Prees, Shropshire-based fencing and hedgecutting contractor Rich Edwards is on his second pair of Kubota M-series tractors, having enjoyed low running costs and faultless reliability with his first two Battlefield Machinery-supplied tractors.
“I wasn’t looking swap this year, given that I’d bought with extended warranties, but the figures told me a different story,” explains Rich Edwards. “Residual values have proved to be very strong, and I was offered a deal that was too good to ignore.”
The Shropshire contractor’s first Kubota M-series, an M7-152, had clocked up 3,000 hours and still had a year’s warranty remaining. It was replaced earlier in 2024 by an M7-153, and his first M6-132 model had also clocked up similar hours, and was replaced in the Spring of 2024 by another identical-specification M6-132.
“We do buy a lot of kit through Battlefield Machinery, and the service and support we receive is second-to-none, which is what keeps us going back,” he says. “Switching to Kubota was never a concern and my first M7 had a creeper gearbox, which was absolutely ideal for the job. Wheel weights provided extra stability to the offside of the tractor, and I was pleasantly surprised.”
He says that switching to the M6 did initially throw up some reservations about power, having been a replacement for one of two older New Holland TM tractors.
“At 132hp, I was a bit concerned that the M6-132 wouldn’t quite have enough power, but the 6.1-litre four-cylinder is a big engine, with lots of torque,” he says. “With the added bonus of being highly manoeuvrable. I needn’t have worried.”
Rich says that he had front linkage as part of the specification on both his M6 models.
“It’s a great place to put the Quickfencer, so you can watch what’s going on when running out and tensioning fencing materials,” he says. “And of course, we can then carry the post-knocker on the rear linkage.”
He adds that the M6-132’s portal front axle delivers a level of manoeuvrability that is hard to beat, and it has been a huge benefit when hedgecutting.
“I’ve been really surprised with how good it is for tucking into field corners with the hedgecutter,” he says. “You don’t need to shunt or over-reach – just steer in and turn. The M7 is quite manoeuvrable, but the M6 is much more agile, and it’s not what you expect from a 130hp tractor.”
Rich and his dad John both use McConnel PA6085 hedgecutters on the two M-series tractors, with a PA5570 available for use with his remaining TM when needed. The Kubota M7 has been equipped with a larger toolbox, along with a home-made guard to protect the left-hand lights.
“We’re under pressure to get around arable fields ahead of autumn drilling, so reliability and comfort are key,” adds Rich. “Though we do have the option of a third hedgecutting outfit, if we needed.”
Of the two Kubota’s, Rich says the M6-132 is his dad’s preference.
“There are fewer steps up to the cab, and overall, it’s that bit smaller and more straightforward,” says Rich. “It’s also more manoeuvrable than the M7, and these are aspects that my dad prefers.”
Rich adds that there’s little to choose between the two M-series tractors, with the biggest difference being found with road speeds.
“The M6 takes a few minutes more to get to and from jobs,” he adds. “If it had a 50k transmission and a swivel seat, the M6 would probably be nigh-on perfect for all our contracting needs.”
