Clarke & Simpson timed sale

One of the big farming news stories last year was the sale of one of the UK’s largest arable farming businesses – Strutt & Parker (Farms) Limited. Under the new regime, since September last year, preparations have been made to establish a new streamlined fleet of plant and equipment with a select group of manufacturers and to dispose of almost all the existing machinery. David Williams has been finding out when and how.

Suffolk-based Clarke & Simpson is handling the dispersal sale and the original intention was to host two on-site auctions on consecutive days at Strutt & Parker (Farms) Limited’s Lawn Hall Farm, Essex base, and at Thorpe Morieux in Suffolk; creating what would almost certainly have been the largest active farmer on-site farm machinery dispersal sale ever to take place in the UK.  However, problems created by the Covid-19 pandemic meant a rethink was needed. “Within social distancing guidelines it would have been impossible to stage a conventional on-site sale currently,” pointed out auctioneer James Durrant. “Also, the delivery of the new machines has been delayed, so a core fleet has to be retained for this harvest and for autumn crop establishment. Therefore, we have decided to launch an online auction which will include selected lots in late June, with the remaining machinery due to be sold later.” Those interested in bidding can view the machinery on Clarke & Simpson’s website at any time, and also on-site at Lawn Hall Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex on the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th June, while the auction is in progress.

Attractive sale

James says the sale is expected to attract a lot of attention and competitive bidding for the lots on offer. “We are delighted to be instructed by Strutt & Parker (Farms) Limited to sell its machinery. Our original plans had to be rearranged due to Covid-19, but once restrictions were relaxed enough to allow viewing while adhering to social distancing requirements, the decision was made to proceed with the first auction before harvest as a timed online sale. This comprises cultivation and potato equipment, drills, fertiliser spreaders, trailers and combines as well as two backhoe loaders, a telehandler and two Challengers. We expect the remaining machines to be sold later in 2020.”

The online sale starts at 9am on the 24th June and is due to conclude at 12pm on 29th June. A clever feature of the online bidding system is that when bids are placed for any lots within the final 10 minutes of the scheduled running time, then 10 additional minutes are added during which further bids for that lot can be placed. This continues with 10 minutes added after each most recent bid, so bidding for the most attractive lots can continue for many hours after the advertised finish time.

Lots on offer during an online dispersal sale by Clarke & Simpson on behalf of Strutt & Parker (Farms) Limited include tractors, harvesters, cultivation machinery and drills as well as a wide range of other equipment from the 8,000ha farming operation.

Clarke & Simpson auctioneer James Durrant (pictured above) says the sale, between 24th and 29th June, will attract buyers from end-users to trade and from the UK and overseas.

In excellent condition, this Kuhn/Rauch AGT6032, 32m 5t trailed boom spreader was new in 2014. It is on Firestone 520/85R46 tyres with 95 per cent remaining tread.

This Simba Great Plains 6.6m CultiPress CP/66MF/FW is tidy. Many points are new, the press discs are sound, and the tyres have plenty of tread. A few levelling paddles need replacing and there is evidence of minor frame repairs, but this heavy cultivator is likely to generate competitive bidding.

One of the sale highlights is this John Deere 670i combine harvester. Registered on an 11-plate and new in May 2011, it has recorded 2,041 engine and 1,585 drum hours. It’s on 800/65R32 drive tyres with 90 per cent tread, and 540/65R30 rear tyres and comes with a straw chopper, 625R 25ft tilting header and a Shelbourne Reynolds twin-axle header trailer.

One of two Challenger twin-track crawlers available for bidding. This MT765C was supplied new to the farm in 2011 and carries a 61-plate and its original RW Crawford main dealer stickers. It is very tidy inside and out, has recorded 5,308 hours and is equipped with double-acting spools, Cat 4 linkage, FarmForce front linkage, front idler weights and TopCon guidance. The tracks have 20­–30 per cent tread remaining but the carcase is poor with the inner layer showing in places. The track rollers appear serviceable, but the rubber will soon need replacing.

This Challenger MT775E twin-track crawler carries a 2014 64-plate and has worked 4,678 hours. It’s equipped with five double-acting spools, Cat 4 linkage, Lynx Zuideberg front linkage, front idler weights and Trimble guidance. The tracks are in very good order with 95 per cent remaining tread and the rollers are good with minor stone damage. Overall the MT775E is in very good condition and is likely to attract competitive bidding.

It’s not often that elderly slurry tankers create excitement, but this very original Massey Ferguson 100 model with its original decals and Eastern Tractors dealer stickers is likely to appeal to classic tractor enthusiasts as an unusual implement to add to a collection. The pump is described as needing attention, but the rear splash-plate applicator with a manual and hydraulic valve is intact. The Good Year Traction Sure Grip 13.4-15-26 tyres both appear sound.

This Heath Superchaser Extra bale chaser is likely to attract competitive bidding. It’s on Michelin Cargo 560/60R22.5 tyres with 40 per cent remaining tread and the chaser carries 12 Hesston bales. The 2016 model is in superb condition and appears ready to put to work.

After the prolonged spring drought, irrigators are in high demand and this Irrifrance Javelin 100-400 reel and rain gun is likely to achieve a good price.

