John Deere to acquire King Agro

Deere & Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire King Agro, a leading, privately-held manufacturer of carbon fibre technology products with headquarters in Valencia, Spain and a production facility in Campana, Argentina.

“This transaction provides John Deere customers with the chance to benefit further from King Agro’s unique knowledge, designs and expertise in carbon fibre technology,” said John May, John Deere’s president, agricultural solutions & chief information officer.

In 2015, John Deere and King Agro agreed to develop and distribute carbon fibre booms for John Deere spray application equipment in agriculture, offering growers the significant advantages of carbon fibre’s versatility, strength and durability in self-propelled sprayers.

May said the transaction will provide benefits in sharing best practices in product development, manufacturing, technology and scale, as King Agro builds on a history of innovation.

King Agro has been a family-owned business with approximately 180 employees and an extensive 30-year history of developing various carbon fibre products. In agriculture, the company has targeted innovative designs that improve productivity and lower costs. King Agro will retain its brand name, trademark and commercial relationships.

Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land – those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity.

Ben Burgess launches partnership with Predator Power

Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment has joined forces with the industry leading suppliers of tracked narrow-access stump grinders, Predator Power, and become the sole distributor for the East of England. 

Predator Power pride themselves on manufacturing quality, reliable machines to serve the arborist industry. Sales Representative Simon Bradshaw commented “We are delighted to announce the partnership with Ben Burgess, their industry expertise is highly regarded throughout East Anglia and their back up service second to none. We regard the partnership as an important step forward in meeting the growing supply demands of the region, and for the value the Ben Burgess team will offer local Predator users.”

Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment continues to focus on expanding their offerings of quality franchises within the arborist and grounds care industry, giving their professional customers a full line up of industry leading machinery.

Ben B Turner, Group Grounds Care Manager for Ben Burgess, commented, “We are excited to introduce the Predator range to our offerings, particularly as the equipment is such a true reflection of what the UK arborist industry requires – a multi-purpose, affordable stump grinder with fantastic access capabilities. We look forward to introducing the new machines to our customers.”

Further information on the full range of Predator equipment available can be found at http://www.benburgess.co.uk or at https://www.predator-mfg.com/. For enquiries, please email predator@benburgess.co.uk or call Neal Hussey on 07787 554 336.

Crop Care Demo Event for John Deere Self-Propelled & Trailed Sprayers

Join us in-field for demonstrations, walk-arounds and presentations from our sprayer specialists, plus the opportunity to ride-and-drive the John Deere R4040i self-propelled sprayer and R962i trailed sprayer, with the latest John Deere tractors. Speak to our Ben Burgess FarmSight team about optimising your sprayer and John Deere PowrSpray - the most precise and powerful spraying system available.

Tuesday 20th February at Malthouse Farm, Norwich Road, Norwich, NR14 8PU

10am - 2pm, refreshments & lunch provided

RSVP to Stacey Barnes at staceybarnes@benburgess.co.uk by 14th February 2018

Click here to read the latest version of John Deere's GreenPower!

A special large tractor issue, with Poul Hoveson of Salle Farms Co. discussing how two 7310R tractors earn their keep during harvest.

Ben Burgess increases area partnership with Trimax Mowing Systems

Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment, an existing Trimax dealer supplying Norfolk, has announced they will now also be the sole distributors for the brand across all of their trading area including Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Rutland and parts of South Lincs & East Leicestershire.

Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment, an existing Trimax dealer supplying Norfolk, has announced they will now also be the sole distributors for the brand across all of their trading area including Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Rutland and parts of South Lincs & East Leicestershire.

Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment has seen considerable growth throughout East Anglia in recent months with six outlets across three counties. Specialising in a full range of domestic, commercial and golf machinery for demonstration, purchase and hire, the additional area strengthens the company’s portfolio and customer offering once more.

Ben B Turner, Group Grounds Care Manager for Ben Burgess, commented, “The range from Trimax is fantastic in terms of variety and quality. We have seen great success in our Norfolk area with the brand, particularly with the Trimax Snake which has great versatility with its ability to cut golf course fairways and roughs, plus school grounds and large private lawns with equal competence. I’m confident we can provide the excellent product support required in our new area of responsibility from our Newmarket, Coates and Ellington branches.

“We are very focussed on being able to provide our professional customers with our full portfolio of equipment, so this is a very positive step forward for us as a business.”

Caroline Shaw, European Marketing Manager at Trimax, confirmed, “We are delighted that Ben Burgess has taken on a larger area for Trimax. We have worked with them for many years and believe their company values and proactive service approach is a great fit with the Trimax brand.”

Further information on the full range of Trimax equipment available can be found at www.benburgess.co.uk or at www.trimaxmowers.co.uk. For enquiries, please email groundscare@benburgess.co.uk

Just before Christmas, we wished Paul Smith, workshop foreman at our Ellington depot, a very happy retirement!

At the age of 15, Paul began working for Bedfordia Plant Hire in Bedfordshire, working on bulldozers, cranes & excavators. Five years later in 1973, Bedfordia Farm Equipment was born and Paul worked on his first John Deere machine, a JD 2020.

In 1991, Bedfordia opened a new branch in Ellington and Paul began his 26 year career here in the service department. Paul saw many changes over the years, including changes in ownership in 1991 by Anker of Coates and then again in 2013 by Ben Burgess.

After 44 years working with John Deere products, Paul took a well-deserved retirement at the end of 2017. Paul’s great interest in vintage machinery will keep him busy as he will now spend his time renovating a few pieces from his collection.

From everyone at Ben Burgess Paul, thank you and we wish you a very enjoyable retirement.

Paul (top) is pictured with his colleagues at Ben Burgess Ellington on his last day.

We'll be exhibiting at LAMMA Show on 17th & 18th January at the East of England Showground, Peterborough!

You'll find our team on the Ben Burgess stand (G38). Visit John & Howard on the Greencrop stand (hall 1, stand 120). Our parts team will also be looking after the toys & merchandise area in the John Deere tent!

We look forward to seeing you!

Christmas Jumper Day 2017!

The BB Group were in the festive spirit to celebrate Christmas Jumper Day! Thank you to all those that took part and made a donation - we raised a fantastic £325.50 for EACH's Nook Appeal!

Photos of efforts from all our depots can be found on the BB Facebook page.

Join us at Ben Burgess Aylsham on Saturday 9th December, 10am - 3pm, for our Christmas Fair! 10% off all toys and merchandise plus mince pies and refreshments!

For the latest updates on our fair, please check out our event on Facebook.

View our biggest ever range of John Deere toys & clothing, Britains toys & models, Tractor Ted gifts, Siku toys & models, Bruder toys & models, Rolly Toys, John Deere overalls, stocking fillers and much more!

We look forward to seeing you!

Livestock Open Evening - Monday 4th December 2017

Join us for a Livestock Open Evening where we will be displaying a variety of machinery from John Deere, KUHN, Greencrop and Manitou, plus demonstrations on John Deere HarvestLab and manure sensing.

Machinery includes John Deere 5M, 5R and 6M tractors plus the BRAND NEW V461M round baler, the Manitou NewAg range, Kuhn equipment and Greencrop pumps and separators.

4pm - 8pm, complimentary food and refreshments available

Ben Burgess Norwich, Europa Way, Norwich NR1 2EN

RSVP to Stacey Barnes on 01603 628251 by Thursday 30th November 2017

New depot at Ben Burgess Ellington

Development of our new 7.5 acre site, adjacent to our present site, began at the beginning of November 2017. The construction of our new site will allow us to continue the development of our commitment to the local agricultural, construction and grounds care industries.

For further information on the development of Ben Burgess Ellington, please visit our Ben Burgess Ellington development page.

John Deere expands Gator range

Offering the company’s quietest ever cab, more room for both driver and passengers and an extremely efficient heating system, John Deere’s new full-size Gator utility vehicles are designed to maximise year-round productivity and comfort.

Available from UK and Irish dealers in early 2018, the brand new petrol XUV 835M and diesel XUV 865M models are being preceded this autumn by the restyled HPX 815E, XUV 560E and XUV 590M Gators, which feature new model numbers and several specification updates.

The 54hp XUV 835M and 23hp 865M offer power steering, a CVT transmission and a top speed of 37 or 31mph (60 or 50kph) respectively, plus a tight turning circle and optimal weight distribution for superior off-road performance. For extra versatility, these Gators can be fitted with a wide range of over 90 attachments from snow blades to winches, and feature a large 42-litre fuel tank to keep the vehicle running longer between fill-ups.

The spacious, pressurised cab can accommodate three people, for off-road use only. This new cab incorporates noise isolation and sound dampening components, making it the quietest yet available on the Gator range. It also offers year-round weather protection and the heating system includes a windscreen defrost feature.

Both these new, sleekly styled XUV Gator models feature ample legroom and a tiltable steering wheel to help reduce driver fatigue during long working days. The versatile and durable cargo box has a load capacity of 454kg, while towing capacity has been increased by a third to 907kg and total payload capacity is 680kg.

The diesel powered HPX 815E Gator utility vehicle shares its new styling with the XUV 855M model, which replaces the 855D. The 815E’s updated cargo box also has a load capacity of 454kg and both the sides and the tailgate, which has a pick-up style one-handed latch, can be easily removed to provide a flatbed-style load bay if required. The durable composite construction of this industry leading cargo box makes it dent, rattle and rust-resistant.

Additional changes to this model include a new digital dashboard, powerful LED headlights and a restyled front bumper, to improve handling and operation particularly in challenging terrain.

The XUV 560E (non-power steering) and XUV 590M (with power steering) Gator models both have petrol engines and now feature LED headlights as standard and an instrument cluster for easier operation. The new styling includes alloy wheels, which allow the suspension to follow ground contours more closely and thus improve grip. A seat belt interlock system provides a safer drive, by restricting the machines’ speed to 8mph (13kph) if the seat belt is not done up.

You are invited to a Sports & Grounds Maintenance Event on Thursday 5th October 2017 at Burwell Cricket Club

A range of machinery from the Dennis, SISIS and Redexim brands, plus the latest John Deere compact tractors and Trimax equipment from Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment in Newmarket, will be in action and on display.

Take the opportunity to speak to the technical experts to learn how to get the most from your equipment and share best practices with others in the sports and grounds maintenance industry.

11.45am arrival for an early lunch followed by an afternoon of hands-on demonstrations, as well as practical and technical overviews (please see full agenda below). We aim to finish by 4pm.

11.45am - Arrival, followed by lunch

12.45pm - Introduction

1.15pm - Practical and technical overviews:

Group 1 - Wicket renovation using a variety of different machines

Group 2 - Outfield ride & drive session

2.15pm - Tea & coffee break

2.30pm - Practical and technical overviews:

Group 1 - Outfield ride & drive session

Group 2 - Wicket renovation using a variety of different machines

3.30pm - Wrap and Q & A

4.00pm - Finish

If you’d like any further information on the event, please contact Chris Pateman, Commercial Manager at Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment, on 07710 135 663 or Wayne Hardy, Chairman of Burwell Cricket Club, on 07803 214 185.

The event is free of charge to attend however all places must be booked in advance.

RSVP to Hollie Cruickshank at Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment on 01603 628251 by Thursday 28th September to secure your place.

Our Aylsham Show competition winner is revealed!

Congratulations to Kirstie Fletcher who correctly guessed that there were 128 balloons in our gator at The Aylsham Show! Kirstie is the winner of a radio control John Deere 8345R tractor - enjoy!

Thank you to all those that came to see us and entered our competition!

John Deere introduces new automated combines!

The most advanced grain harvesting technology from front to back is featured in the combines and headers John Deere is introducing for 2018. Four new S700 Series rotary combine models – the S770, S780, S785 and S790 for the UK and Irish markets – offer producers significant improvements in ‘smart’ technology, operator comfort and data management.

Building on the proven field performance of the S600 Series combines with variable stream rotor introduced in 2012, the S700 Series models incorporate the latest in automated harvesting technology. Many of the changes make it easier for the operator by allowing the combine to carry out the necessary adjustments automatically, on the go.

“These new S700 Series combines are the result of enhancements to our previous models that optimise and automate harvesting operations for both coarse and small grains,” says John Deere’s European combines product manager Carsten Heftrig. “We've increased the overall intelligence of these combines by automating more adjustments and calibration tasks. We’ve also improved the lifetime durability and productivity of our front-end equipment to create a high performance harvesting solution unlike any other on the market today.”

To make it easier for operators to maximise the performance of these new combines, John Deere has introduced the next generation of automation, Integrated Combine Adjustment (ICA2). After optimising machine settings such as throughput, grain quality and losses, and cleanliness of the sample using ICA, the ICA2 system – which is part of the range’s new Combine Advisor package – changes both the threshing and cleaning system settings automatically to maintain the pre-selected output at a consistent level, whatever the harvesting conditions.

Also within the Combine Advisor package, two ActiveVision cameras give the operator a view into the tailings and clean grain elevators via the cab display. The system constantly analyses this information from the cameras along with the loss sensors to maintain optimal threshing, separating and cleaning performance based on the operator set targets.

According to a study conducted by the University of Göttingen in Germany, ICA can improve utilisation of the combine’s built-in capacity by an average of 20 per cent.

Winner of a DLG Silver Medal award at Agritechnica 2015, the new Active Yield option transforms the accuracy of yield mapping by automatically calibrating the combine’s standard mass flow sensor. This saves time and improves harvesting performance by eliminating the need for time-consuming manual calibrations and double-weighing of trailers, and ensures that the most accurate data is collected for more effective precision farming applications.

Three weigh cells inside the grain tank automatically measure the change in weight as the tank fills. The system compares this measurement with those of the mass flow and moisture sensors to calibrate the yield data constantly. It is also designed to compensate for shifting grain when harvesting on slopes or if the combine stops.

The yield data is displayed on the GreenStar 4600 display and can be wirelessly transferred to the Operations Centre in MyJohnDeere.com. From here it can be downloaded into the farm management system and used to create a prescription map for the next job to be carried out in the field.

The biggest physical difference customers will see in the new S700 Series combines, compared to previous models, is in the cab. This starts with the new CommandPRO joystick, which features up to seven individually programmable shortcut buttons for customising the most useful functions. The common design shared with the new 6230R and 6250R tractors will be welcomed by existing John Deere users, while newcomers should appreciate the joystick’s intuitive colour coding and backlighting of the controls.

The cab’s new GSD 4600 display is also very easy to use. “This works just like a mobile touchscreen device, with a unique swipe functionality to scroll from screen to screen,” says John Deere Limited’s combines product sales specialist Charles Grey. “The layout can also be customised according to the needs of the operator, the prevailing harvest conditions or the job to be done.”

Alongside the combines’ existing 600R and 600X Series headers, John Deere is also introducing new 700PF Series Premium Flow headers with cutting widths from 6.7 to 12.2m (22 to 40ft). These will be equipped with high capacity 760mm intake augers to handle larger amounts of material. In addition, the new 700D draper header has received several modifications to adapt it for harvesting tall oilseed rape crops, including larger diameter augers, stronger slip clutches and improved seals.

Since its launch in 2012, the Zweibrücken built S-Series has been through several hardware updates, including a new four-strand feederhouse, eight-wing beater, active concave isolation, a new cleaning shoe, increased engine power and 40kph transport speed on both wheels and tracks. These were all designed to enhance combine performance and were the result of constant improvements made by John Deere’s European Crop Harvesting Development Centre in Zweibrücken, Germany. For this new series the focus has been on automation.

“Features get used when they are easy to operate, and that’s what we have achieved with this new combine range,” says Chris Wigger, John Deere’s vice-president, ag and turf sales & marketing for Region 2 (Europe, CIS, North Africa and Near & Middle East).

“Now with 24 automatic functions, 11 in base equipment and five exclusive to John Deere, the S700 Series deserves its new name: the Automated Combine.”

New variable chamber round balers from John Deere

John Deere is introducing a complete range of new V400 Series variable chamber round balers for the 2018 season, to replace the existing 800 and 900 Series models. These high capacity balers have been designed to work more efficiently and productively in all crop conditions from wet grass to dry, brittle straw, offering farmers and contractors increased versatility and ease of operation.

Key features include a durable, extra heavy duty welded frame and a proven feeding system with a larger diameter pick-up and one-piece in-line auger rotor for improved intake and crop flow. Heavier duty components such as bigger drive chains, oversize roller bearings, a new bale density tension system and Hardox steel rotor tines have also been incorporated in the new designs.

The V451G is a basic specification, entry level baler primarily for use in hay and straw, while the mid-specification V451M and V461M multi-crop balers are ideal for medium to high volume use where the focus is on producing uniform bales as quickly and consistently as possible. The V451G has a four tine bar pick-up with 5mm tines, while the two M model balers also offer the option of a heavier duty, higher capacity five tine bar pick-up with 6mm tines, which is standard on the R models.

High volume, high quality and premium specifications are the key features of the V451R and V461R balers, which have been developed to meet the high output requirements of contractors and larger livestock farms. As introduced on the 900 Series round balers in 2012, the revolutionary Fast Release System (FRS), in combination with the high capacity intake rotor, is capable of producing more than 140 bales per hour.

The range’s new concept bale chamber combines six smooth pattern belts and three aggressive chamber rollers for true multi-crop capability and reliable bale starting in all conditions. There is a choice of net only or net and twine wrapping options, and all models are compatible with John Deere’s weather resistant B-Wrap system.

A full width drop-floor unplugging system is standard on the M and R balers. This uses a unique parallelogram mechanism and is the widest on the market, enabling the operator to remove blockages instantly, from the tractor cab.

Different BaleTrak monitors are available depending on model, with the higher specification BaleTrak Plus unit controlling the bale density and size, drop-floor unplugging system, soft core pressure and diameter and knife selection from the tractor cab. R models are ISOBUS certified and can be controlled from a GreenStar display in the cab.

“The introduction of these new variable chamber models completes the replacement of the entire John Deere round baler range over the last two years,” says Philipp Ostermann, general manager of the company’s Arc-lès-Gray factory in France. “With the current line-up, we are able to offer every customer the most suitable machine for their farm’s individual crops and conditions.”

