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Barnes Contracting, based in Devon, specializes in buying predominantly used or ex-demo machinery and holding onto it unless the purchase doesn’t meet expectations. The business offers a range of services, including foraging, combining, drilling, spraying, big square baling, slurry tanking, umbilical work, contract grain drying, rolling/crimping grain, tub grinding, steel-frame building construction, concrete laying, and machinery repair services. The company is run by Andy and Sue Barnes and their three sons – Bobby, Mike, and Rich, along with 15 full-time staff and some part-timers.

The business started with the purchase of Stopgate Farm, a small arable unit, in the 1990s and has grown over the years to offer a comprehensive arable contracting package. They also provide steel-frame building construction, concrete laying, and machinery repair services. Bobby focuses on contracting, while Mike and Rich handle the construction side of the business. Rich manages the contract spraying operation, covering 12,000ha.

Barnes Contracting is brand loyal, preferring Deere tractors, New Holland combines, Claas foragers, JCB loaders, and Bateman sprayers. They buy nearly-new and older machines, service and repair them in-house, and stick with what they know. Their favorite dealer is Hunt Forest for Deere parts, followed by Mason Kings, Hamblys, and Buglers. They also use Granit, Sparex, and Bepco for non-genuine parts.

Among their favorite pieces of equipment are the Claydon Hybrid drill for planting a wide range of crops at minimal cost, the ConceptAgri one-pass maize seeder for subsoiling, rotary cultivating, fertilizing, and precision planting, and the Claas Orbis maize header for outstanding performance. One of their least favorite pieces of equipment is the Kuhn Merge Maxx belt merger due to reliability issues.

Their latest purchases include a couple of tractors and an ex-demo Pottinger Combiline 6010 silage wagon. They keep their machines for an extended period, with their oldest machine being a 30-year-old subsoiler and a 51-plate JD 6910 with over 17,000 hours. Barnes Contracting focuses on buying nearly-new machinery and holding onto it until it becomes uneconomical.

Their wishlist includes a 6m wholecrop header and potentially upgrading their 24m Bateman RB26 to a 36m RB35 for increased spraying capacity. The business has had its share of challenges, including expensive repair bills and spare parts, but they have also found success with their modifications and inventions, such as a bagging-off bucket for convenience.

In the shed, Barnes Contracting has a range of tractors, combines, balers, foragers, forage wagons, handlers, diggers, sprayers, drills, and other equipment to cater to their contracting and construction services. Overall, Barnes Contracting has been steadily growing its fleet and offering a comprehensive range of services to its customers.

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