I work with Laverda The stories, comments and opinions of people who have chosen Laverda.
I work with Laverda
The stories comments and opinions of people who have chosen Laverda.
The declarations published here were taken from interviews conducted by Laverda’s sales network and dealers in order to monitor customer satisfaction. Besides the tests carried out in the actual plant, field trials in the various conditions of use represent the true testing ground for every technology and service. Comments, observations and suggestions dictated by the experience of those who work with Laverda’s machines act as an incentive for continually improving the techniques and are a source of inspiration when it comes to planning solutions for the future. Because no judgement is worth more than that of our customers.
Interviews in the field
INDEX 04 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
Farm contractor GULINELLI Farm contractor SOVRANI Farm MELOTTI Farm VERCELLINO Farm contractor VITI Farm contractor FERRETTI Farm contractor PATERNITI Farm contractor ROUGÉ Farm contractor GERARDO FIERRO Farm contractor ÇINAR Farm contractor YILMAZ
03
ctor Farm contra GULINELLI in Bosco, S.Bartolomeo Ferrara, Italy
“...various acknowledgements which are always welcome� Business began in 1963. To build the important enterprise that this company is today, the work was truly overwhelming. 04
That is to say: if you’re not born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth, you just have to get down to hard work. In the end, I got a lot of satisfaction and received various acknowledgements, which are always welcome. I’m obviously very pleased to have been nominated Chairman of Unima and Vice-Chairman of the Association of Threshers and Motor Ploughmen of the Province of Ferrara, but besides these personal goals, I’m also pleased about the ones obtained by the company, which has been awarded several times for its organisation and its results. Nowadays, my son-in-law Claudio Pampolini helps me to run the firm. We work
on our own behalf and as farm contractors, employing 20/25 persons, a number which rises to 50 during the campaign period. The first machine we used was an Internazionale 18 tractor. I still remember how much I spent for the first combineharvester. It cost 5 million
two-hundred thousand lira in 1964. But during its very first year of use, with more than 3,000 quintals of wheat alone, I had already paid for more than a third of the machine. I also bought a John Deere and a few Arbos machines. Then, in 1971, the first Laverda, an M152, purchased from the Agricultural
Cooperative. Since then, I completely changed over to Laverda, substituting the previous machines with three M152s, a 3600, a 3700, a 3850 and a 3790. In the end, I almost lost count of the 3790 machines we’ve had. They must have been at least 8 or 9. Our actual fleet of machines include as many as 9 Laverdas, testifying to our trust in your product and your company.
05
“We’ll leave the technical evaluations to the experts, but we do know to evaluate professionalism, service …” Neither my son-in-law nor I can be defined as true technicians, although we’ve acquired lots of experience over these years having seen tens and tens of machines at work. We obviously have someone who deals with this specific aspect, someone who is able to precisely evaluate the performances of the machines, pin-pointing new requirements and even proposing feasible technical improvements. The advisory service provided by Laverda’s salespeople and inspectors is certainly of fundamental importance and we have
really been rewarded for our trust in the serious nature of the service offered. This is also part of the satisfaction provided by a company.
“… and we do know how to do our sums.” In the past, the average cost of the machines we used was around 7 million of the old Lira currency and was mostly due to expenses for repairs. The fact that all Laverda machines use the same components has decidedly reduced these costs, both in relation to maintenance and spare parts. 06
“These machines work really well and, since they are so comfortable, we ourselves are also able to work better.” Now, I don’t want to be repetitive in praising the machines, which are always good and sometimes decidedly optimum. The quality of the threshed product is also good, as even maize always comes out clean and whole. The machines are extremely agile, the cut is optimum, and the flow of product through the machine is also good. What else is there to say? Anyone who has to work with these machines for several hours at a time will certainly appreciate their level of comfort, which is decidedly superior.
“Every enterprise must consider its own situation and make its decision as a consequence.” We’ve a precise strategy when it comes to organisation. One of our important policies is that we update our fleet of machines in a scheduled way. This means that it is effectively renewed every 10 years.
Another of our policies is that we entrust each machine to a specific operator who therefore gets the chance to become fully familiar with it and to learn how to use it to the full.