Visit your local demonstration to see the latest John Deere & KUHN equipment in action!

Our KUHN roadshow kicks off next week:

Tuesday 15th August 2017 - by kind permission of Honingham Thorpe Farm, Norwich. Down the driveway to Honingham Thorpe Farms and Anglia Farmers.

Thursday 17th August 2017 - by kind permission of Eastern Farms Ltd, Somersham. The field will be between March and Chatteris on the A141.

7am - 11am, complimentary food and refreshments.

Machines working include the KUHN Espro 6000, Optimer+ 5003, Performer 5000, Prolander 7500 & Cultimer 300T with a range of John Deere 6R, including the brand new 6250R, 7R & 8R tractors.

For exact field locations on the day, please contact your Ben Burgess sales representative or Carl Pitelen on 07770 581 408 (Tuesday) or Chris Bailey on 07715 051 373 (Thursday).

As proud sponsors of the Nelson and Norfolk exhibition, we were very pleased to attend the opening of the unique display at the Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery.

Nelson and Norfolk opened on 29th July and offers a unique opportunity to view an intriguing mix of objects full of stories related to the great naval hero, from his childhood in Burnham Thorpe to his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The full story can be found here on the EDP website.

The exhibition runs until 1st October 2017.

A residential charity in north Norfolk promoting independent living for adults with learning difficulties has gone “green” with its latest workhorse.

Thornage Hall, near Holt, which also has a 70-acre organic farm, has bought a new John Deere tractor.

On the first day of the Royal Norfolk Show, farm manager Phillip Culley and a number of residents from Thornage Hall were briefed about the new tractor.

The keys to the 55 horsepower John Deere 5055E were handed over by Ben Turner, managing director of agricultural engineers Ben Burgess & Co, who was also deputy president of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, on Wednesday, June 28.

The 2.5 tonne two-wheel-drive tractor has been fitted with special and additional safety features, so that it can be used as part of vehicle training at Thornage Hall and enable residents to learn to drive the vehicle.

The farm, which has a thriving horticultural enterprise covering about six acres, supports a small herd of pedigree Red Poll cattle.

“We’ve been advised to replace our aging tractors including our 19-year-old Ford,” said Edward Hare, chairman of trustees. “When we received £12,000 in donations covering almost half the total cost of the tractor and its extra equipment, we decided to go-ahead,” he added.

“We’ve had great support too from Ben Burgess & Co and the team,” said Mr Hare. "We're really looking forward to delivery of the new tractor which will be arriving at Thornage next month, he added.

Thornage Hall, which was established more than 30 years ago, is a residential community for 24 adults and also provides training opportunities at its long-established craft and skills workshops for day service visitors from across the county.

The charity has also embarked on a £500,000 five-year programme to improve, maintain and enhance its buildings including the grade I-listed hall.

Photo: Ceremony of the tractor keys - Thornage Hall's roving ambassador David Gurney, who was one of the charity's longest serving trustees, is pictured with Ben Turner, deputy president of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and managing director of Ben Burgess & Co, and farm staff and residents with the charity's new John Deere tractor at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Russell Dagless of Ben Burgess Norwich has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for his quick-thinking action

Russell safely guided a van with an unconscious driver into the central reservation to a stop, which saved the motorist's life and almost certainly prevented a multiple pile-up. The full story can be found here on the EDP website.

Congratulations and a big well done Russell.

Ben Burgess FarmSight introduce this year's Harvest Solutions Days

Training for W, T & S Series John Deere combines is taking place at Ben Burgess Coates on Tuesday 4th July and at Ben Burgess Beeston on Thursday 6th July, 9am to 4pm.

As a valued John Deere combine owner, we intend to keep you up-to-date with your machine. This training is for all combine operators & will focus on MyJohnDeere.com, Gatekeeper, yield mapping & calibrations, cab controls & combine optimisation, with walk-arounds & best practice advice.

RSVP to Stacey Barnes on 01603 628251 by 30 June.

We are delighted to have been awarded Timberwolf's Dealer of the Year!

Congratulations to the whole Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment team!

We are delighted to be sponsoring the Nelson and Norfolk exhibition at the Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery!

Nelson and Norfolk will open at Norwich Castle on Saturday, July 29 and the exhibition will run until Sunday, October 1.

Woodforde’s Brewery and Ben Burgess have announced they are to sponsor exhibition dedicated to Norfolk’s most famous son.

To celebrate the sponsorship, Woodforde’s is producing a special edition of its Nelson’s Revenge beer which will be on sale exclusively at the Norwich Castle shop and café during the exhibition. The opening of the new exhibition also coincides with the launch of Woodforde’s new corporate branding which features a silhouette of Admiral Lord Nelson.

James Hughes, director of Woodforde’s Brewery, said: “It is an absolute privilege to be partnering with Norwich Castle Museum for this once in a lifetime opportunity to uncover more about our very own local hero. This will be a great opportunity for both old and young, local as well as international visitors to really explore and understand more about such a great historical figure and the journey he himself went on to achieve some of the most notable victories in British history.”

Meanwhile the exhibition’s other new headline sponsor - agricultural, construction and grounds care equipment retailer Ben Burgess - also has a Nelson link.

Ben Turner, managing director of Ben Burgess and grandson of the company’s orginal founder, said: “My grandfather was a keen collector of Nelson memorabilia and founded the Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth, home to his lifetime collection.

“As a company, we are proud of our founder and felt the opportunity to support and be involved with this project was one we couldn’t refuse.”

Steve Miller, head of Norfolk Museums Service, said: “This support is vital in enabling us to present such an ambitious show, one which brings together many iconic objects associated with Nelson for the very first time, including loans from national collections.”

Nelson & Norfolk will be at Norwich Castle from Saturday, July 29 until Sunday, October 1. For more information visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.

Newmarket road closure postponed - Windmill Hill, Exning

Please be aware that the junction into Windmill Hill for Ben Burgess Newmarket will be open once again from this evening (Monday 26th June 2017). We will update our customers and website as soon as we know when the work is due to recommence.

The future of farming is connectivity

Seamless connectivity between machines, operators and fields is at the heart of John Deere’s latest FarmSight precision farming solutions for arable farmers and contractors, which are featured at Cereals 2017 on the company’s stand (116) and in the event’s new Fields of the Future area.

Agricultural production needs to become more efficient in order to serve the growing worldwide demand for food, fuel and fibre while also achieving appropriate margins for producers, especially in times of decreasing crop and increasing input prices.

John Deere sees the future of farming in connectivity, making the most of machine, field and agronomist data in the decision making process. The company is pioneering the use of such data based around the MyJohnDeere.com website portal and a range of connected machines and systems.

The utilisation of real-time machine and field data and the provision of a wireless connection between the farm or contractor’s office and machinery operators open up significant opportunities in three key areas: increased uptime, higher performance and reduced operating costs all combine to improve production margins.

For example, a company survey carried out in the Netherlands in 2015 with a large target group of 243 contractors showed that investment in a connectivity package provided average savings of 56 per cent in administration costs, over 30 per cent faster work processes and earlier invoicing, and a 33 per cent lower risk of errors.

“With John Deere FarmSight we are making ‘information enabled agriculture’ a reality, and this remains a core element of our strategy to address the future needs of farmers and contractors,” says Chris Wigger, John Deere’s vice president, sales & marketing for Region 2.

“Our customers are managing more widely distributed fields, larger equipment fleets, more and frequently changing operators and on top of this, they must comply with a growing number of regulatory requirements. Our FarmSight solution packages enable them to connect to their machines, their operators and their fields in a fully integrated, innovative manner, with seamless data management giving them full control of the whole production chain.

“The vast majority of John Deere dealers across Europe have made significant investments to develop professional FarmSight services, and are well prepared to support customers by providing these integrated solutions to help drive improvements in productivity and profitability.”

The Operations Centre in MyJohnDeere.com serves as the central online location for farmers and contractors to connect to their machines and their fields. It also allows a wide range of partners to support customers in running a successful, sustainable and competitive business. These include implement manufacturers, agricultural input suppliers, software companies and agricultural service providers such as crop advisors and other specialist consultants.

John Deere customers who buy a Connected Farm Management package with their machinery can benefit in a number of ways. Connected to their local John Deere dealer, they are not only buying technology solutions but also receive the appropriate level of product support.

Connected to satellites with AutoTrac and iTEC Pro, they benefit from automatic guidance and fully hands free steering systems; connected to implements with Tractor Implement Automation, both machine performance and operator comfort can be enhanced; connected through the mobile phone network to John Deere FarmSight telematics solutions, customers can improve their overall business performance.

With the JDLink telematics system, remote display access (RDA), wireless data transfer (WDT) and mobile data transfer (MDT) are available to connect all-makes machines and ISOBUS implements to the customer’s personalised Operations Centre through MyJohnDeere.com. With the customer’s approval, John Deere dealers can remotely connect to machines to update software, access diagnostic codes and perform troubleshooting.

Using RDA, farm managers, experienced operators, the local John Deere dealer or even an implement manufacturer can provide remote operator support to optimise machine and/or implement set-up and help with any operator queries. WDT allows two-way exchange of set-up files, prescription maps and documentation data between the office and the machine in the field. It automates data transfer and reduces the risk of losing information.

MDT delivers similar basic features to WDT, but mainly targets older John Deere machines and equipment of other makes that are not enabled for CANbus data collection with JDLink. Both of these solutions can save customers significant time and add flexibility by supplying reliable real-time data.

John Deere has also developed the new MyJobConnect and MyJobsManager apps, which help users to organise and carry out jobs more efficiently and cost effectively in real time via mobile devices, without the need for paper records. John Deere is also the first full-line agricultural manufacturer to introduce a navigation and logistics optimisation system specially designed for farm use.

For further information, please contact your local Ben Burgess FarmSight Specialist.

It's show time!

We'll be at the Royal Norfolk Show once again this year on 28th & 29th June 2017! Visit our stand to view the latest agricultural, construction and grounds care equipment and don't miss your chance to win tickets to the Nelson & Norfolk Exhibition this summer!

John Deere names apprentices of the year - a big congratulations to Jack Robbens!

Congratulations also go to Thomas Carlston, Daniel Gibbons, Matthew Hipperson and Samuel Jelley of Ben Burgess for graduating alongside Jack.

A total of 33 young service technicians have graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ.

John Deere has also been listed for the first time as one of the best 100 employers for school leavers in the UK, the only agricultural and turf machinery company to be so recognised.

Three of the company’s apprentices won overall awards for the 2016 graduation year. Jack Robbens of dealer Ben Burgess, Norwich was named Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year, for which he received a crystal plaque, a certificate and vouchers for workshop tools worth £250.

Lewis Parker of Mona Tractors, Llangefni was awarded Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year and Grant Roberts of Cornwall Farm Machinery, Penzance won Parts Tech Apprentice of the Year. Both also received a crystal plaque and certificate, and the same value workshop tools and shopping vouchers respectively.

The presentations were made by Deere & Company’s Region 2 training delivery manager Dr Lutz Schueppenhauer and John Deere Limited training centre manager Richard Halsall at the John Deere Forum visitor centre in Mannheim, Germany. They took place during the apprentices’ annual graduation visit to the company’s tractor and cab factories and European Parts Distribution Centre (EPDC).

John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering, and registration at LTA2 level in the industry’s Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme. In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA4 Master Technician accreditation.

Now in its 25th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, nearly 700 apprentices have graduated through the three main John Deere schemes (Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech) and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

The John Deere and ProVQ schemes were recently included in the 2017 School Leaver Awards, in recognition of the programme’s quality and the opportunities it presents to young people working productively in the agricultural and turf sectors.

“We beat some very strong competition from other household names, coming first for an engineering and manufacturing company and third overall in the ‘Best Intermediate Apprenticeship Programme’ category,” says ProVQ managing director Julian Lloyd. “To be recognised as one of the country’s top 100 employers for school leavers, as judged by the apprentices themselves, makes us all very proud of the achievement.”

We'll be exhibiting at the Cambs County Show in Wimpole on Sunday 4th June 2017!

Pop and say hello to the Ben Burgess team - we have a great range of agricultural and grounds care machinery on display, plus a great range of toys and merchandise!

Cambs County Show is held at Wimpole Home Farm, Cambridgeshire SG8 0BW from 10am to 5pm. We look forward to seeing you!

BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy Award for John Deere X350R lawn tractor!

John Deere’s X350R lawn tractor has been awarded Best Buy status by BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine.

In a comparative test of 14 different machines in February 2017, the testers marked each mower out of 20, assessing ease of use, comfort, handling and turning as well as cut quality and overall performance. The John Deere X350R achieved a top score of 19/20.

The BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine report describes the John Deere X350R as a ‘premium model’, commenting on its ‘exceptionally comfortable and impressive performance’ and ‘clear and detailed dashboard display’.

The testers summarised the X350R as ‘Best for larger gardens’ and highlighted ‘superb quality, comfortable, cruise control, manoeuvres well, good accessories.’

The X350R lawn tractor is engineered to the highest quality standards, with a heavy-duty robotically welded frame, powerful fuel-efficient engine and high-precision cutting technology.

It features a 107cm (42in) rear-discharge heavy duty mower deck, designed to allow a clean flow of grass cuttings for excellent cut quality even in normally difficult long grass. Simple to operate, with a modern car-style instrument display and a dial to adjust the height of cut from 25 to 102mm (1 to 4in), this machine is suitable for areas of grass up to 8000m2 (about 2 acres).

Its powerful 12.2kW/3100rpm Kawasaki petrol engine gets the job done quickly but without sacrificing fuel economy. The high capacity 300-litre grass collector means faster work with fewer stops to empty the clippings. A deluxe seat and cruise control also ensure a comfortable ride for the operator.

The mower is supplied with a mulching kit. For additional year-round versatility, a wide range of front and rear-mounted attachments and implements are available for the X350R, including utility carts, a rotary brush, front blade and snow blower.

Contact your local Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment today for further information on the X350R and the full range of lawnmowers available at your local depot.

Tractor Optimisation Event - 7th June 2017 - Ben Burgess Newmarket

Managing your tasks and operating your machine efficiently can be a reality. Efficient operation of your tractor will help reduce fuel, application and maintenance costs, increase productivity, prevent premature tyre wear and preserve your machine and equipment.

Five 40 minute stations on:

- Ballasting
- Rear hitch & implement set up
- FarmSight & cab displays
- Tyres
- Service & maintenance

9am - 2.45pm, lunch & refreshments provided

2 attendees per connected tractor FOC, £20 pp thereafter
£20 pp for owners of non-connected tractors

To take advantage of this training opportunity, please contact your local Ben Burgess sales representative or Peter Roffe on 07826 939 786

John Deere introduces two new battery mowers

John Deere has introduced two cordless battery powered models to its extensive range of petrol and electric walk-behind mowers for residential customers.

Thanks to the latest Lithium-Ion battery technology, there are no cables, petrol or pollution to worry about. Suitable for areas of grass up to 400m² or 500m², the cordless mowers are quiet and fuss free. The new lawnmowers are environmentally friendly with no fumes or emissions but without the restrictions of a cable. Battery mowers are ideal for areas of grass with no access to a power socket. Their light weight means it’s easy to manoeuvre around bushes, trees or other obstacles and makes them good for slopes, banks and areas that are awkward to reach.

The long life 40-volt 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion battery produces excellent mowing results, and performs particularly well for gardeners who like to mow a little and often. With a fully charged battery the cordless mower operates for around 20 minutes. Charging the battery takes around 90 minutes.

The cordless mowers are easy to operate and to maintain with no regular servicing required other than replacing the blade every third season. The handles are easily adjusted, to cater for varying heights of operator and individual preference. They are also foldable, making the mower convenient to store where space is limited. Both models come with a two year warranty.

With a cutting width of 40cm and polypropylene deck, the R40B cordless mower is suitable for a mowing area up to 400m². Weighing in at only 19.5kg, this light battery mower is easy to use and offers great manoeuvrability combined with high mowing and collection performance. The height of cut is simple to adjust, and the mower comes with a 44-litre collection bag.

For even greater performance the second model R43B has a 43cm cutting width and an aluminium deck. Designed for areas of up to 500m², this cordless model has a 55-litre collection bag and six easily adjustable height of cut settings from 22 to 80mm.

Please contact your local Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment representative for further information or email groundscare@benburgess.co.uk.

South Suffolk Show winners! Congratulations Team BB Newmarket!

A big well done to the team at Newmarket who won Best Large Agricultural Stand at the South Suffolk Show!

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

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Ben Burgess Ellington is pleased to announce the appointment of a new member of their agricultural sales team, Rebecca Baker.

Rebecca will cover the area west of the A1 from the Ellington branch and will be responsible for selling the full portfolio of agricultural equipment available at Ben Burgess, including John Deere, Manitou, Weidemann, Kuhn and Bailey Trailers.

Rebecca has extensive sales experience and agricultural machinery knowledge. Having grown up on a small family arable farm in North Bedfordshire, she completed a Foundation Degree at the University of Northampton in Land Management and Agriculture. After five years working for a large grain merchants based in Suffolk, Rebecca began her sales career in 2011 at a Case IH dealership.

Steve Trostler, Ellington depot manager, said, “Rebecca is an experienced agricultural sales person and is well-respected by the local agricultural community. She will be an asset to the Ben Burgess sales team. Rebecca will be visiting all farms in her area to introduce herself in the coming weeks.”

Get the best from John Deere GreenStar & Farmplan Gatekeeper throughout four seasons

Join us at Ben Burgess Coates on Monday 22nd May 2017, 9am - 1pm, for John Deere GreenStar & Farmplan Gatekeeper training.

- GreenStar & Gatekeeper best practice during planning, planting, growing & harvest

- Integration of MyJohnDeere.com to Gatekeeper

- Questions & answers

- Close & lunch

RSVP to Peter Roffe on 07826 939 786 by 18th May to secure your place.

Urban Curson 1925 - 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Urban Curson, former joint managing director of Ben Burgess.

