Heavy-duty Deere 7Rs handle the big jobs for Hawke's Bay contractor

For 30 years, Middle Hills Contracts Ltd. has run John Deere tractors in Waipukurau, Central Hawke's Bay. The Parsons family manages this large operation, which includes full cultivation, drilling and precision planting, baling, silage and harvesting. 

Their latest John Deere, a 7R 250, joined the team in October 2020. Rod Parsons says it is an excellent multi-purpose tractor, which can be used for high or low horsepower jobs. "It's the ideal weight-to-horsepower ratio," Rod notes. 

The 7R 250 has the weight and power to run triple mowers, tow a 35m3 silage trailer, pull a 5m combined cultivator and precision planter or carry a five-furrow reversible plough. "It carries the weight of the plough better than the 6R, and the hydraulics are stronger. That is one of the reasons we have gone with the 7R." Rod states. 

The new 7R 250 is one of many 7R tractors that Middle Hills has owned, but the first of the new model. The standard 7R transmission is the e23 PowerShift; however, John Deere provides options on just about everything, and Rod chose the AutoPowr infinitely variable transmission (IVT). All 10 John Deere tractors at Middle Hills are IVT. "When people jump out of one and into another, they are all the same," says Rod. Additionally, he can make sure his staff are taken care of through the quality of the cab. "It is a comfortable cab with good visibility, low noise and good positioning of controls. All of this makes for a great workplace."

With a road speed of 50 KPH, contractors can get to clients in a timely fashion. The fuel-efficient 7R 250 was also paired with John Deere's StarFire 6000 receiver and an Sf3 accuracy signal. "We need the precision for towing effluent tanks when putting on slurry and the accuracy of proof of placement to give back to farmers," Rod says. 

JDLink allows Rod to see the location of any of the tractors and what they are doing. Access can be given to others through his local Brandt Agriculture. It potentially allows technicians to be notified directly of faults, speeding up communication and resolution. Rod says the product has always been reliable, and they have had few issues. But an aspect he values is that John Deere and Brandt fix his problems quickly when something does go wrong. "That is one of the main reasons we stick with them. They look after us if we have issues and get us another tractor if we are down", Rod praised. "It is to John Deere's credit that if they believe it is a manufacturing fault, then they always come to some agreement even if it is out of warranty."

Rod has now ordered an additional tractor in the 7R series. A 7R 210 will be replacing a 6215R. "We have gone for the heavier tractor for the triple mowers. It is not so much the horsepower, but it is stronger and heavier," he says. 

Brandt Agriculture Waipukurau is proud to assist Rod and his team at Middle Hills Contracts Ltd. If you need to add to your fleet or have questions about John Deere tractors, please contact your local Brandt Agriculture.