A dizzying array of implements is available to the landscaper, all of which are fairly simple to match and fit to the tractor. Attachments such as loaders and backhoes however, have to be carefully specified to ensure that they are compatible not just with the tractor but also with any other implements, and different tractor manufacturers tackle the issue in their own way.
New Holland now operates its own groundcare warehouse at Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire, selecting, fitting and supplying attachments to match its tractor range.
“All the Lewis Equipment products we use – loaders, backhoes, trailers, transport boxes and our new range of mid mount mowers are built in the UK to the highest quality standards, using local suppliers where possible,” explains James Doyle. The Lewis design ethos is based on quality, strength and performance, which works well with our range of compact tractors which are engineering to last.”
From loaders to mowers, all are designed specifically to fit New Holland models and can be integrated together where needed, for example a mower can be fitted to a loader tractor. Specialist buckets and grabs can also be supplied.
To meet more specialist needs the groundcare warehouse can also source attachments such as snowblades, grass collectors and front linkages from international suppliers.
Rustons Engineering offers its own range of attachments for the Kioti tractors and Tim Pinney notes that backhoes and loaders have been particularly popular.
“Customers have the confidence that our attachments will definitely fit the tractor they have been sold for and that we can provide service and warranty back up in the event of a problem,” he says.
Loaders and mower decks are at the centre of John Deere’s attachment focus in Europe, comments Henry Bredin.
“Up to 40 per cent of our groundcare tractors are sold with a loader,” he explains. “They are covered by our warranty and users can be confident that they will integrate with a mower deck if fitted.”
John Deere offers useful ‘drive over’ decks for its 2000, 3000 and 4000 series tractors and last year introduced a deck for the 3000 which can be automatically connected to the tractor from the cab, saving time and boosting safety.
Lely suggests that while there are a selection of excellent backhoes and loaders available from specialist manufacturers to match its Yanmar compact tractors, for a landscaper looking at one-off tasks, hiring in a mini excavator is a more common approach. “But larger contractors will often have their own tractors with backhoes in the fleet where they are used for routine digging and muckshifting work,” the company’s spokesman comments.
Massey Ferguson says that its dealers are able to source, supply and fit, when necessary, a full range of attachments to extend and enhance the year-round versatility of MF compact tractors used within the landscaping industry. “Readily-available and ready-to-fit attachments include front-end loaders, backhoe loaders, grading blades, stone-burying and soil preparation/cultivations equipment, top dressers and seeders,” says MF’s Colin Gregory. “The best advice is for landscapers to speak with their local MF dealer about the range of tasks for which the tractor will be used. The dealer can then advise on the most suitable equipment for use with the proposed tractor model.”
Kubota manufactures its own mid mounted mowers, grass collectors and front loaders to suit all models, which the company says ensures that customers get optimum performance from the tractor. A dizzying array of implements is available to the landscaper, all of which are fairly simple to match and fit to the tractor. Attachments such as loaders and backhoes however, have to be carefully specified to ensure that they are compatible not just with the tractor but also with any other implements, and different tractor manufacturers tackle the issue in their own way.
New Holland now operates its own groundcare warehouse at Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire, selecting, fitting and supplying attachments to match its tractor range.
“All the Lewis Equipment products we use – loaders, backhoes, trailers, transport boxes and our new range of mid mount mowers are built in the UK to the highest quality standards, using local suppliers where possible,” explains James Doyle. The Lewis design ethos is based on quality, strength and performance, which works well with our range of compact tractors which are engineering to last.”
From loaders to mowers, all are designed specifically to fit New Holland models and can be integrated together where needed, for example a mower can be fitted to a loader tractor. Specialist buckets and grabs can also be supplied.
To meet more specialist needs the groundcare warehouse can also source attachments such as snowblades, grass collectors and front linkages from international suppliers.
Rustons Engineering offers its own range of attachments for the Kioti tractors and Tim Pinney notes that backhoes and loaders have been particularly popular.
“Customers have the confidence that our attachments will definitely fit the tractor they have been sold for and that we can provide service and warranty back up in the event of a problem,” he says.
Loaders and mower decks are at the centre of John Deere’s attachment focus in Europe, comments Henry Bredin.
“Up to 40 per cent of our groundcare tractors are sold with a loader,” he explains. “They are covered by our warranty and users can be confident that they will integrate with a mower deck if fitted.”
John Deere offers useful ‘drive over’ decks for its 2000, 3000 and 4000 series tractors and last year introduced a deck for the 3000 which can be automatically connected to the tractor from the cab, saving time and boosting safety.
Lely suggests that while there are a selection of excellent backhoes and loaders available from specialist manufacturers to match its Yanmar compact tractors, for a landscaper looking at one-off tasks, hiring in a mini excavator is a more common approach. “But larger contractors will often have their own tractors with backhoes in the fleet where they are used for routine digging and muckshifting work,” the company’s spokesman comments.
Massey Ferguson says that its dealers are able to source, supply and fit, when necessary, a full range of attachments to extend and enhance the year-round versatility of MF compact tractors used within the landscaping industry. “Readily-available and ready-to-fit attachments include front-end loaders, backhoe loaders, grading blades, stone-burying and soil preparation/cultivations equipment, top dressers and seeders,” says MF’s Colin Gregory. “The best advice is for landscapers to speak with their local MF dealer about the range of tasks for which the tractor will be used. The dealer can then advise on the most suitable equipment for use with the proposed tractor model.”