Eivind Hellum has recently invested in a Fendt 211 Vario in its narrow variation for use in the production of cherries. This enterprising svelvik farmer has been driving a Fendt 208 for 10 years, and thinks that it is a good thing to stick with equipment that works.

“I bought a Fendt 208 V with 85HP around 10 years ago, and I’ve been very pleased with it. This has primarily been used for grass cutting in the orchard, fertilising and spraying and for grinding twigs. Now I need a slightly larger tractor for pulling a tow sprayer, and the choice came down to a Fendt 211 Vario with an 110HP engine and a width of 1.36 metres. This is perfect for my needs,” explains Eivind Hellum from Svelvik in the north of Vestfold. He runs the company Svelvik Moreller together with his brother Gjermund and son Viktor. Production is vulnerable to the effects of the weather and wind, and therefore he is dependent on his equipment working at all times.

“Fendt is very good quality and very little goes wrong with the tractors. Tractors available in such narrow versions are perfect for fruit production. This allows us to get in-between the trees. The PTO front and back is also very practical in restricted areas.

The production of cherries supplied to Bama has taken place ever since he took over the family farm in 1985. The orchard is on a south-facing slope leading down to Drammensfjorden, and the incline means that there is natural ventilation beneath the protective heat cover he uses to provide stable heat.“ Although I might be towing a 1,500-litre tow sprayer up the hill, I never need to worry that there won’t be enough power.

Morello is the name of an old French cherry variety, and in Norway the word ‘morell’ is used to describe a sweet cherry. Svelvik is the country’s fifth largest fruit district.“ The industry is experiencing growth, and the new generation of fruit growers in this area are focusing on apples, plums, raspberries and strawberries,” explains Hellum. It is the heat and sun that makes the cherries sweet and good. There are many factors that farmers are not in control of, and therefore it is necessary to implement whatever forces possible to affect growth.

“Drainage is important, as is ensuring that the roots aren’t standing in water. Quite a number of hours will be spent on the tractor. Therefore, it’s an advantage that the Fendt 200 series is pleasant to drive, as is the fact that we are sitting comfortably and have a good overview of the trees.