Laverda machines in the current fleet
number of models working
L624
4
L521
1
L627
1
2050 LX
2
M306
1
work hours/year
an average of 400/500 work hours per machine
crops threshed
average areas worked (hectares)
wheat
1.000/1.200
maize
1.000/1.500
soja
600/700
alfalfa, sunflower, sorghum
overall 400/500
running costs routine maintenance costs
low
supplementary maintenance costs
low
machine conversion costs
machines converted by an employee with extensive technical experience
average annual cost
now very low, considerably lower than in the past
07
“...Laverda technology has played an important role...” My father, who started work in 1958, was employed by a company in Ferrara that produced fixed combine-harvesters. Well, our family had already acquired a great deal of technical experience. Nowadays, after 45 years in the business, the enterprise is in its third generation: first my father Emilio, then me, Romolo and lastly, my son Mauro, who is now the owner. We’ve had lots of machines and lots of different brands: from the first Arbos 1000 to the John Deere models of the ‘60’s. We actually tried out Laverda only recently, with the first L521 purchased in 1996. Anyway, having 8 different models now working in the farm 08
ta Contoterzis SOVR ANI Migliaro, Ferrara, Italy
we consider ourselves true 1995 when we completely re- certainly played an connoisseurs of your brand. vamped our fleet of machines important role in this We made a big investment in and Laverda’s technology modernisation process.
“The recipe for quality? Technology and well-trained operators.” If you’re talking about the quality of the threshed crop, we always get an optimum product with the universal concave, whether it be maize, wheat, soya, oats, peas, or grain sorghum, which is our main product. We have always believed and invested in technology, but
we also consider that training the operators to use the various machines is equally important. Quality is the result of this combination of evolved machines and trained personnel: this is why we have taken part first-hand in various training courses proposed by Laverda, where we have acquired information that has
certainly contributed towards “We have excellent relations improving the profitability of with Laverda’s sales and assistance network.” the machines. We ourselves chose the machines that we “Besides performances, subsequently purchased. we also want a solid We weren’t encouraged to construction.” buy particular versions or Although we work in an accessories and we have area near to the sea, thus always appreciated this with damp air that often approach in our relations carries salt and sand with with the Laverda Dealers. it, I have never noted We have also been able any imperfections in the to build up a little stock of galvanised parts of the spares by taking advantage of machines. Everything’s in order, just like certain promotional offers… However, spares parts have the machines that work in always been supplied very more “normal” conditions. quickly. The quality of machines is also judged over time, and since I’m now evaluating the life and endurance of Laverda’s machines, I can only say that I’m more than satisfied.
Laverda machines machines Laverda in the the in current fleet fleet current
year of of year purchase purchase
L521 L521
1969 1969
L524 L524
1973 1973
2050 LX LX 2050
purchased in in 2001 2001 22 purchased purchased in in 2002 2002 11 purchased
21.50 LXE LXE 21.50
2004 2004
big-baler big-baler LB 12.85 12.85 TCS TCS LB
2002 2002
variablechamber chamberround roundbaler baler variable VB 12.18 12.18 CS CS VB
2003 2003
crops threshed threshed crops
average areas areas worked worked (hectares) (hectares) average
wheat, maize, maize, soya soya wheat,
overall 4.000 4.000 divided divided overall amongst three three farms farms amongst
alfalfa alfalfa
10.000 10.000 running costs costs running
average consumption consumption of of diesel diesel fuel fuel average
35/36 litres/h litres/h of of diesel diesel fuel fuel 35/36 totalling 10/11 10/11 hours hours of of totalling work with with aa full full tank tank work
routine maintenance maintenance costs costs routine
minimal minimal
supplementary maintenance maintenance costs costs supplementary
very low low very
machine conversion conversion costs costs machine
the machines machines are are not not converted converted the in any any way way as as they they are are equipped equipped in with aa universal universal concave concave with whose use use has has never never whose created any any problem problem created
09
