Lincolnshire contractor Richard Ivatt lifts about 1,500ha of sugar beet each year, for both local farmers and under contract with British Sugar.
Because of the large area, he looks for machines that are reliable and easy to maintain – with seasons as wet as the past two, it’s imperative that he can get into the field at every opportunity.
He has stuck with the Holmer brand for the past 15 years, now operating from the cabin of a 2023 Terra Dos T530.
“It’s our seventh machine,” Richard says. “Because of the hectarage we’re covering, we try to change the machine every three years or so.”
The flagship of the Holmer range, the Terra Dos 5, is available in a four- or six-wheel configuration. He uses the four-wheel model, which has a 30cu m, 21t capacity bunker, compared with the 45cu m holding capacity of the six-wheeler.
The base specification remains the same between the two machines, however, with a 652hp Mercedes-Benz engine powering the unit, put to the ground through a 40kph hydrostatic transmission.
Cabin updates
“I’ve always liked the Holmer product, but there were some noticeable updates to this generation,” Richard says.
“They’ve integrated a lot of updates into the cabin, including a new display, which is really user-friendly, and a redesigned armrest that is a lot better than the previous version. All the controls are within easy reach.”
A key feature of the Holmer range is the patented EasyLift system, which automatically regulates the individual share depth, using the crown height – which is measured by potentiometers on the scalpers – as a basis to avoid unnecessary soil movement as well as damage to the crop.
“We’ve tried other brands of harvester, but none of them have been able to develop a system close to this,” Richard says.
“It’s especially helpful on some of the heavy ground we work on. Honestly, that system makes the machine, and I couldn’t see us looking elsewhere while Holmer remains the only company to offer something like it.”
Depth wheels
Richard also highlights the redesigned depth wheels at the lifting unit. “The increased diameter compared with our previous machine has really helped this season.
“When it’s wet, the larger wheels don’t sink as far, and this stops the lifting unit from diving into the soil. The fact they only have three spokes instead of four also means they run cleaner, which makes the whole operation easier.”
The Holmer brand has undergone some changes in the UK in recent years, with Agrifac UK passing on the national distribution to Chris Coleman at CC Agricultural Engineering in 2022.
Richard says the backup he has received from the company in the past two years has been excellent.
“The Holmers are normally trouble-free, or as trouble-free as any machine can be,” he says. “But when there are any issues, I really like the fact you can speak to the right person easily at CC Agri. A lot of the time, it will be a simple issue to fix, and they will talk you through it over the phone.”
The sugar beet market is somewhat volatile, with prices making some look closely at its place within the rotation. Richard explains that the conversations he has had so far suggest his area will remain the same, providing vital winter work for the contracting firm.
“Our customers have always liked the lifting capabilities of the Holmer, and the finish it leaves behind,” Richard concludes.