CASE STUDY

RICHMOND DOWNS LTD

Location: Te Awamutu, New Zealand

Industry: Farm
 

OVERVIEW

Richmond Downs Ltd is a 200-hectare dairy farm milking around 500 cows in the Waikato region. When farm owner Phil Empson built a new herd home for his operation, he needed a machine that could handle the specific, daily demands of the new facility. It had to be powerful, easy to operate, compact enough to manoeuvre in tight areas, and efficient to run.

CHALLENGES

The farm required a purpose-built solution for work inside the herd home, including sweeping surfaces and lifting feed. Traditional loaders were either too large, noisy, or lacked the precision and smooth control needed for this specific environment. The team also needed a machine that was fuel-efficient, low maintenance, and simple to use.

THE SOLUTION

Richmond Downs Ltd invested in an Avant 860i, a compact yet powerful articulated loader with a range of features suited to their specific farm applications. After trialling a neighbour’s Avant loader, the team was impressed by the machine’s quiet operation, smooth controls, and versatile performance.

They use the Avant daily, taking full advantage of features like the hydraulic attachment coupling, which lets the operator switch tools without leaving the cab, and the telescopic boom, which adds reach and flexibility for a range of tasks.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Quiet operation

    Ideal for enclosed environments like herd homes, with minimal engine noise.

  • Precision handling

    Smooth, responsive control with no play in the controls.

  • Tool-free attachment swaps

    Hydraulic quick-attach system allows easy changes from the operator’s seat.

  • Fuel efficient

    Extremely low operating costs, with refuelling required only about once a month.

  • Telescopic reach

    Daily-use functionality that enhances flexibility and task range.

Customer testimonial

Hear from Phil Empson, Richmond Downs Ltd Owner.

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