As something of a self-confessed perfectionist, completing a length of fencing that looks right and does its job well is a satisfying outcome for Derbyshire contractor Jim Brocklehurst.
And the ingredients that help get a fence looking right as well as being functional include careful planning, having good equipment and paying a lot of attention to detail.
“I like to finish a fencing job that’s neat, tight and tidy and will keep stock in or out as it’s meant to,” he says. “Good preparation helps; I take pictures on my iPhone of potentially awkward spots and try to visualise the fence from a sheep’s viewpoint, looking for areas that could be used as a springboard.
“Putting in a curve may lose a bit of ground but will avoid ‘closed corners’ and I like to allow space to prevent young hedges being nibbled as they grow,” he adds.
Ideas for stock drafting and holding will often influence gate orientation, and gates are hung with the bottom hinge upside down so than an enterprising bull – or anyone wanting to bypass a lock – cannot lift it off.
The outfit he uses to tackle fencing contracts within a 50-mile radius of his base at Whaley Bridge, north of Buxton, Derbyshire, is geared towards easy mobility from site to site and one-man operation – although partner Lisa Mellor often drives the tractor while Jim operates the post driver.
“Previous tractors I’ve run had their good features, but this new McCormick is the best all-round package,” he says. “It’s easy, fast and comfortable to drive over long distances, with a lovely smooth transmission. And being able to set up the precise hydraulic oil flow needed for different equipment is fantastic.”
The 165hp McCormick X7.660 Pro Drive supplied by Derbyshire machinery dealer Alkmonton Tractors carries a Bryce Suma Supreme post driver on the rear linkage, towing a trailer laden with posts, wire and all the tools and other materials needed for a day’s work. Up front, there is a Quickfencer for dispensing rolls of barbed wire and high tensile netting.
“I wanted something with a bit more grunt than the previous tractors and also with the stability to carry the heavier Bryce post driver,” says Jim. “I must admit I also liked the idea of getting a McCormick to match the CX90 and CX95 we have on the farm – my dad’s CX95 is immaculate despite being 13 years old!”
With its 6.7-litre engine and heavy-weight cast chassis frame, the McCormick has the mass to safely handle the fencing equipment on the road and up in the Dales. Auto-shifting between the gears and ranges in the Pro Drive transmission makes life easy on the road, Jim adds, while the creep speeds in the optional 40x40 ‘box are ideal on site.
Oil flow through the electronic spool valves is easily adjusted to lift and release the post driver’s hammer at the optimum speed and to operate crane and steering rams on a timber trailer used to extract logs during forest maintenance.
“Having the diff lock automatically engaging or releasing according to the steering angle or braking is another handy feature,” adds Jim. “And having controls for the linkage, pto and one spool valve on the rear mudguards – as well as a spool valve button on the chassis rail for the front linkage – makes single-handed coupling up to implements a lot easier.”
Cab suspension and independent front axle suspension make for a comfortable ride when moving to new fencing sites but really come into their own when high roads have to be cleared of snow in winter.
“I’ll spend long hours in the seat when I’m gritting and snow ploughing, so having something to drive as comfortable as the McCormick is great,” Jim says. “The independent front suspension means there’s no bounce or shudder, and the cab and air seat absorb bumps and potholes.
“The tractor has a good turning circle for its size, too, and the telescopic pick-up hitch is really useful for lining up on a trailer drawbar,” he adds.
“Together with the post driver, which has all the features a fencing contractor could possibly want, and the speed of running out tight wire using the Quickfencer, the tractor is the core machine in an outfit that helps me do the best job I can for fencing that will last – and look good into the bargain.”
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