape establishment is the Claydon direct drill. Geoff is a well known farmer and inventor from West Suffolk who developed the combine Yieldometer several years before they became common fitment to the larger combines. His direct drill uses an adjustable fixed tine to pull up the soil in front to create a tilth and a drainage channel for the seed to germinate into. This is followed by a tined hoe blade that lifts the soil for the seed to be drilled under. The soil drops back over the seed and is pressed by the following rubber tyred press wheels. The hoe blades tend also to push the trash to either side of the row.

So there’s a brief run down of most of the drills on the market. They all do a great job in the right conditions. Some are better than others in certain soil types, and of course some soils won’t take a direct drill at all. It is said that at today’s fuel prices, it will cost you £30 an acre to plough, cultivate and drill in the traditional way. Direct drilling will halve your cost, so it has to be well worth thinking about.

Practical Farm Ideas

If you weren’t interested in farm machinery I guess you wouldn’t be a member of NORMAC, and most machinery people are schemers as well! You are one of many with fertile minds and a handyness with a welder. Did you know there is a farm magazine written specially for you – apart from Top Link of course!

Practical Farm Ideas is published quarterly and is full of “made it myself” stories from all round the country, and some of the new ideas are really rather good. The Winter 2005/06 issue details 32 different machines built in the farm workshop from mud deflectors for Land Rovers to a 6m one pass grass seeder using a Nodet air spreader and a set of rolls.

It is quite amazing just how diverse some of the ideas featured are. There are also other more general articles on topical farming themes, and a report from the Lamma show. Altogether a really good read.

Practical Farm Ideas will cost you £14.25 for a years subscription, and you can get it by ringing 01994 240978.

I was lent a copy and I couldn’t put it down.

webmaster: FCS DesignWorks - 01986 788630

Top Link - June 2006