A fuss-free approach to tractors and machinery is favoured by Huw Owen for the farming and contracting business he runs with wife Marion, based at Morfa Farm near Harlech.
“I have no need for complex electronics and screens, which is why I opted for Kubota’s M5 and M6 tractors for my business,” he says. “Both are equipped with loaders, and both have levers for hydraulics – it’s a simple, straightforward and cost-effective approach for what I need.”
Huw farms a total of 600 acres in the Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd, along with contracting services working within a 10-mile radius of Morfa Farm. His diverse agri-business activities also include self-drive excavator hire with three Kubota KX030-4 mini excavators for local trades, builders and other contractors.
“Over the years, I have come to depend on Kubota mini diggers for my business,” he says. “They don’t just dig ditches or holes – I have a lot of attachments to improve the efficiency of how we work around the community, be it for farm, forestry or building work.”
“Kubota engines are bomb-proof, so I figured the tractors must be pretty reliable too,” he says.
Having bought excavators from local dealer Major Owen, and enjoyed the service and support that goes with it, he had no hesitation in choosing Kubota tractors which are also backed up by a generous After Care warranty.
“I’ve had the M5-112 for a couple of years, and only recently added the M6-132 to my fleet of machinery,” says Huw. “I had a loader with this too, as it brings useful flexibility when working away from the farm. Both have great access for daily checks and maintenance, and there’s no unnecessary complication on either tractor.”
“The bigger M6 tractor is proving an ideal companion for my low-loader to move excavators around, as the roads around here can involve quite a few steep climbs. So the extra power boost will come in handy on those longer climbs. It’ll be just as useful when moving bales too.”
Huw puts a lot of effort into producing round bales for his 800 sheep and a Hereford suckler cow herd.
“We have a wide variety of different machinery, and this is a great community that works with each other when it comes to making hay and haylage,” he says. “I don’t have a round baler for example, but I do have a mower, tedder and bale wrapper.”
Mr Owen also operates an inline two-string baler, producing up to 6,000 bales/season for local livestock farms.
“The M5 is a great little tractor for baling,” he says. “It’s light and manoeuvrable. And I’m expecting the M6, with its Bi-Speed turn front axle, to be every bit as nimble. From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.”
