Clarkson's Farming Realisation: 'I'm Old and Broken'
Jeremy Clarkson has openly confessed to feeling 'old and broken' as he continues to navigate the daily challenges of running his now-famous Diddly Squat Farm. The 65-year-old presenter, who began his agricultural venture six years ago, shared his struggles in a candid column, leading to a significant decision about the farm's equipment.
The Supacat's Reign Comes to an End
The heart of the issue was Clarkson's Supacat, a formidable six-wheel drive, semi-amphibious ex-military vehicle he purchased several years ago for £9,000. Originally built to recover broken Land Rovers from battlefields, the Devon-manufactured machine was perfect for collecting timber from the farm's woodland in all weathers, thanks to its large, soft tyres that prevented it from getting stuck or damaging the earth.
However, Clarkson revealed the physical toll of using the robust vehicle. 'It is quite difficult to get in and out of if you are old and broken,' he wrote in the Sunday Times. This realisation forced him to make the tough choice to retire the Supacat, a machine he was very fond of, from active duty.
Choosing a New Workhorse for Diddly Squat
In his search for a replacement, Clarkson considered modern alternatives, including the £44,000 all-electric Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic Ultimate. His main reservation with the electric option was the lack of audible feedback from the motor under strain, unlike a traditional petrol engine where you can 'instinctively' hear the correct amount of power being applied.
Ultimately, he settled on the petrol-powered CFMoto UForce U10 Pro, a Chinese-manufactured vehicle that offers significantly more comfort for his 65-year-old frame. The new farm vehicle comes with benefits that the Supacat lacked, including two premium bench seats for up to six passengers, power windows, and a push-button electric shift to reduce physical effort.
After having the CFMoto on the farm for a couple of months, Clarkson reports that it is 'very practical, very robust and extremely useful.' The only notable downside? His dogs have claimed the pick-up bed as their own and 'pretty much refused to get out' since day one.