This Farmhand flat-8 bale grab with a JCB Q-fit bracket is tidy.

Among potato machinery lots on offer, this Scanstone trailed windrower model WD17 2+5 was new in 2014, and is set for 72-in beds.

Other potato machinery on offer includes this Grimme Combi Star CS1500 destoner described as for spares or repair. It carries G&J Peck dealer stickers.

There are plenty of wheels and tyres to bid for, and these Trelleborg Twin 750/45-30.5 fronts with 30 per cent tread and 850/50-38 rears with 90 per cent tread – with centres to fit a New Holland 6090 will appeal to both farmers and trade buyers.

For a Claas Jaguar forage harvester – this Kemper 375 12-row, hydraulic folding maize header was new in 2013 and appears ready for work.

Two Ford Transit Connect T220 90 vans are available for bidding. Pictured is a July 2009 registered example with 110,625 recorded miles. It’s MOT’s until July this year. Condition is generally tidy although the sills have a few knocks and there are minor scuffs to the paintwork. The interior is average for its age.

Several Kverneland ploughs are in the sale and this LD100-300-H-HD 5+1f reversible has a 300hp headstock and is in good order. The mouldboards are all serviceable although a few are close to needing replacing.

This Marston BT8 8t twin-axle flat trailer has a steel bed and is on 340/65R18 Good Year wheels and tyres with approximately 20 per cent remaining tread. It was new in 1986 but is in very good condition with a sound steel bed. Brakes are hydraulic.

During Farmers Guide’s visit a Maschio Recotiller 5m hydraulic folding power harrow was on the trailer ready to be moved to the Chelmsford auction venue. The power harrow is an Erpice Aquila 5000 model, new in 2010. It has hard facing on the tines, a rear spiral packer roller and carries its Thurlow Nunn Standen dealer stickers.

These two Vadersdtad Rexius Twin cultivator presses are expected to sell well. On the left is a 2000-manufactured 5.5m 550 model which is tidy and has been modified to include an extra third row of tines. The discs are serviceable, and part worn. The newer 2008-manufactured 6.3m 630 model has two rows of tines and the cultivation discs are almost new. Both were supplied by local main dealer P Tuckwell.

This set of Jean de Bru 3.4m trailed discs was new in 1991.The machine appears in good, serviceable condition and the discs have plenty of remaining wear.

These Simba 2B 16ft hydraulic folding trailed discs were new in 1985, and are in good condition. The discs all have cutaways and have plenty of remaining working life. The tyres are sound but perished.

This set of Quivogne APX TL 4.8m trailed discs was supplied by local dealer Blytrh & Pawsey in 1996. The front discs have cutaways and the rear discs are plain and all are in very good condition.

With its original Thurlow Nunn Standen dealer stickers, this K-Two Airo 2.3m single-row swath turner appears ready to use.

With the wet winter not yet a distant memory, it’s likely that many growers will prioritise ditch and drain maintenance this autumn. This Michael Moore Moles two-leg mole plough comes with an additional fitting for a third leg and is in tidy order.

This JCB 3CX Contractor backhoe-loader is likely to prove an attractive lot and would be an ideal investment for those keen to take ditch maintenance in-hand this year. It’s registered on an 05-plate and is on BKT 18.4-26 rear tyres. The 3-in-1 bucket appears in good order, the cab is tidy and overall the whole machine appears well maintained. There is a small amount of rust around the front radiator grill and the in-cab display doesn’t display the working hours but otherwise there appears little to criticise.

Two similar Fraser M20 trailers are on offer. Pictured is a 14t, 2001 model with a hydraulic tailgate, sprung drawbar and on a mix of Trakmila and Fulda 385/65R22.5 wheels and tyres. The trailer has been repainted but needs some tidying and is likely to see use with a new owner this harvest.

Richard Western trailers on offer include this RC14 14t twin-axle root crop tipping trailer which was new in 2007. It has a sprung drawbar, hydraulic tailgate and hydraulic braking. The tyres are 385/65R22.5 with 40 per cent remaining tread and the trailer carries its original Ernest Doe Power dealer stickers.

This Kuhn Axis 30.1 twin-disc 24m fertiliser spreader is in superb order for its age. It was new in 2011 and is fitted with a hopper camera, hopper extension and cover.

Expected to achieve a high price is this Kverneland Accord 6.0m hydraulic-folding power-harrow drill combination. It was new in 2012 and comprises a Kverneland NG-S101F35 power-harrow with wheel track eradicators and a packer, and an Accord DF2 drill with two rows of disc coulters, covering harrow, tramline and pre-em markers, plus a front-mounted hopper.

This West Samurai 5 500/150 trailed straw/ green waste chopper was new in 2017 and is on 315/70R22.5 wheels and tyres. It carries its original WM Agri dealer stickers.

This large 8m Simba CultiPress comprises two rows of spring tines, levelling paddles and a double DD-ring press. It’s in very good condition and the tines have plenty of wearing metal and the discs are in good order. It has its original Ernest Doe dealer stickers.

Those interested in bidding can view the machinery on Clarke & Simpson’s website at any time, and also on-site at Lawn Hall Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex on the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th June, while the auction is in progress.