“...a tradition that already dates back over one hundred years old!” Ours was an “all-round” farm for many years, one that cultivated lots of different crops. The turning point came in 1986, when we switched from the 2 hectares dedicated to rice cultivation to the current 200 hectares, thus multiplying our production one-hundredfold. Nowadays, we only grow maize and wheat in a small part of the farm, while rice has become our true core-business. We also decided to deal with the complete product cycle and have thus become specialised in selling Vialone Nano Veronese rice on our own behalf. This very high quality rice is currently the only type in Europe to possess PGI acknowledgement (Protected Geographic 10
Indication). Lastly, ours is a real family enterprise since, besides my wife Rosetta, our children Luca, Gianmaria and Francesca are also involved in the business: together, we’re carrying on a tradition that already dates back over one hundred years! “True technology puts itself in the user’s shoes.” This is what I consider to be Laverda’s extra something: machines that are very easy to use and to “keep
Farm MELOT TI cala, Isola della S Verona, Italy
in order”, with servicing operations that reduce down-times to the bare minimum. “For quality work you need the right solutions.” Laverda’s machines treat the threshed product in an excellent way: thus, optimum threshing thanks to the concave’s 12 bars, optimum cleaning thanks to the MCS separator and ventilation, plus extreme care of the paddy, which is
never damaged. This is very important for people like us, who don’t just look for quantity but also quality. During the most recent campaign, our M 306 achieved an excellent productivity rate, with a net performance of 200 quintals/hour: a more than satisfactory figure considering that our crop is certainly not the easiest one to thresh. Vialone Nano rice has lots of straw and it was also extremely lodged last year. Despite all this, we never experienced any winding problems thanks to the PFR, and were able to proceed at a fair rate while preserving the quality of the product.
Laverda machines in the current fleet
year of purchase
work hours/year
3900
1986
M306
2003
approx 220 hours
crops threshed
average area worked (hectares)
rice
200 running costs
average consumption of diesel fuel
25 litres/hour (average consumption) for the M306 with straw chopper
routine maintenance costs
insignificant costs, very short time required (max. 10 minutes for all greasing points)
supplementary maintenance costs
decidedly low thanks to the reliability of the machine
Farm OLO FL AVIO E PA sas VERCELLINO tt, Caresanablo Vercelli, Italy
“...a job that rewards us with great satisfaction” My name is Flavio Vercellino and, along with my brother Paolo, I am the owner of this farm situated in the countryside around Vercelli, thus in an area that has been entirely dedicated to rice cultivation. If I am to go back to the beginning of our farm’s history, I really have to go back a long way, to the first years of the ‘30’s, when our grandparents started up the business. Ours is now the third generation of the Vercellino family. 12
The farm grew throughout the years until it reached the current 300 hectares, all of which dedicated to rice. Going back to our memories of the past, we mustn’t forget the time in which all the work was done by hand. Just think of the truly epoch-
making changes brought about by the advent of the first self-propelled combineharvesters. We deal with all the activities bound to the production of rice, from planting to weeding, harvesting, drying, through to storage of the
paddy which is then sold in stock to the rice mills, ready for the next processes. A job that demands considerable commitment but that rewards us with great satisfaction.
“I think that balancing is its really salient feature, the thing that makes it different from all the other machines we’ve tried.” We only work our own land which, as mentioned previously, is entirely dedicated to rice cultivation, the main product of the province of Vercelli. We looked for a machine that combined functionality with simplicity and finally chose the M 306, a machine that really possessed everything we needed. What I’d like to underline is the perfect balancing, something
that I have never ever found in any other combine. Thanks to this, our M 306 is very agile both when at work and during headland manoeuvres. And that’s not all. Correct balancing allows us to fully respect both the product and ground as we work. We consider this a truly determinant factor. Another important feature is the degree of separation achieved between grain and straw, something that is always good with the MCS. Lastly, an optimum flow is obtained with even lodged crops.
