Harry Kennedy runs a growing contracting business in Hampshire by snapping up solid second hand machinery and keeping it running with family help. At a time when new equipment prices have jumped sharply and many farms are watching every penny, his approach is delivering real results for local customers.
From Dairy Apprentice to Contracting Boss
Harry Kennedy caught the contracting bug during a winter stint in New Zealand after finishing an apprenticeship on a 500 cow dairy farm back home. He returned to the UK in 2017 full of ideas but skipped college to learn by doing the work instead.
He started small with his parents basic hay equipment and gradually built a customer list for paddock maintenance and baling. That early work paid for his first proper tractor and opened the door to more jobs like muck spreading and groundworks.
Today HK Agri offers a wide mix of services across Hampshire. The business handles big volumes of hay and straw baling, grass seeding, slurry and muck work, plus haulage and general tractor and man services. About a quarter of the work comes from his brother in law Charlie Cheyney dairy and arable farm where the yard is based.
The Family Power Behind HK Agri
The business feels like a true family operation even though farming was not part of Harry upbringing. His dad John, an electrical engineer, jumps in whenever workshop fixes are needed. Brother Todd works part time and brings qualified engineering skills. Sister Alex handles the accounts.
Fiancé Rebecca Sutcliffe provides huge support while the extended family network helps keep things running smoothly. Harry often says this backing has made all the difference in the early years.
“I identify an opportunity and spend as little as possible on the necessary used equipment to get a foot in the door without compromising on quality.”
That steady family involvement lets the team tackle most repairs in house and avoid expensive main dealer hourly rates. It also builds resilience when jobs get tough or machines need quick attention during busy harvest or slurry seasons.
Smart Buys That Keep the Business Ahead
Harry sticks to a clear rule. He only adds or upgrades kit once the work is already secured. This keeps spending sensible and cash flow healthy in a sector where margins can be tight.
His oldest machine shows the approach in action. The 24 year old JCB JS130 13 tonne digger was bought for just 9000 pounds as a non runner from Facebook Marketplace in 2019. A fresh set of injectors got it going again and it still starts reliably for groundworks and loading jobs.
The 8.5 tonne Hitachi ZX85 USB excavator arrived in 2024 for 27000 pounds with low hours. In nearly 800 hours of use the team has only changed a fan belt. Harry praises its handy size and solid performance for the smaller jobs where the bigger digger would be overkill.
On the tractor side the 2012 John Deere 6210R has clocked over 15000 hours since purchase in 2020. Despite an early turbo issue that dealers helped resolve generously the machine has proved reliable. A new 2019 John Deere L1534 six string baler is on the way to handle extra straw volume this harvest at a price that made more sense than comparable alternatives.
The kit list also includes a JCB Fastrac, smaller Hitachi excavator, Massey Ferguson balers, a 14000 litre Joskin slurry tanker with dribble bar and Mastek umbilical system, plus a Scania haulage unit that has taught some hard lessons about timing purchases.
Here are some standout machines and what they deliver:
- JCB JS130 digger: Low cost entry into groundworks that still works hard years later
- Hitachi ZX85 USB: Compact, reliable and comfortable for everyday tasks
- John Deere 6210R: High hours but strong performer that holds value well
- Joskin tanker: Handles slurry jobs efficiently despite pricey wear parts from sand bedding
This mix lets HK Agri move between baling, spreading, groundwork and haulage without over stretching the budget.
Challenges and Wins in Today’s Farming World
UK farming faces real pressures in 2026. New machinery prices have risen significantly while input costs stay high. Many farms are outsourcing more work to manage their own overheads.
Contractor charge rates have increased by around 5.7 percent this year according to industry surveys as businesses absorb higher running expenses. At the same time second hand machinery sales have jumped sharply with auction houses reporting strong demand for good quality used kit straight from farms.
Harry approach lines up perfectly with these trends. By focusing on well maintained used machines and doing much of the maintenance himself he keeps costs under control while delivering reliable service.
The team has faced tough repairs including a big engine bill on the Scania and some slurry tanker wear parts that add up quickly because of sand bedding on local dairy units. Yet the ability to fix things on site and source parts smartly has helped them bounce back.
GPS guidance and flow meters on the umbilical system rank among the best technology investments. They improve accuracy and efficiency on spreading work. Harry still laughs about early mistakes like tipping a trailer in a ditch during a harvest job but those experiences taught valuable lessons about careful operation under pressure.
Future Plans for Growth and Reliability
Looking ahead Harry has his eye on a JCB TM320 pivot steer telehandler to make straw shifting and smaller muck moves easier. He is also exploring more haulage work to justify a newer more comfortable truck.
The business will keep growing at a measured pace. New jobs come first followed by any kit upgrades needed to deliver. This careful expansion has served the team well so far and fits the current climate where caution rules many decisions.
With the new baler arriving and seasonal demand picking up HK Agri looks set for another busy year. The model proves that young people can still carve out a solid future in agriculture by working smart and staying practical.
Harry story offers hope for others thinking about a career in contracting. It shows that passion, family support and a willingness to get hands dirty can overcome the barriers of high equipment costs and uncertain markets. In an industry that needs fresh energy his success feels genuinely inspiring.
What do you think about starting a contracting business in these times? Have you found good deals on used farm kit or faced similar repair challenges? Share your experiences in the comments below and tell other readers what has worked for you.
