TTX210 - Paul & Nick Farrow
McCormick tractors just too good to sell as Norfolk farmers expand their fleet to five
For many farmers, a tractor is more than just a working tool; it is also something to enjoy owning; to cherish even. To some extent, that explains why there are five tractors for the 250 acres farmed by father and son Paul and Nick Farrow from their holding at Acle in Norfolk.
"We like tractors and don't like selling them, so we collect them," says Nick Farrow. "And we don’t just like modern tractors – we’ve a collection of 10 vintage models that we take to shows, rallies and road runs; tractors give us a lot of enjoyment."
There is also the practical consideration with the modern all-McCormick fleet that having several power units means no time is wasted changing wheels and implements for the varied work that the tractors undertake.
They handle all field work at home and in providing local contract services for crops of cereals, peas and sugar beet, and they also handle the yard work involved in running the Farrows’ 20-cow suckler herd and fattening 150 beef animals a year.
The latest addition to the fleet is the biggest yet – a McCormick TTX210 six-cylinder tractor with up to 198hp available for draft work and 213hp for powering pto-driven implements. Supplied by east Norfolk McCormick dealer Stalham Engineering, the machine is destined to spend much of its time on a five-furrow plough preparing land for sugar beet.
"We also made sure the TTX has McCormick's independent suspension on the front axle because we know from our MTX what a nice ride it provides," Nick Farrow adds. "But the new tractor also has cab suspension as well as an air seat so it's really comfortable driving home after a day in the field."
The new tractor takes over the top spot in the Farrows’ fleet from a 152hp '07 McCormick MTX150 that will continue to earn its keep subsoiling and working with a four-furrow plough. Parked alongside in the yard at Whites Farm is a pair of 136hp MC135 Power6 tractors.
The '03 unit is the drilling tractor – it handles a 3m power harrow-seed drill combination while carrying a ring press on the front linkage, and also gets to haul 14 tonne load of sugar beet into the Cantley factory. A younger '09 example is equipped with a loader for winter feeding chores and bale handling, and is also used for mowing and baling grass for hay and silage.
The baby of the team is a 90hp '08 McCormick CX95LP that works a swath turner and bale wrapper, and carries out the spraying and beet drilling operations.
All the tractors have been supplied by the Nicholson family's McCormick dealership Stalham Engineering; Paul Farrow is quick to praise the firm for the support provided over the years.
"It's nice to work with a family business that gives personal service with good advice whenever you need it," he says. "They stood by us when we had trouble with a telescopic handler and we've bought our tractors there ever since."
The McCormick machines have proved a good investment, he adds, being reliable, economical and easy to use, with controls laid out logically and with no complex electronics to go wrong.
“We like the tractors and we like the dealer; it’s as simple as that,” says Mr Farrow.
"It's a big tractor but I wanted 200hp at the wheels to handle the plough on stiff ground and to give us the productivity that would allow my father to ease off a bit," says Nick Farrow. “The XtraSpeed gearbox with its eight powershift steps is ideal for ploughing, especially when you move from light land into clay holes – being able to change down several steps without de-clutching is great."
He also highlights the speed matching feature for road travel that selects the correct powershift step for moving off after slowing for a roundabout or junction, and the auto shift that moves between all eight steps in the top range to make life easier when hauling a heavy load.
Above: The full McCormick line up at Whites Farm, Acle: the CX95LP, two MC135 Power 6 six-cylinder machines, a MTX150 and the newest purchase, a TTX210, are joined by a 1959 McCormick International B275 from the family's vintage collection.
Above: Nick (left) and Paul Farrow with their line up of McCormick Tractors at Whites Farm, Acle: The CX95LP, two MC135 Power 6 six-cylinder machines, a MTX150 and the newest purchase, a TTX210, are joined by a 1959 McCormick International B275 from the family's vintage collection.
Above: Paul Farrow sits astride a 1959 McCormick International B275 from the family's vintage collection with Nick Farrow alongside and the McCormick Tractor line-up at Whites Farm, Acle, a CX95LP, two MC135 Power 6 six-cylinder machines, a MTX150 and the newest purchase, a TTX210.
Above: Fighting for the keys: Nick (left) and Paul Farrow are both keen to get the keys to their new McCormick TTX210 Tractor from David Nicholson of Stalham Engineering.
Above: Fighting for the keys: Nick (left) and Paul Farrow are both keen to get the keys to their new McCormick TTX210 Tractor from David Nicholson of Stalham Engineering.
Above: Nick Farrow: "The TTX gives us more productivity as our main ploughing tractor; its XtraSpeed transmission with eight powershift steps is great for ploughing and road travel, and the combination of cab and front axle suspension gives you a really comfortable ride."
Above: Nick Farrow: "The TTX gives us more productivity as our main ploughing tractor; its XtraSpeed transmission with eight powershift steps is great for ploughing and road travel, and the combination of cab and front axle suspension gives you a really comfortable ride."
