Situated about 40 miles east of Berlin in Germany’s Oderbruch region, near the rural village of Bliesdorf, is the agricultural contracting business solely operated by Manuel Ristau. Kirovets tractors have long been associated with heavy-duty work, including ploughing, cultivation, silage clamping and forestry. For Manuel, however, the capabilities of a conventional K700A were not enough. Having trained as an agricultural and construction machinery mechanic at Tiede Landtechnik, Manuel subsequently participated in working demonstrations throughout Germany and eastern Europe. This experience helped him develop a particular interest in machinery, including Soviet-era equipment and conversions. He then established his own contracting business,…