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Standen Single Row Harvesters
the Self-propelled models |
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SolobeetThere was a leap of imagination when the first self-propelled beet harvesters arrived on the market. Until then the only self-propelled machines found on farms, except of course tractors, were combine harvesters. In those days price was of such importance that the concept of adding an expensive power unit to a machine which in a lighter form could be pulled by a tractor took some understanding by both farmers and the dealers.
The clever answer was to modify an existing tractor and mount it on the chassis of a specially designed beet harvester, thus avoiding the cost of starting from scratch.
There were huge benefits in the self-propelled concept, especially as developed by Peter Standen, and these more than overcame the higher cost. Here are just some of them:
A self-propelled harvester will work in conditions where a trailed harvester is unpullable. This is especially true of the headland (the part of the field where all the turning is done, which in wet weather can become a morass), or when a field becomes excessively wet.
The driver has an excellent view of his work because he is looking forward or downwards, and not over his shoulder.
Maneuverability is better than with a trailed machine, which speeds the job up.
A bigger holding tank can be fitted since all the weight is over the driven axle
The topping can be in line with the lifting operation
The tractor unit can be dismounted once the harvest is over and can easily be reinstated as a normal tractor; (however sensible this option may sound in fact most tractor units mounted on the harvesters were never taken off...)
It became a practical proposition to fit powered lifting wheels so that beet could be squeezed out of the ground in very adverse conditions.
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The tractor was mounted centrally, and the driver leant our of his seat to view his work. A central single wheel was used at the front. The topping was in line with the lifting wheels
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Pictures inside the factory are relatively rare. This
one shows the production line building a batch
of Solobeets fitted with MF 135 power units.
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The Solobeet Mk 2 with a proper front axle, launched in 1964
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The Dawn of a New AgeStanden Cyclone - a huge sucsess in the UK and abroadThe model which replaced the Solobeet was arguably the most successful harvester produced by Standens. This was the Cyclone. It never made much profit as a new machine sale since it was a complicated machine to build, but it nonetheless remained in the range until 1985. It did however have a reputation for using a fair level of wearing parts, so profit accrued through the back-door, if not the front!
It incorporated offset topping and lifting, and an offset driving position, which made the operator's job even easier than with the Solobeet. In due course cabs became available to give the driver a degree of protection.
It must be remembered that on the larger acreage farms the driver would probably work six days a week, ten hours a day (or more) and work from mid-September until after Christmas. Anything to make his job more comfortable had to be welcome.
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Standen Cyclone - Prototype No. 2 |
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A great piece of our history |
This photograph shows the No 2 Cyclone prototype at work on a farm at Witchford near Ely on 26th October 1969. In the picture we see Peter Standen leaning over the tractor unit, his pipe clenched between his teeth. Driving is his senior development engineer Vic Gray.
Walking beside the harvester is the sales manager Bob Baxter, followed by one of the two salesmen, George Robinson. The second salesman is Norman Wisbey, who is peering into the tank. Bringing up the rear are on the left of the picture Robin Caborn, who had joined the company that year and is now Standen's senior development engineer, and next to him Jack Rennie, who was the toolmaker.
The machine itself was cleaned up for the Smithfield Show in London, where it "launched " the new model. In fact it was not quite ready for retail sale and after the show development work continued, especially on the topping unit.
Soon after this picture was taken Peter Standen entered into negotiations to sell Standen, which duly occurred. The price was £1million. Although he stayed on for a year or so after the sale his heart was not in the job, and in 1971 he retired to Jersey.
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The Cyclone was an outstanding export success. For example over 600 units were exported to Greece, with smaller numbers being sold into many European markets. Iran too took the best part of 100 machines.
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Cyclones awaiting tractor units after assembly
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With an IH 454 tractor unit mounted these Cyclones
are awaiting shipment to Greece.
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Another era comes to a close |
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By the 1980's the glory days of the Cyclone were behind itExports gradually to very low numbers, and the Cyclone faced fierce competition competitors machines. These included new Standen models, such as the two row self-propelled Tornado.
Nonetheless there are still Cyclones still at work on smaller farms, where its ability to lift five acres a day even in very wet conditions, means owners rarely fail to meet their delivery schedules, whatever the weather.
No longer however will the Fens echo to the squeak of cleaning webs as literally hundreds of Cyclones moved majestically across its wide flat fields, bringing in the harvest.
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