R D Fish Contracting Invests in Fendt 700 Series for Reliability and Growth
A new, Fendt 700-series tractor was the obvious choice when a busy Norfolk farmer and contractor was increasing his existing, four-tractor fleet.
Trading as R D Fish Contracting, Richard Fish is based at Primrose Green, Lyng, near Norwich. The family business comprises land that is owned, plus a larger area farmed as an FBT. As well as growing arable crops, 40ha is down to grass grazing for the family’s 170 Suffolk x Mule ewes, lambing at Christmas to provide meat for the Easter market. Diversification activities include the ‘Bushy Tails Dog Park’ for dog exercising, and the ‘Farmer Fish’s Pumpkin Patch’.
Growing business
Richard started contracting in 1998, using a tractor he hired from his employer at that time to pull his round baler. The operation grew and he bought his own tractor, investing in a second-hand Massey Ferguson from Randell NFM in 2007, then buying an additional brand-new Massey Ferguson in 2008. Now the business relies on a fleet of three Massey Fergusons and the two Fendts, along with a telehandler and a loading shovel, plus a forage harvester and a recently purchased second-hand combine ready for the coming harvest. Richard runs the business with help from his wife, Hazel, his son Simon – an apprentice agricultural engineer, and daughter Daisy who works as a grain trader. The day-to-day work is carried out by Farm Foreman – Ben Dunning, David Hudson and Ash Davies, with additional part-time help at peak periods.
Business built on service
Although a full range of agricultural fieldwork is undertaken for farms within an hour’s travelling time of Lyng, Richard’s speciality is foraging. Grass and maize silage are produced for livestock farms in the area, including four dairy enterprises – one of which opened just a few years ago milking 1,000 cows. Providing a stubble-to-stubble service, Richard and his team drill 400ha of maize each year, and his forage harvester cuts 500ha of maize silage plus large areas of grass. Two round balers produce 2,500 silage bales and 20,000 straw bales each year, bale wrapping is also available, and bales are made and transported for customers including a large poultry business.
“Our prices are competitive, but we built the business by doing what we promise and earning a reputation for a professional service rather than undercutting other contractors, and our customers remain loyal,” explained Richard.
8,000-hour Fendt warranty
Richard bought his first Fendt 700 Vario Gen6, in 2022. “Rapid business growth meant we needed additional tractors. That also meant keeping older tractors rather than trading them in and, as a result, some had more hours on them than we would have liked. To reduce the risk of unexpected repair costs in future, we decided new tractors with longer warranties were needed and Fendt, with up to eight years, was exceptional. We always admired Fendt tractors and enjoy dealing with TNS Area Sales Manager, Josh Taylor and his colleagues. They and AGCO treat us well so, although we looked briefly at other brands and those dealers tried hard to gain our business, we chose a Fendt 722 Vario Gen6 as our new front-line tractor.”
Second Fendt the obvious choice
The Fendt 722 Vario impressed with its flexibility, efficiency and ease of use so, when yet another new tractor was needed in 2025, a Fendt 724 Vario Gen6 was ordered from TNS to become the front-line tractor while the 722 Vario with 5,500 hours was relegated to slightly lighter duties, including spraying and fertilising. “The 724 Vario’s extra power is a benefit working with our Vaderstad Tempo precision drill,” explained main operator, Ben Dunning. “Working complex implements, the FendtONE controls on both Fendts offer advantages. For example, when spraying, ‘splitting’ the main terminal screen with one half for field maps and guidance, and the other displaying sprayer functions works well, and it’s more convenient than monitoring separate screens in different locations. The optional drop-down roof terminal might have appealed if more of our implements had Isobus compatibility, but for us there were limited benefits as our dedicated baler terminals are swapped between tractors, while the Vaderstad drills have iPad control.
“One of my few complaints regarding this Fendt cab is the lack of a decent accessory bar to mount third-party displays.”
Stepless transmission essential
All the farm’s tractors have CVT transmission. “It makes every task easier and more efficient and, in my opinion, it also contributes to superior fuel economy compared to other brands for field work,” Richard continued. “For mowing and baling, as well as tasks such as stone separating, travel speeds can be constantly optimised to suit varying conditions. Working alongside other machines such as carting produce, there is no problem matching the speed of the harvester. Fendt provides its Vario CVT transmission as standard while Dyna-VT is an option on Massey Ferguson. Most other manufacturers don’t offer a true stepless CVT, which is another reason we prefer these AGCO brands.”
Options specified for both Fendts include front linkage, PTO and hydraulic spools plus an uprated 193-litres/min hydraulic pump. The tyres are 650-series rears paired with 540 fronts, the same width as the farm’s other tractors. The most visible option is the distinctive black paint finish, chosen for its professional appearance.
Richard pointed out that a larger tractor-mounted toolbox would be useful. “As a travelling contractor we need quick access to tools. Most of the time that isn’t a problem as we have our front linkage-mounted combined toolbox and ballast weight. But, for jobs such as mowing when the front linkage is needed for implements. then the weight boxes are left back in the yard and that’s when a decent sized tractor toolbox would help.”
Compact but powerful
Richard commented that the two Fendts are powerful but compact, making them incredibly versatile. “Manoevrability is excellent and there is a great view from the seat. Operating our set of front and rear mowers, having such a clear view ahead is a big advantage, and it’s further improved by the front-mounted camera. Our uprated pump provides plenty of hydraulic oil flow, although for most of our work the standard pump would be adequate.”
Remote data sharing
The FendtONE operating concept includes a smartphone app giving authorised users remote access to the Fendt tractors’ task and operating data. Richard finds it useful for viewing fuel consumption and monitoring task progress, while Hazel says it enhances operator safety, allowing the family to view the location and operating status in real-time. FendtONE also provides opportunities to share detailed task and field data including work instructions and field maps between the farm office and tractor. Currently, little use is made of the system’s massive potential, but this will change to improve working efficiency and simplify activities such as customer billing too, she confirmed.
Exceptional dealer back-up
Back-up from both the TNS Fakenham and Attleborough teams is described by Richard as exceptional, and if a breakdown occurs then a suitable loan tractor is always available if it is needed. “We know Richard well and understand the needs of his business,” said Josh Taylor. “He runs a professional operation and depends on our service teams for effective support but also appreciates that our staff can be under pressure during busy periods and won’t ask for an immediate visit or to borrow a loan tractor if he can manage without it. It’s a great working relationship.”
Richard and Hazel agree that investing in Fendt tractors is proving the right decision for their business. “They cost a little more, but we are certain residual values will be strong – reducing costs of ownership, while the 8,000-hour warranty gives us confidence to run them for longer, making it easier to afford additional tractors and other equipment as the business expands. Having said that, keeping Massey Ferguson tractors beyond their warranty hasn’t proved a problem, especially with great support from TNS and AGCO,” Richard concludes.
