Cumbrian Silage 2023. Fendt reverse drive, 820, Renault, MF 390T, 5711 & twin Massey team at the pit

Armathwaite contractor Jason Robley’s magnificent Fendt 828 reverse drive tractor and Reco Mengele SH 40 mounted chopper lifting first cut silage with a colourful support team. Jason’s dad Harold rows up ahead with his Renault Ares 816 RZ and Krone Swadrow rake while the carting team consists of the farms new MF 5711M, 2wd 390T with immaculate Griffins 8-ton and Marshall Wheatley 6-ton trailers don’t think I’ve ever seen another of these?) with additional support from Steve Wilson’s Fendt 820. Back at the clamp a MF 5445 and Moulton buckrake pushes up the grass while the MF 4355 with extra concrete ballast rolls the pit. Filmed in Cumbria June 2023.
If you enjoy my videos of farm machinery at work in Cumbria (and Southern Scotland), please consider subscribing. Likes and taking the time to comment (preferably positive ones) are always welcomed and I will try to reply as soon as possible although if I’m at work or out filming there might be a delay. Cheers, David.

[@roba4297]

I've never seen that Fendt set up before. What a brilliant idea, instead of having a expensive dedicated chopper sitting idle for a large period of time, and a powerful tractor for other tasks. The rake also produces excellent swathes.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Neither have I Rob (well not at close quarters actually in the field) except on Alan Balmeshs and Jacooboos excellent videos. Yes a great idea, just unhook it after the summer and there you have a tractor free for cultivation or other tasks. Yes nice smooth rows and nice to catch a Renault too. Thanks for the watch and great comment again Rob, always appreciated. Cheers, David.

[@balmesh]

Good to see that gear again. I caught it last year and it was going great. You've done a good job, here, as did they!

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks very much Alan.

[@seanmcguigan346]

That's what happens when you have pride in your work. Lovely plant and yard, a credit to the owners

[@davidwinthrop7077]

It certainly is Sean. I would be proud to own that farm, everything and everywhere is absolutely spotless! Cheers, David.

[@thesicklemodernagriculture]

good video, thank you for sharing, wish you a good harvest

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thank you, you’re welcome. Cheers, David.

[@HarrySherrard]

Great videos David, thanks! The pictures are great and no annoying music! It's so much better to have the sound of the equipment instead of super annoying elevator music. Having just found your channel, I'm now going to watch your back catalogue.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Many thanks Harry, I’m pleased you enjoyed it. I’m like you in just wanting to hear the machinery working, just as I hear it when I’m out there filming in the fields. To be honest I wouldn’t have a clue how to add music though if I could capture the smell of the fresh grass that would be a bonus! Pleased you found me and hopefully they’ll be a few more videos you’ll enjoy. Let me know what you think as your comments would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, David.

[@Teredifa]

Nice mix of all ages of machinery there mate, for some reason i enjoy watching older machinery more than the new kit.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

I must admit so do I and the older kit does just as good a job as anything modern. Cheers, David.

[@tipperarymick5337]

Very tidy outfit, he's getting through that crop at a fair old pace.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Flying through it Mick and it was a thick crop too. Trailer drivers kept going anyways! Cheers, David.

[@Boyzandthetoyz2]

Seen this running today on the A6 Plumpton had to have a second look with the reverse set up! Very impressive as you say the tractors getting used all year round. Some set up 3 x Fendt's running.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

@@Boyzandthetoyz2 Ah it’s some setup, great idea and great to watch! Yes it’s very handy being able to use the reverse drive Fendt all year round whereas a self-propelled is parked up in the shed for half the year! Three Fendts, that would have been great to see! Cheers, David.

[@B1066agri]

Wonderfull filming and editing David, the reverse drive Fendt is great to watch and getting on considering two into one rows, some well preserved machinary, lovely, cheers, Steve . 🚜🙂👍

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Many thanks Steve. Yes was great to see the Fendt in action in the field, purely by chance that I had a run out to the farm (hadn’t been there for years) and they said they’d be on in a few days so a chance not to miss. Very well looked after machinery, those trailers are well over 25 years old but still look almost like new! Cheers, Dave

[@ballyhoulihanagrivideos397]

Lovely video. Nice selection of equipment. Seem to be good output from the chopper. Can't be too many reverse drives around now. One job I dislike is reversing silage trailers in fairly narrow openings

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Many thanks. Yes a nice mix of equipment on the day, both new and a few pieces of classic era machines. The reverse drive was going very well indeed and I can’t ever remember seeing another one round here. I’m definitely with you on reversing silage trailers, never that easy especially if f having to reverse on your blind side and also of course they’ve got much bigger over the years. Many thanks once again for the watch and comment, as always greatly appreciated. Cheers, David.

