Filmed in the lead-up to the NORMAC Show at Barrow Clump Farm, the video follows a full day of cultivation with the Ford FW30 and a 4-metre Ryetec Restorer ALD Toolbar. Despite testing conditions and a few mechanical setbacks, the combination proved exceptionally capable once up and running.

Early in the day, a steering hose failure temporarily halted progress, but the repair was quickly handled on-site by Darren from ERH Services. With fresh hydraulic pipes fitted, the FW30 was soon back in action, pulling strong and steady through tough, variable ground. The machine was fitted with CEAT VF Torquemax tyres, delivering the perfect balance between traction and controlled wheel slip to avoid excessive strain on the transmission.

As the Restorer ALD worked its way across the field, the results spoke for themselves, deep, even soil fracture without clods or surface disruption. Mark explains how the Restorer’s pivoting legs and precision disc arrangement allow the machine to track perfectly behind the articulated tractor, keeping a consistent working depth and clean finish. The combination handled everything from light sand to heavy clay sections without loss of efficiency.

Alongside Ryetec’s engineering, the video features the CHCNAV auto-steer system supplied by ERH Services. Once calibrated correctly, it provided arrow-straight guidance, simplifying headland turns and long-run passes for the 4-metre toolbar. Together with the Restorer’s robust hydraulic linkage and depth gauge system, the setup demonstrated how modern precision technology can enhance classic tractors for today’s agriculture.

During the test, the Restorer maintained a working depth of around 250 millimetres, lifting compacted soil without bringing up large clods. Mark notes that even without a rear packer attached, the machine left an impressively even surface. The modular design allows operators to add packers, discs, or spring-tine units depending on conditions and preferred finishing requirements.

As the day progressed and light faded, the FW30 continued working late into the evening, showcasing both tractor and implement at their best. The combination of classic power, auto-steer precision, and Ryetec engineering produced a compelling preview of what visitors will see at the NORMAC Show, where Ryetec will demonstrate the Restorer ALD range alongside other innovations in low-disturbance subsoiling.

“Old-school horsepower meets modern engineering,” as Mark puts it, a combination that continues to deliver real-world performance in British fields.

Explore the Ryetec Restorer Range