First-generation pig farmers Greg and Sharon Nicklin, from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, have recently taken delivery of the very first Kramer 8095T teleboom wheeled loader in the UK.
Supplied by local dealer ICP Handling, of Stoke-on-Trent, the new model is Mr Nicklin’s third German-built Kramer machine since becoming involved with pig husbandry in 2007, and he says he had no hesitation in choosing Kramer once again as the farm’s principal tool.
Since moving to the current site in 2011, the Nicklins have established a four-shed gilt grow out unit in conjunction with BQP where up to 1,900 animals can be housed in straw-bedded, high-welfare, solid-floor pens.
When Mr Nicklin decided to change his 680T Kramer loader, the big attraction of the new 8095T model was the ability to enter and exit the cab from either side of the machine – a vital requirement when scraping muck and placing straw in the narrow passageways running the length of each shed. He also likes the power of the new 100hp engine coupled to the optional 40km/hr Ecospeed transmission that enables the machine to climb hills with ease when travelling to local farms to load straw bales onto his tractor/trailer unit in exchange for pig muck.
“I find the steering and the new Powerflow high-performance hydraulics very smooth in operation,” Mr Nicklin said, “which makes it very easy to manoeuver the machine and use attachments with great precision.”
Kramer’s new premium 8 Series models, formerly the 80 Series, comprises seven models with bucket capacities from 0.75 to 1.15 cubic metres, with all but the 8075 powered by Deutz engines with diesel oxidation catalyst after-treatment.
For more information from: www.kramer.de.
