Believe it or not, this Panoramic P30.7 XS has worked a total of 36,000 hours - that’s the equivalent of more than thirty years of typical farm use!

Along with a partner machine (it’s worked a mere 34,000 hours), this machine has just been replaced with a spanking new Turbofarmer P34.7 PLUS, by Belgium importer Merlo Benelux. The village of Ardooie in West Flanders reckons to have some 30% share of the annual 2.5 million ton vegetable business of Western Europe. The family ARDO business itself accounts for some 380,000 tons of spinach and peas every year!

In this one village there are no less than nine family run businesses and twelve factories! The ARDO company was formed by farmer Edward Haspeslagh and it’s now grown to encompass plants in eight European countries and exports to 54 countries.

In the early days these two Merlo machines were essential to the original factory and worked triple shifts each day. - which accounts for the high hours. The factory is now so much bigger that most produce movement is automated, but there’s still plenty for the new machine to do. The impeccable maintenance records from ARDO reveals an intensive servicing schedule which has resulted in an amazing reliability. Both machines have their original engines and hydrostatic transmissions!

The comparison between new and old machines is fascinating. Both share the hydrostatic transmission and side-mounted engine, of course. But, engine power has grown by 30% and road speed has jumped from a measly 24 km/h to a still stable 40 km/h. Yes, the new Turbofarmer is more chic, but the old one still performs. It’s not ready to quit just yet! The biggest difference is pure creature comforts for the driver.

Merlo Benelux’s comments are quite simple - hydrostatic transmissions just love hard work and drivers like to use them because of the reduced work load. “Look after your transmission and it will look after you!”

October 2005

Equivalent of 30 years of farm use!

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