25 years and counting: the ATV spreader that refuses to quit
In farming, there is something particularly satisfying about a piece of equipment that just keeps going.
Back in October 2000, dairy farmer Brian Schnell took delivery of a brand-new Walco 350 ATV spreader. More than 25 years later, that same spreader is still working on the farm.
That is a pretty impressive working life for any piece of farm machinery.
Over the years, the Walco has been put to work spreading everything from urea and fertiliser through to magnesium powder and seed. It has travelled over dairy pastures, farm tracks and rolling country, earning its place as one of those dependable bits of equipment that simply gets on with the job.
Photo supplied
While Brian is still involved with the property, the farm has since moved into the next generation, with his son-in-law Greg Gemmell now seeing plenty of use from the veteran spreader.
The farm itself has changed considerably during those 25 years. Around a decade ago, the family installed robotic milking machines as part of its move towards greater efficiency and automation. Yet alongside all that modern technology, the original Walco spreader has remained a familiar part of the farm.
Greg says the machine has more than earned its keep.
“I would tell anybody that the Walco is worth the investment because it’s built tough and lasts for decades,” Greg says. “It has proven to be a reliable and dependable piece of farm equipment rather than something you replace every few years.”
“I would tell anybody that the Walco is worth the investment because it’s built tough and lasts for decades,” he says. “It has proven to be a reliable and dependable piece of farm equipment rather than something you replace every few years.”
And perhaps just as importantly, the family has not had to spend years hunting down replacement parts.
“Even the parts on our 25-year-old machine are original,” Greg says. “It is a sturdy machine, not top-heavy, good for hills, and feels very stable when towed behind an ATV.”
There is something to be said for that kind of longevity. Farming has changed dramatically since 2000, with new technology, automation and machinery transforming the way many farms operate. Yet sometimes the older, simpler pieces of equipment continue to prove their worth.
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The Walco 350 is one of them.
Its long working life is a reminder that when farm equipment is built for hard work, straightforward operation and durability, it can become much more than another item in the machinery fleet. It can become a piece of equipment that gets handed down with the farm itself.
Twenty-five years on, Brian’s original Walco is still spreading — and showing no obvious signs of retirement.
Check out Walco here: walco.co.nz 0800 853 001
Photo supplied