[@donnellykieranj]

Another great vid Dave. Reverse drive fendt...some job. Who needs a self propelled when you have one of these?

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Exactly Kieran and unlike a self propelled you have a tractor that doesn’t sit in the shed for 6 months of the year! Magnificent piece of kit to watch, I could have stayed there all day! Cheers, Dave.

[@davidmurphy3924]

Anyone know what rpm the flywheel of this harvester is running at ?

[@davidwinthrop7077]

I’ll try and find out for you David. Hopefully get back to you this weekend.

[@jackfrench7240]

Fantastic setup 👍 someone used to run a reverse drive reco forgaer down here in Devon back in the 80s/90s ( before my time ) . But if a rare site ! That Marshall /Wheatley trailer is a bit unique too . Nice find.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks Jack. Yes I remember there were one or two about back then but until now I’ve never seen one working in Cumbria. Not seen anyone else with a Marshall/Wheatley trailer though I do believe this farm had two (maybe still do?) at some point! Also not many 6/6.5 tonners seen in the silage fields these days! Thanks once again for your watch and comment Jack, always greatly appreciated. Cheers, David.

[@user-rw2um8ro2p]

Great video David that is a lovely outfit the view from the yard was lovely what an impressive fleet that yard was absolutely spotless

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks once again H. It’s a lovely clean farm, the views of the surrounding countryside around it are breathtaking. Cheers, David.

[@neilrhodes7701]

Ironic that the chopper is reverse drive yet the buck rake isn’t on the front would be so much easier! Nice vid !

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks Neil and a good point you’ve raised. I think if the reverse drive Fendt owner had also been on clamp filling duties that would have more than likely been the case but as the farm and Massey 5445 owner has always done his own buckraking with it hitched to the back this is probably what he’s comfortable with. A very valid suggestion though. Cheers, David.

[@jacooboophotography]

Great to see you got that on camera David, I'm yet to catch it this year, it's quite sight to see. What a brilliant little farm too, love the dual wheeled massey on the pit!

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Many thanks Jacob. Yes it was a purely by chance visit that I got the opportunity so I grabbed it with both hands. Hopefully you’ll catch it soon too as your last video of it was excellent. It’s a lovely farm, machinery and the yard absolutely spotless and yes like you loved the dual wheeled Massey. Cheers my friend, regards David.

[@gtritchie5]

Steady driver on pit duties & overall a fantastic video:)

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Many thanks George, your lovely comment is greatly appreciated. You’re certainly right about the pit driver, not a lot of room in the especially when the trailer is tipping and the 2nd Massey is rolling. Good farm to meet up for a catch-up to if you fancy a visit next year? Cheers, David.

[@jackthewisedog5171]

great video, nice machines - really tidy and nice yard

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks Jack. Yes really cared for machinery and the yard was spotless! Cheers, David.

[@kenwood8665]

Great video, throughly enjoyed it.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks Rick, makes it all worthwhile. Cheers, David

[@frantisekleiterman2082]

TOP! 😁

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thank you Frantisek. 👍Cheers, David.

[@andrewdalziel4006]

Great video. Reverse drive outfits are pretty rare. Well done for finding this team at work, making a nice clean job.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks Andrew. Yes I don’t often come across a reverse drive outfit up here in Cumbria, in fact this has been the only one! it kind of found me as just on the off chance I called at the farm a few days before and they said it was coming up so I naturally jumped at the chance. Nice contrast in colours between the Fendt and Masseys, tidy Renault was a bonus! Cheers, David.

[@robertmacintyre8065]

Great outfit. 👌

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Thanks Robert. Great to watch working in the fields as I’ve never seen another like it in these parts. Cheers, David

[@rescuecow90]

Visibility of the pick up reel is none existent.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

It is difficult to see and the operator openly admits that. He does however have cameras fitted and with good neat rows and not pushing beyond the foragers limits hardly ever has issues with blockages. Cheers, David

[@davidbrennan3613]

That's a brilliant setup, the driver in the fendt with the harvester doesn't have to strain his neck looking back

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Exactly David. Great setup and when the forager is finished with just drop it off, swivel the seat round and its back to a straight tractor again. Cheers, David