Laverda machines in the current fleet
work hours/year
M306
approx 200 hours
crops threshed
average area worked (hectares)
rice
300
running costs average consumption of diesel fuel
25 litres per 10 hectares with 75/80 quintals produced/hectare
13
“...our company’s history is an ovation to Laverda...” Our first fleet of machines comprised one of Laverda’s M100s, purchased in 1968
together with a Fiat 450 tractor and John Deere baler. Two years later, I bought my second M100, which featured a Perkins engine, and in 1972 the first M132 made in Breganze. We were the first in the entire province of Arezzo to
ctor Farm contra VITI iorentino, Castiglion F Arezzo, Italy
have one of these machines. Look, I remember the various phases of our enterprise by thinking back along the years to when we purchased our new Laverda models: the first M112 in ‘76, and in ’78 the second M112 and the second M132 with the Fiat
Turbo engine. Beginning halfway through the eighties, we gradually replaced these machines with various new models: an M182, a 3700, a 3350, a 3900 and lastly, a 3550 purchased in 1992. “Why Laverda? … but because it’s Laverda and I’ve been your customer for more than 30 years.” Your judgement on the last Laverda machine you’ve purchased? I chose the 2560 LX instead of the 2760 LX because I thought it more suited to our needs, our work with wheat and sunflower crops without the use of the straw chopper. I’d like to emphasise that I was the one who chose it, with those characteristics and those accessories, without being conditioned by the Dealer or the Laverda inspector.
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I was also convinced by the optimum consumptions of the 8361 SRE 10 engine installed in the 2560 LX. The quality level of the crop threshed during the last campaign was optimum, especially the sunflower one. The machine is also extremely agile.
2560 LX has a very tough 6-meter one. Amongst other things, Laverda uses a system I personally find very advantageous: unlike the single block installed by the competitors, use of assembled heads involves a higher initial cost but will certainly repay you if damage occurs. “Laverda always With Laverda’s machines, distinguishes itself in every you just need to repair or detail. That’s what makes the replace the damaged part, difference.” which is much better than Specific mention must be having to purchase a new made of the cutting header. header. Laverdamodels modelspurchased purchased Laverda Laverda models purchased fromthe thetime timethe theenterprise enterprise from from the time the enterprise wasestablished established(1968) (1968) was was established (1968)
year of of year year of purchase purchase purchase
in in in current current current fleet fleet fleet
M100 M100 M100 M100 M100 M100
1968 1968 1968 1970 1970 1970
-----
M112 M112 M112 M132 M132 M132
1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978
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3350 3350 3350 3900 3900 3900
1986 1986 1986 1987 1987 1987
M132 M132 M132 M112 M112 M112
1975 1975 1975 1976 1976 1976
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M182 M182 M182 3700 3700 3700
1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985
yes yes yes yes yes yes
3550 3550 3550 LB 12.85 TTT LB 12.85 LB 12.85 2560 LX 2560 2560 LX LX
1992 1992 1992 2002 2002 2002
yes yes yes yes yes yes
work work work hours/year hours/year hours/year
approx. approx. approx. 300 hours 300 300 hours hours for each each for for each individual individual individual machine machine machine
yes yes yes yes yes yes
2002 2002 2002
yes yes yes
crops threshed threshed crops crops threshed
average area area worked worked (hectares) (hectares) average average area worked (hectares)
barley,wheat, wheat,sunflower, sunflower,maize maize barley, barley, wheat, sunflower, maize
overall 1.200 1.200 overall overall 1.200
running costs costs running running costs average consumption consumption of of diesel diesel fuel fuel average average consumption of diesel fuel
200 litres litres every every 15 15 hectares hectares 200 200 litres every 15 hectares of durum wheat of durum wheat of durum wheat with 60/70 60/70 t/ha t/ha production production with with 60/70 t/ha production
routine maintenance maintenance costs costs routine routine maintenance costs
greasing of of components components greasing greasing of components prior to to field field work work prior prior to field work 10 min. every two days 10 min. every two 10 min. every two days days
on average, average, important important jobs jobs like like on on average, important jobs like replacing the the concave’s concave’s ballast ballast bars, bars, replacing replacing the concave’s ballast bars, replacing the sunflower elevator replacing the sunflower elevator replacing the sunflower elevator supplementary maintenance maintenance costs costs chains supplementary chains or or grinding grinding the the hydrostatic hydrostatic supplementary maintenance costs chains or grinding the hydrostatic pumps, are carried out pumps, are carried pumps, are carried out out every 4/5 4/5 years years every every 4/5 years
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“...a nice example of long-life and reliability...” It’s easy to make a reckoning. My father Nazzareno started up in 1969. I’m now 32 years old, so I was not yet born.
