Combining the capability of a telehandler with the functionality of a tractor, Merlo's MultiFarmer is proving a worthwhile purchase for one Cornish grower. Geoff Ashcroft reports.
Having a telehandler equipped with a three-point linkage is a point not lost on Cornish grower Sam Healey. His family's cider farm business, based at Penhallow near Truro, relies on orchard tractors for the bulk of the workload and has almost no requirement for a full-sized tractor.
"We have called upon contractors in the past for any field work requirements, but since we have had a Merlo MultiFarmer, we have been much more self-sufficient," explains Sam Healey, who runs the business alongside his brother Joe and parents David and Kay, who founded the business in 1980.
Healeys Cyder Farm produces about eight million pints of cider, fruit drinks, wines, gins, brandies and whiskeys, with the Rattler brand being the most well-known. Crop is harvested at two sites; there are 3,500 apple trees at Penhallow, and 12,000 vines at Tregonniney Vineyard, 15 miles away.
"We found ourselves needing to travel more frequently between the two sites and this was the catalyst for change," says Mr Healey. "So we bought a secondhand Merlo MultiFarmer in 2013 and started to exploit its capabilities."
While the low-houred handler was used mostly for its lifting and handling potential, and also towing trailers between sites when equipment needed to be moved around, the farm has found it increasingly beneficial to have access to a three-point linkage and pto at the back of the hybrid handler.
This enables the Merlo MultiFarmer to function as a tractor, thanks to its Category 2 rear linkage and pto pack. For Healeys Cyder Farm, regular field and farm maintenance can be carried out using the Merlo with a linkage-mounted hedgecutter and a three metre power harrow. In addition, the exchange of apple pulp for muck with a neighbouring farm provides a source of manure, with spreading then carried out using a side discharge muck spreader, comfortably handled by the Merlo.
"These are all jobs that would otherwise need a tractor," explains Mr Healey. "Though we could not justify buying a tractor, when we mostly need a handler. So a machine such as the MultiFarmer is a huge practical benefit for us.
"As a tourist attraction too, Healeys Cyder Farm usually sees thousands of visitors through the gates each year for tractor-trailer rides through the orchards, and this means regular upkeep is required," he says. "So the ability to trim hedges and level out ruts using a power harrow, is extremely handy."
When harvesting and pressing commences, the Merlo spends most of its time working around the yard, dealing with 1,700 tonnes of apples. At this point, the ag-spec Michelin tyres get swapped for a set of harder-wearing, Nokian industrial tyres. "It makes so much sense when the machine spends nearly four months, solidly on yard duties," he says. "The only downside is the tyres have to be taken off their rims - ideally, I would like to find some used rims, to simplify change-over."
Last season, the 10 year old, 4,500 hour handler was up for replacement, and another MultiFarmer was the obvious choice. But this time, the farm looked at buying new. "The price of a new model was a bit of a shock," says Mr Healey. "It was very similar in cost to a 150hp tractor and loader, so we revisited the tractor-loader scenario with a demonstration.
"This soon confirmed that changing to a tractor and loader would be a backward step for us. By comparison, a tractor lacked manoeuvrability compared to the handler's multi-mode steering," he says. "And the visibility to the loader was worse - particularly with attachment changes. It just felt big and awkward. The only advantage came from towing trailers, at up to 50kph," he says. "So we bit the bullet."
A deal was done with Alan Snow Engineers and a new MF34.7 arrived on farm in June 2020. Now with 300 hours under its belt, the newer model is a big step up on the previous version, according to Mr Healey. "Power is up from 115hp to 136hp and the new cab is very different to the old model. It is much more refined, smoother, quieter and it feels more powerful."
The MF34.7 is one of four MultiFarmer models produced by the Italian maker. It also offers an MF34.9, MF40.7 and MF40.9, giving the choice of 3.4 or four tonne lift capacities, and working heights of 7m or 9m. While the 3.4t models packs a Deutz 136hp engine and a 3t capacity Category 2 rear linkage, the heavy-hitting 4t models boast a 170hp FPT engine and a 7t Category 3 rear linkage.
"We did not need the extra capability," he says. "And high-reach maintenance work around the farm and its buildings is done using an access platform, so 136hp is more than enough for us - even though the handler weighs almost eight tonnes. Though, the weight adds to the stability."
For all the improvements made to the new handler, Mr Healey says there are compromises to be taken into consideration. One of which is the physical location of the cab, in relation to the rear linkage. "Compared to a tractor, I am sat a long way forward from the rear linkage," he says. "We have added a mirror to improve the view to the pickup hitch, but for kit such as the hedge cutter - which needs its controls putting in the cab - there are issues to overcome.
"Cable controls on the hedge cutter simply are not long enough to put the levers where you want them," he says. "And where the previous model had a hatch in the back window, where you could feed controls through, the new model has to be worked with the rear window open. It is not ideal."
He says that the Merlo does have a useful trick up its sleeve, to help with hitching up implements on uneven surfaces.
"The chassis levelling is a great idea," he says. "It is handy when hitching up, but much more useful when cutting hedges on sloping ground - I can level the chassis and still work safely with the hedge cutter over the side, at full reach. And the controllability of the hydrostatic transmission, for these types of jobs, is superb," he adds.
PUH
Pickup hitch can be raised and lowered independently of the link arms.
Verdict
While Mr Healey accepts that the MultiFarmer remains 90 per cent handler and 10 per cent tractor for the farm's requirements, he is convinced of the MF34.7's field capabilities, but has yet to give the Merlo a thorough workout on some heavy draft work.
"I have yet to hang a plough off the rear of the telehandler, but it is a task I would not run away from. I am convinced it would be more than capable of doing it," he says. "And with a rear diff-lock too, the traction is pretty impressive."
