Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he feels “old and broken” after reluctantly giving up one of his favourite pieces of farm machinery at Diddly Squat farm. The former Top Gear presenter, who embarked on a farming journey six years ago, shares candid insights into the physical toll farming takes as he adjusts to his changing capabilities.
“Since I started in the fields six years ago, I’ve realised that farming suits those who don’t like to work up a sweat,” Clarkson quipped. “Only mattress testers have a more sedentary life.” He explains that much of his time on the farm is spent seated—either driving tractors or poring over the paperwork needed to comply with Defra regulations—burning barely two calories an hour.
Clarkson’s standout vehicle on the farm was his Supacat, a six-wheel drive, semi-amphibious military vehicle originally designed to retrieve damaged Land Rovers in battle. He praised the British-made machine’s capability, especially its large, soft tyres that prevent soil damage and keep it from getting stuck. Yet, the Supacat’s biggest drawback became clear with age: “It is quite difficult to get in and out of if you are old and broken,” Clarkson admitted in the Sunday Times.
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Unable to continue with the rugged Supacat, Clarkson explored replacements, including the £44,000 all-electric Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic Ultimate. However, he was concerned about the silent operation of electric vehicles: “You know instinctively when you have applied the correct amount of power because you can hear it. But in an electric vehicle, there is no sound. You press the accelerator and nothing happens.”
Ultimately, Clarkson chose the petrol-powered CFMoto UForce U10 Pro, a more affordable and comfortable alternative. Manufactured in China, the CFMoto features two deluxe bench seats for six passengers, power windows, and a push-button electric shift to ease driving effort—a welcome upgrade for Clarkson’s 65-year-old body.
“It’s been on the farm a couple of months now, and I must say it’s very practical, robust, and extremely useful,” he noted. The only unexpected challenge: Clarkson’s dogs took an immediate liking to the pickup bed, often jumping in and refusing to leave.