The Scottish Farmer caught up with Thomas Jeffrey of AT Jeffrey – Machinery Hire & Sales, based near Peebles, to learn more about the business as part of our Muck & Slurry Special.
Thomas explained that AT Jeffrey was founded in 1996 by his father Allan, who originally focused on fabrication and blacksmithing.
“He would fabricate indoor feed bins, feed bunkers and structural steel for houses,” Thomas said.
“He built the place up early on, adding a new workshop, sheds and building the house.”
Growing up, Thomas was always involved.
“From about 10 years old I was helping out properly. I loved buying and selling small bits of kit I’d pick up at places like Lanark market.”
Allan also sold the occasional second-hand tractor and was a dealer for Walter Watson equipment, including rollers, aerators and feeders. At the time, the business employed seven workers.
Allan, originally from Hownam near Kelso, began his career as an apprenticeship at the local smiddy. After marrying Thomas’ mum, Christina, who is from Peebles, the family settled in the area. Sadly Allan passed away in 2020, at which point Thomas took over the business.
At just 25, Thomas is steering the business having returned home after playing semi-professional rugby.
“I started at Peebles, then played for Jedburgh then Watsonians and now playing for Currie RFC.”
Running the business
Today, the business is run between Thomas and his mum, Christina, and they hope to take on additional staff next year.
“Next year marks 30 years in business. Mum does most of the paperwork, but she also looks after 500 sheep, six Blue Grey cattle, and we do bed-and-breakfast for a herd of Wagyu cattle.”
Their livestock are kept on their farm at West Linton. “I help with feeding and machinery, but Mum does all the lambing and most of the farm work.”
Back at the yard, much of the grassland equipment arrives flat-packed, requiring building, delivering and customer handovers.
“Customer satisfaction is huge for me,” he said. “If someone buys a machine, I like to deliver it personally, show them how it works, and make sure it’s right for their system.”
Christina helps with deliveries, while larger machinery is transported by CH Transport of Carluke.
“I’ve sent kit as far as Orkney and down into Wales. I don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes, but with brands like Malone this is my third year as their dealer, and each dealer has their own area.
"With Newrock Engineering, I’m currently the only person selling their equipment in Scotland – we started in March.”
He also deals in a wide range of other brands, including Walter Watson, Ritchie, Bateman, Nugent trailers (taken on in July) and Kidd bedders (added recently).
“Even with new brands coming on board, I’m careful not to overwhelm myself. It’s important to know every machine inside out so I can genuinely recommend it.”
Thomas attends both AgriScot and the Royal Highland Show. “AgriScot is a great business show, while the Highland has more of a family feel. We also support lots of local shows – it means a lot to farmers to see us there.”
Fabrication and workshop services
The workshop still houses much of the equipment Thomas’ father invested in.
“We do sheet folding and guillotine cutting for people who don’t have those machines. It would be great to get another fabricator in, because we don’t want to be turning work away.”
Galvanising is carried out by Highland Galvanizers and Colour Coaters in Cumbernauld.
Peeblesshire is a strong catchment area for beef and sheep farmers, so the business sells a lot of sheep snackers and trailers.
Slurry equipment
Thomas has recently expanded his offering of muck and slurry kit.
“We supply Newrock slurry pumps. Most pumps on the market have a standard flow of 3000GPM. You’re 200-500 gallons ahead without trying.”
The range includes:
• Standard flow –3200 GPM
• Super flow – 4000 GPM
• Mega flow – 5000 GPM
“They spent a fortune getting the gearbox ratios right. There isn’t much to go wrong as long as you grease the bearings and the PTO.”
Newrock slurry compressors have also just arrived.
“They’re very competitively priced. You can run them on the front or rear linkage, where most others only fit the front. They come in very well priced compared to other brands on the market and are available in 300 or 400CFM.”
Muck spreader hire
Muck spreader hire is a long-standing part of the business.
“Dad started hiring them in 1997, when many farmers didn’t have rear-discharge spreaders. We began with another manufacturer but had a lot of issues, so we switched to Bunning in 1999 and have never looked back.”
Demand has eased since around 2014 as more farmers now own their own spreaders. The hire fleet currently includes a 9-tonne and two 7.5t machines.
“They’re maybe a bit wee nowadays, so I’m considering getting bigger ones. But the terrain around Peeblesshire is a factor.”
Hire is currently charged at £100 per day.
They also hire out grass toppers – Spearhead and McConnel – and OPICO grass harrows.
Maintenance and servicing is another service offered by AT Jeffrey.
“We do a lot of maintenance on muck spreaders, slurry tankers and general farm machinery for our local customer base, as well as looking after and maintaining our own hire fleet of muck spreaders. Bunning machines are a well-regarded product and are easy to maintain and service.” Thomas said.
Advice for farmers
Thomas shared some key maintenance tips:
• Slurry pumps: “Take them out of the tank, wash them, and store them properly. Many won’t be used for 5-6 months. Grease regularly and check gearbox oil at the start of every season.”
• Muck spreaders: “Change gearbox oil yearly, and grease and wash them.”
He also supplies oil, grease, antifreeze and AdBlue.
Looking ahead
Thomas is currently developing a new website aiming to launch in January to mark 30 years in business.
“I want a parts page, a way for customers to contact me, and hopefully an online shop a few months later.”
Reflecting on the business' recent progress, Thomas said the past year has marked a real turning point.
“I used to buy most of my second-hand kit from farmers or at auctions, but once I started advertising on Facebook, more manufacturers approached me and the business grew naturally from there.
“When you sell a customer a new machine, you often get a trade-in, which saves a lot of time sourcing stock. I always aim to offer a fair price, and although the new machinery side has expanded, the second-hand trade still remains a core part of what we do.”
As AT Jeffrey approaches 30 years, Thomas aims to grow steadily while keeping the business grounded in reliability and good service.
He concluded: “If customers trust what they’re buying, that’s what matters.”
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