A specialist in crop storage systems, Norfolk farmer’s son Urban Curson, who has died aged 91, was a leader in the grain handling revolution on farms across eastern England.

For more than 40 years with Norwich-based agricultural engineers Ben Burgess & Co, he installed state-of-the-art grain storage and handling systems.

An only child, Urban George Curson was born in 1925 on the family’s small mixed holding at Great Dunham, near Dereham, just as farming’s fortunes hit an all-time low.

As the industry slowly recovered from this devastating recession and with the growing interest in mechanisation, he joined a milking equipment specialist, Boddy’s, then based in Norwich. Later he worked for agricultural engineers including J & J Wright, of Dereham, and finally the rapidly-expanding Nuffield tractor dealership, Harstons of Fakenham.

After it collapsed, he was recruited by the firm’s founder, Ben Burgess, in 1960 and threw himself into the newly-formed grain storage division. Over the years, dozens, if not hundreds of blue tower silos for either grain or grass silage were erected on farms in the 1960s and 1970s. During his career, grain moved from coomb sacks of 18 stones of wheat or 16 stones of barley to bulk handling into bins and then flat storage.

He also successfully promoted the firm’s damping worm used to add moisture over-dry grain, which improved the milling process especially in the aftermath of the severe mid-1970s droughts.

Mr Curson, who became joint managing director with Malcolm Fuller in 1985, retired in 2001 aged 76 after 41 years’ service.

Another highlight of his career was the first grant of a Royal Warrant in 1989 to agricultural engineers Ben Burgess & Co. This officially sealed the firm’s long association with the Sandringham estate, which had been initiated by Ben Burgess in 1932 when a Marshall tractor had been demonstrated and sold to King George V. And the firm was to supply tractors to King George VI and latterly John Deere models to the Queen’s estate.

He was also instrumental in planning the move out of the heart of the city from Rose Lane and King Street and designing the new headquarters on Europa Lane, Trowse, which was opened in 1992.

For many years, he held various branch posts in the East Anglian branch of Institution of Agricultural Engineers. A strong supporter of apprenticeships, two of his earliest recruits, Richard Craske and Ian Pritty, have now clocked up a combined 80 years’ service.

He played golf at the Royal Norwich, where he was a member, and also at Bawburgh.

After the death of his wife, Grace, several years ago, he married Reva, who survives him.

A funeral will be held on Friday, May 19 (11.15am) at Earlham Crematorium.

Meet the brand new John Deere 6250R!

The only John Deere 6250R in the UK will be at Ben Burgess Newmarket on Thursday 4th May 2017. Visit throughout the day and also see the John Deere 8400R and 7310R.

Ben Burgess increases area partnership with Dennis & SISIS

Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment, an existing Dennis and SISIS dealer for Norfolk, has increased its area partnership after it was announced that the East Anglian grounds care retailer will now be distributing the two brands’ leading range of turf equipment to the areas of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.

Ben Burgess has been serving the Norfolk and Suffolk farming community since 1931 and has supplied grounds care equipment since 1962. The company has gone from strength to strength throughout that time and now boasts six depots consisting of a large sales force specialising in various fields of expertise, highly trained technicians, dedicated parts teams and a comprehensive hire department.

With the grounds care side of the business seeing exceptional growth throughout the years, the company has enjoyed a long partnership with Dennis & SISIS according to Ben Turner, Group Grounds Care Manager for Ben Burgess.

“We’ve worked with Dennis & SISIS for a number of years. We have many of their machines in some key locations throughout our region and carry out service work for some incredibly big names. The product range is exceptional and we’ve been very successful in distributing the equipment, including the Dennis G860, which is a very solid and reliable product synonymous with the Dennis brand. I don’t think there are many clubs or sports and playing fields locally that don’t have a SISIS Quadraplay as it is such a versatile piece of kit.

“Overall we have a very strong partnership with Dennis & SISIS and they complement the portfolio of quality brands that we offer across our business.”

When the opportunity arose for the company to increase its offering of grounds care equipment and services, Ben believed it made perfect sense to venture into new territories with the distribution of Dennis & SISIS products.

“We had the opportunity to take on new trading areas and were very keen to be able to offer the full package of grounds care equipment to our professional customers. Dennis & SISIS are a key part of that and they’ve been with us for a long time. We have invested heavily in sales and support functions and with that in mind, went to Dennis & SISIS to show that we could offer an excellent level of professional delivery and support of the equipment in these new areas.

“They have offered us the opportunity to prove what we can do and our partnership continues to grow. We are both dedicated to offering an incredibly high level of service to our customers.”

Grounds care professionals in the areas of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire will get the opportunity to receive a fantastic insight into the range of Dennis & SISIS equipment when Ben Burgess hosts a number of open days throughout 2017. It will be a fabulous chance to see how they can best use the products and take the most benefit from them.

“We’re very happy to be part of the continuing success of Dennis & SISIS and look forward to developing the brands within our new territory,” said Ben.

Due to further expansion, Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment is pleased to announce the appointment of a new grounds care salesman, Gary Salisbury.

Gary is based at the company’s Coates branch, covering the area north of the depot, and will be responsible for selling the full portfolio of commercial grounds care equipment available at Ben Burgess, including John Deere, Timberwolf, Club Car, Dennis and SISIS.

Gary has 18 year's experience as a greenkeeper and is currently mid-way through a degree in golf course management. He worked as a volunteer at three British Open Championships including St Andrews, Royal St George's and Muirfield and has been the groundsman at Stamford AFC for four years.

Gary's experience in the grounds care and golf industries will serve him well in his new role.

Join us at Ben Burgess Newmarket on Saturday 29th April 2017 for a Garden Machinery Open Event!

From 10am - 3pm, pop in to enjoy complimentary food and drink and take advantage of exclusive product and servicing offers! You can also test drive the latest range of John Deere lawnmowers and our experts will be on hand to talk you through the latest features. Don't miss out on entering our prize draw also!

Ben Burgess Newmarket stock a wide range of grounds care equipment from brands including John Deere, Stihl and Tanaka. You'll find lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, chainsaws, garden tools, PPE, garden care products, toys, clothing, merchandise and much more!

Everyone is welcome - we look forward to seeing you!

John Deere & Michelin are looking for Europe’s best tractor driver

John Deere and Michelin are once again hosting the European Drivers’ Championship in June 2017. Sixteen drivers from all over Europe will prove their skills driving the new 6250R tractor at the Michelin test site in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The competition is not only about speed, but also about the best and most efficient driving strategy.

Those who would like to take part should apply now at www.lightstrongsmart.com and then attract as many ‘likes’ as possible from their social media community. The 16 candidates with the most likes will be invited to Michelin’s technology centre and proving ground to represent their home country in the European Drivers’ Championship.

The test site is one of the world’s largest and has 19 test tracks with a total length of 41km (25½ miles). Eight brand new John Deere 6250R tractors equipped with the new CommandPRO joystick will be available for the competition.

Featuring a maximum output of 300hp, each tractor will be pulling a Joskin 29-tonne tandem axle trailer, and all the machines will be equipped with Michelin tyres. The 16 participants will be the first customers worldwide to drive the 6250R in real-life conditions.

At the start of the competition, each operator selects their own driving strategy and decides on the appropriate tractor settings as well as the most suitable tyre pressures. The contestants then have to complete a field and road course, which they have to negotiate as quickly as possible while taking into account fuel consumption and possible soil compaction. Finally, each driver will be scored on their performance in the following categories: speed, fuel efficiency, soil compaction and driving skills.

John Deere’s goal with this competition is to demonstrate how well-trained operators can improve the performance of their tractors. The results should show how the driver can save time and money by making the right decisions and with the right machine settings.

Tyres also play a major role in the tractor’s overall performance. Depending on the load, speed and internal tyre pressure, fuel savings can be made and both ground pressure and tyre wear can be reduced.

Congratulations to Jack Robbens from Ben Burgess Norwich on being named John Deere's Apprentice of the Year!

Jack was presented with his award during a graduation ceremony in Mannheim, Germany, this week. Here he is, pictured with Tom Cooper, Service Manager at our Norwich depot. Well done Jack!

King Agro opens new John Deere spray boom plant

John Deere’s exclusive partner King Agro has opened a new facility at Picassent, near Valencia in Spain. This is dedicated to the production of the revolutionary carbon fibre spray boom introduced last year on the new R4050i self-propelled sprayer..

Representing an investment of over €8 million by the company, the new plant will work alongside an existing factory at Campana in Argentina to manufacture booms for John Deere sprayers built in North and South America and at Horst in the Netherlands. Up to 100 people will be employed at the 5500m2 facility, as production ramps up over the next 18 months. The very latest technology will be utilised to produce up to a maximum of 1800 carbon fibre spray booms every year.

Manufacture of the booms starts with precision moulds, created using a five-axis, computer controlled CNC plotter. Carbon and Kevlar fabrics are cut to precise sizes and shapes using a CNC cutter before lamination in a controlled, dust-free environment. Curing of the carbon composite components takes place under high temperatures and pressures of up to 5 atmospheres. Machining, painting and final assembly finish off the booms, ready for installation on the sprayers.

Speaking at the opening of the new plant, King Agro president Guillermo Mariani said: “Our goal is to change the paradigm of steel in agricultural machinery. We believe that carbon fibre spray booms are just the beginning of a trend that will offer innumerable advantages linked to increased productivity, lower costs and reduced soil compaction.”

King Agro carbon fibre spray booms are six times stronger and more than five times lighter than traditional steel equivalents. Highly durable and resistant to the corrosion and fatigue that affect steel and especially aluminium spray booms, carbon fibre offers a long working life and lower operating costs.

The material’s light weight allows overall sprayer weight to be reduced, resulting not only in less soil compaction but also lower fuel consumption. In addition, the spray boom’s low inertia benefits ride performance, providing improved boom control for increased crop coverage and reduced spray drift.

Bowling Green Maintenance One-Day Seminar with Dennis & Sisis and Collier Turf Care

Join us at your local event in April to listen to specialist speakers discussing topics including maintenance of the bowling green, choosing the correct seed and fertilisers, grant funding support and on-the-green demonstrations, together with practical advice on maintaining your equipment and service back-up.

Please click here for further information

Tuesday 4th April 2017 - Aldiss Park Bowls Club, Norwich Road, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 3PX

Thursday 6th April 2017 - Fordham Bowls Club, Carter Street, Fordham, Cambridgeshire CB7 5NG

Please contact your local Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment if you would like to attend.

Ben Burgess Newmarket is pleased to announce the appointment of a new agricultural salesman, Rupert Greest.

Rupert will cover the area east of the Newmarket branch, the area previously looked after by David Emmerton, who has moved into a depot-based sales role in order to strengthen the customer support within the depot.

Rupert has extensive experience in agricultural sales, as well as industry and product knowledge. He began his career in farming by studying agriculture at Easton & Otley College which led to five years working on a dairy farm. Rupert then worked for a vegetable growing farm as an assistant manager before beginning his career in sales, spending 12 years selling agricultural equipment, nine of which with a John Deere dealer.

Rupert will be responsible for selling the full portfolio of agricultural equipment available at Ben Burgess, including John Deere, Manitou, Weidemann, KUHN and Bailey Trailers.

Chris Papworth, Newmarket depot manager, said, “I am very pleased that Rupert has joined the team here at Newmarket. His depth of knowledge, both with John Deere and the industry, will enable him to assist our customers with their future purchasing decisions. Rupert will be visiting all farms in his area to introduce himself in the coming weeks.”

Team BB will be running the Mad March Hare 10k on 19th March in memory of our colleague Tom, raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance

Please click here to make a donation

Six colleagues from Ben Burgess will be running the Mad March Hare 10k in Coltishall on 19th March, raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Team BB will be running in memory of Tom Pottle, a colleague who tragically passed away in January at the age of 18. The East Anglian Air Ambulance, along with the fire and ambulance emergency services, were incredible and the team will be raising money as a thank you.

Some of our team are experienced runners, others are not, however we all plan to get across the finish line as fast as we can!

We’d all be extremely grateful of any donation made to support this fantastic cause.

Attention all golf clubs! There has been a number of golf buggy batteries stolen in Norfolk in the last week, please be vigilant & secure your carts!

John Deere joystick wins innovation award

John Deere’s new CommandPRO joystick has won the Farmers Guide Award for Excellence for 2016, the second year that these awards have been presented for innovations in the machinery and arable sectors.

The awards were set up in memory of Doug Potts, who founded the original East Anglian Farmers Guide magazine in 1979. They are intended to highlight excellence within the industry, as selected by Farmers Guide machinery editor David Williams and arable editor Dominic Kilburn.

John Deere Limited marketing manager Chris Wiltshire received the 2016 machinery trophy and award certificate at a presentation held in February at Hintlesham Hall near Ipswich. This was also attended by local John Deere dealers Paul Tuckwell of P Tuckwell Ltd, Alex Child and Zoe Spencer of the Doubleday Group, and David Fairman and Hollie Cruickshank of Ben Burgess. Crop protection business Syngenta UK won the arable award for its new cereal fungicide Elatus Era.

The all-new CommandPRO joystick option was announced in autumn 2016 at the launch of the new 6230R and 6250R tractors, and introduces a new dimension in ergonomics and versatility to the John Deere range. Top speed can be reached with just one push, and 11 programmable buttons are available for the hitch, pto, SCVs, AutoTrac steering controls etc.

The functionality of CommandPRO allows the tractor to be controlled from top speed to zero with a simple push or pull of the joystick, and lower speeds from 0 to 2kph can be achieved with the creeper control function. Both the joystick and conventional tractor pedals can be operated at the same time, and there is no need for an external ISOBUS joystick as the driver can also operate the tractor and ISOBUS functions simultaneously.

Speaking at the award presentations, David Williams said: “The Farmers Guide Awards for Excellence are our way of identifying and celebrating the best innovations of the year, and rewarding the work that goes into them and the people responsible.

“John Deere’s CommandPRO joystick is an important development for the company, and is going to be used all year round by demanding farmers and contractors. There are some very interesting new functions on this joystick that I believe will make a big difference to operators, both in the field and on the road.

“It’s very ergonomic, easy and comfortable to use, and well thought out – all very important considerations when you’re spending all day in the tractor cab for weeks at a time. CommandPRO will be a real benefit to productivity and drivers will like it – which is why we felt it was the most deserving of our 2016 award for machinery innovation.”

Chris Wiltshire added: “We are delighted to receive this award, which is valued recognition of the work done by John Deere product designers and engineers to bring this new product to market. CommandPRO was also the result of a great deal of feedback from a focus group of European contractors, and we believe we now have an option that will prove to be extremely popular on our tractors for many years to come.”

Win a 2 day luxury yurt holiday with Timberwolf!

Click here to enter their fantastic prize draw!

Check out the latest edition of GreenPower!

Click here to the read the latest GreenPower or pick up your copy from your local Ben Burgess today!

Tractor Optimisation Event - 28th February 2017 - Ben Burgess Norwich

Managing your tasks and operating your machine efficiently can be a reality. Efficient operation of your tractor will help reduce fuel, application and maintenance costs, increase productivity, prevent premature tyre wear and preserve your machine and equipment.

Five 40 minute stations on:

- Ballasting
- Rear hitch & implement set up
- FarmSight & cab displays
- Tyres
- Service & maintenance

9am - 2.45pm, lunch & refreshments provided

2 attendees per connected tractor FOC, £20 pp thereafter
£20 pp for owners of non-connected tractors

To take advantage of this training opportunity, please contact your local Ben Burgess sales representative

Manitou awarded the Certificate of Merit at LAMMA!

The Manitou Group, the world leader in all-terrain materials handling trucks, was awarded the “Certificate of Merit” in the category “Best environmental new product or innovation” at the “LAMMA Awards 2017”, which saw more than 70 entries vie for top honors. This award recognises the work put into developing the “Active Eco-Mode” function on the M-Varioshift and M-Vario Plus transmissions in the Manitou NewAg agriculture telehandler range.

A trade show dedicated to the agricultural sector, LAMMA, organises a competition every year, with over 70 entries in 2017, divided into 5 categories: Best crop production equipment, Best livestock equipment, Best technological innovation, Best environmental new product or innovation, and Farm Machinery and Equipment Innovation. Composed of a panel of 10 experts, the LAMMA awards promote the best developments in agricultural machinery, as well as the best technological and environmental innovations. Chairman of the panel John Sartain said: “The aim is to draw attention to new ideas, products, techniques or service excellence. By taking part in these competitions all exhibitors are winners, because they draw attention to their products whether they win a trophy or not.”

With an entry notably in the “Best environmental new product or innovation” category, the Manitou Group was awarded the “Certificate of Merit” for its “Active Eco-Mode” function on the M-Varioshift and M-Vario Plus transmissions. Allowing the machine to adapt the engine rpm to each situation, this automatic function at the same time decreases fuel consumption by 8%. Wim Roose, Product Development Manager for the agricultural market at the Manitou Group, commented on this award: “The LAMMA 2017 Certificate of Merit” is a recognition of all of the developments carried out by our Group to reduce our ecological footprint. The “Active Eco-Mode” function is an excellent example of this in the NewAg M-Varioshift and M-Vario Plus range! These technological advances also reduce the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). TCO indicators can also be found on the Manitou website.

Activated by default, the “Active Eco-Mode” on M-Varioshift and M-Vario Plus transmissions manages the engine rotation speed more efficiently. Combined with the Deutz TCD 3.6L at 75 or 100kW, this mode keeps the engine rpm to a minimum for most applications. The “Active Eco-Mode” function is able to supply the same level of acceleration performance as the regular mode by efficiently reducing the engine speed, thus reducing noise pollution while maintaining a flexible engine operation in the event of a sudden change in behaviour. This ensures optimal user comfort, whatever the machine speed; once the user reaches and remains at a stable travel speed (between 1 and 40km/h), the engine rpm is automatically reduced. During handling operations requiring a higher engine power (use of the manual accelerator or inching, major hydraulic movements, etc.), the “Active Eco-Mode” function is momentarily deactivated, then automatically reactivated under normal use conditions.

