The agility and fuel efficiency of his new tractor impressed Will Hornsby during the silage-making campaign last year – and it impressed his friends and neighbours too!
The 83hp Landini Powerfarm 90DT was used for leading silage alongside a couple of bigger tractors – and despite hauling a 12 tonne trailer versus their 8 tonne units, the little Landini ran in and out of tight farm yards quicker and used a lot less fuel, he says.
According to Tony Blackburn of Newton Trailer Centre, the Landini sales and service dealer at Newton Reigny near Penrith, Cumbria, the Powerfarm has a deserved reputation among stock farmers for being a ‘bulletproof’ tractor with a strong reliability record. “Will Hornsby’s experience also shows what a capable tractor it is,” he adds.
The Powerfarm 90 is the second example of the Italian-built tractor to enter service at Rose Farm, Aldoth near Abbeytown, where Will Hornsby is taking on more responsibility for the 130-acre unit and its livestock.
“We grow mostly grass for the 50-cow suckler herd and the calves we sell as six-month old stores,” explains Mr Hornsby. “We also run 100 lambing ewes – Suffolk and Beltex/Texel crosses, grow barley for stock feed, and also potatoes for local sale.”
His first Powerfarm – a 92hp example – was bought used and has run up only 2100 hours in its 10 years; it is kept in very tidy order. The tractor performed well enough for Will Hornsby to go for a new Powerfarm 90 last year, complete with Landini TurboLift loader.
Now with around 400 hours on its record sheet, the tractor bales silage and produces around 12,000 small hay bales for a neighbouring contractor, in addition to helping out leading silage from a forage chopper.
“It’s really handy in a small farm yard and used only 45-litres of diesel on a day’s silage leading, which customers really like when they’re supplying the fuel,” says Will Hornsby. “It pulls well too and it’s simple to use – that’s useful when you’ve got people coming along to help out – and both tractors have been reliable.”
Mr Hornsby’s commitment as the fourth generation involved in the family farm has prompted investment in new buildings and a refurbished farmhouse. He is looking forward to further good service from his Landini tractors and from the team at the Newton Reigny dealership as he takes the farm business forward.
