C&F gone

KennyO

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Angus
Interesting conversation with NTS today in which they suggested that C&F may still manufacture parts just the sales/ new machine side of business that they have wound up.
 

Morayman

New Member
That’s what C&Fs letter stated. Part manufacture and supply. However, the letter also suggested they were walking away from warranty obligations by closing down the subsidiary C&F GE Ltd (with whom most customers have contracts) and distancing themselves from warranty claims by letting the Liquidator decide.
In other words, same crap, different day.
 

Raider112

Member
Just had a lad around from Ecocel too. Obviously keen to fill in where C&F have been found wanting. Anyone here had any dealings with these guys, good or bad?
Know nothing about them but their offer seems an improvement on where we are now with C&F and their partners. Any C&F owners got any opinions?
 

Morayman

New Member
The price proposed for servicing including all consumables certainly seems an improvement. But, the call out costs with mileage and travel time for X 2 engineers from their base on the west, would be considerably dearer than NTS for us on the east of the country.
Then there’s an annual charge for monitoring after they insert their software into the existing controller....

A bit undecided at the moment.
Perhaps time to check out what UKTOG are offering and compare the limited options.
 

Raider112

Member
The price proposed for servicing including all consumables certainly seems an improvement. But, the call out costs with mileage and travel time for X 2 engineers from their base on the west, would be considerably dearer than NTS for us on the east of the country.
Then there’s an annual charge for monitoring after they insert their software into the existing controller....

A bit undecided at the moment.
Perhaps time to check out what UKTOG are offering and compare the limited options.
C&F have a monitoring charge as well though, and they might be more inclined to raise it although they are rather cheaper at the moment. Any idea if there is a charge for installing it or just an annual charge?
 

Morayman

New Member
Unless I misheard the chap it’s a lease at £500 +vat/annum. No install cost.
However, it’s the same controller with their sim and software.
So not their controller as such, but more intellectual property and part time monitoring. Understand the weekends are unmanned....

Just checked my notes:
I was wrong to say on an earlier post that they charge travel time to attend for repairs. Not so. But they do send x2 engineers and there’s a minimum charge while on site of 2 hours for two engineers plus .50 p per mile from East Kilbride.
So Ecocel @ £130 (£65 x2) X 2hrs + travel to the North East could be an expensive visit for a thermistor replacement in a transformer. @ £260 plus mileage (around £300 + vat) against around a £100 for a similar job for a NTS technician.
Wonder if NTS would do the repairs and allow Ecocel to do the annual service
 

Raider112

Member
Unless I misheard the chap it’s a lease at £500 +vat/annum. No install cost.
However, it’s the same controller with their sim and software.
So not their controller as such, but more intellectual property and part time monitoring. Understand the weekends are unmanned....

Just checked my notes:
I was wrong to say on an earlier post that they charge travel time to attend for repairs. Not so. But they do send x2 engineers and there’s a minimum charge while on site of 2 hours for two engineers plus .50 p per mile from East Kilbride.
So Ecocel @ £130 (£65 x2) X 2hrs + travel to the North East could be an expensive visit for a thermistor replacement in a transformer. @ £260 plus mileage (around £300 + vat) against around a £100 for a similar job for a NTS technician.
Wonder if NTS would do the repairs and allow Ecocel to do the annual service
I'm in England so probably worse although the service charge compares favourably with what we pay now. We need an option other than the grip that we are under at the moment so I'm maybe looking through rose tinted glasses at any alternative that comes along.
 

Big Red2

New Member
Hi all, noticed my name mentioned and I would obviously welcome a call, Daren Birch, Nextgen ltd, the UKTOG approved service provider, 07989 986 002, please leave a message if no answer and we will call you back.
 

fermerboy

Member
Location
Banffshire
Unless I misheard the chap it’s a lease at £500 +vat/annum. No install cost.
However, it’s the same controller with their sim and software.
So not their controller as such, but more intellectual property and part time monitoring. Understand the weekends are unmanned....

Just checked my notes:
I was wrong to say on an earlier post that they charge travel time to attend for repairs. Not so. But they do send x2 engineers and there’s a minimum charge while on site of 2 hours for two engineers plus .50 p per mile from East Kilbride.
So Ecocel @ £130 (£65 x2) X 2hrs + travel to the North East could be an expensive visit for a thermistor replacement in a transformer. @ £260 plus mileage (around £300 + vat) against around a £100 for a similar job for a NTS technician.
Wonder if NTS would do the repairs and allow Ecocel to do the annual service

Thermistors for the transformers are just under £8 to buy. Good profit maker for turbine companies. I and a lot of others change them ourselves. Its not hard, just be careful to switch off power from both sides (mains and generator) first.

My machine doesnt make enough to be throwing it away with that sort of costs.
 

Morayman

New Member
I believe I went through 8 until the faulty pitch motor finally gave up the ghost. Hasn’t happened since but I’d be very interested in a link to where they are available
 

fermerboy

Member
Location
Banffshire

Morayman

New Member
Hi all, noticed my name mentioned and I would obviously welcome a call, Daren Birch, Nextgen ltd, the UKTOG approved service provider, 07989 986 002, please leave a message if no answer and we will call you back.

Hi Daren, sent you an email yesterday. Just trying to get the measure of all the options. Perhaps you could give us an idea here of your costs for service, call outs, what's involved with fitting and the monitoring of your controller? Also the ability to cover repairs in the N.E. of Scotland?
 

Ecocel

New Member
Ecocel have been supporting C&F clients for over 2 years throughout Scotland and as far south as Bedford
We hold stock of all necessary parts for servicing and common repairs and have a large workshop to carry out larger repairs
If you wish to know more please call 01698 281546
 

Ecocel

New Member
The price proposed for servicing including all consumables certainly seems an improvement. But, the call out costs with mileage and travel time for X 2 engineers from their base on the west, would be considerably dearer than NTS for us on the east of the country.
Then there’s an annual charge for monitoring after they insert their software into the existing controller....

A bit undecided at the moment.
Perhaps time to check out what UKTOG are offering and compare the limited options.

We actually install a new IMI/controller with independent monitoring
 

Ecocel

New Member
Yes we access to blades and have carried out several generator repairs with one coming in next week
Anyone is welcome to visit our facility and see what we do
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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