The world of Self propelled forage harvesters.

[Smiler]

We are currently running a JF 1060 trailed forager chopping close to a 1000 acres a year and are thinking of making the leap into the world of SPFH. Just wondered if anyone had any advice on do’s and dont’s, machines to avoid or star buys. TIA

 

[Al R]

@mf7480 has just made the same move..

There’s a lot of good machines around in the 50-60k bracket which look good value. A lot will be down to your nearest dealer’s and what the mechanics are like. I’d recommend going for the make which is most popular with the big contractors in your area.

 

[Smiler]

@mf7480 has just made the same move..

There’s a lot of good machines around in the 50-60k bracket which look good value. A lot will be down to your nearest dealer’s and what the mechanics are like. I’d recommend going for the make which is most popular with the big contractors in your area.

Yeah that’s a good point, they’re mostly Class. Back up is good for Deere or Class but I think we’re favouring Class at the moment.

 

[james ds]

If it's for grass only one good big wagon will save you a lot of money . I'm contracting with wagons having changed from a class sp, I'd never go back.

 

[Wilber32]

Got a John Deere 6750 here good machine with out the electrics and easy to maintain.got ours for 35k with 1500 drum hours. Plenty about under 30k Clear a lot in a day too. 6850 6950 also. Claas good machines but no experience in that sector. Pay for itself within two years.

 

[KB6930]

Either Claas of JD will be good machines but get one that's got less electrics on it like the 800 Claas or 6010/50 series JD and if you're handy with the spanners you'll be good to go.

Anything will have a fair bit more output than you're JF but running costs could potentially be higher so fit a rock stopper as well

 

[Chae1]

If it's for grass only one good big wagon will save you a lot of money . I'm contracting with wagons having changed from a class sp, I'd never go back.

How many acres/hr are you going to lift with a big wagon?

Glad i don't have one with short weather windows this year.

 

[Smiler]

Either Claas of JD will be good machines but get one that's got less electrics on it like the 800 Claas or 6010/50 series JD and if you're handy with the spanners you'll be good to go.

Anything will have a fair bit more output than you're JF but running costs could potentially be higher so fit a rock stopper as well

Rock stopper is something we’re really undecided about but Beginning to think it may be an essential extra to prevent damage.

 

[KB6930]

Rock stopper is something we’re really undecided about but Beginning to think it may be an essential extra to prevent damage.

I don't run choppers but know plenty folk who do and most run them now

 

[Bobthebuilder]

you just missed out on a cheap claas at a sale up this part of the world last week http://www.borderlivestock.co.uk/farm-sale-reports/ i think it only had 350 drum hours on 16 plate 840

 

[Smiler]

you just missed out on a cheap claas at a sale up this part of the world last week http://www.borderlivestock.co.uk/farm-sale-reports/ i think it only had 350 drum hours on 16 plate 840

That was very cheap, story of my life!

 

[Al R]

you just missed out on a cheap claas at a sale up this part of the world last week http://www.borderlivestock.co.uk/farm-sale-reports/ i think it only had 350 drum hours on 16 plate 840

Looking through the last few sale reports there and there’s been a lot of cheap kit, combines especially!

 

[KB6930]

That was very cheap, story of my life!

It's at G S Brown now but not quite as cheap

 

[Bobthebuilder]

It's at G S Brown now but not quite as cheap

extra 20k?

 

[KB6930]

extra 20k?

109 I think from memory

 

[Bobthebuilder]

109 I think from memory

not a bad mark up

 

[KB6930]

not a bad mark up

Expensive haulage to Devon

 

[Smiler]

not a bad mark up

Think I’m in the wrong job!

 

[james ds]

How many acres/hr are you going to lift with a big wagon?

Glad i don't have one with short weather windows this year.

I've 1500 acres picked up thisyear , all dry silage , on Saturday gone by we did 130 acres of very heavy silage between 3 farms with 2 wagons , the komastu on the pit wasn't fast enough for the speed we were drawing in grass . I was doing a short draw last Friday evening of heavy first cut , the pit was at the corner of the field and I did 25 acres in 3 hrs with one wagon .

 

[ollie989898]

Even a smaller self propelled make trailed foragers look a bit daft. Use less fuel and far less grief as the machine won't clock many hours on a dairy farm and you need not be running it on its arse either. Live a long time if you have a handy spanner man and a workshop to fettle it in over the winter.