also began to work on a sub-contracting basis having been requested to this by a few neighbouring farms, something that we are still doing today. Our crops are mainly wheat and sunflower, this latter rather less extensive than in the past. Our other crops are maize, barley and broadbeans. I personally deal with the routine maintenance for our machines, something that’s Relations with Laverda began immediately. The first rather like a personal hobby for me. I’m actually rather machine my father bought fussy about it, even though was an M84 with bagging it’s true to say that quality attachment. He preferred and productivity at work this to a reaper-binder as are a direct consequence of it was also able to harvest efficiency. lodged wheat, which is a rather frequent occurrence “Just a few adjustments and in our area. we’re away … on a record Even now, thirty years campaign.” later, the Laverda M120 The quality of the threshed purchased in 1973 is still working: a nice example of product is excellent. long-life and reliability if one The majority of our work remembers that it’s as old as involves durum wheat. I am. In 1983, our enterprise This is why it’s important 16
ctor Farm contra FERRET TI oli, Montespert ly Florence, Ita
for the machine to be well adjusted so as to obtain the best yield. When it comes to adjustments, I didn’t touch the top sieve, which remained fairly open, while I modified the bottom sieve at the beginning of the campaign. By adjusting the opening of the concave, I was able to work through the entire season in a problem-free way. It was a record season for some crops, both as to quantity and quality: broadbeans, for example. We threshed 73 hectares (almost 50% more than our usual average), with a quality that received the compliments of our customers. “After 380 hours, the radiator was still clean …” I’ve already said that I’m mad about technology, so I carefully look into the performances provided by our machines.
Talking about the star of our fleet, the 2450 AL 4WD model, I can only
appreciate its particularly generous engine and its engine compartment and radiator that are always clean, even after many hours on the job. And that certainly saves time when routine maintenance work is carried out. “It has faced everything: from irregular ground to adverse weather conditions …” By and large, the cutting performances remained constant and at good levels even during night work, despite the damp condition of the crop which forced us to reduce the ground speed.
The soil in our area (Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Florence) is very stony. This means that the fingers of the PFR have to be changed frequently as they are damaged by the stones. However, on the whole, the performances of the PFR are excellent since work proceeds without the crop becoming wound. “If the result of your work is at stake, you become demanding when it comes to service.” I’m also satisfied when it comes to service and with my dealings with Laverda’s sales and assistance network.
Laverda models purchased since business started (1969)
year of purchase
in current fleet
work hours/year
M84 with bagging attachment
1969
-
-
M120
1973
yes
500/600
M92
1983
-
-
3550AL
1998
-
-
2450 AL 4WD
2002
yes
50/100
crops threshed
average areas worked (hectares)
wheat
300
sunflower
200
broadbeans
50
barley
30
maize
10/20 running costs
average consumption of diesel fuel 300 litres every 16/18 hectares threshed total filter replacement: 150 euro greasing of components prior routine maintenance costs to starting work: 10 euro every 2 days supplementary maintenance costs
2450AL 4WD currently covered by warranty
machine conversion costs
the machines do not need to be converted in any way as the M120 is solely used for threshing maize while the 2450 AL 4WD is used to thresh the remaining crops
They took back my 3550 AL when I purchased the 2450 AL 4WD. And when this was delivered, they actually gave me four phone numbers to use if I had any problems or if I needed further information. The technical assistance staff have always arrived as soon as possible, even though we’re several kilometres away. This is also true of spares, always available from at least a pair of suppliers. And for urgent calls during the harvesting campaign, we’ve also taken advantage of the round-theclock service provided by the headquarters in Breganze. What else can I say: I’ve still
got the technical manuals and maintenance manuals of the old Laverda machines I no longer possess but, as I’ve said before, I consider this rather like a hobby.
