Jamie Dewhurst of Warwickshire-based J&A Growers has invested in a new Kubota M7-174 tractor with retrofit tracks, to power equipment for its tree nursery operation.
Tree seeds are sown in March and April, using a range of precision planters working into five-row beds, with harvesting and soil preparation for the following year’s crop taking place in the winter.
During the winter harvesting period, beds are opened up by lifting the first and second rows with a wraparound Egedahl belt harvester, with the tractor then travelling on the worked, soft ground.
As the season progresses and winter takes hold, a wheeled tractor can sink into the soft soil, with disastrous consequences. And operating on silty loam soils adjacent to the River Avon, Jamie Dewhurst became increasingly concerned about preserving soil health and overall condition.
“We had a series of poor winters and harvesting was becoming increasingly difficult, plus it was hard to maintain soil structure, so I decided to move to tracks,” explains Jamie, pictured.
When his previous tractor came up for replacement, he approached Warwickshire Kubota dealer Hunts Engineering, with which he had already forged a good relationship.
Kubota MGX-125 and M111 utility tractors are already used in the J&A Growers business with a range of implements, with Hunts delivering on service and backup.
“We wanted a higher-powered tractor for cultivations, including ploughing and pulling a three-leg subsoiler, spading machine and a bed-former,” he explains.
“Pete Hunt suggested trying the 170hp M7-174 Premium and we liked the tractor very much – the KVT transmission gives us the infinitely variable speeds needed for harvesting and the cab is spacious with good visibility.”
The M7 also has lift capacity of 9,400kg to manage larger implements; a front linkage was fitted to expand future options. Then the process of specifying tracks began.
After considering the options on the market, a Soucy S-Tech 600R system supplied by Outland Tracks was chosen and Jamie Dewhurst was able to discuss his farm’s specific needs with the manufacturer.
“We had 600mm wide tracks previously, but at slow speeds the tractor was difficult to steer, so narrower, 400mm tracks were specified this time,” he adds. “One important requirement was that it would need to be quick and straightforward to swap the tracks for wheels, in our own workshop.”
Hunts Engineering then put together the package of tractor and tracks and the M7 was dispatched to Outland for fitting, enabling the tractor to arrive on-farm ready for the 25/26 winter harvesting season.
There was little modification required except fitting a cross beam for the pick-up hitch, and adding an extra cab step to take account of the increased height when operating on tracks.
“The track system is much more open in design than its predecessor so it should be easier to clean and maintain,” he says. “Routine maintenance should be quicker too, with a single grease point for each unit.”
The wrap-around Egedahl harvester can lift around 250,000 plants/day in good conditions, and with 150,000-200,000 trees grown per acre.
“We’re very pleased with the outfit so far,” he says. “The narrower tracks have made this a more manoeuvrable unit, and our operators like the room cab, its generous visibility and the precise adjustment of the KVT transmission.”
