Summer Berry’s farm in Colworth has over 400 acres of delicious strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. They’ve been farming at Colworth since 2006 and over the years have created a farm full of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries which all grow under polytunnels.
With rows measuring just 160cm, they desperately needed a tractor narrow enough to fit down the tight strawberry tunnel rows without damaging their crop.
After much searching, Farm Manager Arunas Budry got in contact with Kirkland who specialise in compact tractors. Able to alter an existing machine to a customer’s specification, Kirkland’s skilled engineers came up with a solution:
We sourced a cab and cut it down to measure just 800mm wide which allowed the tractors to have plenty of space when going up and down the rows. This is Summer Berry’s third modified tractor by us here at Kirkland.” Dave Allen, Service Manager.
The Antonio Carraro TN5800 is one of the narrowest models on the marketing measuring just 1170mm, the ideal machine for any fruit grower looking for a narrow tractor for their tight rows.
“The AC TN 5800 is initially a cabless tractor. Kirkland was able to modify a cab and fit it for us, so we can spray strawberries safely and not touch the plants, thanks to its narrow width.” Arunas Budry, head of farming at Summer Berry.
Also searching for a narrow tractor, Hall Hunter Partnership is another UK fruit grower that Kirkland has also supplied a modified machine:
“I am very pleased with the Antonio Carraro TN 5800 tractor. It’s very manoeuvrable on tight headlands and the cab is surprisingly spacious even for over 6ft tall drivers with plenty of leg room. The electro hydraulics are positive in operation and ease of use and most importantly, we do not touch the plants with the cab, considerably reducing damage especially to the flowers in our blueberry fields. The tractor will also be used to spray 6-line high table top Strawberries in the harvest. All in all, Kirkland have gone the extra mile designing this tractor and I am very thankful.” For more information contact Kirkland UK on 01622 843013 / email info@kirklanduk.com.