Reliability and simplicity continue to be key factors that have influenced Trevor Hoff’s buying decision when it comes to tractors. It is why he opted for the M6-132 model, supplied by Rod Gaskin.
“I don’t need complex solutions, but do want reliability and straightforward operation at a sensible price,” explains Trevor from Meon Place Farm, Soberton, Hampshire. “I’m now on my third Kubota, and both the tractor and dealer continue to deliver everything I need for my livestock business.”
The Hoffs have recently upgraded to an M6-132 complete with LK2400H loader, picking up the mantle from a 2016-model MG110X. With a 20hp boost lifting the M6-132 up to a 150hp maximum, Trevor says the increase in power but in a package that is almost identical to its predecessor, has meant agility and manoeuvrability have been retained, suiting working in and around the farm’s traditional buildings.
“The extra power has been really useful with everything we do, but particularly with our BV5160 round baler,” he says. “We’ve a few steeper fields here in the Meon Valley, and for baling and bale hauling, the M6-132 does pull well.”
“And while we don’t make thousands of bales each season, when we do go, it has to be a simple turn of the key and get stuck in.”
The Hoffs run a beef sucker herd and flock of sheep on its Hampshire grassland farm, and the emphasis is firmly on producing its own high-quality forage. With a degree of self-sufficiency and control, Trevor (pictured with daughter Abbie) takes care of mowing, tedding and raking as required, before Abbie packs the rows into dense round bales with a four-year old Kubota BV5160 variable chamber baler. Neighbouring arable farmers offer straw in the swath, for Trevor to buy and bale.
“We need around 300 silage bales and 200 hay bales each year, plus an amount of straw for bedding, so the BV baler is extremely useful,” he says. “I have a Tellus GO universal terminal in the cab of my Kubota to run the baler, and it makes changing any settings while baling, really easy to do.”
“And being a belt baler, the BV is a robust bit of kit that simply gets on with creating solid, perfectly round, 4ft bales.”
His M6-132, bought to replace his previous Kubota tractor, came equipped with an LK loader, and is a working combination said to be a big step forward in control, precision and efficiency.
“The loader is much quicker and far better integrated into the tractor,” he says. “I now have hydraulic locking on the headstock too, so there’s no need to get out of the cab when swapping between attachments.”
“There’s nothing to dislike about the tractor and loader,” he says. “All the controls fall easily to hand, and the cab is proving to be a much quieter and farm more comfortable place to sit. And with a great dealer and a decent warranty backing it up, I know that any issues will be quickly and easily rectified.”