This “Active Eco-Mode” innovation provides optimum energy consumption on the MLT NewAg machines while guaranteeing a higher productivity level.

We'll be exhibiting at LAMMA Show on 18th & 19th January at the East of England Showground, Peterborough!

You'll find our team on the Ben Burgess stand (G36). Visit John, Howard & Phil on the Greencrop stand (hall 1, stand 118). Alex & David from our parts team will also be looking after the toys & merchandise area in the John Deere tent!

We look forward to seeing you!

Congratulations to Robin Rawlings from Ben Burgess Aylsham who received his long service award at the Ben Burgess Christmas Dinner Dance last night.

Robin has been a technician at Ben Burgess for 25 years. Ben Turner, Managing Director, presented him with a watch to mark the occasion. Pictured with Robin and Ben are Martin Fuller, Director, and Jimmy Wright, Service Manager at Ben Burgess Aylsham.

Well done and thank you Robin!

John Deere firsts for apprentice training

John Deere’s first female and forestry technicians have been registered in the latest intake for the company’s award winning apprenticeship scheme, managed by training provider ProVQ, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

A total of 34 apprentices have signed up to begin their first year of training in the work-based Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, including Zoe Parker of dealer Ben Burgess Coates and Matthew McPherson of John Deere Forestry in Carlisle.

The apprentices, their families and sponsoring dealers attended an induction day at John Deere’s Langar headquarters and were given a tour of the branch and a ride & drive session with the latest Gator utility vehicles. They also visited the new John Deere Apprentice Training Centre at nearby Radcliffe-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. This is the British agriculture and turf industry’s first and only purpose-built apprentice training facility, designed specifically and solely for John Deere dealer apprentices.

In addition the dealers took part in an employer’s workshop, which provided an overview of developments to the scheme for 2017 and what will be required in terms of apprentice mentoring, support and career opportunities. This is in line with plans for the new Government led apprenticeship framework that has recently been announced, which aims to attract 3 million apprentice starts by 2020.

John Deere’s apprenticeship scheme was the first land-based agricultural and turf machinery programme to deliver training in the workplace, at the sponsoring dealership, with assessment and guidance from ProVQ’s team of expert assessors. Additional block release training takes place at the new Apprentice Training Centre.

The three-year Ag and Turf Tech apprenticeships lead to IMI Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering. Each year group trains at the centre for eight weeks a year in four blocks of two weeks, with some days spent at Langar when working with larger machines such as combines and self-propelled forage harvesters.

The two-year Parts Tech apprenticeship, leading to a Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence, is mostly work-based at the sponsoring dealer, with four weeks of training taking place at Langar.

Graduating apprentices can then complete three free courses to gain the John Deere Diploma and start their adult training at the John Deere University (JDU), using the knowledge and skills gained from their initial one-, two- or three-year apprenticeship. After additional training and experience, they can ultimately go on to achieve the highest possible LTA4 Master Technician accreditation.

Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, more than 600 apprentices have graduated through all the training programmes and been employed in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

Amongst the 34 new apprentices, the following are signed up with us on the Ag Tech programme:

- Louis Cooper at our Beeston depot

- John Mackay & Tom Wagg at our Norwich depot

- Zoe Parker at our Coates depot

- Sean Rickwood at our Newmarket depot

- Harvey Spells at our Aylsham depot

Thank you to everyone who entered our Christmas Fair prize draw!

The winner of the Beats Wireless Headphones has been announced, congratulations to Sophie Bentley.

Join us at Ben Burgess Aylsham on Saturday 10th December, 10am - 4pm, for our Christmas Fair! 10% off all toys and merchandise plus mince pies and refreshments!

Also, don't miss out on your chance to win a pair of Beats Wireless Headphones in our prize draw!

For the latest updates on our fair, please check out our event on Facebook.

View our biggest ever range of John Deere toys & clothing, Britains toys & models, Tractor Ted gifts, Siku toys & models, Bruder toys & models, Rolly Toys, John Deere overalls, stocking fillers and much more!

We look forward to seeing you!

John Deere adds new flagship tractors to 6R Series

John Deere is launching two new top of the range six-cylinder tractor models rated at 230 and 250hp (97/68 EC), designed to meet the needs of contractors and arable farmers. The 6230R and 6250R will complete the line-up of John Deere 6R Series tractors from summer 2017.

The 6230R and 6250R set new standards for transport, operator comfort and acceleration on the road. Thanks to an engine boost of 50hp with intelligent power management (IPM), the flagship 6250R tractor provides up to 300hp when required. With a very light vehicle weight of 9.3 tonnes, the 6250R delivers more power than any other tractor in this weight class, along with an unrivalled power density of 31kg/hp. The high maximum permissible weight of 15 tonnes also allows a 5.7 tonne payload, which means the tractor is able to transport heavier loads.

Both these new tractors are powered by a 6.8-litre PowerTech PSS engine with dual turbochargers and advanced DPF and SCR technology, which responds very quickly to changing loads while consuming less fuel and meeting demanding Stage IV emission standards. The upgraded AutoPowr transmission delivers maximum efficiency, with 100 per cent mechanical power available at 3.5km/h for heavy draft operations, 11km/h for light draft work, 22.5km/h for heavy transport and 47.2km/h for light transport duties. Once running at maximum road speed, rpm automatically drops and 50km/h is maintained at 1630rpm and 40km/h at 1300rpm, which results in lower fuel consumption on the road.

The tractors also feature an all-new CommandPRO joystick, which introduces a new dimension in ergonomics and versatility to John Deere tractors. Top speed can be reached with just one push, and 11 programmable buttons are available for the hitch, PTO, SCVs, AutoTrac controls etc. The functionality of CommandPRO allows the tractor to be controlled from top speed to zero with a simple push or pull of the joystick, and lower speeds from 0 to 2km/h can be achieved with the creeper control function. Both the joystick and pedals can be operated at the same time, and there is no need for an external ISOBUS joystick as the driver can also operate the tractor and ISOBUS functions simultaneously.

Equipped with a pressure and flow compensated hydraulic system, the new 6R Series tractors deliver a powerful maximum flow of 160 litres/min at 1500rpm. This also saves fuel, even in the most demanding hydraulic applications. Up to six SCVs with individual pressure-relief levers have been grouped together for easier access, and new lift capacities are 10.4 tonnes on the rear hitch and 5 tonnes at the front.

The 6230R and 6250R tractors also feature a high level of operator comfort. The intelligent hydro-pneumatic cab suspension (HCS Plus) system offers more driving comfort and isolation from noise and vibration. Better traction and up to 10 per cent more power applied to the ground are provided by the new self-levelling TLS Plus triple link suspension system on the front axle. This automatically adjusts sensitivity and suspension rate, and synchronises with hitch sensing to compensate for power hop under heavy draft conditions. Less arm movement and significantly less steering effort is required by the variable ratio steering (VRS) system, which can be activated and deactivated from the tractor’s CommandCenter control console.

Other options include a new connectivity package featuring MyJobsConnect and MyJobsManager apps, which enable drivers to view and carry out tasks in real time via their mobile device. John Deere is also the first full-line agricultural manufacturer to introduce a navigation and logistics optimisation system specially designed for farm use. The Intelligent Ag Navigation & Fleet Logistics system features all farm roads plus a fleet overview, and shows drivers the fastest and safest way to a field entrance. It can also navigate operators between an unloading point and a lead machine that moves from field to field, such as a combine or forage harvester.

Key service points on the new 6R Series tractors are easy to access for maintenance. Both models feature 750 hour engine oil filter, fuel filter and engine oil intervals, helping to further reduce parts and servicing costs.The lifetime diesel particulate filter (DPF) and low diesel exhaust fluid consumption of 2 to 3 per cent provide additional savings.

6R Series Tractors – key specifications:

*DPF – Diesel Particulate Filter / DOC – Diesel Oxidation Catalyst / SCR – Selective Catalytic Reduction / DEF – Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Please contact your local Ben Burgess representative for further information or email enquiries@benburgess.co.uk

The latest John Deere lubricants brochure is out now!

Better lubricants for better equipment performance... Pick up a copy from your local Ben Burgess today or click here

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Due to further expansion, Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment is pleased to announce the appointment of a new grounds care salesman, David Shepherd.

David will be based at the company’s Coates and Ellington branches, covering the area south of Peterborough and across to east Leicestershire.

David will look after commercial and professional grounds care and golf sales from the full range of equipment Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment offers from brands including John Deere, Timberwolf and Club Car.

After a time in the agricultural machinery industry, David began selling John Deere Turf products in 2000. His product knowledge and sales experience means he will be an asset to our grounds care team.

BLACK FRIDAY GREENSTAR EXCLUSIVE OFFER!

John Deere StarFire 3000 Receivers are just £1,650 +VAT until 5pm, Monday 28th November 2016!

Nearly new, SF1 ready, limited stock available.

Please contact your local Ben Burgess FarmSight Consultant or email Carl Pitelen at greenstar@benburgess.co.uk

John Deere launches new fairway mower at BTME 2017

Combining higher capacity mowing with premium cut quality and after-cut appearance, John Deere’s new 8900A PrecisionCut fairway mower is the latest addition to the company’s award-winning A Model family of fairway, rough, trim & surrounds mowers. The mower will make its European debut at BTME 2017 in Harrogate in January.

With the new 8900A, which is the widest John Deere PrecisionCut fairway mower yet, users can now maximise both productivity and cut quality while having more control over how the machine performs.

The mower offers a choice of 26 or 30in (66 or 76cm) wide cutting units, both 7in (18cm) in diameter, which provide an overall cutting width of 114 or 130in (2.9m or 3.3m) together with exceptional contour following. Both units offer an optional verticutter attachment for increased versatility and convenience.

The 26in (66cm) cutting units are available in five, eight or 10 blade versions, with optional fairway tender conditioners and rear roller power brushes to further enhance cutting performance. The larger 30in (76cm) cutting units have five or eight blades and allow higher capacity mowing. Precision adjustment of both these units is a simple task thanks to the ingenious SpeedLink system, which is proven on John Deere’s existing fairway mower range.

Rated at a maximum 48.3hp (36kW), the powerful, direct injection four-cylinder diesel engine features LoadMatch transmission settings to provide consistent cut quality and excellent climbing performance.

The 8900A’s operator CommandARM also incorporates the proven TechControl system, which allows simple but effective management for features such as operating controls, maintenance and diagnostics. Using different screens on the password controlled TechControl display, users can electronically set the mowing and transport speeds simply and quickly by pressing a button.

In addition, turning speed can be slowed down to a set percentage of the mowing speed when the cutting units are lifted after a pass, which greatly reduces scuffing.

Broadland Housing Group have the cutting edge with new mower fleet

Andrew Curson from Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment recently delivered four of the brand new John Deere X350 ride-on mower models and two John Deere JS63V walk-behind mowers to Broadland Housing Group, based in Norwich.

The Estates Services Team use the machines for grounds maintenance on communal and residential areas around Norfolk. John Breame, Senior Estates Services Operative said, "We've always used John Deere equipment because they're good machines and the new mulch deck gives us a better quality of cut."

Ben Burgess is pleased to announce the appointment of a new construction salesman, George Laverick.

George will be based at the company’s Ellington branch, covering the area surrounding the depot; including parts of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

He will look after new and used construction sales from brands including Hitachi, Manitou, Weidemann and Gehl. George has worked in the construction sales industry for 35 years and therefore brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Ben Burgess construction team.

Please contact George on 07876 007 078.

As of 1 November 2016, new owners of John Deere 7310R tractors are eligible to participate in a programme that rewards customers financially for fuel-efficient driving on the road.

The Fuel Guarantee Programme is designed to offer a special incentive to customers for limiting or even reducing the fuel consumption of their tractor in transport mode. It applies to any new 7310R model ordered by 30 April 2017.

“As approximately 50 per cent of the cost of ownership is spent on fuel, we want to encourage customers to proactively monitor their tractor’s fuel consumption,” says Chris Wigger, Deere’s Region 2 vice president sales & marketing. “The capabilities of JDLink and our network of specialist dealers will enable operators to track their machine usage and fuel efficiency when in transport mode. This is one of the key benefits of our FarmSight precision farming approach.”

Once the customer signs up to the programme, he and his supplying dealer will use JDLink to record the tractor’s actual fuel consumption in transport mode during the first full year of ownership. If the total fuel consumption has exceeded the John Deere target level, customers will be refunded by the company.

If the tractor consumes less than the targeted amount, owners of more efficient machines will still be rewarded, as they will be reimbursed twice the price per litre saved. Depending on the amount of transport work carried out through the year, this could mean a cash refund worth up to four figures.

John Deere takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously. Combined with the lower fuel consumption of 7R Series tractors, the new Fuel Guarantee Programme is aiming to make a significant contribution to reducing emissions – which is good news for the environment.

More information on the new Fuel Guarantee Programme will be made available on the John Deere website.

Agri-Tech Week: Shiny kit and smart drivers - putting technology to work. Book your place now!

Please click here for further information and to book your place.

Are you getting the benefit from precision farming? We will be asking the big three questions at this event.

1. What’s the latest thinking in crop production and protection technologies and where can we derive value from this?

2. Can farmers realise the full extent of performance-enhancing developments in precision farming systems and techniques?

3. What higher-level skills development must we prioritise in the next generation of machinery operators and from where will we get the best return on investment?

In addition, practical and interactive field-based activities from John Deere and Ben Burgess product specialists will illustrate the effect that machine optimisation and precision farming techniques have on achieving maximum productivity and efficiency.

Congratulations to the John Deere team for a great 50th anniversary event! Check out a few photos from JD50 including the heritage display, the new 5R, R4050i and 855D, plus the 9RX and our 1968 530 combine in action...

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

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KUHN boosts its high HP power harrow range!

KUHN Farm Machinery has added three new machines to its range of high horsepower power harrows, with two new foldable HR machines and a new EL power tiller.

HR 6040 R and HR 8040 R

Two new foldable power harrows have been added to KUHN’s HR range of machines which now features working widths from 1.2 to 8 metres for tractors from 80 to 500hp. The HR 6040 R (6 metre working width) and HR 8040 R (8 metre working width) are primarily aimed at agricultural contractors and large arable farms and are capable of working up to 100ha per day.

Both machines are fitted as standard with an intelligent monitoring system which relays torque and oil temperature data back to the tractor cab so that the operator can closely scrutinise the machine’s operating parameters.

The latest HR machines have been designed to provide maximum reliability, with all components, including central and side gearboxes, casings, rotor drive, transmission units and oil circulation systems capable of withstanding the power and torque delivered by 460hp (HR 6040 R) and 500hp (HR 8040 R) tractors.

Each of the new machines uses 3.5 rotors per metre of working width to maximise their operational efficiency, and rotor speed can be adjusted up to a maximum of 500rpm. Working depth and levelling bar indexing can also be adjusted from the tractor cab.

A large range of additional equipment including track eradicators and rollers is also available.

EL 402 R

KUHN’s EL 402 R folding power tiller has a working width of 6 metres and is suited for use with tractors up to 400hp.

This new machine uses a large diameter rotor (550mm) and 144 carbide coated blades to produce a very fine tilth, making it suitable for specialist cropping requirements as well as for open field arable operations.

In order to ensure adjacent passes are perfectly level, the EL 402 R is equipped with rollers which are wider than the maximum tilling width. This creates an exceptionally clean finish with no ridges between passes. The rotor and rollers are also offset to ensure a clean and level finish down the machine’s centre line.

As with all KUHN machines, the EL 402 R has been designed to be as reliable as possible: reinforced drive shafts, cut-out clutches, metal seal faces, reinforced rotors and cast-iron gearboxes with built-in oil circulation, all maximise the machine’s ability to cope with heavy workloads.

The EL 402 R is also equipped with KUHN’s intelligent monitoring system which relays torque and oil temperature data back to the tractor cab so that the operator can closely scrutinise the machine’s operating parameters.

A folded width of just 3 metres, plus the inclusion of a transport wheel, make the EL 402 R easy to manoeuvre from field to field with minimal fuss and inconvenience.

Please contact your local Ben Burgess sales representative for further information.

Win a TW 230DHB chipper courtesy of Timberwolf!

Timberwolf is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the industry by giving everyone the chance to win an industry leading sub 750kg TW 230DHB chipper. Please click on the image above for further information and to enter their prize draw!

Entries close on 30th November 2016. Good luck!

Fifty things to see and do at JD50

Visitors to this month’s John Deere 50 Celebration & Heritage Event at Langar near Nottingham will find 50 things to see and do, as John Deere Limited publicly celebrates its 50th anniversary in the UK and Ireland.

John Deere customers, fans and families are invited to join the anniversary celebrations over the weekend of September 24 and 25 by registering their attendance on the John Deere website at www.JohnDeere.co.uk/50years. By doing so in advance, visitors will be in with a chance of winning special 50th anniversary merchandise in a lucky ticket prize draw, to be held at the end of each day.

As well as trade stands, static machinery exhibits and working demonstrations of almost 200 vintage, classic and modern tractors and implements, this special outdoor event will feature activities for all the family. These include a funfair, Big Top and Grand Ring entertainment, tractor bus rides and a tour of the John Deere site, plus a range of local food and produce as well as a licensed bar.

Iconic tractors dating from 1916 to the present day will be on display at the event. These include an Overtime Model R and Waterloo Boy from 1916 and 1919 respectively; a 1924 Model D, the oldest tractor in Europe bearing the name John Deere; the 710 and 4020 models that were in the John Deere range when the company started trading from Langar in 1966; several early examples of the revolutionary full-frame 6000 Series tractors from the 1990s; and many others, all the way through the past 100 years up to the present day and John Deere’s new flagship 620hp 9620RX four-track tractor.

Further details of the John Deere 50 Celebration & Heritage Event and the history of John Deere Limited in the UK and Ireland, together with a timeline of key dates, can be found on the event website at www.JohnDeere.co.uk/50years. The event runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 24 September and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 25 September, and both car parking and entry to the event are free.

