Organisers of a second-hand farm machinery auction claimed that they “broke records” last week with a Claas Xerion 5000 slurry tanker.
A bidder forked out £525,000 for the machine, which they understand to be the highest amount paid for any second-hand piece of agricultural machinery at auction in the UK.
Sales grossed over €3.6m (over £3.1 million) at a second-hand machinery auction, which Cheffins hosted on behalf of R C Baker Ltd on Thursday, December 16th, 2021.
Second-hand machinery auction
Cheffins confirmed that the R C Baker auction was the highest-grossing on-site sale it has hosted.
It reported that the auction had some 70,000 page views on its website.
Furthermore, it claimed that 600 bidders took part, online, on the telephone or were present at the sale itself.
Over 150 lots came under the hammer at the hybrid auction, which took place at the R C Baker Ltd premises in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Entries include a fleet of John Deere tractors and various other machinery items and implements.
Other items included a range of drills, cultivators, trailers, trailed tanks and muck spreaders, and various slurry equipment.
Some machinery prices included:
- 2017 Vredo 7028/3 self-propelled spreader: £425,000;
- 2020 John Deere 7R330: £183,000;
- 2013 CLAAS combine: £126,000;
- 2020 John Deere 6215R: £117,500;
- Also, a 2020 John Deere 6250R: £117,500.
R C Baker Ltd
Charles Baker, who started contracting in 1974, has an “inspiring track record” in the industry.
Starting out with his Ford 4000, he grew the business significantly over the years to having an “extensive” fleet of modern machines.
Baker is a “well-known” figure in the farming world, having built up a “strong” and “well-respected” business.
Furthermore, in the past, he chaired the NAAC, has won prizes and has been a guest speaker at numerous farming events.
Retirement
Managing director of RC Baker Ltd, Charles Baker, said:
“We could not be happier with the result of the sale. It all came together so well, and the team at Cheffins were hugely efficient and professional from start to finish.”
“I have decided to retire and spend some more time with the family.”
“This was a fantastic way to finish off what has been an amazing journey, growing and developing the business for nearly half a century.”
Worldwide interest
Oliver Godfrey, director at Cheffins, added:
“This was a standout sale and was supported worldwide. There were bidders from all four corners of the UK and from overseas, joining us both online and in-person.”
“This was well-maintained equipment. The Baker team have a fantastic reputation in the market, which directly translated into some very strong bidding across the board.”
“This was the first time that many of these machines had been offered to the open market.”
“This helped to generate some real momentum in the lead up to the sale, which saw over 70,000 views online.”
Other farming news:
 from second-hand machinery auction of R C Baker Ltd held by Cheffins on Thursday, December 16th.){kind=link}