Boxford Farms puts to work two new Antonio Carraro tractors

More often than not, specialist tractor requirements are shaped by physical constraints, long-term economics and the simple question of whether a tractor will earn its keep season after season. At Boxford Farms in Suffolk, those realities recently led to the delivery of two new Antonio Carraro A-series tractors purchased through Kirkland UK, brought in to replace ageing orchard machines at the heart of the business. 

Rather than expanding the fleet or stepping up in specification, the farm focused on finding a like-for-like replacement that could work within tight height and width limits, handle everyday orchard tasks, and do so at a price that made sense in a heavily margin-pressured sector.

Following the evaluation of multiple brands and configurations, the Antonio Carraro A-series emerged as the most practical option. The result is a pair of tractors intended not as specialist flagships, but as dependable workhorses, expected to clock up hours across spraying, grass cutting and general orchard duties while fitting neatly into an existing mixed fleet.

Commercial fruit under pressure

Boxford Farms operates around 120ha of apples and 15ha of cherries on its main Suffolk site, with a second site adding a further 45ha. Production is firmly focused on dessert fruit supplied directly into supermarket supply chains, where quality, size and consistency are critical.

While the majority of fruit is sold as first-class eating apples, a small proportion is diverted into juice, typically where cosmetic defects or size fall outside strict retail specifications. The difference in value between the two streams is significant, making grading accuracy and fruit quality central to the farm’s economics.

Those pressures are amplified by the long-term nature of orchard investment. Orchards are typically designed around a 20–25-year lifespan, meaning decisions made at planting, from variety choice through to infrastructure, carry long-lasting financial consequences. Machinery, while more easily replaced, still forms a key part of that long-term cost structure, particularly in a system where utilisation is high and margins are tight.

Against that backdrop, Boxford’s approach to machinery is pragmatic. Price-led does not mean cheap; it means buying what fits the  system, and avoiding paying for capability that cannot be used.  

Fleet structure and replacement policy

The farm operates a fleet of around seven specialist tractors, covering a mix of standard orchard work and higher-spec machines for more specialist tasks. The two Antonio Carraro tractors were purchased as direct replacements for older orchard machines that had reached the end of their economic life.

Those outgoing tractors were around seven years old and had accumulated roughly 7,000 hours each. While still operational, they were moving beyond warranty cover, and maintenance costs were beginning to rise, a familiar trigger point for replacement to many.

Boxford’s replacement strategy is driven less by age than by hours and running costs. Core orchard tractors are expected to work consistently throughout the season, often on daily duties such as spraying and mowing. Once reliability or operating costs begin to slip, replacement becomes a commercial necessity rather than a preference.

Orchard realities shape choice

Physical constraints play a decisive role in orchard tractor selection, and at Boxford those constraints are clear. Working height needs to remain below around 2.6m to avoid canopy damage, while narrow operating widths are essential to prevent contact with trees and posts. Row spacing of around 3m places further emphasis on manoeuvrability, particularly at headlands.

Therefore, in many ways, turning circle matters as much as outright power. Tight turns are a daily requirement, and while tractors can be pushed harder, doing so risks increased wear or damage, particularly when operating mounted equipment.

Several alternative machines were considered during the evaluation process, including flat-floor and larger-profile designs. While some offered advantages in operator space or specification, they were ultimately ruled out on physical grounds. Once set up for orchard work, many exceeded acceptable height or width limits, making them unsuitable for the existing orchard layout.

For Boxford, the conclusion was straightforward: paying for features that cannot be used makes little sense. Fit rather than headline specification became the overriding priority.

Evaluating the options

Before settling on the Carraro A-series, the farm demoed four to five different tractors and gathered quotes across multiple brands and dealers. In total, around 10 configurations were considered, with efforts made to compare like-for-like where possible.

Despite the focus on dimensions, horsepower remains one of the key parameters. While higher outputs were and are available, the farm confirmed that a tractor in the 75hp class was sufficient for its core orchard tasks, including spraying, mowing and general work. Stepping beyond that would have added cost without delivering meaningful operational benefit.

With capability broadly aligned across several options, price became the deciding factor. In a sector where margins are under constant pressure, return on investment matters more than brand loyalty or marginal gains in specification.

