Materials handling: Front-end loaders suit contracting firm

The compact, self-contained unit is also handy for the extensive road travel involved, with spreaders regularly working up to 60 miles from the business’ base near Ludlow, Shropshire.

In spring, two tractors are fitted with loaders and go out most days, while in autumn, both spreading outfits work together, with a third providing back up for this hectic period. Last year, the team put on 19,000t in seven weeks.

Removal

Tractors are also used for drilling and trailer work. Mr Childe says: “It is not like having a dedicated loader parked up when we are not spreading. Loaders are easy to remove in about three minutes using a single lever.”

Finding the right loader has been key, he says, with each clocking up 1,500 hours a year in some tough working conditions. Mr Childe also buys and sells 25,000t of poultry litter per year.

“Materials, such as the limestone which we spread for Agrii, can be heavy and hard to load. We have tried a range of loaders, including models branded for tractor manufacturers, but find Quicke the most robust and durable.”

One 6215R is fitted with a Q78 while the other and the Fendt use the newer self-levelling Q6L series.

Mr Childe says: “Recent upgrades, such as the stronger ‘Z’ linkage to drive into the limestone, plus the heavy-duty lift rams, make the loaders ideal for our job. The greasing system has also been improved, which makes them better to maintain.”

The more streamlined appearance of the curved loader beams on the Q6L also has a practical benefit, improving visibility when roading with a large tractor. Under-beam lights have been fitted for night work.

With a lift capacity of 2.1t and reach of 3.58 metres, loading into a tall spreader or lorry is not a problem, yet the loaders themselves are relatively lightweight at 750kg.

Both loader types use mid-mount hydraulic blocks and are operated from the tractor’s joystick.

Mr Childe has also been getting to grips with Q-Companion, Quicke’s ‘digital assistant’ for the loaders, which offers a weighing function, implement position monitor and maintenance reminders, plus the ability to transfer loading data via Bluetooth to a smartphone or web app.

Time

He says: “We have not had that much time to use it yet and, as the tractor loader combinations can be deployed to any job rather than focusing on one task, it is hard to really take advantage of it.

“However, the weighing facility has proved useful, as materials are often weighed into the spreader, especially for variable rate applications where more than one pass may be made in the same field. Q level also allows the required implement angles to be programmed in, avoiding the risk of digging into the ground.”

Service requirements are minimal for the workload, but bushes are changed once a year as the limestone can get into the grease and create an inconvenient ‘paste’.

Matching the loader to the tractor is important, he says, praising the Deeres and Fendts for having a subframe chassis which is strong enough to take the forces exerted.

With the main implements being buckets and pallet forks, which tend to be fitted for extended periods, mechanical implement locking is specified.

A number of accessories have been made to fit on the loaders, and when a fencing job is in the offing, a Quickfencer can be easily attached.

Mr Childe says: “It is a matter of finding machines and implements that can do a number of jobs and are suitable for the workload.

“The loaders will be moved on after about 10,000 hours while they are still tidy and worth buying, perhaps to a stock farmer with a larger tractor.”

Loader specifications

■ Model: Quicke Q6 L self-levelling loader
■ Weight: 750kg
■ Tractor: 120-220hp
■ Specified flow: 90 litres/minute
■ Maximum lift height: 4.55 metres
■ Maximum lift capacity: 3,580kg
■ Lift capacity at 1.5m: 2,110kg
■ Breakout force 800mm from pivot pin: 2,230kg