Voluntary donations received in lieu of car park charges will be distributed equally between Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and the Nottingham Hospitals Charity. In addition, profits from the sale of ice creams will be shared equally between Harby, Langar and Cropwell Bishop Primary Schools.

The John Deere Autumn accessories, maintenance & workshop offers brochure is out now!

Pick up a copy from your local Ben Burgess today or click here to take advantage of exclusive savings!

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One hundred years of John Deere tractors

One hundred years of John Deere tractors will be on show at the John Deere 50th Celebration & Heritage Event at Langar near Nottingham on September 24 and 25, when John Deere publicly celebrates its 50th anniversary in the UK and Ireland.

John Deere customers and fans are invited to join the anniversary celebrations by registering their attendance on the John Deere website at www.JohnDeere.co.uk/50years, with a chance to win special 50th anniversary merchandise in a prize draw.

As well as trade stands, static machinery exhibits and working demonstrations of tractors and implements, this special free outdoor event will feature activities and entertainment for all the family. These will include archery, laser clay shooting, falconry and skydiving displays, synchronised kite flying and live music. There will also be a range of local food and produce as well as a licensed bar.

A parade of 50 vintage, classic and modern John Deere tractors and machinery will start with a 1916 Overtime Model R tractor, belonging to Lincolnshire farm manager Malcolm Robinson. This will also include the iconic 4020 tractor, marking the beginnings of John Deere Limited at Langar in 1966, and represent every decade up to the present day, finishing with John Deere’s new flagship 620hp four-track 9620RX.

The Overtime tractor was given credit for helping the World War I effort by putting in many hours of overtime producing food for the war zone and the home front. John Deere’s first step into tractor production worldwide came in 1918 when the US company bought the Overtime’s manufacturer, the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company in Iowa, who also made the Waterloo Boy. This machine’s simple two-cylinder design became a feature of John Deere tractors for another four decades.

Later in the 20th century, John Deere three wheel, high clearance tractors came into East Anglia from America at the end of the Second World War under the Lend-Lease deal. For a short time in the early 1960s, a few dealers sold large John Deere tractors such as the 4010 – the UK’s first 100hp tractor – and 5010. These were imported from the USA by Lundell (Great Britain) Ltd of Edenbridge in Kent, who initially pioneered the use of large horsepower tractors in the UK, and who were bought by John Deere in 1962.

John Deere Limited started trading from Langar in January 1966, and the original premises are still in use today as the company’s visitor centre and national parts distribution centre. Of the original dealers who continued with the new company from that date, two are still John Deere dealers today and are owned by the same families – Ben Burgess in Norfolk and L E Tuckwell in Suffolk.

In addition to the 4020 tractor, several of the machines that represented the John Deere Limited product line in 1966 will also be at the event, including the first 5010 and 5020 tractors sold in the UK, ploughs, the C10 cultivator and the 530 and 630 combine harvesters.

“Aside from the historic two-cylinder John Deere tractors on display, the main focus of the event is to gather together examples of John Deere tractors and machinery sold through John Deere’s UK and Irish dealers from 1966 to 2016,” says heritage event organiser Peter Leech.

“At the moment we have registered tractors for every decade from the 1940s, but we would still love to hear from anyone with more recent machines, especially classic models from the 1980s and 1990s – even up to the modern 30 Series tractors. It’s an event for everyone, so tractors of all ages are welcome.”

Owners of old and new John Deere machines who would like to attend the event should submit an application form, downloadable from www.JohnDeere.co.uk/50years. The website also features more details of the history of John Deere Limited in the UK and Ireland, together with a timeline of key dates.

We'll be exhibiting at the Isle of Ely Seed Trials Open Day on 9th September 2016

This will be an informative day for farmers who will be able to view new variety potato trial plots, discuss new varieties with leading experts in the potato seed industry and listen to key speakers.

We'll have a range of Grimme and Greencrop Irrigation products on our stand - we look forward to seeing you!

Free of charge to attend, location: Oak Tree Farm, Littleport, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 1RS

Congratulations to our FarmSight team!

We are one of the first John Deere dealers to be awarded the 3.0 FarmSight Certificate of Excellence for providing customer support packages for John Deere GreenStar equipment and an RTK correction service from BB RTK.

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John Deere machinery boosts morale

First impressions count, and a new fleet of John Deere compact utility tractors and diesel lawn tractors supplied by dealer Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment of Norwich is ensuring that visitors to Gresham’s School in Holt, Norfolk are impressed by the high standards of the grounds.

“Gresham’s is a great school and we wanted the best grounds care machinery. John Deere is a well-respected make and it has always been my aim to get their tractors here, and this year we finally got them,” says Gresham’s School service manager David Olby, after the school took delivery of the fleet this spring.

The machines are central to maintaining and improving the presentation of Gresham's grounds and lawns as well the playing fields, which cater for rugby, football, hockey, cricket and rounders. There are also grass and hard surface tennis courts, and two Astroturf pitches.

Machine reliability was a key factor in the change to John Deere. “Our previous tractors were old and very tired,” says David. “They were unreliable and maintenance costs were high. John Deere has an excellent reputation for reliability and, with Ben Burgess, we have good access to after sales back-up and parts. When it came to the fleet, we explained our requirements to Stuart Edge of Ben Burgess, who is John Deere through and through. He then identified the best tractor models for our needs. The service from Ben Burgess in supplying demonstration machines was also excellent.”

A ‘horses for courses’ analysis saw the arrival of five new tractors: two 4R Series compact models, a 49hp 4049R and a 66hp 4066R fitted with an H180 front loader, and three sub-compact tractors, a 32hp 2032R and two 26hp 1026Rs. All are high specification machines, with rear three-point linkages and ptos as standard equipment, while the 1026Rs are also equipped with 1.37m (54in) mid-mounted rotary cutting decks. The package also included two X950R diesel lawn tractors with the same size decks.

The tractors are employed in all aspects of grounds maintenance at the school. “The 4066R powers a 3.5m (11.5ft) Trimax Snake rotary roller mower which we use on the outfields,” says David. “This replaced a set of cylinder mowers and although the grass looked untidy initially as the mower took the thatch out, these areas now look great. The 4066R and Snake combination also allows us to cut in damper conditions.”

The rotary mower was part of the overall dealer package, as was a McConnel reach arm hedgecutter used on the 4049R compact tractor. This model also pulls trailers and powers slitters and aerators. The H180 front loader is used for operations such as moving materials during autumn renovation work and loading top dressers.

Commenting on the performance of the 1026Rs, which are used to mow areas such as the cricket outfields and to rake the Astroturf pitches, and the diesel lawn tractors, David Olby says: “They are great machines and leave a lovely finish. The benefit of the X950R mowers is that they enable us to take the lawns down to a fine finish if the grass gets away from the hand mowers, which we use to provide the stripes.” The larger 2032R tractor is used primarily for trailer work.

“Productivity has increased through the use of modern machinery, and we are very pleased with our John Deere equipment,” says David. He adds that in addition to enabling Gresham's grounds to be maintained to a high standard, the new fleet has been a morale booster for the school's 10 grounds staff. “The tractors are comfortable and easy to operate and the staff are extremely proud of their new machines.”

2016 is the year of the Deere! John Deere UK & Ireland celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th September at John Deere HQ in Nottingham

Visit John Deere UK's 50th celebration webpage for further information.

We will be demonstrating at NORMAC on 8th September 2016

This year's event will be held at Hardingham Farms, Kimberley, Near Wymondham and we'll have all the latest John Deere, Horsch, Kuhn, Gregoire-Besson and McConnel equipment in the field. We look forward to seeing you!

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We will be at the Aylsham Show once again on August Bank Holiday Monday!

Our fingers are crossed for much better weather this year! You'll find us in our usual spot in Blickling Park so please join us for something to drink and to see the latest range of agricultural and grounds care equipment, plus a range of toys and merchandise!

Discounted advanced tickets can be purchased from Ben Burgess Norwich or via the Aylsham Show website

You'll find us at Wayland Show on Sunday 7th August 2016

We'll be exhibiting agricultural and grounds care equipment so please make sure you come and say hello!

Discounted advanced tickets can be purchased via the Wayland Show website

Ben Burgess to expand grounds care sales area

John Deere’s long serving eastern counties dealership Ben Burgess & Co Ltd will be taking over the trading area currently managed by A J & R Scambler & Sons Ltd of Bourn in Cambridgeshire, with effect from 1st November 2016.

With its headquarters in Norwich and an additional five agricultural and grounds care outlets in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, Ben Burgess has held the John Deere franchise for 50 years and has been an established grounds care provider since 1962.

The dealership previously expanded its grounds care business into the Peterborough area at the beginning of 2016, operating from its depot in Coates, Cambridgeshire. Customers in the new sales area, which covers parts of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, will be supported from the Ben Burgess Coates and Newmarket depots initially, followed by Ellington in the future.

Paul Thomas will be moving from domestic to commercial equipment sales to work alongside Chris Pateman in the new area. Ben Burgess will also be looking to appoint a new domestic sales person as well as additional sub-dealers to support sales and service of John Deere’s full professional and domestic grounds care equipment range across the area.

“We look forward to working with new customers and developing the relationships already in place,” says Ben B Turner of Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment. “We will also be adding further parts and service resources in order to ensure our new customers are fully looked after, alongside Paul joining the commercial sales team.”

John Deere Limited turf division sales manager Chris Meacock adds: “Ben Burgess is one of our longest serving turf dealers and we are confident that the dealership will continue to provide the highest possible standards of customer support to existing and new customers.”

From 1st November 2016 the new Ben Burgess grounds care area sales representative will be Paul Thomas, who can be contacted on 07710 135661 or by email to paulthomas@benburgess.co.uk. Chris Pateman can be contacted on 07710 135663 or by email to chrispateman@benburgess.co.uk. The area east of the A1 will be looked after by Chris Pateman, while Paul Thomas will be responsible for the area west of the A1 continuing on to Northampton.

Join us for a pre-harvest BBQ at your local depot!

Coates - 5th July 2016 - 3:30pm - 8:30pm

Newmarket - 14th July 2016 - 5pm - 8:30pm

Beeston - 15th July 2016 - 5pm - 8:30pm

Meet the 2016 range of John Deere combines, plus chat with the Ben Burgess & John Deere teams supporting you this harvest.

Which? Best Buy endorsement for John Deere R40 lawnmower

John Deere’s R40 walk-behind mower has been awarded the coveted Best Buy status by consumer champion Which?

The Which? Best Buy endorsement is given to products with high total test scores that perform consistently well in rigorous tests and excel in all key areas. For a lawnmower, the test focuses on how well it cuts the grass and on its ease of use.

The R40 is the entry level model in John Deere’s range of 24 different walk-behind lawnmowers. Compact, lightweight and robust, it is suitable for mowing areas up to 700m2, making it the perfect solution for smaller gardens.

The 40cm (15in) polypropylene deck is strong but also light in weight for easy handling, and comes with a 10 year consumer warranty. Adjusting the height of cut is very simple, using a single lever which allows the operator to choose six positions between 25 and 75mm (1 and 3in).

Powered by a Briggs & Stratton 4hp/2.1kW engine, the mower is fitted with John Deere’s exclusive TurboStar™ collection system, designed to ensure maximum efficiency, even in damp conditions or at lower heights of cut.

This is because the deck features an integrated fan that creates additional airflow over and above the blade. This creates a powerful vacuum effect that powers grass clippings efficiently into the 44-litre bag for a perfect cut. The R40 is easily converted into a mulching mower with an optional kit.

Durable wheels are fully enclosed, which prevents a build-up of grass clippings. They also feature ball bearings to reduce the effort required when maneuvering the machine. In addition, the handlebar is easily adjustable to ensure maximum comfort for the operator according to their height and individual preference.

The Which? Report describes the John Deere R40 as “…a great little petrol mower and a worthy Best Buy, as it gives a very neat finish and is easy to handle. It gives a great cut on grass, whether it’s long, damp or just a normal family lawn.” The report summarises the R40 as “No frills but very effective” and adds “Cuts and collects very well, light and maneuverable.”

The R40 is the second John Deere walk-behind mower to achieve the Which? Best Buy status, following the RUN 46 walk-behind mower that received the endorsement in January 2015 with a score of 82 per cent, the highest of all the Best Buy lawnmowers.

The copyright in which.co.uk is owned by Which? Limited and this has been reproduced with their kind permission for the sole purposes of the John Deere R40 lawnmower. No other use of the content can be made without the written permission of Which? Limited.

We will be exhibiting at the Royal Norfolk Show once again this year!

Visit us on avenue 14, stand 448. We look forward to seeing you!

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A special delivery went home to R G Abrey Farms today... One of the first John Deere 9620RX machines sold in the UK!

Well done to Carl Ashfield from Ben Burgess Newmarket!

A cut above the rest

A perfect lawn starts with a perfect mower: John Deere’s 2653A triplex cylinder mower is pictured preparing the grounds at Buckingham Palace for the first of this season’s Royal Garden Parties in May. This popular mower is widely used for maintaining both amateur and professional sports grounds, golf courses, public open spaces and gardens throughout the country.

Over the course of each year, The Queen welcomes over 30,000 guests to spend a relaxed summer afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed! Garden Parties are an important way for The Queen to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

The Royal Warrant was first awarded to John Deere Limited in 1970, for the supply of agricultural equipment to Her Majesty The Queen. Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for at least five years to certain members of the Royal Family.

They have always been regarded as a mark of excellence and the highest standards of service and quality, and John Deere Limited is very proud to have held its Royal Warrant for all but the first four years of the company’s existence in the UK.

John Deere was granted an extension to its Royal Warrant in 2006, which now uniquely covers the supply of agricultural, groundscare & horticultural products to The Queen's Household.

Thank you to all those who entered our prize draw at the Ben Burgess Shows!

The winners have all been contacted and are listed below. Thank you to all our suppliers who kindly donated prizes.

Ben Burgess sells its 150th sprayer

Ben Burgess & Co achieved a significant milestone recently when the business sold its 150th sprayer – a 4000-litre capacity John Deere R4040i self-propelled model equipped with 36m boom, bought by E & E J Andrews Ltd of Rockland St Mary, Norwich.

The sprayer was delivered at the beginning of March. After a concentrated induction course by Ben Burgess sprayer specialist Mark Cann, the farm's lead sprayer operator Gary Ellis started work the next day on 300 acres of oilseed rape with a herbicide followed by liquid N.

“We had to get going quickly as there was quite a bit to catch up on due to the weather,” says James Andrews. The R4040i now applies all the crop protection products and liquid N to all the crops grown on 2100 arable acres farmed by E & E J Andrews. These are typically feed wheat, winter and spring barley for malting plus oilseed rape, with sugar beet, potatoes, vining peas, parsley and spring beans also in the rotation.

“With the R4040i we may seem over-specified, but the parsley and potatoes need regular chemical treatments and a lot of passes with the sprayer,” he adds.

The R4040i replaced a John Deere 5430i self-propelled, which was also purchased from Ben Burgess Norwich in 2011 as an ex-demonstrator machine. “With both machines John Deere offered an attractive finance deal and having done our sums we found it a very competitive proposal, so we went with their recommendation,” says James.

Prior to 2011 the business was running a smaller self-propelled sprayer that at seven years old needed replacing, and several makes were tried before buying the 5430i. “The design with its traditional central cab position was the one favoured by the operators, who are familiar with the cab from our John Deere tractors, as well as the GreenStar GPS technology; they were and are comfortable using the sprayer.”

E & E J Andrews Ltd has dealt with Ben Burgess for multiple generations, due to the farm’s proximity to the Norwich dealership – they are only seven miles away – and the high standard of back-up it provides. The company also runs John Deere 8320R, 7530, 6930 and 6420 tractors as part of the farm’s overall fleet.

Although a number of changes have been made to the new sprayer, the R4040i’s operator interface is similar to that on the older 5430i so Gary Ellis was able to become familiar with the new sprayer quickly, but there are features he highlights.

“There are structural and technical advances that make the operator's life far easier,” he says. “The more powerful engine means that there is no loss of power on sloping ground and the hydraulic system has been simplified. Boom strength is improved and the automatic BoomTrac system has been upgraded, so the boom lifts before it tilts. The boom also has a single line with five-outlet nozzles, which allows the selection of different water rates and droplet sizes. It is very accurate – we calibrate once a month and it was never out on the previous model.”

Gary Ellis adds that the R4040i's cab is comfortable and easier to access, and that the new cornerpost display in the restyled interior is of great benefit. “It is in front of you so you just have to glance up to see all the important spraying information,” he says.

James Andrews concludes: “The new John Deere R4040i with its 36m boom has enabled us to adopt a 'one-machine' approach to chemical application and the bulk of the fertiliser treatments, with improved timeliness and yield response from the ability to cover a lot of ground.

“After five years with the 5430i, it was time to focus on reinvestment as our sprayer is critical to output and yield. We stayed with John Deere for the replacement as, overall, we were pleased with the 5430i's performance.”

You are invited to the Ben Burgess Shows!

Tuesday 10th May at Huntingdon Racecourse

Thursday 12th May at the Norfolk Showground Arena

3 to 8pm - Join us as we celebrate everything Ben Burgess has to offer with exhibits from all our major agricultural, construction & grounds care brands plus a hog roast, refreshments & entertainment.

Don't miss your chance to enter our fantastic prize draw! We look forward to seeing you!

John Deere previews new sprayer at Cereals Event

Featuring a larger 5000-litre capacity spray tank and a new ultra-lightweight but extremely strong carbon fibre boom, John Deere’s new R4050i self-propelled sprayer will be making its UK & Ireland show debut at Cereals 2016 in Cambridgeshire this June.

Scheduled to be in full production at the John Deere Horst factory in the Netherlands for the 2018 season, the R4050i will join the existing R4040i 4000-litre self-propelled model in the company’s market leading sprayer range in limited numbers from early 2017. Weight distribution on this bigger machine has been improved by removing around 900kg from the rear through the use of the carbon fibre boom, alongside the extra weight of liquid carried in the larger tank.

