The Importance of Regular Servicing: A Small Filter, a Big Difference At JJ Farm Services, we understand the importance of regular maintenance in keeping your machinery reliable and efficient. We were reminded of this recently during a routine tractor service, when we replaced the air filters and discovered the outer one was covered with dust and debris. It looked like it hadn’t been changed in quite some time! While it might not seem like a major issue, a clogged air filter can have a big impact. It restricts airflow to the engine, causing it to work harder, burn more fuel, and lose power. Over time, that strain can lead to costly wear and repairs — all from a part that’s designed to be regularly replaced. Why Regular Servicing Matters Protects your engine – Clean filters and quality oil keep harmful dirt and contaminants out. Improves efficiency – A well-serviced engine runs smoother and uses less fuel. Prevents downtime – Regular checks catch small issues before they cause breakdowns. Maintains value – Service history shows your machine’s been properly cared for, helping protect resale value. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late It’s easy to overlook routine maintenance when everything’s running fine, but prevention is always better than repair. A simple service can make a huge difference to performance, reliability, and running costs. If it’s been a while since your tractor was last serviced — or you’re not sure when those filters were last changed — now’s the perfect time to book in.
From Ploughs to Min-Till: How the Sumo Trio Is Changing Cultivation Across the industry, more and more farmers are rethinking their approach to cultivation. With increasing focus on soil health, efficiency, and fuel savings, many are moving away from traditional plough-based systems towards minimum tillage — or min-till. Recently, we had the pleasure of supplying a customer with a Sumo Trio, a versatile piece of equipment that perfectly illustrates this shift. Designed to reduce the number of passes needed while still achieving excellent soil conditioning, the Trio is helping growers save both time and fuel without compromising results. The move away from traditional ploughing Ploughing has long been a trusted method for preparing seedbeds, but it comes with drawbacks — from higher fuel use and time demands to potential disturbance of soil structure and organic matter. As input costs rise and sustainability becomes more important, many farms are now exploring alternatives that maintain yields while improving long-term soil condition. What is minimum tillage? Minimum tillage aims to prepare the soil with fewer operations and less disturbance. By reducing the number of passes, it helps retain soil moisture, protect earthworm populations, and maintain structure — all key factors for healthy, productive land. It’s a practical, forward-thinking approach that aligns with modern farming’s environmental and economic priorities. The Sumo Trio in action The Sumo Trio combines deep loosening, surface cultivation, and consolidation in a single pass. Its design allows for effective soil movement, residue mixing, and compaction relief — all while maintaining a level finish ready for drilling. This versatility makes it ideal for farms transitioning from plough-based systems to min-till. Our recent delivery of a new Trio marks another step forward for one of our local customers, who wanted to improve efficiency and reduce the time spent preparing fields. After discussing their needs and soil conditions, we recommended the Trio as the best-fit solution for their system.
The Importance of Regular Servicing: A Small Filter, a Big Difference At JJ Farm Services, we understand the importance of regular maintenance in keeping your machinery reliable and efficient. We were reminded of this recently during a routine tractor service, when we replaced the air filters and discovered the outer one was covered with dust and debris. It looked like it hadn’t been changed in quite some time! While it might not seem like a major issue, a clogged air filter can have a big impact. It restricts airflow to the engine, causing it to work harder, burn more fuel, and lose power. Over time, that strain can lead to costly wear and repairs — all from a part that’s designed to be regularly replaced. Why Regular Servicing Matters Protects your engine – Clean filters and quality oil keep harmful dirt and contaminants out. Improves efficiency – A well-serviced engine runs smoother and uses less fuel. Prevents downtime – Regular checks catch small issues before they cause breakdowns. Maintains value – Service history shows your machine’s been properly cared for, helping protect resale value. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late It’s easy to overlook routine maintenance when everything’s running fine, but prevention is always better than repair. A simple service can make a huge difference to performance, reliability, and running costs. If it’s been a while since your tractor was last serviced — or you’re not sure when those filters were last changed — now’s the perfect time to book in.
From Ploughs to Min-Till: How the Sumo Trio Is Changing Cultivation Across the industry, more and more farmers are rethinking their approach to cultivation. With increasing focus on soil health, efficiency, and fuel savings, many are moving away from traditional plough-based systems towards minimum tillage — or min-till. Recently, we had the pleasure of supplying a customer with a Sumo Trio, a versatile piece of equipment that perfectly illustrates this shift. Designed to reduce the number of passes needed while still achieving excellent soil conditioning, the Trio is helping growers save both time and fuel without compromising results. The move away from traditional ploughing Ploughing has long been a trusted method for preparing seedbeds, but it comes with drawbacks — from higher fuel use and time demands to potential disturbance of soil structure and organic matter. As input costs rise and sustainability becomes more important, many farms are now exploring alternatives that maintain yields while improving long-term soil condition. What is minimum tillage? Minimum tillage aims to prepare the soil with fewer operations and less disturbance. By reducing the number of passes, it helps retain soil moisture, protect earthworm populations, and maintain structure — all key factors for healthy, productive land. It’s a practical, forward-thinking approach that aligns with modern farming’s environmental and economic priorities. The Sumo Trio in action The Sumo Trio combines deep loosening, surface cultivation, and consolidation in a single pass. Its design allows for effective soil movement, residue mixing, and compaction relief — all while maintaining a level finish ready for drilling. This versatility makes it ideal for farms transitioning from plough-based systems to min-till. Our recent delivery of a new Trio marks another step forward for one of our local customers, who wanted to improve efficiency and reduce the time spent preparing fields. After discussing their needs and soil conditions, we recommended the Trio as the best-fit solution for their system.
Massey Ferguson 398 Speed-Shift Fault At JJ Farm Services, we believe in doing the job right, and that starts with a proper diagnosis. One of our recent workshop jobs was a Massey Ferguson 398 that had lost its Speed-Shift function. Here’s how we identified the problem and carried out a reliable repair. Step 1: Starting with the Basics Before we get into any major strip-down, we always begin with the simple checks. The first step was to inspect the hydraulic system, making sure the clutch pack was receiving the correct pressure. Without that pressure, the Speed-Shift can’t engage, but in this case, everything was spot on. Step 2: Electrical Checks Next, we turned our attention to the electrical side. A faulty solenoid or wiring issue could easily cause Speed-Shift failure. We tested the solenoid and confirmed that it was operating correctly. With both hydraulic and electrical systems working as they should, we were left with one conclusion… Step 3: Internal Fault – Time to Split The issue had to be internal. That meant splitting the tractor to access the Speed-Shift unit — not a small job, but necessary to get to the root of the problem. Once inside, the fault became clear: a failed Belleville spring. This small but crucial component had given out, causing the loss of function. Step 4: Repair and Replace With the Speed-Shift unit removed, we ordered the necessary replacement parts, including a new Belleville spring. While we had it apart, we also fitted a fresh set of friction plates. Preventative maintenance like this is a smart move, no point putting worn parts back in when everything's already open. Why It Matters Jobs like this highlight the importance of a thorough diagnostic approach. By checking each system methodically, we avoid unnecessary work and make sure we get straight to the root of the issue. Need help with a similar fault? With decades of hands-on experience, our technicians know exactly what to look for when diagnosing complex faults like this one. That expertise means less downtime and peace of mind for our customers. If your tractor's not shifting as it should, or you suspect something isn’t quite right, get in touch with our team. We’re always happy to help keep your machines working hard.
