Case Study
Versatile and reliable: Sumo Quatro proves its worth at Northfield Farms
Farm Profile
Customer:
George Palmer
Location:
Northfield Farms Soham, Cambridgeshire
About:
1,500 ha, including winter wheat, winter oilseed rape, spring beans, and 600 ha of sugar beet. Some land rented out for potato production
The Challenge
Scaling Up for Bigger Acreage and Tougher Condition
Managing 1,500 ha of varied crops – from sugar beet and winter wheat to oilseed rape and spring beans – means George Palmer faces the constant challenge of matching the right cultivation approach to each soil type and crop rotation. As sugar beet acreage expanded and workloads grew, the smaller 3 m Sumo Trio models he’d relied on for years began to reach their limits.
“Getting the right machine for the job is essential,” says George. “Firmer seedbeds allow optimum drilling conditions – that’s exactly what we get from the Quatro.”
High-residue conditions, heavy soils prone to clodding, and the need for consistent results across lighter land demanded a more powerful, adaptable solution.
The SolutionTo meet these demands, George upgraded to a 5 m Sumo Quatro, pairing it with a Claas Xerion 5000 – the only tractor on the farm capable of working the implement at full depth.
“The extra front disc set on the Quatro adds another level of performance. It gave us the versatility we needed on both heavy and lighter land,”
With wide leg spacing and increased trash clearance, the Quatro copes easily with high-residue conditions, while its weight breaks clods on heavy soils and firms lighter ground. George also makes full use of its quick-change capability.
“We can remove the legs and use it as a disc cultivator in just 30 minutes – perfect for trash incorporation with a smaller tractor.”
Key benefits include:
Results
Most of the Quatro’s work takes place in early autumn, cultivating to a depth of 35 cm, particularly for sugar beet, followed by spring seedbed preparation with a power harrow and direct drill.
“We’ve found the 5 m Quatro to be hugely versatile in a wide range of situations – it’s one of the best cultivators in its class,” says George. Alongside its performance, reliability has been a major benefit: “The support from Sumo and our local dealer, Thurlow Nunn Standen, has been second to none. Any issues are resolved quickly, and the service has always been spot on.”
The result is a single machine that delivers firm, level seedbeds across all soil types while reducing downtime and increasing flexibility across Northfield Farms’ entire cropping programme.
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