Fendt Rogator 655 Proves Its Worth on a Large Scale Norfolk Farm

A Fendt Rogator 655 sprayer, supplied by Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS), is regarded one of the most important machines on a large Norfolk arable farm, where timeliness, output and accuracy are all critical during the busy spray season.

Potatoes are the specialist crop for E.F. Harrold Ltd, which is family-owned and run, and based at Oulton, near Norwich. The total farmed area is approximately 1,500ha, across three main sites. Most is owned, some is farmed under FBTs, and the business also acts as a contractor farming land owned by the extended family. Between 340–370ha of potatoes are grown annually within the main rotation and on additional land rented in. These are for the high-quality fresh market as well as 1,000t for processing. This year, other crops include 234ha of sugar beet, 225ha of wheat, 146ha of spring barley, 120ha of winter barley, 90ha of oilseed rape, 85ha of maize for an AD plant, 65ha of peas and there are also 180ha of crops within environmental stewardship schemes.

Demanding sprayer workload

Jono Harrold manages the farm in partnership with his brother, Nick and father, Christopher. “Including the first two applications of liquid fertiliser, our sprayer could easily cover 4,000ha annually, just on our potatoes,” Jono explained. “The rest of the crops receive three to four passes each season, so it’s a large workload, especially as we are restricted to a 30m tramline width to suit our irrigation. Working with a bowser, we have achieved over 200ha of potato spraying in a day while applying 200 litres/ha, and spraying cereals at 120 litres/ha we achieve typical rates of 140ha to 160ha per day without the bowser, when the Rogator returns to fill in the yard.”

Rugged, with high work rates

The latest Fendt Rogator 655, with a 6,000-litre main tank and 30m boom is the third Rogator owned by the farm. The first was a yellow Challenger Rogator bought in 2017, which replaced a self-propelled 4,000-litre machine of another brand. That Rogator was kept for four years, then replaced by the later green Fendt version when it was due for updating. The Fendt was then kept for four and a half years, before being replaced by the current 2026-model Fendt Rogator 655 this January.

Before confirming their latest order, the Harrolds also considered similar size competitor brand sprayers. “We had a demonstration of one machine but preferred the Rogator and know we can rely on the TNS team to provide dependable back-up. The Rogator also comes with useful features including OptiRide hydro-pneumatic suspension. This ensures great stability and provides a comfortable ride, and a high clearance working mode increases underbody clearance by up to 45cm. It’s great for oilseed rape applications and, even late in the season, it’s almost impossible to see where it’s been,” Jono continued.

As well as adjustable ride height, the Rogator also comes with hydraulic axle width adjustment, allowing precise matching to 72in or 1.89m wheelings in potatoes, and 2.0m in sugar beet.

Continuous improvements

The sprayer’s main operator is Josh Coles-Rouse, although Jono takes over spraying duties for six weeks in the spring when Josh is planting potatoes. Josh describes the cab as spacious and comfortable and says the visibility is excellent, even though the latest machine has a larger clean water tank just behind the cab, slightly reducing the rear view. “I like Fendt’s strategy of making gradual improvements rather than redesigning an excellent machine with each updated model,” he commented. “Apart from the larger water tank, significant upgrades from previous models include a revised control joystick, an improved induction bowl with a new water jet to mix powders more efficiently and there is an IBC container filling system. We haven’t used it yet, but later in the season it will be easier to add trace elements to the mix.”

Adds convenience, improves results

Fendt’s OptiNozzle spray control system was specified for the new sprayer. With automatic selection and switching between up to four nozzles during spraying, it maintains optimal spray pressures and droplet size as the travel speed varies. “Having a choice of nozzles makes it easier alternating between types of application and different crops and means we can maintain lower pressures and reduce drift even at higher application rates,” Josh stressed.

He said the Rogator is easy to look after, and the high clearance mode allows easier washing under the chassis. Filling the sprayer is quick and easy, with a full tank including complex chemical mixes taking just 20–25 minutes, while filling with fertiliser takes only 10–15 minutes. He says the cab is well equipped, the fridge is useful and his only complaint is a lack of space for storage of paperwork and other bits and pieces, although he admits that encourages him to keep his workstation tidy.

Dependable AGCO and TNS back-up

Since the first Rogator arrived, support from TNS sprayer specialists Ben Miller and Gareth Bell has been excellent. “Our farm is some distance from the TNS Littleport depot where both specialists are based, so I was initially concerned there might be delays if anything went wrong,” said Jono. “Because our workload is high and weather often limits spraying opportunities, we need to make the most of every suitable window. But, whenever we have needed help, someone has always been available and arrived quickly. The distance has not been an issue at all.”

The Rogator was purchased with a four-year manufacturer warranty and will work between 1,200 and 1,300 hours annually. Jono says that the purchase price was competitive with other premium brand sprayers his family considered, but these only came with a standard one-year warranty, extendable to two years at extra cost. “AGCO stands by its machines with a proper warranty, and when our first Rogator suffered ongoing issues with its nozzle bodies, we were really impressed by the support,” he confirmed. “Resale values are good too, so costs to update both times so far have been reasonable.”

TNS Area Sales Manager, Peter Scott is based at the Fakenham and Attleborough depots and looks after the Harrold’s account. “Fendt Rogator sprayers are rugged and reliable, with a specification that appeals to professional farmers across our trading area,” he said. “It’s a comfortable cab with user-friendly controls and operators tell us it’s a great working environment. TNS and Fendt are both recognised for great service and back-up, and recent investment to ensure even better support for our sprayer customers includes a new workshop at Littleport capable of accommodating the largest and widest models in the range.”

The right machine

The farm’s location just 10–12 miles from the north Norfolk coast means spraying opportunities are often limited. “It’s remarkable how often windy days coincide with the need for potato blight treatments, and opportunities to spray sugar beet are just as restricted,” Jono noted. “We have considered running two machines, but the single Rogator copes with the workload while running two self-propelled sprayers would greatly increase our costs. Using a trailed sprayer alongside the Rogator during busy periods might be an option, but it wouldn’t have the same ability to travel easily over soft, wet ground.

“A season of potato applications is hard on any machine, as wheel ruts on irrigated land become deeper and there is lots of stress on the boom. We feel our Fendt Rogator does well to handle our demanding spraying regime. It’s ruggedly built and with great dealer back-up it’s clearly the right machine for our business.”