Preventive Maintenance

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.