17
ctor Farm contra PATERNITI Ramacca, ly Catania, Ita
“...we guarantee they get optimum quality grain...” Ours is still a very young enterprise as we only started up in 1997
“This machine climbs all over the place, and productivity rises with it.” The crop is treated as delicately as possible, thus first with another partner, quality is superb. then in 2002 with my Separation and cleaning are brother. excellent. I clearly perceive The first machine we an important increase in purchased was one of productivity. Laverda’s self-levelling 3560 The four-wheel drive makes combine-harvesters, now the machine incredibly easy replaced by a 2450 AL 4 WD. to manoeuvre: the We currently work as 2450 AL 4 WD climbs farm contractors on 1600 everywhere without (hectares?) of land. Our difficulty and there are customers are always more no difficulties even down or less the same. They slopes, seeing that when you contact our enterprise as go up you also have to come they know we guarantee down sooner or later. optimum quality grain, The machine works on its without surprises. And side on slopes of up to 40%. it’s the reliability we offer I have no words to describe that’s our prime feature, how efficient and perfectly something that’s also due functional the self-levelling to the reliability provided by system is. Laverda technology. The MCS is also a great help: I normally keep it engaged 18
during the morning and disengage it in the afternoon so as to work with the coarser straw. When it comes to service, we feel particularly cared for: assistance and spare parts are provided in a comprehensive and prompt way. We’ll also tend to favour Laverda in the future: I’ve already got a 255 AL 4 WD in mind!
Laverda models purchased since business started (1997)
year of purchase
in current fleet
3560AL
1997
no
2450AL 4WD
2002
yes
crops threshed wheat, haricot beans, durum wheat, coats, barley
running costs
work hours / year
average consumption of diesel fuel
2,3 l/ton of harvested crop
estimated 1,000 hours/year
routine maintenance costs
all points requiring grease are serviced in a few minutes, after which routine maintenance is more or less completed
supplementary maintenance costs
decidedly low, since the machine is extremely reliable
average areas worked (hectares) overall 1,600
19
“...Laverda allows us to assure a very high quality job”
ctor Farm contra ROUGÉ rne, Grand Auve ce Nantes, Fran
We’ve been working as farm contractors for more than 30 years, since 1973 to be exact. The choice of machines can obviously make us even more competitive and a further reason for interest for anyone who asks for our assistance. We currently have an L521 4WD dating back to ’95 and two M306s purchased in 2003, but we’re also familiar with the competitors’ machines. This is why we’re able to speak after due consideration. As farm contractors, we must provide results and with our Laverda machines we can certainly assure a very high quality job. For example, the grain is always perfectly 20
whole. But there’s another important aspect. What I mean is that the machines always allow us to work in the best conditions. This is where the manoeuvrability of the Laverda machines comes to the fore. The cab is also spacious and very
comfortable, and that’s also important. Lastly, we also have to consider the running costs, another aspect where Laverda machines give full satisfaction. We haven’t done any particular work on the machines and routine maintenance is also extremely
economical. When all is said and done, it’s the practical experience you acquire that leads you to choose one product rather than another. I was also convinced by the special attention paid to the customer.
“If you’re a farm contractor, what you’re looking for is performance.” What do you look for in a combine-harvester? Undoubtedly performance, which means a precise cut, but also continuous service, quality separation and a clean product. And if we’re talking about performances, just think of the cutter bar: it’s when you’re harvesting tiny “English rye-grass” seeds that you see how accurate the bar is. I’m also fully satisfied with the way the header adapts to the ground, thanks to the combination between Terra Control and GSA, and the feeding action between the cutting header and drum, achieved by the action of the PFR. I could say a lot more …. “A special advantage.” If you want another example concerning our particular work, I could talk about the good quality way in which
the grain is separated from the chaff. This can be kept in a perfect condition since the MCS can be disengaged. A very important advantage when you’re working for livestock breeders who need long, undamaged straw. “You feel you’re a special customer.” If everything’s to proceed in a perfect way, you obviously have to care for your machines. And here I’d like to sing the praises of the technical assistance service. I took my Laverda machines on to the fields in the presence of the dealer’s technicians and the ones from the parent company. At the end of the first campaign, I received another visit to find out how the machines had functioned. I felt their attitude was particularly caring. This is another reason why my next investment will be in another Laverda.
