When speed is of the essence

Whites Farm is at the hub of a sizeable farming operation in and around the village of Helions Bumpstead, near Haverhill, South Cambridgeshire.

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It is a mainly arable business extending in all to around 1000ha, comprising five main blocks that are 11 miles apart. For this part of the eastern counties, the rotation is a familiar one – winter wheat, winter barley, oilseed rape, spring barley and beans. There are no livestock.

The farm relies on a MF 9407 S telehandler for a range of tasks and is rarely idle. Farm foreman Brian Blackmore explains: “The telehandler’s main duties include loading grain, moving fertiliser and filling grain stores at harvest time. Other odd jobs around the farm include moving dirt and rubble and it has a work platform with cage.

“The machine is just one year old now and the only outgoings during that time have been one service and the diesel,” he adds.

“It’s very straightforward to use, with very good all-round visibility, and has plenty of power for the jobs we use it for. The service back-up is also very good – only on the odd occasion have we had to ask a question.

“The machine is very reliable – as was the one it replaced – also a Massey Ferguson – which we had for 10 years with no problems. In fact, we never had to call the dealer out once during that time, and it was only really the fact that the tyres were worn that the decision was taken to get a new one.

“However, the MF 9407 S is a lot quicker on the road – capable of 40km/h. Loading grain is faster and smoother and the boom extender is also quick and easy to use.”