Multi-depot John Deere dealer TFM sent in these pictures, showing one of its customers tackling into the 2017 silage campaign in Co. Kilkenny.
Alan O’Shea, from TFM (Comerfords), noted that it is very unusual to see pit silage being harvested in April. Normally, he said, it would be mid-to-late May before self-propelled forage harvesters would be seen working in his area.
The pictures below show equipment belonging to Delaney Agri Services in action. The well-known firm offers services to farmers around Kilmanagh and Kilkenny.
Front and centre in the pictures is a John Deere 8600 forage harvester, which is entering its second season. The machine was delivered new to Delaney Agri Services in May 2016. Drawing away from the harvester is a team of R Series John Deere tractors – a 6140R, two 6150Rs and a 6210R. These have Dooley trailers in tow; these range in size from 20ft versions right up to a newer 24ft unit.
There’s another John Deere tractor involved in the silage-harvesting operation; it’s a 7920 and it carries a set of Krone triple-mowers. It will shortly be replaced by a new 6215R, which has an especially high specification (including AutoTrac).
On the pit there’s a Volvo loading shovel, though TFM is understandably keen for the contracting firm to try out a new-generation Caterpillar machine.
According to O’Shea, Delaney Agri Services was taking time out from a busy tillage schedule to tackle into the first job of the 2017 silage campaign.
Interestingly, the firm is also well known for its significant fodder beet activities. In fact, the Dooley trailers were designed to be swapped quickly and easily from beet to silage work.
Commenting on the 8600 forage harvester, which features in these pictures, O’Shea said: “It’s performing well. A particularly noteworthy feature is the Active Fill Control system.
“There’s a camera on the spout. It detects the top rim or outline of the body of the trailer. The system automatically controls the spout, to ensure that the grass is directed into the trailer – rather than being blown out over the front, back or either side.
“You can set it to fill the trailer up to a given level – anywhere from 80% to 130%. The latter figure allows the system to heap up the grass well above the sides of the trailer, if conditions allow. You can also programme in offsets. For example, you can set the system so that the spout won’t blow grass any closer than within a foot of the front of the trailer – to avoid spillages.”
According to O’Shea, Active Fill Control typically adds about €8,000 to the price of a harvester, depending on the in-cab monitor specified. He said that the system is particularly useful when lifting grass at headland corners. “You can concentrate on watching the pick-up and keeping a safe distance from the tractor and trailer as it’s turning with you; the spout looks after itself – so you don’t need to slow down and worry about it,” he explained.