Laverda machines purchased since business started (1973)
year of purchase
L521
1995
M306 (two models)
2003
work hours/year 200
crops threshed corn, barley, rape, maize
running costs average consumption of diesel fuel
25 litres/hour without straw chopper 32 litres/hour with straw chopper
routine maintenance costs
450 euro/year
supplementary maintenance costs
no such operations have been carried out
average annual cost
between 400 and 700 euro
21
“we opted for Laverda as we weren’t willing to accept any compromises” Our enterprise will soon be celebrating its 25th anniversary: we’ve certainly matured when it comes to experience, but as to energy and enthusiasm, we still like to think of ourselves as a young firm. Grain crops, maize and sunflower are the main crops in our region, and they certainly represent the most important agricultural cultivations in Spain. Anyone who uses his machines for more than one thousand hours a year necessarily ends up by becoming a demanding customer. This is why we opted for Laverda, as we weren’t willing to accept any compromises. First and foremost, we strive towards 22
productivity in our work, something that’s enhanced by Laverda’s quality. But since we have to spend so many hours in the machines, we also want the utmost in comfort, with cabs that are well-designed down to the smallest detail. At the
ctor Farm contra FIERRO León, Spain
end of the year, when you draw your conclusions as to the season’s work, you understand the advantage of being able to count on such reliable machines, ones that allow you to keep the maintenance costs down and reduce down times to
the bare minimum. All this makes you realise why you’ve been a Laverda customer for so long. And don’t forget that we Spanish are famous for “seeing red”, a definition that perfectly matches the red colour of the Laverda machines!.
“Machines that do whatever we want them to.” 4000 hectares worked: owing to the size and characteristics of the fields, we often have to move and work on irregular land. Thanks to the GSA system, Laverda has resolved the problem in an intelligent way and guarantees that evenness of cut that’s one of the greatest qualities of the M306 machine. Easy harvesting in even difficult conditions generally simplifies our work, something that’s also true of the simple way in which the machine is converted.
“Technology that creates profit.” When it comes to feeding, I’m certainly saying nothing new if I praise the efficient and regular way that threshing takes place, thanks to the PFR. What I’d really like to speak about in addition, by way of further advantages, are the savings in consumptions and longer lasting transmissions, something that consequently reduces maintenance costs. All this means that the quality of the threshed product, profitability of the work and control over running costs all point in the same direction: in other words, profit for the firm.
Laverda machines purchased since business started (1980)
year of purchase
work hours/year
L523
1995
1.000
M306T
2003
1.300
crops threshed
average areas worked (hectares)
grain crops
1.200
maize
1.800
sunflower
1.000 running costs
average consumption of diesel fuel
27 litres/hour
routine maintenance costs
low
supplementary maintenance costs
low
machine conversion costs
600 euro
23
“A real testing ground when it comes to the reliability of the machines...” Laverda marked the turning point for our business, which we began as farm contractors in 1984. We bought our first Laverda machine in 1991 and, after due consideration, I consider it to be a turning point: since then, I’ve only ever purchased Laverda machines, four to be exact, from Laverda’s 3650 model through to the most recent purchase, a 28.60 LXE. I think that ours is an enterprise with rather particular characteristics. Part of our work takes place in the south of Turkey, in an area facing the Aegean Sea. Then, after a long trip northwards, we work in the Thracian area, where the operating conditions, the type of soil and the type of 24
crops totally change. Our needs always boil down to extremely reliable machines. I found the ones I was looking for in the Laverda
ctors Farm contra ÇINAR Muratli/ Nanli Köyü rkey Tekirdag, Tu
range, whose technology I immediately appreciated. I was mainly interested in the machines, but as time went by, I was able
to appreciate the service, of truly fundamental importance when each machine must face about 1500 hours work per year.
“The simple way that many of the operations are carried out saves time… and money.” Let me remind you that our machines are subjected to a
work load that’s really out of the ordinary. However, I’m satisfied with the servicing costs which always remain low even in conditions that I have no
hesitation in saying are often prohibitive. As our job often leads us to work with different crops, I’m also particularly interested in the costs for converting the machines. Since every operation has been simplified, our expenses are truly limited. And for me, this is a fundamental plus … Lastly, I really appreciate the solid construction provided by use of galvanised metal plates, also in view of the long and stressing journeys the machines must make during the season.
