Got Mrs Sethsmate's permission to use the latest (unchipped) tractor for a run up to Newent yesterday evening.
This was a brilliant opportunity to assess it on a wide variety of roads and driving conditions.
Before setting off, the tank was meticulously brimmed at a local filling station with 'proper' Esso diesel.
A circular route was taken:
Outward with long undulating climbs from the valleys, up-hill-down-dale across the Heads of the Valleys, then motorway-like cruising along the A40 and M50, followed by around 6 miles of good A/B class country roads.
Return was via the M50, A40/A449, M4, then good-ish A/B roads back up the valleys with some stop/start driving. Also included a lengthy roadworks diversion with stop/starts through Newport.
Meticulously re-brimmed the tank on return.
So, it had a fair ragging all evening, and took everything that was (responsibly) thrown at it, in it's stride. This included a 100mph burst on a deserted motorway, and generally 80mph effortless cruising.
The tractor returned 35.7 mpg for the near 160-mile jaunt.
There you have it folks, there's to be no chipping done on this one.
Oh, and I enjoyed every second of the trip, and inside she was as silent as a monastery!