United Kingdom, Scribeland Ltd.

Bruce Goodsell (left) with XERION operator Edward Tapp, Scribeland Ltd, Upper Froyle, Alton, Hampshire

Farming and contract farming a total of 1600ha, Scribeland Ltd’s XERION 3300 plays an integral part in their crop establishment system.

Bought three years ago to replace a CLAAS Challenger, the 344hp XERION, which has 2,500 hours on the clock, is mainly responsible for heavy primary cultivations over soils ranging from heavy clay to chalk, but will also be used for haulage work and baling with a QUADRANT 2200.

“For primary cultivations tracks are just too restricting and with the developments there have been in tyre technology, there is no difference in compaction between tracks and the right tyres,” says Bruce Goodsell.

Depending on the crop, soil type and ground conditions, implements used behind the XERION include an eight-furrow semi-mounted plough, a seven leg flatlift, a 4.0m Köckerling cultivator, a 6.6m Simba Xpress or a Quivogne Tinemaster.

“We do need plenty of traction and power due the soils and hills,” says Bruce. “With the Köckerling, which moves about 10 tonnes of soil, we average about 40ha/day whereas with the Xpress we will be up to 60ha/day.”

The XERION is driven by Edward Tapp who joined Scribeland last autumn having previously driven a large conventional tractor.

“The XERION is an operator’s machine and compared to my previous tractor, I find the XERION far easier to set-up and use. The cab has to be one of the best on the market. There’s plenty of space and the large toolbox is great.”

“Cruise control is very good and I use that all the time, and the ability alter the engine droop and hydraulic speed is useful and I do change these for different operations. You can set everything up how you want it; for instance I generally have one spool on the joystick, which is far easier, and for ploughing I have it set so that the XERION is in 2-wheel drive in the furrow but will automatically change to 4-wheel steer when the plough is lifted at the headland.”

“For the size of tractor, fuel consumption is good and its ability to cut back the revs to save fuel is a useful feature,” adds Bruce. “In addition, we have it on a full maintenance contract so we know exactly what it costs, plus we know the service for CLAAS and Southern Harvesters will be first class, which is very important should we have a problem.”