After several decades using a variety of red and green telehandlers, 2025 saw a changing of the guard at Narraton Farm in Devon, with the first Massey Ferguson branded material handler, with the latest MF CT transmission, carrying out the heavy lifting. 

The telehandler was also the first UK delivered MF TH machine, fitted with the continuously variable two range, CT transmission, which was launched to the market last year. Farm owner Adrian King, and newly appointed farm manager, Marcus Hayes, chose the MF TH 7038 CT model over some of the established market leaders, as Marcus explains.

“We tried the MF TH at the MF eXperience roadshow in Exeter last year and we were immediately impressed with how stable it was moving around the yard and loading at height. Its centre of gravity and overall height is lower than our previous handler and we’ve noticed how sure-footed this makes the machine when loading sheer grabs of silage into the mixer wagon.”

Narraton Farm is a 200-strong high-yielding dairy unit milking via robots for the past three years. Based near Okehampton, Devon, the farm carries out the majority of farm and field work in-house, with the telehandler loading a feeder wagon two or three times a day for the indoor housed herd. A change was prompted when maintenance backup became an issue with their previous machine.

Adrian says: “We suffered some reliability issues with the old handler and we’re disappointed with the service level we received. This prompted us to talk with Alan Lake, who has supplied us with several Massey Ferguson tractors over the years, and we’ve always been impressed with the backup received from Rundle Agri.

“I’ve never been totally sure on tractor manufacturers producing telehandlers, but I was impressed after trying it. The biggest attraction was that it would be serviced by a dealer we know and trust.”

CT transmission

The CT transmission was introduced on three models of the TH range, with some key features for easier operation around the yard and in the field. The MF TH 7038 is the middle of the three, offering a lift height of 7m and a lift capacity of 3.8t from the 135hp output. 

Loading the mixer wagon happens three times a day and the stability of the MF TH 7038 CT over the previous machine is a welcome addition

Adjustable engine start/stop timings for fuel saving, cruise control, and Dynamic Tractor Management, allowing reduced fuel consumption during transport, are all features on the new models. Hare and tortoise modes are selected on the go from the cab, with tortoise limiting speeds to 20kph for precise control, and the hare setting provides uninterrupted speeds from 0-40kph.

The simple controls are praised for being well laid out and the joystick responsive and easy to use

 After putting over 400 hours on the machine since it arrived, Marcus says the transmission has lived up to the billing.

“It feels identical to the hydrostatic transmission we are used to and there’s no drop in performance on demanding jobs, such as mucking out. It’s very easy to drive and it felt instantly familiar from the moment it arrived. Settings are easy to adjust via the 7in touchscreen.”

The 7in touchscreen is clear and easy to use with simple adjustments to steering modes

Neat features

The farm has a mixture of buildings and some of the older units present challenges for mucking out. Both Adrian and Marcus commented on how the curved glass on the right-hand rear cab corner, that doesn’t have the traditional C-pillar, has vastly improved visibility.

“We’ve really noticed how much better visibility is to the rear of the machine and there’s no obstruction with the pillar. The lowered boom position also helps as it sits within the machine’s frame and not above it like some handlers.”

Marcus says one of the best features is the auto handbrake, that applies after one second and can be adjusted to suit the operator’s preference.

“I’m surprised how quickly we’ve all become used to it. So much so, we must be careful when using the tractors as you start to think every machine has it. For connecting implements or when we are regularly in and out of the cab, it’s a dream. You don’t have to switch it off either – just pull away to release.”

Other highlights include a central bank of grease points on the rear corner and a clever pressure release design for connecting hydraulic pipes to the third service on the boom. Marcus and Adrian push the pipes into the connection, and the handler instantly drops the pressure in the system, allowing the pipe to slot in easily.

The MF TH 7038 CT has 190l/min hydraulic flow, which is available all the time and can be turned down if required. The pair say fuel use has decreased slightly from previous machines, although the 100-litre tank is a bit smaller. 

Loading manure is a key role of the handler and the 190l/min hydraulic flow allows performance in-line with competitor models

MF fleet

The farm now has four MF tractors, with three connected to the MF Connect platform, allowing Adrian to check machine locations, fuel level and use, along with other key performance data. He says with diesel prices rising considerably over the past few years, monitoring fuel use has become more important.

“The platform allows me to evaluate fuel consumption across different jobs throughout the season, and I can spot if there are areas where we can make savings. With a least four grass cuts per year carried out in house, along with other works across the farm, having this data is very useful when assessing the cost of each operation.”  

Despite the rain, the view from the rear of the machine is clear and unobstructed and easy for operators to see down to the rear quarter in tight buildings