Kent dealer success service customer built on

“Our customers choose us for the great range of products as well as our friendly, personal service,” says Horsepower UK Ltd sales director, Phil Stanford

The dealer looks after customers across Kent as well as others further a eld from its base at Selling, near Faversham. The business has operated since 2005, when Phil and fellow director Clive Deal went into partnership and invested in an existing dealership which specialised in Valpadana fruit and vineyard tractors, manufactured by Argo Tractors in Italy. Keen to expand and o er a wider range of machinery to their customers, Phil and Clive expressed their interest in taking on Landini and McCormick tractors – which are also manufactured by Argo, and now the dealer supplies more Landini fruit sector tractors than any other UK dealer. “Landini is a quality brand, and the manufacturer has specialised in narrow vineyard and orchard tractors for many years, making the current line-up ideal for professional users across our trading area,” Phil stressed.

Con dence in the workshop team means that many local growers also use it to service and repair machinery of other brands – not represented by the dealer. There is a showroom with comprehensive stocks of service lubricants and sundries, vehicle electrical components and lighting, hardware, clothing and a range of PPE, and a parts counter sta ed by experienced team members. Kramp and Granit parts and components are stocked, and the dealer also o ers Kramp Online – through which customers can order parts for direct delivery, and these are then invoiced on standard terms by Horsepower UK.

New Landini Mistral-series tractors are extremely compact and manoeuvrable, making them a popular choice for tasks including towing light trailers and topping

Kent-based Horsepower UK Ltd has catered for the needs of fruit growers and vineyards across South-East England since 2005 and has become the UK’s largest Landini specialist narrow tractor dealer

Ensuring back-up

The busy workshop team consists of service manager, Clive Deal, plus Diyan Doychev (Diddo), Graham Evans and Neil Morgan. “Our objective is always to select the very best people for the role,” Clive explained. “We know that our customers depend on the machinery we supply and look after, so we do all we can to minimise downtime. We have a large workshop and use fully equipped service vans to carry out repairs onsite. We are also a registered NSTS sprayer test provider. If we can’t get a machine working immediately, we will endeavour to lend a machine from our stock where possible. if needed.

“As the business continues to grow, we always require more people, and are currently advertising for additional members to join our friendly team.”

Quality brands

As well as Landini, Valpadana and McCormick, other key brands represented include Polaris, Wanner sprayers and Weidemann handlers and loaders. “We like to specialise in just a few quality brands which means that we can provide e cient and reliable back-up to our customers,” stressed Phil.

Landini

Landini o ers tractors right up to 240hp, but those supplied by Phil and his team are mainly from the smaller specialist range which includes compact and narrow models for fruit growing and vineyard applications. “Landini has designed and manufactured tractors for these specialist sectors for many years, including Rex models which joined the line-up in the mid-1990s, and they have evolved along with customer requirements. They aren’t cheap, but users recognise that they still o er great value for the cost. The brand is well known within the sector, and very much respected,” said Phil.

Most tractors sold are from the Rex line-up. Rex 3 models come with 68 or 75hp, and in cab or platform versions. They have a 1,950mm wheelbase and overall widths from 1.35–1.62m depending on the wheel and tyre equipment. For applications where limited headroom is an issue, the platform version can be supplied with a minimum height to the steering wheel of only 1,255mm.

The Rex 4 line-up includes ve models from 75–112hp, with a cab or operator platform and with manual or RoboShift electro-hydraulic shuttle transmissions. Depending on the version, the wheelbase is either 2,140 or 2,190mm, and overall widths are from 1,000–2,040mm.

The smallest Mistral 2 series includes two models of 49 or 57hp, with mechanical power shuttle transmission. Minimum height with a cab is from only 2,205mm, and with an operator platform it is from only 1,131mm. Overall widths are from just 1,203mm, and Phil explained that these new, lightweight tractors are ideal for applications including moving fruit bin trains around sites during harvest and topping, without causing ground damage and creating ruts.

“With Landini we can really tailor the package to suit each customer’s requirements,” continued Phil. “The Rex 4 comes with 40kph transmission standard, a waisted chassis for a tight steering angle and superb manoeuvrability, and we can also supply independent front axle suspension, cab suspension, electronic or mechanical hydraulic spools and base mechanical, or high performance powershift transmissions. The cab has a at oor which improves operator comfort, and we can add Isobus implement control, and precision farming systems from TopCon. Telematics is available, allowing our workshop team to connect to the tractor remotely for quick fault diagnosis using error codes.

“For spraying, Cat 4 operator protection is also an option.”

Polaris

Kiara Mitchell is the company’s Polaris specialist. She explained that although there is demand for all models in the ATV and side-by-side UTV ranges, it is the Ranger Diesel UTV that sells in highest numbers for fruit growing and vineyard applications. “The Polaris Ranger Diesel transports up to three people in comfort, plus loads up to 720kg in the rear cargo bed and it tows trailers up to 1,134kg,” she explained. “Filling up with diesel from an onsite tank is more convenient than travelling to a garage every time to get petrol, and most demand is for general transport work moving people and equipment around sites, and especially pulling trailers of fruit during harvest.”

Wanner sprayers

German-built Wanner sprayers are imported by the dealer. Available in linkage-mounted and trailed versions, from 300–3,000 litres, a wide range of models and options including multi-row vineyard sprayers allows Phil and his team to cater for the needs of almost any specialist application. The best-selling N IDS 1501 model is kept in stock, with a 1,500-litre breglass tank, and drawbar steering which means that the sprayer’s wheels track with the tractor wheels during turns. “The breglass tank is repairable if damage occurs, and it has a reliable Comet piston-diaphragm pump,” explained Phil. “The 36-inch diameter fan provides just the right amount of air for the application, and the design is very clever – using fast and slow air velocities for excellent circulation to ensure thorough leaf coverage.”

Other innovative features include directional nozzles, which are supplied with chemical through a manifold and ba e. “The liquid lines are all of similar length,” continued Phil. “This means that they all achieve equal ow rates to ensure accurate and even application and maximum chemical e cacy. They are designed for convenient cannister cleaning too. They work well, are extremely reliable and are built to last.”

Weidemann

Weidemann handlers have been sold by the dealer for four years. Although the range includes large telescopic farm handlers, most demand is for the smaller, compact models which are ideal for the con ned operating areas of orchards, vineyards and polytunnels. “The smaller compact telehandler and articulated pivot-steer models are most in demand,” said Phil. “They have a seat in the centre and the boom at the front, providing a perfect view for the operator. For loading fruit bins during harvest and for all sorts of handling tasks throughout the year, they are a great option for customers in this area.”

Success built on customer service

“Regular customers include some of the biggest fruit growing businesses and vineyards in SouthEast England, as well as smaller, family businesses employing just a few people. We sell and look after large numbers of tractors and other products, but always do our best to provide personal service and the back-up of a caring family business,” Phil concluded.