Able to spray at widths of 18 or 36m, the high-performance spray boom is considerably lighter than steel or aluminium designs. However, the carbon fibre material used in its construction is around 5.5 times stronger than steel and is able to flex, which relieves the boom structure from the stress that can cause fractures in metal booms. The carbon fibre boom is specially designed to withstand the high dynamic loads created at high application speeds of 20 to 30kph, even with very wide booms.

The reduced weight of the carbon fibre boom, at around five times lighter than a steel equivalent, also has benefits for ride performance. The boom’s low inertia greatly reduces the undesirable roll and yaw movement often seen in wide spray booms. In addition automatic boom levelling systems, like John Deere’s own BoomTrac, are able to control the ultra-lightweight boom with greater precision, enabling lower boom heights and higher speeds to be employed.

The R4050i is powered by the same 6.8-litre John Deere PowerTech PSS engine as the smaller machine, producing 235 rated hp (boosted to 255hp with intelligent power management/IPM). This engine meets Stage IV/Final Tier 4 emissions regulations by incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

The machine’s centrally located, easy to access cab provides a comfortable operating position and offers good visibility both on the road and in the field. The sprayer chassis features dual-strut independent wheel suspension for a smooth, fast ride, and hydraulic track width adjustment as standard. There is also a choice of two-wheel, four-wheel or crab steering to suit different crop and field conditions.

The R4050i is equipped as standard with the John Deere GreenStar 3 2630 touchscreen display with full FieldDoc spray documentation and ISOBUS compatibility. The sprayer comes AutoTrac ready and with a free JDLink Ultimate subscription for one year, which enables a range of additional FarmSight precision farming solutions including new Remote Display Access and Wireless Data Transfer, as well as Service Advisor Remote.

Other standard features include a Hydro Handle multi-functional control lever, Solution Command electronic sprayer control for automatic filling, mixing, spraying and rinsing, and a 50-litre PowrFill inductor for safe transfer of crop protection chemicals into the main tank. Total spray pump capacity is a maximum of 560 litres/min, with a flow of up to 380 litres/min.

John Deere’s established BoomTrac automatic boom levelling system can be upgraded to the new variable geometry BoomTrac Pro option, for increased application accuracy and efficiency. BoomTrac Pro automatically adjusts the height of the individual boom wings independently to match the terrain.

Instant crop or soil coverage to the full working width of the sprayer is provided by the standard pressure circulation system, which keeps the liquid solution moving along the stainless steel spray lines and right up to the nozzles, even when not spraying. Once spraying starts, the system feeds the spray lines from both ends to maintain a constant pressure and application rate.

To reduce input costs by minimising overlaps or skips, John Deere’s automatic Section Control system switches individual boom sections on and off when entering or leaving predefined areas, including headlands, while LED boom lights help to maintain high productivity at night.

Please contact your local Ben Burgess salesman.

Timberwolf TW 280TDHB - Timberwolf launch the newest member of the pack this Summer

Timerwolf's all new 8” chipper enters the ring as a confident contender for the title of ‘best chipper’. Without the constraints of designing to sub 750kg (Timberwolf are world renowned for leading this class of chipper) Timberwolf haven't compromised on strength and performance; every switch, every control, every single part has been carefully considered. The 280 delivers incredible reliability, ease of use, safety and efficiency.

Competition for the ‘best chipper’ is fierce and with recent models from Vermeer, Greenmech and Forst in the 8” category, rivalry is strong, therefore the machine had to be well considered to meet these modern challengers head-on to stay on top.

Timberwolf has incorporated a super-wide funnel, utilised huge crushing power and has a bigger feed aperture than the Greenmech Arborist 190 and the Forst ST8. The all new TW 280TDHB is most definitely worth a closer look with the slight change to its shape also.

The TW 280TDHB will appear at the Arb Show on 4th and 5th June at The National Arboretum. Alternatively, please contact your local Ben Burgess representative to arrange a demonstration.

School report praises John Deere

John Deere compact utility tractors and ride-on cylinder mowers supplied by dealer Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment are playing a central role in Langley School achieving its objective of improving the quality of its sports surfaces.

When Neil Yarham was appointed head of grounds at Langley School in Loddon, Norfolk, his brief was exactly that: to improve all the sports ground surfaces. It was a target that also enabled him to achieve another objective: to use John Deere equipment.

Langley School's grounds cover 110 acres, three-quarters of which are allocated to grass sports fields (there is also an astroturf pitch). The grass fields are used not only for a comprehensive range of sporting activities, including rugby, football, hockey and cricket, but also by local sports clubs. The school is very active in the area, as it works in partnership with Norwich City Football Club and also has affiliations with Leicester Tigers Rugby Union Club and Brooke Cricket Club.

“The sports grounds had suffered from minimal maintenance,” says Neil. He explains that the improvement regime is structured around better agronomy, the introduction of a specific nutrition programme to improve the N, P and K indices in the heavy ground, and sports-specific grass cultivars capable of establishing a root system to cope with the site’s clay soils. These elements are combined with more regular aeration, complemented by slitting.

“We were also let down by the machinery,” says Neil. “Timeliness of operations suffered due to narrow implements being used on an ageing tractor fleet. We needed more power so we could put bigger equipment on the back of the tractors and get over the ground in a more efficient and effective way.

“I'd used other makes of tractor and seen venues where John Deere machinery was used, so I wanted to progress to the brand for its product reliability and customer support. We managed to get the right machinery package through working closely with our local John Deere dealer Ben Burgess in Norwich and, just as importantly, we were extremely impressed with the level of after-sales service they offered.”

Delivered by Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment in February, the new fleet included three compact utility tractors: a 66hp 4066R fitted with a front loader and a 45hp 3045R, both equipped with cabs to provide driver protection on the school’s exposed and windy site, plus a 26hp 1026R. Also included were a 2653B ride-on triplex cylinder mower and two ground-driven SISIS implements, a Quadraplay pitch care system and a Megaslit slitter.

Garden maintenance is more the 1026R's role, while the 4066R and 3045R are more sports-specific machines, although they are involved in every aspect of the school’s overall grounds maintenance. “We knew we needed wider implements, which had a bearing on the choice of tractor models,” says Neil.

“The power of the 4066R and the 3045R in a compact body was a big attraction, plus their ease of operation. Although the tractors are dedicated to sports field work most of the time, there are occasions when they are used by the school's general maintenance team, so we were looking for machines that were not hard to drive. This is provided by features such as the eHydro transmission.”

The 4066R is the main workhorse, while the 3045R covers mid-range operations. Neil describes their sports field role, with operators Toby Parker and Ian Goodall in the driving seats:

“The power of both tractors has allowed us to introduce the 2.4m wide Quadraplay system, which enables us to aerate, scarify, roll and brush the surface in one pass, and increase the width of the slitter from 1.8m to 2.5m. The intention is to carry out these operations on a weekly basis if possible. The 4066R's front loader also improves timeliness, as it enables us to carry out our own top dressing and winter pitch renovation.”

There are also plans to upgrade the astroturf pitch to a 3G surface with its associated maintenance equipment, so the tractors' workload will increase. “They will be pushed hard,” says Neil. This spring will also see the 2653B utility ride-on cylinder mower out on the sports fields for the first time.

“This is our first John Deere triplex and will be used on all the fine-cut areas, as it gives a better finish due to its greater number of blades per cylinder,” says Neil. “It is also very nimble, so it can get into areas other ride-on cylinder mowers can't, and it is light, so we'll be able to cut in conditions we weren't able to before.

“Teaming up with Ben Burgess and John Deere has given us the machines with the reliability and the back-up we need, which will enable us to achieve the goals we’ve been set.”

Join us at Ben Burgess Aylsham on Saturday 16th April 2016 for a Grounds Care Open Event!

From 11am - 3pm, pop in to enjoy a complimentary BBQ and refreshments and take advantage of exclusive product and servicing offers! You can also test drive the latest range of John Deere mowers including the brand new X350. Our experts will be on hand to talk you through the latest features.

Ben Burgess Aylsham stock a wide range of grounds care equipment from brands including John Deere, Stihl, Stiga, Hayter and Tanaka. You'll find lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, chainsaws, garden tools, PPE, garden care products, toys, clothing, merchandise and much more!

Everyone is welcome - we look forward to seeing you!

John Deere opens new apprentice training centre

The British agriculture and turf industry’s first and only purpose-built apprentice training facility has been opened by John Deere and training provider ProVQ at St James Business Park, Radcliffe-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire.

Designed specifically and solely for John Deere dealer apprentices enrolled on the company’s award winning Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech training programmes, the new centre is close to John Deere Limited’s headquarters at Langar.

The company’s three-year Ag and Turf Tech apprenticeships lead to the IMI Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering. Each year group trains at the centre for eight weeks a year in four blocks of two weeks, with some days spent at Langar when working with larger machines such as combines and self-propelled forage harvesters.

The two-year Parts Tech apprenticeship, leading to a Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence, is mostly work-based at the sponsoring dealer, with four weeks of training taking place at Radcliffe.

John Deere appointed ProVQ Limited in summer 2015 as its new business partner to deliver the apprentice training programmes on behalf of its dealers in England, Scotland and Wales (separate training programmes are provided in Northern Ireland and Eire). Full-time ProVQ staff based at the new centre include programme manager Ian Crowder, learner support manager Christine Coxon and group trainers Richard Jenkins, Sebastian Gillbard and Benjamin Hobster.

ProVQ started its apprentice training programmes in 2005, and went on to develop a full range of national services including apprentice recruitment, training, vocational assessment and qualifications. Today the company trains over 600 apprentices and many hundreds of adult learners on technical, parts and customer service programmes.

The new John Deere Apprentice Training Centre features a reception, air conditioned classrooms, workshop areas, changing and washing facilities plus a dining room. Provision has also been made for further expansion, with plans in place for two more classrooms and a small workshop/laboratory when required.

“Our new business partnership with ProVQ is already going from strength to strength, and we are delighted to have established this new bespoke facility so close to our UK headquarters,” says John Deere Limited training centre manager Richard Halsall. “The company’s investment in the Apprentice Training Centre reinforces our continuing aim to provide industry leading training programmes for our agricultural and turf dealers.”

“ProVQ Limited’s managing director Julian Lloyd adds: “We have jointly developed a very high quality training environment in which John Deere apprentices can learn to master the technology that underpins the comprehensive John Deere product range. We look forward to seeing many young people come through our doors in the future at the start of what is a very exciting and rewarding career.”

New agricultural sales appointment at Ben Burgess Newmarket.

Ben Burgess is pleased to announce the appointment of a new agricultural salesman, Simon Wicks. Simon will be based at the company’s Newmarket depot and will be the representative covering the area from The Isle of Ely to Cambridge.

Simon has been with Ben Burgess for 12 months as a technician, specialising in John Deere and Grimme machinery. His move to the sales team means he will be responsible for selling the full range of agricultural equipment available at Ben Burgess, from brands including John Deere, Grimme and Manitou.

Chris Papworth, Newmarket Depot Manager, said, “Having Simon join our sales team is a very positive step for our depot and the Ben Burgess Group. His knowledge as a specialist technician will serve him well and although he will be missed by the service team, I am very confident that he will be successful in his new role and provide current and new customers with the highest level of service required.”

Simon returned to The Fens in 2003 having spent his youth travelling the world with his family as his father was in the military. Always having an interest and passion for agriculture, Simon worked for a local potato farmer and then an agricultural engineering company in Ely before joining Ben Burgess. Simon commented, “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and look forward to using my knowledge and experience to work with customers in my area.”

New grounds care appointment at Ben Burgess.

Ben Burgess is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben B Turner as Group Grounds Care Equipment Manager. The change in role comes as the company also announces that Ben Burgess Garden Equipment will undergo a complete rebrand to become Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment to recognise the level of commercial, golf and arborist equipment that it provides specialist sales and aftercare support for.

Ben has been with the company for four and a half years, leading the dealership’s John Deere sales and marketing, having previously worked for John Deere in Germany for three years.

Ben said, “I am looking forward to the challenges that my new role will bring and ultimately my aim is to take the grounds care business forward by building on its current success. By strengthening our processes internally, I can work with the teams at each of our depots to ensure our sales, hire, parts and workshop departments are doing everything they can to meet customer expectations.”

On the rebrand to Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment, Ben added, “We’ve been an established garden equipment provider since 1962 but we’ve welcomed a growing number of brands into our showrooms over recent years in order to offer a diverse range of products. We still offer an excellent range of domestic products, from hedge cutters to ride-on mowers, however our commercial equipment, golf machinery and our arboriculture brands have increased significantly and we therefore needed a brand name that complimented our varied customer base.”

Ben Burgess expanded its grounds care business in January by taking on the John Deere franchise around the Peterborough area. A sales and service team is now fully operating from the company’s Coates depot in order to support customers in the new area and future plans include a hire department and extensive parts stock.

Ben will be working closely with Nigel Mills who continues his role as Commercial Manager. Dan Clark has also recently become Workshop Manager and Jason Plummer has taken on the role of Hire Coordinator. Ben will continue to support the agricultural sales team as he has done since joining the company.

More show awards for John Deere R&D

Following three gold and 10 silver medal awards at Agritechnica 2015, numerous John Deere innovations have also been recognised at this month’s FIMA fair in Zaragoza, Spain and the Fieragricola 2016 event in Verona, Italy.

The technical committee of the FIMA fair has classified three John Deere systems as outstanding innovations and rated seven concepts as technical innovations, while another system received a special mention. In addition, the Fieragricola jury classified four John Deere innovations as outstanding technical solutions.

“The number of FIMA and Fieragricola awards reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to research and development,” said Chris Wigger, John Deere’s Region 2 vice-president sales & marketing. “Following our series of gold and silver medals at Agritechnica 2015, these latest awards confirm that we are a true innovation leader in our industry.

“These innovations will help producers to enhance their equipment performance, improve machine uptime and reduce their operating costs,” Wigger added. “They will also help us to expand our large arable and contractor customer base. We remain fully committed to our policy of system openness and the integration of data captured on machines and with systems from other manufacturers.”

John Deere innovations are the result of collaboration between the company’s product engineering departments and its worldwide network of technology innovation centres, including the John Deere European Technology Innovation Centre (ETIC) in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and affiliated research partners.

In 2015, John Deere spent US$1.425 billion on research and development enterprise-wide, ie 5.1 per cent of the company’s equipment sales.

Innovation Awards - FIMA 2016

Outstanding Innovations

John Deere EZ Ballast - flexible system to quickly link a 1.7-tonne ballast weight to the bottom of the tractor chassis, from the operator cab.

Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive - system to automatically optimise the distribution of traction force on tractors equipped with four-wheel drive.

John Deere ProCut - system which monitors the clearance between the knives and the shearbar of a self-propelled forage harvester’s chopping unit, on-the-go.

Technical Innovations

John Deere Active Yield - the Active Yield system automates the time consuming calibration steps required to measure crop yields.

DynaFlo Plus/Active Concave Isolation - the DynaFlo Plus cleaning system on W and T-Series combines represents a new generation of cleaning shoe. Active concave isolation helps to prevent damage from the build-up of material in the rotors of S-Series combines.

John Deere ExactEmerge - John Deere’s ExactEmerge high performance planter provides new levels of accuracy at planting speeds of up to 10mph (16kph) and higher.

MyJobsManager/MyLogistics - MyJobsManager is the basis for a suite of mobile apps (iOS & Android) designed to simplify and automate the entire job and data management of the digital and mobile office. MyLogistics is designed to optimise the operational logistics of interacting machines (regardless of make & model), eg during forage harvesting, manure spreading etc.

John Deere Stone Detection - John Deere Stone Detection is a new feature on self-propelled forage harvesters that helps to prevent damage from stones and foreign objects at an early stage.

Ultra-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Boom - John Deere’s ultra-lightweight high-performance sprayer boom for self-propelled sprayers uses an innovative carbon fibre design. The carbon fibre material is around 5.5 times stronger than steel, while considerably lighter than either steel or aluminium spray boom designs.

AutoTrac Vision - the innovative AutoTrac Vision hybrid steering system optimises the sprayer operation in well-established crops (eg maize) by continuously merging two data streams, ie a GPS correctional signal and the available image data that has been recorded by an onboard camera system.

Special Mention

John Deere 360 degree 3D Camera System (Partner: Continental) - 3D camera system to monitor the immediate periphery of a machine: display of up to six different types of view to enhance the operator’s visibility on tractors and harvesting machinery by providing a 360° degree surround view; helps to facilitate manoeuvring in tight spots.

Innovation Awards - Fieragricola 2016

Three Stars (Gold Medals)

Active Fill Control Sync - innovative solution for silage harvesting. By integrating the forager’s ‘intelligent’ spout control and the real-time synchronisation of transport vehicles with the forager, drivers can be relieved of stress.

John Deere iTEC AutoLearn - the world’s first self-learning headland management tool for a tractor. The headland management system automatically records all handling steps activated by the driver and saves useful commands to propose their re-use on the next suitable occasion.

Two stars (Silver Medals)

Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive - system to automatically optimise the distribution of traction force on tractors equipped with four-wheel drive.

John Deere ProCut - system which monitors the clearance between the knives and the shearbar of a self-propelled forage harvester’s chopping unit, on-the-go.

John Deere Gators get on track.

John Deere has approved the use of Camso rubber tracks on its Gator utility vehicles in Europe, following their availability in the US for several years. An XUV 855D Gator equipped with a Camso UTV T4S four-track system supplied by UK distributor Supatracks was recently featured on the company’s stand at LAMMA 2016.

Designed to extend the versatility and all year round use of these popular all-terrain vehicles even further, the Camso tracks reduce ground pressure by up to 75 per cent to less than 1 psi and take less than two hours to install in place of the wheels, with no other modifications required. Track widths are 318mm (12.5in) in front and 356mm (14in) at the rear. The tracks are steered and therefore minimise disruption of the soil surface when driving off-road.