“In my heart of hearts, I really thank the people who invented the MCS separator.” Two things. I think that the flow of product is really good, considering the difficult conditions in which we often work. But what I’d really like to praise is the optimum degree at which the grain is separated from the chaff. There could be nothing better than the MCS patent which I find useful, if not essential when we work with rice or during the night, with that increase in humidity that complicates things. Whenever the thought strikes me, I say “thanks MCS and thanks to the people who invented it.”
Laverda models purchased since business started (1984)
year of purchase
3650
1991
L 517
1995
L 624
1998
28.60 LXE
2004 crops threshed corn, barley, sunflower, rice
running costs average consumption of diesel fuel
1 litre per ton of corn and barley harvested, 2/3 litres per ton of rice harvested
routine and supplementary maintenance costs
low
machine conversion costs
conversion from corn to sunflower is carried out at truly low costs
total time for preparation
simple, quick operations
25
“...We’ll also be thinking of Laverda for our future investments...“ I began work as a farm contractor in 1990, always working with combine harvesters. In actual fact, the history of our enterprise can be divided into two phases: first, when we didn’t use Laverda machines and, from the year 2001 onwards, when we bought our first Laverda, a 3650. A choice confirmed in 2004, when we purchased a 21.50 LXE. 2004 was a particular year because, along with the traditional crops, we also started harvesting rice: we worked 1500 hours instead of the usual 1000, a decidedly good increase and a fair test for our combines. I find it really stimulating and I follow a policy of on-going product development with 26
interest. We’ll be thinking of Laverda for our future investments, also in view of the fact that the service and assistance areas provide a true advisory service, very close relations that are fully
ctors Farm contra AZ HASAN YILM ü, Kiniklar Köy irdag, Merkez /Tek Turkey
satisfactory as to continuity, seriousness and fast response. The rice test. My judgement about quality can be summed up in a few
words. The product is really clean and the performances of the Laverda machines optimum. The sieving and fanning system has never given me any problems, on the contrary.
I’m fully satisfied about what’s been done for the crop flow: the PFR is particularly useful for work with rice and in heavy duty conditions. But I must speak equally well about the degree to which the grain and chaff are separated. I wouldn’t do without the quality of the MCS system for anything in the world when we’re threshing rice, a job that’s carried out at night with a very wet crop. Laverda’s a real guarantee for anyone who needs to thresh rice.
A real “tour de force.” We have to travel about a lot amongst the various regions during the campaign. By and large, the route is as follows: we start in the southern Aegean region with wheat and barley up to the region of Thrace, in the northern part of the country, where we begin by threshing sunflowers and end up with the rice campaign. A real
test of the reliability of the machines. The labour costs for converting the machines from wheat to sunflowers is truly insignificant since the operations required to replace the cutter bar are very simple.
The machines are agile and highly manoeuvrable. Moreover, they are extremely comfortable, but we also want to work to the strains of music, like in the M Series.
Laverda machines purchased since business started (1990)
year of purchase
in current fleet
work hours/year
3650
2001
-
second-hand until 2003
21.50 LXE
2004
si
1.000/1.500
crops threshed wheat, barley, sunflower, rice
running costs average consumption of diesel fuel
1 litre/ton for wheat and barley
routine maintenance costs
low
supplementary maintenance costs
low
27
I work with Laverda
“...various acknowledgements, which are always welcome.”
Ferretti
adpress.it
“...a nice example of long-life and reliability...”
Gulinelli
“...a tradition that already dates back over one hundred years old!” Melotti
“...a job that rewards us with great satisfaction.”
“...our company’s history is an ovation to Laverda...”
Vercellino
Viti
“...Laverda allows us to assure a very high quality job.” Rougé
“...We’ll also be thinking of Laverda for our future investments...“
Paterniti
“...Laverda technology has played an important role...” Sovrani
Yilmaz
“A real testing ground when it comes to the reliability of the machines...” Çinar
“We opted for Laverda as we weren’t willing to accept any compromises.” Fierro
Laverda S.p.A. 36042 Breganze (VI) Italia via F. Laverda,15/17 tel. +39 0445.385311 fax +39 0445.873355 webmaster@laverdaworld.com www.laverdaworld.com
327820264 - 10/2004
“...we guarantee they get optimum quality grain...”