On the plains of Roedtan in Limpopo, where the land is wide and the seasons are challenging, Rudolph Botha, together with his partner, CP Kloppers, runs a mixed farming operation called, J&L Construction.

What started as a crop farm has grown into a diversified business with various divisions – from cattle, citrus and blueberries to sugar beans and a sorting facility in their own factory.

However, they do not stop at their own production. As experienced contractors they also provide harvesting and other agricultural services to a wide network of farmers that extends from the Bushveld to the Botswana border and even across the Highveld.

“We farm here on the Springbok plains, between Naboomspruit and Roedtan,” explains CP. “It is a region with incredible soil potential but challenging climatic conditions.”

With an average rainfall of only 400 to 450 mm per year and frequent extreme temperatures, resources such as water are scarce – and smart usage of it is essential.

Cornel Kloppers with his father, CP, in the bean field.

Every litre counts – especially in the sugarbean fields of Limpopo

Fuel. This is one of the biggest cost items on any farmer’s budget – especially if you plant, cultivate and harvest sugar beans in the heat of the Lowveld, and do contractor work for other farmers. Every litre of fuel saved is money straight back into the farmer’s pocket. And in a season where prices are unpredictable and every decision counts, farmers are looking for technology that helps them farm smarter and more cost-effectively.

The MF 5710 in action with the Colombo Double Master harvesting the beans.

Every decision has an impact – especially when farming in challenging conditions

For Rudolph and CP, this means that there is no room for error when it comes to mechanisation. Sugar beans are a crop with little mercy: if you don’t harvest at the right time, they open up – and the loss to the farmer is great.

“You can’t cut certain costs, like water and fertiliser, but you can choose wisely what you put in your fleet.”

Fuel consumption, the type of implements, and their suitability for specific soil conditions are critical decisions for these farmers which directly impacts their profitability. That’s why they choose their tractors carefully, and why they trust Massey Ferguson to get the job done efficiently, without unnecessarily draining their diesel tanks.

CP Kloppers

Massey in action – and the numbers tell the story

Although Rudolph and his team have a fleet of different types of tractors, they recently decided to put Massey Ferguson tractors to the test – specifically with their sugar bean harvesting contracts in mind.

“JWL Landbou suggested that we test their Massey tractors on our farm,” says CP. “And I’m really impressed with what I’ve experienced so far.”

They purchased three MF 5710 tractors that now play a key role during the harvesting season. These tractors are not only reliable but handle the challenging terrain and long hours with ease – and it’s their fuel efficiency in particular that turns heads. “Fuel is starting to play a big role,” says CP.

Ryan Clark, AGCO representative, with Sias Humphries of JWL Landbou, Cornel and CP Kloppers.

Figures are the trump card – up to R100/ha savings on fuel alone

Rudolph and CP don’t rely on guesswork — they rely on numbers. And the numbers proved that Massey Ferguson saves fuel. “Compared to the other brands in our fleet – operating in exactly the same conditions, I have no less than 25% savings on fuel consumption with the Masseys,” shares CP. “In some cases, that figure rises to as much as 40%. It depends on the workload of course, but even with that variation, it’s still a massive saving.”

When you work this out in hard rands and cents, the impact becomes even clearer: “Tractor consumption with the harvesters varied between 8,2 litres and 12 litres per hectare – and the Masseys used between 2 and 4 litres per hectare less diesel. This means we are looking at a saving of between R80 and R100 per hectare just on fuel.” For a farm with large hectares under contract, this adds up quickly.

“Fuel is one of our biggest costs on the farm. If you start saving like this, it makes it possible for you to invest that money back into your farming – maybe new equipment or another tractor. In three, four or five years you might look back and realise: just on the fuel savings you were able to pay off that tractor.”

But it’s not only the fuel savings that impress. The MF 5710’s compact design, strong lifting capacity and excellent ground clearance are exactly what they need for their work in the sugar bean fields – especially when towing heavy harvesters. “If your tractor isn’t high enough off the ground, you get that scraping action on the drawbar,” he explains. “And that makes your beans open up, which means a direct loss to the farmer. These Masseys have a clear advantage over other brands when it comes to ground clearance – and that counts.”

More hectares per day – thanks to Massey’s gear ratio and harvester match

In combination with their Colombo Double Master harvesters, the MF 5710 delivers excellent daily performance – giving Rudolph and his team that much-needed edge in a season where time is against you. “We harvest between 8 and 10 hectares on an average day,” he explains. “But on a good day, which I couldn’t manage with other tractor brands before, we can harvest up to 12 hectares. This is purely due to the gear ratio and how well the Massey works in combination with the harvester.”

The MF 5710 is equipped with a twelve-speed gearbox with two ranges – high and low range, and a wet clutch system that is adjustable, so you can move quickly and smoothly between forward and reverse without having to step on the clutch.

For the farmer, this ease of control means efficiency on the field. “Many other brands only have three or four-speed gearboxes. The transitions between gears are too large, so you miss that fine balance between speed and power. But the Massey gives me more options, so I can always work on the exact gear ratio that suits my harvester. And those 2 extra hectares per day make a difference – especially if you do contractor work. It’s straight money in the pocket for your customer and for your farm.”

Sias Humphries in front of the MF 5710 and Double Master combination.

A dealership who farms together – and builds value together

Sias Humphries of JWL Landbou in Middelburg serves the Groblersdal, Marble Hall area and the Springbok plains, among others – and he believes that service does not stop with delivery. “For us, customer relationships are of the utmost importance,” he says. “It’s not just about the tractor – but also about the relationship with the farmer. We believe in open communication, daily contact where necessary, and peace of mind for the farmer to be able to call us at any time if there is even the slightest problem.”

Sias and his team worked with CP to identify the right combination of equipment for their harvesting contract work. “The MF 5710’s kilowatt ratio is a perfect match for the performance required by the Colombo Double Master harvester,” he explains. “The AGCO Power engines that these Masseys are equipped with, deliver consistent power at very favourable diesel consumption.”

He further emphasises the value of the Massey Global series: “It is a much heavier, sturdier tractor – what you pay for and what you get really adds up. And for farmers like CP, who are looking for precise performance and low fuel consumption, it is a winning combination.”

JWL’s connection with AGCO also goes beyond just sales. “We are proud of what we do – we are personally committed, not just to the customer, but to every tractor we deliver. AGCO gives us excellent support, and we look forward to further establishing this product in the market together.”

A partnership that makes sense – in the field and in the workshop

For CP, there is no doubt: Massey Ferguson tractors don’t just deliver results on paper – they do it where it counts. “A brand is only as good as the service you get afterwards,” he says. “And what makes it worth it for me to work with JWL Landbou, is that you feel like you are walking this path with people who really want to help. We have been walking this path with Sias for a long time, and we have trust in him as a sales representative.”

The after-sales service that Rudolph, CP and their team receive makes the difference between just a purchase and a true partnership for him. “I would recommend Massey tractors to farmers who also want to save money where they can. I am excited to test Massey tractors further, to make even more of a difference in our farming operation – because it is about sustainability, about every decision you make today that affects your harvest tomorrow. And with Massey and JWL Landbou by your side, that path is a lot easier.”

With the support of AGCO and his local dealer, JWL Landbou, the farmer has now found a formula that works – in the field and on the fuel slip.

For more information on how you can also save on your farm, feel free to talk to the guys at JWL. For more information, visit JWL’s website at https://jwl.co.za/ or contact Sias Humphries at (+27)83-630-5560 or send an email to sias@jwl.co.za.

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