Camso tracks are manufactured in Canada by the same company that supplies units for John Deere’s 8R, 9R and new 9RX four-track Series agricultural tractors. Camso is the world’s leading maker of tracks for farm and construction vehicles as well as snowmobiles. Track systems provide better weight distribution and maximum flotation on all types of off-road terrain.

The 25hp XUV 855D Gator 4x4 has a standard top speed of 32mph (52kph) and features true on-demand four-wheel drive, activated by a dash-mounted electronic switch, power steering and all-round independent suspension, adjustable at the rear. Ground clearance on the tracks is increased by around 45 per cent to 406mm (16in), while total payload and towing capacity remain the same at 635kg and 680kg respectively.

The Gator’s standard deluxe Mauser ROPS frame can be upgraded to a full glass cab if required, and models can be ordered with a variety of other factory and dealer installed options and attachments. These include tool carriers, cargo box dividers, a front mounted load rack, a bull bar and side extensions.

Join us at Ben Burgess Newmarket on Wednesday 17th February 2016 from 4pm - 8pm for a ride & drive with the 8370R, 7310R, 6155R and 6195M machines.

Experts from John Deere will also be on hand to discuss connectivity packages and manure sensing technology. A BBQ and refreshments will be available - we look forward to seeing you!

Congratulations to six Ben Burgess technicians who are part of a record total of 35 young service technicians who have graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes.

A very big well done to Ryan Maclean, Martin Underwood, Ben Scott, Jack Bidmead, George Mardle and Grant Stearman for their achievements.

Charlie Phipps from dealer Farol at Milton Common in Oxfordshire was named ag & turf apprentice of the year for 2015, while parts apprentice of the year is Grant Stearman of Ben Burgess Beeston.

The group of third year students received their certificates at the John Deere Forum visitor centre in Mannheim, Germany during the annual graduation visit to the company’s tractor and cab factories and European Parts Distribution Centre (EPDC) in December. The presentations were made by Deere & Company’s Region 2 marketing director Helmut Korthoeber and John Deere Limited training centre manager Richard Halsall.

We will be exhibiting at LAMMA Show again this year!

You'll find us next to the John Deere stand on stand G44. Please also visit John, Howard and Phil at Greencrop Irrigation, stand 113.

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Leo Robinson retires after 68 years at Thomas Wilch & High

Leo was presented with a retirement gift at the Ben Burgess Christmas Dinner Dance on Tuesday evening at Dunston Hall. We wish Leo a very Happy Retirement.

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Ben Burgess Christmas Dinner Dance 2015

It was great to see so many at this years' dinner dance. All 230 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner at Dunston Hall and danced the night away. Thank you to all staff for their hard work this year. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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John Deere rotary wins Mower of the Year award

John Deere’s 1500 Series TerrainCut front rotary mower has won the Horticulture Week What Kit? Ride-On Mower of the Year Award 2015, announced in December. The mower was selected from a shortlist of eight machines that also included the John Deere X590 Multi-Terrain lawn tractor and ZTrak Z997R zero-turn mower.

Celebrating the very best in professional machinery, the WhatKit? Mower of the Year Awards 2015 were split into three separate categories – pedestrian, ride-on and tractor-mounted/towed.

The ride-on award citation said: “This has been the hardest category to judge. There are several worthy winners and we met on three occasions to try to decide the winner. In the end it was the versatility of the John Deere mower that clinched it.

“Out-front rotaries are a first choice for many contractors carrying out council work and are a favourite with operators. The 1500 Series TerrainCut offers an exceptionally comfortable work station, with a commanding view of the work ahead and well laid-out controls.”

Originally launched at IOG SALTEX 2014, there are five 1500 Series TerrainCut models equipped with powerful, high-torque, three-cylinder diesel engines from 24 to 36hp, four-wheel drive, high-capacity rotary mower decks and a new optional grass and leaf collection system. They are designed to mow and collect thick grass at high speeds and still produce a quality cut.

Featuring a compact design for manoeuvrability and easy transport and a robust hydrostatic transmission, the range meets the various needs of landscapers, contractors, groundsmen, greenkeepers, local authorities and other amenity turf customers. There is a choice of durable 7-Iron 1.5 and 1.8m (60 and 72in) side- and rear-discharge decks, with an optional mulching kit, and a John Deere factory fitted cab is available as standard on two models.

Key user-friendly features include cruise control, a comfortable seat, Twin Touch pedals for the transmission and an electro-hydraulic deck drive clutch, while an air ride seat is optionally available. The quick-attach GLC1500 grass and leaf collection system has a hopper capacity of 600 or 900 litres. The collector’s fast dump speed, 203cm (80in) high tip and 83cm (33in) long reach features also increase overall productivity.

Additional attachments such as a front-mounted brush or blade allow the mowers to be used year round for a wide range of other commercial applications, including both leaf and snow clearance.

Congratulations to Grant Stearman from Ben Burgess Beeston for being named John Deere's Best Parts Technician in the UK

Grant was presented with his award during a graduation ceremony in Mannheim, Germany, last week.

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Many of you will recognise our Sales Director, David Fairman (even with the mo)! Click on the link below to see David's mo growing journey over the last month, and there's still time to make a donation to Movember Foundation UK! Great effort, well done Dave!

David's Mo Space.

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Get into the Christmas spirit and join us at Ben Burgess Aylsham for our Christmas Fair!

Ben Burgess Aylsham Christmas Fair.

Join us for 10% off all toys and merchandise, mince pies and refreshments at Ben Burgess Aylsham, Industrial Estate, Dunkirk, Aylsham NR11 6SU. We look forward to seeing you!

Ben Burgess expands turf business

John Deere has announced that dealer Ben Burgess & Co Ltd will be expanding its professional turf business in East Anglia from January 2016.

The Norwich-based company will be selling and supporting the full John Deere turf machinery range from its existing agricultural outlet at Coates, near Peterborough, from January 6th. As a result, Peterborough Grass Machinery Ltd at Westwood will be operating only as a John Deere homeowner equipment dealer from this date.

“As the turf industry continues to develop with the increasing use of new technology, higher value equipment and greater customer expectations for improved product support, John Deere and our dealers must be in a position to react to this ever changing market place,” said John Deere Limited turf division manager Chris Meacock.

“Over recent years we have been developing the national dealer network and working closely with dealers to improve their businesses, their level of product specialisation and the support they are able to provide to meet customer demands. These improvements have led to the need for larger, even more professional businesses capable of supporting all the functions the market now requires, while still maintaining a strong local presence.”

Ben Burgess & Co Ltd celebrates its 83rd anniversary this year as a dealer of agricultural, horticultural and construction machinery. It has been established in the turf machinery business since 1962, and has held the John Deere turf franchise since 1986, although it has been a John Deere agricultural equipment dealer for 50 years.

“Having already established a successful golf and turf business in our existing area of responsibility, we plan to introduce a hire service and a wider range of parts to this new sales area, as well as the increased level of specialist sales and service support that the professional turf market requires,” added Ben Turner, Ben Burgess managing director.”

“From November our new turf area sales representative is Johnathan Harpham, who can be contacted on 07710 148411 or by email to johnathanharpham@benburgess.co.uk. Groundscare technician Nathan Setchfield has also joined our experienced team, and we look forward to working with our new customers from January 2016.”

Ben Burgess invites you to meet the new John Deere 9620RX and 6155R

The only John Deere 9RX in the UK will be on display at Ben Burgess Norwich on Friday 6th November from 5.30pm - 8pm.

Refreshments will be provided - we look forward to seeing you!

A special arrival for Norfolk farmers A T Robertson & Sons.

A T Robertson & Sons welcomed the first special edition Manitou MLT 735 telehandler to the UK during August. The special edition machine, now at work on the farm, is one of only six making their way to the country, as part of Manitou’s 500,000^th machine celebration.

Brothers Ian and Brian Robertson, based in Watton, Norfolk, both visited the SIMA show in Paris in February where Manitou launched the first unit, showcasing its unique paint work. With 80 limited edition machines in total produced for worldwide distribution, the decision to have one was made there and then. The highly anticipated arrival of the telehandler sees the fifth Manitou sold to the Norfolk farmers in the last eight years.

Having sold their farm in Fife, Scotland, Ian and Brian have been farming in Norfolk since January 1978. Their father always wanted to farm in Norfolk and was keen to enjoy the good weather! After moving every piece of machinery they had all those years ago south, the farm now takes care of 600 acres of sugar beet and barley, and the brothers also harvest over 1000 acres of their neighbours wheat crop with their John Deere T560i combine.

Owning over 40 John Deere machines since 1981, they have also recently taken delivery of two new John Deere tractors, a 6125R and 6190R, from their local dealership, Ben Burgess.

Ben Burgess adds the Kuhn Farm Machinery and Bailey Trailers franchises to its Aylsham, Beeston and Norwich branches.

With both brands already sold at its Coates, Ellington and Newmarket branches, this will now mean Ben Burgess offers a consistent product offering from all of its six depots and will supply farmers and contractors in East Anglia.

John Rupp, Director at Ben Burgess Beeston, said, “Kuhn & Bailey Trailers are already well known to us, so we recognise the product quality as well as the sales, service and parts support offered by both companies. This made it an easy decision to roll out the portfolio of machinery across all six depots.

Martin Fuller, Director at Ben Burgess Aylsham, added, “As well as specialist sales and service teams, a comprehensive range of parts will be available at all depots. We look forward to introducing more of our customers to the extensive range of machinery that Kuhn has to offer and the first class variety of trailers from Bailey.”

Join us on Thursday evening to meet the brand new model year 2016 T670i with John Deere 630X Vario header.

Join us at our Beeston depot (Dereham Road, Beeston PE32 2LE) from 5pm to 8pm for a BBQ and refreshments. We look forward to seeing you.

Check out the increased productivity of the brand new John Deere model year 2016 T670i combine with this excellent video.

See the video here.

Thank you to Thomas Sherriff & Co. Ltd for allowing us to share their video.

We'll be exhibiting at Power in Action on 9th September 2015

This will be held at Thurlow Estate Farms Limited. We will be demonstrating the John Deere 750A Drill – a very topical machine which has received a lot of interest in recent months. Other John Deere equipment will include the new large frame 6Rs as well as the range of new 7R tractors. The 8370RT with the new efficiency focused E23 transmission will also be working in the field. Implements from the vast range of Horsch, Kuhn and Gregoire-Besson equipment that Ben Burgess offer will also be in action.

We'll be exhibiting at the Isle of Ely Seed Trials Open Day on 8th September 2015

This will be an informative day for farmers who will be able to view new variety potato trial plots, discuss new varieties with leading experts in the potato seed industry and listen to key speakers.

Outline of the day’s events:

09:00-10:00 Registration and refreshments

11:00-11:05 Welcome to Isle of Ely Produce

11:00-12:00 Potato industry key speaker

12:00-13:00 Lunch - hog roast and bar

13:00-15:00 Looking at field based variety plots, seed breeders will talk about each variety

15:00-17:00 Networking opportunity to view trade stands from local agri businesses and a closing speech from IOE

We'll be exhibiting at the Aylsham Show this Bank Holiday Monday!

Visit our stand for some refreshments - we look forward to seeing you!

Congratulations to our Royal Norfolk Show Deer Trail winners!

Well done to Nelly Wicks, Jack Joice, Chester Bensley, Caitlin Jacob & Benjamin Seaman. Your goodie bags are on their way to you!

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Visit us on our Horsch Demo Tour!

Wednesday 29th July by kind permission of Foster Harrison Farms, Wymondham

Friday 31st July by kind permission of C Horrell, Thorney

Wednesday 5th August by kind permission of L F Papworth, Tuttington

Thursday 6th August by kind permission of N E Salmon, Great Fransham

Demonstrations begin at 6.30am and will finish at 10am. Food & refreshments will be available.

Please contact your local salesman to confirm exact field locations on the day. We look forward to seeing you!

Farmer John has lost his deer!

Download your own trail sheet from our home page and help Farmer John find his deer at this year's Royal Norfolk Show! Find all 13 deer, fill in their names and hand your completed sheet to a member of staff on the Ben Burgess stand for your chance to win one of five Ben Burgess goody bags!

A huge thank you to The Benjamin Foundation, The Hewett School, Edith Cavell Primary School, Eaton Primary School, Mattishall Primary School, Norwich School, Town Close School, Rockland St Mary Primary School, Open Academy, Brooke VC Primary School and Poringland Primary School for painting such beautiful deer! Thank you also to Cecil Amey Opticians, Central Tyre, Sash Window Preservation Ltd, NORMAC, Oliver Arnold and the Starting Handle Club for displaying them on their stands at the Royal Norfolk Show 2015.

Join us at your local depot for a pre-harvest BBQ.

Coates - 9th July - 5.30pm - 8pm

Beeston - 14th July - 5.30pm - 8pm

Newmarket - 16th July - 5.30pm - 8pm

Meet the 2015 range of John Deere combines, plus chat with the Ben Burgess and John Deere teams supporting you this harvest.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Directors, David Fairman and Martin Fuller.

Their appointment is excellent news for the company as it continues to focus on future development and sustainability.

Both David and Martin have been part of the Ben Burgess team for 22 years and are therefore well known to the local farming community.

David joined Ben Burgess in May 1992 at the age of 23, as sales administrator and demonstrator for the company’s Norwich branch. Three years later, David not only became Chairman of Wymondham Young Farmers, but also moved to Ben Burgess Beeston and spent six years looking after his own area of customers as a sales representative.

In 2001, he moved back to Norwich to take on the role of group sales manager and also adopted responsibility for what was the fledging Ben Burgess hire fleet. David has been instrumental in developing what was a collection of ten predominantly second hand tractors to the 350 agricultural and construction fleet it is today. David has also been pivotal in the rapid growth of the company’s export department.

Martin first became part of the Ben Burgess team during his school years at Norwich School where he worked on a Saturday morning at 43 King Street, (Ben Burgess’ previous site). He officially joined the company, however, as sales administrator at Aylsham in June 1992, aged 22.

During this time, Martin assisted Ben Burgess himself in the writing of his book “My Life in Agriculture”. He also worked with Jimmy Lockhart, Service Director, to build the first Ben Burgess website in 1997, which at the time was a groundbreaking innovation and has become a benchmark in our agricultural industry. Martin became sales manager at Aylsham, followed by branch manager in 2005.

Ben Turner, Managing Director, said, “We are extremely pleased to announce such good news. Both David and Martin have been an asset to our company for many years and will continue to play key roles as they do today.

“Their promotion also provides our staff with a positive succession message and shows that career development within our company brings excellent opportunities.”

We are recruiting!

We currently have several positions available. Visit our Ben Burgess Careers page to join East Anglia's premier agricultural, construction and garden machinery retailer.

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Congratulations to Michael King for being named Best Parts Technician

Mike was presented with his award during a graduation ceremony in Mannheim, Germany. Read the full article here.

Mike spent a year in the workshop, learning about various systems within the agricultural, horticultural and construction machinery industry, but has worked in our parts department for the past four years.

The new edition of John Deere GreenPower Spring 2015 is now available. Check out the latest information and customer testimonials for John Deere combines.

John Deere GreenPower Spring 2015.

Printed copies can be found on our parts counters at all depots.

We are pleased to announce that Louise King has joined the company as part of the continued expansion of the construction sales team.

Louise is currently based at Newmarket however will in time move to the Ellington depot. Louise has worked with Hitachi machinery for many years in varied roles, which assists in making her an excellent addition to the team as we continue to develop and expand the Hitachi franchise to customers in our new areas of responsibility.

You are invited to an open evening to meet the new enhanced 6R FT4 tractors at Ben Burgess Norwich.

Thursday 26th February, 6pm - 8.30pm. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Hollie Gould on 01603 628251 or email holliegould@benburgess.co.uk

Join one of our AMS events where we'll show you how to get the best from your John Deere GreenStar systems.

Wednesday 25th February, Ben Burgess Newmarket, 9am - 1pm. Refreshments will be provided from 8.45am. RSVP to Carl Pitelen on 07770 581408 or email carlpitelen@benburgess.co.uk

Thursday 26th February, Norfolk Showground, 9am - 1pm. Refreshments will be provided from 8.30am. RSVP to Carl Pitelen on 07770 581408 or email carlpitelen@benburgess.co.uk

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Parker as a Finance Consultant for BB Finance following the retirement of Simon Wilkinson.

Everyone at Ben Burgess would like to wish Simon a very Happy Retirement.

Congratulations to Dean Hunt who received his long service award at the Ben Burgess Christmas Dinner Dance.

Dean has worked in our parts department in Norwich for 25 years and was presented with a watch by Ben Turner.

We'll be exhibiting at LAMMA show again this year. You'll find us on stand G44!

LAMMA Show is 21st and 22nd January 2015 at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. We look forward to seeing you.

Important changes to the StarFire network.

These changes will affect the StarFire correction signal used with John Deere StarFire receivers in precision agriculture application. Changes will take place between 1st November 2014 and 15th July 2015. Visit our AMS webpage to find out the changes required.

Contact Carl Pitelen on 07770 581408 or email greenstar@benburgess.co.uk to arrange the update of your GreenStar systems.

What an excellent demonstration event yesterday with the brand new John Deere 8500i Forage Harvester.

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

Thank you to all those that came and saw the SPFH in action!

Following the success of our Horsch Demo Tour at our Coates & Ellington branches, our Newmarket branch will be holding an event on Thursday 18 September 2014 by kind permission of East Fen Farms, Soham, CB7 5JL.

Contact Simmy Knight on 01638 577877 to confirm your attendance. Machines will be working from 7.30am until 12pm. Food & refreshments will also be served. We look forward to seeing you!

We will be exhibiting at NORMAC on Thursday 4 September. We look forward to seeing you at Honingham Thorpe Farms.

We have an excellent range of John Deere, Horsch, Gregoire-Besson and McConnell machinery that will be working in the field.

Special mention to Ellie Wright, Emily Fuller, Lucy Wright & Aimee Key who were selling loom band bracelets on our Aylsham Show stand yesterday. You would have seen them at their stall next to our toy stand. They raised £130 for Nelson's Journey which is fantastic!