Why the Antonio Carraro A-series?

The two tractors supplied are Antonio Carraro AV 2.85L models, forming part of the manufacturer’s A-series range. The choice was driven by a combination of competitive pricing, suitable dimensions and adequate power for the intended roles.

The A-series is positioned as a versatile, conventional orchard tractor rather than a high-spec specialist platform. For Boxford, that aligned well with the requirement for a reliable, everyday machine rather than a feature-heavy flagship.

A strong working relationship with supplying dealer Kirkland UK also played a role, particularly in structuring the deal. While the farm initially budgeted for a single replacement, a combination of part-exchange and payment structure made it possible to take delivery of two tractors without increasing overall spend. That, in turn, allowed both outgoing machines to be replaced at once, maintaining fleet continuity.

Specification overview

Power for the AV 2.85L comes from a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder FPT diesel engine, rated at 74.8hp and meeting Stage 5 emissions requirements via a DOC and DPF after-treatment system.

Transmission is via a Carraro T100+30 synchronised mechanical gearbox, offering 24 forward and 12 reverse speeds as standard, with optional configurations extending this further. 

A power reverser and electro-hydraulic Hi/Lo splitter allow for smoother direction changes under load, while four-wheel drive and differential lock support traction in varying conditions. Top speed
is up to 40kph.

Rear PTO options include 540 and 540E rpm, with a 540/1,000rpm option available. A front PTO and front linkage can also be specified, though these were not a priority for Boxford’s intended use. The rear linkage is Category 2, with a maximum lift capacity of 2,600kg.

Hydraulic output is rated at 87-litres/min from a twin-pump arrangement, rising to around 114-litres/min where a third pump is specified. Steering lock of up to 55-degrees supports tight turning in narrow spaces, while a suspended independent front axle suspension (IFAS) front axle offers selectable operating modes from within the cab.

Overall height in cabbed form is 2.396m, with minimum width as supplied to the farm measuring 1,436mm. Unladen weight is approximately 2,940kg. 

The cab is equipped with air conditioning, sound insulation, carbon filtration suitable for spraying operations, and a Grammer seat. Visibility is prioritised through the narrow cab design, reflecting the tractor’s orchard focus.

In-field roles and operator experience

Since delivery in October 2025, the two A-series tractors have been working regularly, with duties focused on spraying, grass-cutting and general orchard tasks. One machine has accumulated more hours than the other, reflecting operational scheduling rather than any technical issue.

Operator feedback has been positive, particularly in terms of familiarity. Despite minor differences in control layout compared with previous machines, there was little in the way of a learning curve. Core functions are intuitive, and the tractors behave predictably under load.

Manoeuvrability has met expectations, with the tractors well suited to 3m row spacing and frequent headland turns. While the machines can be pushed harder, operators are conscious of balancing output with mechanical sympathy, particularly when working with mounted equipment.

Position within the wider fleet

Within Boxford’s wider fleet, the A-series tractors occupy a clearly defined role as core work machines. They are not intended to handle more specialist operations such as leaf blowing or tasks requiring higher front-mounted capability, which are covered by other, higher-spec tractors on the farm.

That distinction is deliberate. Rather than asking one machine to do everything, Boxford’s approach is to match tractor capability closely to task, avoiding unnecessary complexity or cost. In that context, the A-series fits neatly into the system.

Early impressions and expectations

With several months of use now behind them, early impressions are that the tractors are doing exactly what was expected. There have been no reported issues to date, and reliability has been
as anticipated.

Looking ahead, the farm expects the two machines to follow a similar lifecycle to their predecessors, accumulating high hours over a seven-year period before being reviewed for replacement. Running costs, service intervals and dealer support will ultimately determine how closely those expectations are met.

A pragmatic decision

For Boxford Farms, the decision to invest in two Antonio Carraro A-series tractors was not about chasing technology or specification for its own sake. It was about finding a machine that fit the physical realities of the orchard, delivered the required capability, and did so at a price that
made commercial sense.

In that respect, the A-series represents a sensible option for growers facing similar pressures. By focusing on fit, utilisation and return on investment, and resisting the temptation to over-specify, Boxford has reinforced a straightforward message: in commercial fruit production, practicality still counts. 

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