Andrew Burden is a third-generation farmer on his family farm just outside Rotherham, South Yorkshire. This is where S & R Burden Agricultural Contractors operate from, providing a variety of services including combining, grass production and cultivation methods.
After 40 years of owning and running Class Lexion combine harvesters, Andrew Burden of S & R Burden Agricultural Contractors, switched to a John Deere S Series Combine. We caught up with Andrew to find out what inspired the change and whether he’s happy with his decision…
What factors led you to choose a John Deere Combine Harvester?
“We have always run Claas Lexion combines and got on really well with them, but the Lexion struggled with the linseed crop in harvest 2022 so I had to try something different. I got in touch with Matt Smith, Area Sales Manager at Ripon Farm Services to arrange a demo of a John Deere combine. I was specifically interested in the S series because of the output and it took to the linseed really well. The price was right, and we got a good deal.”
What was your first impression using the John Deere S Series Combine?
“The combine arrived in the yard first thing on a Saturday morning and we had it cutting by 10am. The big grain tank is noticeable, the S Series can hold a full trailer load so we’re working more efficiently and cutting out any waiting time. No one can say that John Deere combines aren’t luxurious, it’s a nice place to spend your day.”
Tell us about the technology on the S Series Combine
“It’s quite easy to forget how to use all of the technology on your combine because you only use it for so many weeks of the year, but because we have run John Deere tractors for a long time now we are familiar with the technology and regularly use the John Deere Operations Center to manage our fleet. Being familiar with the technology means it’s really easy to set the combine up and it’s brilliant to be able to use all of the technology available on the machine. My favourite feature is the ICA2 camera system, because we like to cut clean, we don’t want any losses, it’s brilliant!” says Andrew.
ICA2 automatically controls the level of broken kernels and precisely maintains grain losses to pre-set limits. It uses two cameras compared to similar systems, which only use one.
We’re one year on from you taking delivery of your S Series Combine, what’s the verdict?
“It’s the first combine I’ve had where there haven’t been any niggles, which is a big thing. Apart from its routine service, it hasn’t needed a mechanic at all – and last year was hard on combines with the amount of laid crops. I’m impressed with it, it does what it says on the tin, it got on well and got harvest done”.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experiences with the S Series Combine?
‘We’ve always got on really well with the Claas Lexion, had it not been for the linseed problems we wouldn’t have considered changing, but linseed aside we are happy we made the switch.”
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