Well done girls & thank you to all those that made a purchase!

Thank you to all those that braved the rain and visited our stand at the Aylsham Show yesterday!

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

We will be exhibiting at the Starting Handle Club Summer Show on 9th & 10th August 2014.

Our team from Ben Burgess Aylsham look forward to seeing you over the weekend!

It's prom time! We've been polishing machines ready for prom kings & queens to arrive in style!

Thank you to the Howe family for their feedback and photos. Aylsham High School held their annual prom on the weekend of 27th June at Wolterton Hall. One group of students borrowed a club car from us & decorated it to use as their ride! The parents of the children said that it was a very original idea and great value!

Ben Burgess has sold their largest Strautmann mixer wagon to date, with a John Deere 6150R, to a beef farmer in Norfolk.

Ben Burgess has been selling the German manufactured Strautmann range since 1999. Yet the most recent sale of a Verti-Mix 2401 double, to a farm near Great Yarmouth, is the largest volume mixer that Area Sales Representative Ben Conway has sold in the area.

Visit our Horsch Demo Tour! We have six John Deere tractors & six Horsch machines at various locations over four days from 29 July to 1st August.

Contact your local salesman for location information. Machines will be working from 6.30am until 10am. Food & refreshments will also be served. We look forward to seeing you.

Congratulations to Alistair Mackinnon who was the winner of our prize draw at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Mr Mackinnon was the winner of a John Deere R43 walk behind mower. Thank you to all those that entered.

Meet the 2014 range of John Deere combines at our open evening on 15th July in Norwich.

Join us between 5pm and 8pm at our Norwich depot, Europa Way, Norwich NR1 2EN. Refreshments will be provided. Please confirm your attendance with Hollie Gould on 01603 628251. We look forward to seeing you.

Meet the 2014 range of John Deere combines at our open evening on 11th July in Coates, Peterborough.

Join us between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at our Coates depot, Eldernell Lane, Coates PE7 2DD. Refreshments will be provided. Please confirm your attendance with Viviane Duarte on 01733 840777. We look forward to seeing you.

Thank you to all those who visited us at the Royal Norfolk Show!

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

Congratulations to the team on putting such a great stand together, it was extremely worthy of the Reserve Award for Best Trade Stand.

Join us for the 'Take Control' golf event at Thetford Golf Club on 9th July 2014. We will be introducing local golf courses to the brand new range of John Deere golf machinery.

Please contact Stuart Edge on 01603 625370 to confirm your attendance.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Robin Pitcher as area sales representative at our Beeston depot.

Robin has already been part of our team for 10 years and has welcomed the opportunity to take on this role. He is known to many of our customers already and his experience and knowledge of John Deere and our other main line products will serve him well in his new position.

The Royal Norfolk Show will soon be upon us! We look forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the show being held at the Norfolk Showground.

Visit our stand - 377 on Avenue 14 on 25th and 26th June.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of David Carver as area sales representative at our Newmarket depot.

David has been working in the agricultural machinery trade for the last eight years and we look forward to introducing our customers to him over the next few weeks.

Thank you to all those who visited us at the Suffolk Show!

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

Well done to the team for all their efforts on putting a great stand together.

We look forward to seeing you at the Suffolk Show!

We will once again be exhibiting at the Suffolk Show on 28th and 29th May 2014.

Farmers and agricultural dealers have welcomed the doubling of annual investment allowances to £500,000 as “wonderful news.”

“Some people have already spent their £250,000 and with a top-of-the-range self-propelled potato harvester costing than more £500,000 this will really make a difference," said Ben Turner, managing director of Ben Burgess. “We’re very pleased and excited. It is an excellent step,” he added.

Click here to read the full article.

Ben Burgess is pleased to announce the appointment of two agricultural salesmen, Richard Ward and David Emmerton.

Richard, having been Coates’ and Ellington’s AMS consultant for 5 years, will cover an area north and east of the Coates depot, with David covering the patch east of the Newmarket depot.

Check out January's National Farmer magazine for a profile on Greencrop Irrigation - engineering water and slurry for your industry.

Visit National Farmer.

There are some great articles in the Spring edition of GreenPower including Mark Fletcher's positive decision to buy a John Deere S680 combine.

Check out other articles from Kit Papworth with his John Deere sprayers and Abbots Ripton Farming with their S685i combine. Click here.

Preparations are in full swing for Lamma Show next week. We are stand G51, come and see us!

Congratulations to Sarah Lincoln, Ben Conway, Simon Hall and Richard Craske on receiving their service awards at the Ben Burgess Christmas Dinner yesterday evening.

Sarah, Ben and Simon celebrated 25 years service and were presented with their chosen watches. Richard celebrated 40 years at the company and was given a barometer.

Congratulations to our three prize draw winners from our open day last week!

1st prize - John Deere pedal tractor. Winner - M White.

2nd prize - £50 gift vouchers. Winner - Haydn Edwards.

3rd prize - £30 gift vouchers. Winner - James Francis.

Thank you to all those who visited us at our open day at Ben Burgess Coates yesterday.

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

It was a very successful day and we had some great machinery on display, including the new John Deere 7290R with e23 transmission.

You are invited to an open day at our Coates depot. Wednesday 11th December, 11am - 8pm.

Meet the new model year 2014 7290R with E23 transmission.

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce ourselves to you personally and also inform you of new products and services now available to you. A hog roast will be available from 3pm into the evening. Ben Burgess Coates, Eldernell Lane, Coates, Peterborough PE7 2DD. A prize draw will take place in the evening. We look forward to seeing you.

You are invited to a John Deere sprayer technical day on Tuesday 3rd December by kind permission of F C Palmer & Sons, Ely.

Featuring the John Deere 5430i Self Propelled Sprayer, the R962i & the brand new M952i Trailed Sprayers. 10am - 3pm. RSVP to James Lane at Ben Burgess on 07501 726054 or email jameslane@benburgess.co.uk (please confirm your attendance). Refreshments will be provided. Railway Farm, Newmarket Road, Stretham, Ely CB6 3LG. NROSO points will be available to claim. BB RTK and Farmade Management Systems will also be in attendance.

Thorney Golf Course take delivery of a new fleet of John Deere equipment.

Sid Matthews, course manager, said, “After looking at a range of different machinery we decided to purchase the John Deere package as we had already worked with Chris Pateman at Ben Burgess Newmarket and John Deere before and we have been very impressed with their service and professional attitude”.

Nine new Timberwolf TW 150DHB chippers are handed over to UK Power Networks.

Neal Hussey travelled to Timberwolf's headquarters at Stowmarket at the end of September to make the hand over to UK Power Networks and talk a team of operators through the safety & efficiency elements of operating the machines.

There's a new Bradley Wiggins in town!

A big well done to Ben Conway, and his co-pilots Matthew and Freya, who cycled 17 miles in September to raise money for the Norfolk Churches Trust. Ben was one of 2,500 people who cycled to different churches in the local area. Thank you to all staff who sponsored Ben - the overall amount raised is yet to be announced but in recent years the figure has been between £120,000 and £160,000.

Ben Burgess & Co. Ltd are pleased to announce the addition of two new depots in Coates and Ellington, sites previously trading as Anker of Coates.

Visit Ben Burgess Coates and Ben Burgess Ellington.

As a dealer of agricultural, horticultural and construction machinery, Ben Burgess celebrated its 80th anniversary last year and has held the John Deere franchise for nearly 50 years. We are proud to take over such a well-established company and believe it to be an extremely positive step forward.

Visit Farming Monthly for the official press release.

Ben Burgess is pleased to announce the appointment of a new agricultural salesmen, James Medler.

James has been with the company for 19 years, his previous role as Parts Manager. He will continue to be based at the company’s Aylsham depot. James will be responsible for selling the wide range of agricultural equipment available at Ben Burgess, including John Deere, Grimme and Manitou machinery. He will cover the eastern area of the depot.

Congratulations to the team for winning Best Trade Stand at the Aylsham Show on Monday!

Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

Having attended the Aylsham Show for 30 years, it was a great way to mark the occasion! Thank you to all those who came to see us, we hope you enjoyed our display and had a great day!

You are invited to an exclusive first look and demonstration of the brand new Timberwolf 240TDHB (T) on Monday 19th August at Ben Burgess Norwich.

Visit any time between 10am and 4pm. Refreshments will be available throughout the day. For further information on the Timberwolf 240TDHB (T) visit the Timberwolf website.

Harvest is underway!

We'll be photographing as and when we're in the field this summer. Check out our pictures on our Facebook page.

Tweet @BenBurgessAg with any photos of your John Deere combine!

Rotarians from Norfolk were invited to cut the red ribbon on a new tractor donated to a self-help children’s charity in Zambia.

Click here to read the full article.

Farmer Robin Baines and Rod Stone, of Wroxham Bure Valley Rotary, helped to raise more than £15,500 to send a tractor to an orphanage near Kitwe in Zambia’s Copper Belt. Ben Burgess Aylsham provided the tractor which began its journey in January.

Wouldn't it be good to know you're doing all you can to keep yourself and your staff safe? Whether we like it or not, the focus is on safety in agriculture.

Contact Neil Whatling (Tech I.O.S.H.) at BB Risk Services on 07501 726052 for further information on how he can assist you.

Our Harvest Opening Times are now in place, along with emergency contacts to keep you going throughout harvest.

Norwich, Aylsham & Beeston are open:

Monday - Friday: 8am - 7pm

Saturday: 8am - 4.30pm

Sunday: 8am - 12pm

Newmarket is open:

Monday - Friday: 7.30am - 6pm

Saturday: 7.30am - 4pm

Sunday: 8am - 12pm

An emergency contact list can be found on our Facebook page.

Combine training for W, T, C and S Series customers proves extremely worthwhile for the upcoming harvest.

Part two training included AMS programming in the field and lots of positive feedback was received.

Plenty came to enjoy the sunshine and BBQ whilst meeting the 2013 range of John Deere combines.

The John Deere S685i and W540 combines received a lot of interest, along with the 5430i Self Propelled Sprayer and 855D Gator with Power Steering. Thank you to all those who attended.

Photos from the evening can be seen on our Facebook page.

A very successful event for the Grimme GT harvester optimisation day at our Newmarket depot.

The event was very informative for our Grimme GT customers.

Follow our combine specialist, Andy Mennell, in the field this harvest with the John Deere S and T Series combines.

Click here to read the full article.

Expert operators from dealers in Scotland and East Anglia – Will Hutchison of Thomas Sherriff at Haddington, East Lothian and Andy Mennell of Ben Burgess at Newmarket, Suffolk – will be demonstrating the performance of John Deere S- and T-Series combines at various farms in their respective areas throughout the harvest period (weather permitting!).

Visit the South Norfolk Show on Sunday 14th July 2013.

We're pleased to support this fantastic event showcasing the best that South Norfolk has to offer with FREE entry for all the family.

Visit the South Norfolk Show website for more information.

Congratulations to Andrew Woodhouse who has been selected at random to win the John Deere R43 lawnmower!

Thank you to all those who entered our prize draw at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Crowned winners for a second year running at The Royal Norfolk Show!

Well done to the BB Team who were awarded Best Trade Stand for the second year running. Jake Humphrey presented the trophy to Carl Pitelen, Sean Curtis and Ben Turner.

Photos from the day can be seen on our Facebook page.

Meet the 2013 range of John Deere combines at our open evening on 11 July.

You are invited to our John Deere combine open evening on Thursday 11th July at our Newmarket depot, 5pm - 8pm. Food and refreshments will be served throughout the evening. RSVP to Hollie Gould on 01603 628251 or email holliegould@benburgess.co.uk.

The Royal Norfolk Show is only one week away!

We will have our usual great display of machinery and will be offering refreshments throughout the day. Please come and see us and have something to eat and drink. We look forward to seeing you.

Thank you to all those who visited our stand at the Suffolk Show this week.

Photos from the day can be seen on our Facebook page.

Horticultural students from Easton College visited our Norwich depot for an afternoon of workshops.

Students were given talks and demonstrations on engine maintenance, cylinder grinding, grass care and scarifying aeration.

We will be exhibiting at the Suffolk Show on 29 and 30 May 2013. Visit our stand between the First and Second Avenues.

We will have a great display of machinery and will be offering refreshments throughout the day. We look forward to seeing you.

Congratulations to Derek Dewson who was selected at random to win a family pass to Houghton International Horse Trials!

This competition is now closed.

Visit the Houghton International website.

Keen demand for specialised HillMaster combine harvesters in "flat" Norfolk....

Click here to read the full article.

Norfolk’s broad acres may be commonly regarded as “flat” – as the playwright Noel Coward famously described the county – but there is a keen demand for specialised “hill” combine harvesters.

You are invited to attend our Tractor Optimisation Days on 2 May at Norwich and 9 May at Newmarket.

All customers with 6R, 7R & 8R tractors can find out how to run their machines as efficiently as possible. 10.30am to 2.30pm, refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Hollie Gould on 01603 628251.

We will be exhibiting at the East Anglian Game & Country Fair on 27th and 28th April. Visit our stand and test drive the new John Deere Gator on a demanding off-road course.

We will have a full range of arborist equipment on display from Oregon, Timberwolf and CEuk, plus a selection of garden and PPE equipment.

We said farewell to David Curtis, our Garden Workshop Manager, who has retired after 43 years service.

Click here to read the full article.

David joined the company in 1970 and has been repairing and maintaining garden machinery around Norfolk ever since.

David received a chauffeur-driven send off, after a lunch with his colleagues and customers. We wish David a very Happy Retirement and thank him for all his hard work.

Thank you to all those who attended our Baler Evening yesterday.

It was another successful evening with a great turnout and plenty of interest in the John Deere 990 and 864 Round Balers, and the John Deere 1434 Large Square Baler that were on display.

David Purdy of John Deere gave a presentation on the fine tuning of this year's 990 design.

You are invited to a Baler Evening in conjunction with Diss Farm Machinery Club on Tuesday 26th February at Ben Burgess Norwich.

7pm, featuring the John Deere 1434 Large Square Baler, John Deere 990 Round Baler and John Deere 864 Round Baler.

To be held at Ben Burgess Norwich, Europa Way, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2EN. Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to Karen Lake on 01603 628251 or email karenlake@benburgess.co.uk.

Our Agricultural Health & Safety Advisor, Neil Whatling of BB Risk Services, will also be hand to answer any questions you may have.

After two years of fundraising, a tractor is finally on its way to help those in an orphanage in Zambia, Africa.

Click here to read the full article.

Members of the Wroxham Bure Valley Rotary Club recently exceeded their fundraising target of £15,500, with the help of 28 donors in the local agricultural industry. The money has funded a John Deere 5E tractor, which has been shipped to the Faith Orphanage Foundation in Kitwe North. The tractor will help those at the orphanage, who are currently farming by hand, by allowing the land clearance of the farms that they have been given, increasing their acreage to around 700. This will make the farming of fruit and crops more efficient, to improve both home consumption and also increase the sale of produce, allowing Faith to fulfil her vision of a self-sufficient organisation. Finally, the machine’s arrival will help over 6,000 people to learn a skill before they become adults and decide to leave the orphanage. As well as teaching agricultural skills, the Foundation provides training in carpentry, IT and tailoring.

A farming-to-farming development project in Zambia has been helped by a Broadland Rotary Club & Ben Burgess Aylsham.

Click here to read the full article.

Farmer Robin Baines and fellow Wroxham Bure Valley rotarians raised more than £15,500 to send a tractor to an orphanage at Kitwe in Zambia’s Copper Belt. The 55hp John Deere tractor, which was loaded into a shipping container at Ben Burgess & Co’s Aylsham branch, will enable 700 acres of land to be brought into cultivation. At present, workers at the Faith Orphanage Foundation, clear up to five to 10 ten acres of scrub by hand, costly and back-breaking work.

A great evening was had by all at this year's Ben Burgess Christmas Dinner Dance held at Dunston Hall.

Photos from the evening can be found on our Facebook page.

New to Ben Burgess - the JAPA 305 Firewood Processor. For effortless, fast and safe processing of firewood.

The JAPA 305 Firewood Processor is road towable, produces 4 to 5 tons of wood per hour, has a 2 or 4 way splitter & a 3.8m conveyor, making loading easy. Available now to hire - contact Dan Clark on 01603 625370.

We are pleased to have supported the Mow and Grow project since their recent break-in.

Click here to read the full article.

Mow and Grow in Bowthorpe was raided by burglars between 3pm on Saturday, October 27 and 7am on Monday, October 29.

A £500 donation from Roys supermarket and equipment loaned by agricultural hire company Ben Burgess has meant the social enterprise, which helps ex-offenders, has been able to carry on.

Three weeks in and the mo's are looking good!

Photo updates can be seen on our Facebook page.

If you would like to make a donation to the Ben Burgess team, please click here.

Thank you to all those who attended our open evening yesterday at our Newmarket Depot. The evening was a great success with lots of interest shown on the latest John Deere and Manitou ranges.

It was a great turnout as people came to meet the new John Deere 6M series, the John Deere 6R with direct drive transmission and the new Manitou MLT 840 with John Deere engine. The evening was also in conjunction with Countryside Watch who were there to advise those in the farming community on how to reduce crime.

Photos from the day can be seen on our Facebook page.

You are invited to meet three brand new ranges from John Deere & Manitou at our Open Evening in Newmarket on Tuesday 20th November 2012.

Meet the new John Deere 6M series, the John Deere 6R with direct drive transmission and the new Manitou MLT 840 with John Deere engine. In conjunction with Countryside Watch who will have crime reduction experts on hand.

4pm - 8pm - Ben Burgess Newmarket, Windmill Hill, Exning CB8 7NP.

Please RSVP to Carrie Moulding on 01638 577877 or email carriemoulding@benburgess.co.uk.

Our Grimme Sugar Beet Harvester Demo Day was a great success.

The full range of Sugar Beet Harvesters was demonstrated; the Rootster, Maxtron and Rexor, and a great deal of interest was generated by visitors.

Photos from the day can be seen on our Facebook page.