Working with Laverda 2006 by Laverda World

Working with Laverda 2006 The stories, comments and opinions of those whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen Laverda

INDEX

Interviews with the harvesting experts

The comments published here have been collected by Laverda’s sales network and dealers during interviews conducted with a view to monitoring customer satisfaction. Besides the trials carried out in the factory, work in the fields in the different operating conditions represents a true testing ground for every technology and service.

Comments, observations and suggestions dictated by the experience of those who actually work with Laverda’s machines encourage us to continue with our technical improvements and are our source of inspiration when it comes to planning solutions for the future. Because no opinion is worth more than that of our customers.

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Farm-contractor FATTORINI Farm BARDELLI S.A.S. Farm-contractor PESSOTTO VITTORIO Farm-contractor MAURIZIO MARINI Farm LA BANDITA E LUNADORO Farm CIRELLI ALESSANDRO Farm ILARIO NARDI Farm JEAN PAUL PASQUERAU Farm-contractor RAYMOND DRESSAYRE Farm DONNEUX Farm ABBEY OF SCOURMONT Farm-contractor IBRAHIM EGE Farm-contractor AHMET YILMAZ Farm-contractor YASAR HORATA Farm-contractor ELIAS LOPEZ Farm-contractor PRIETO Farm-contractor GONZALES MEDIAVILLA Farm-contractor PEPE QUINTAS Farm and farm-contractor LUIS SOLDADO ARCO Farm-contractor CABRERA SANCHEZ BROTHERS Farm-contractor JUAN MIGUEL MARTOS Farm-contractor LOBATO NAVARRO

A date to remember: “we’re celebrating our ﬁrst 40 years with Laverda” 1966-2006: this year, we’re celebrating “our first” 40 years in the business, with three generations working in the firm,

ctor Farm-contra FAT TORINI Roncitelli, ly Ancona, Ita

incidence of routine maintenance is difficult to evaluate because Laverda’s machines require so little! Anyway, never more than 500 € a year. Only eventual extraordinary service repairs could increase the costs but in all these years and with all these Laverda machines, we’ve “Our first Laverda was an only had to resort to this sort M84. The most recent two a story in which the reliability “new Laverda” machines were of work once, and the cost and profitability of Laverda’s a 2450 AL 4WD purchased in has been almost negligible machines have also become 2004, which is giving us a lot when spread out over the the protagonists. of satisfaction, and an M 304 years in which we’ve used the When it comes to machine… LS 4WD Integrale bought in performance, we get as much This farm-contracting 2006. These machines have as 100 quintals/hour out of enterprise was established by been true to the technology The crops we thresh with our our machines. On the other the grandparents’ generation, and service we expected, after Laverda machines are of truly hand, these combines work i.e. Cesare, Benito and Luigi, excellent quality, so much so, untiringly and can climb having worked in the past who were then joined by their with lots of other Laverda that when we deliver crops for anywhere with the greatest sons and grandsons storage, they’re never mixed machines. ease. It’s a pleasure to see throughout the years. with the crops threshed by how the Schumacher blades The running costs have proved other machines because “eat up the crop”. The cut is I am Giordano Fattorini and, to be really good. The average they’re cleaned in a decidedly precise even when the crop is along with Gianluca and superior way. That’s very fuel consumption is about wet. When it comes to Gianfranco, I’m one of the gratifying. 24.5 litres/hour and the operation, we’re confident 4

three “G’s” responsible for the present-day management of the company. “G” is a letter that we like to associate with the idea of “Guarantees that the work’s done well”, our motto in relations with our customers.

because Laverda and our dealer are always close to hand. This means a lot to us. Moreover, we always like to be kept up to date about the latest innovations and like to discuss our needs with experts

in whom we trust. That’s why we think that the ability of Laverda and our dealer to understand our requirements is so important.”

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Year of purchase

2450 AL 4WD

2004

M 304 LS 4WD Integrale

2006

Crops threshed

Average areas worked (hectares)

Hours worked

wheat, sunﬂower, corn

total 1000

500 hours per season, per machine

“...Laverda, as far back as the legendary ‘60’s...” We’d already bought our first Laverda combine, an M120, just two years after we started business, in 1960.

Nowadays, we have a ﬂeet of 6 Laverda machines, including a 2350 LX and a 25.50 LXE, which guarantee optimum performances as they are able to deal with 11/13 hectares a day with corn and 15 hectares a day with wheat. The satisfaction we get from our Laverda machines is particularly due to the way they clean the crops, as the straw and grain are separated to an excellent degree and, I’d like to add, by the agile way the machines operate. We obviously expect the machines to be subjected to constant

Farm .A.S. BARDELLI S Lucignano, Arezzo, Italy

improvements, and this is why we have kept up our relations with Laverda. For instance, what I expect after excellent improvements to the comfort is a further noise reduction. When it comes to the technologies available, we’re very familiar with the advantages of the PFR, especially when the crops are damp, and the MCS, with which optimum separation levels are assured.

Laverda has always taken concrete interest in our requests. When we decide to make a new purchase, we always follow the same procedure. First we contact the sales advisory service so as to find out the most up to date solutions that Laverda can offer to meet our needs, both as regards range and new technologies. Well, you obviously don’t change a winning team…

Long-term experience with Laverda has allowed us to appreciate the assistance and parts services provided, as

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Crops threshed

three 3450 units 3790 2350 LX

barley, wheat, corn, sunﬂower

25.50 LXE

“…they’re converted in less than 15 minutes…” Our enterprise was established in 1972 by our father Vittorio, who still supervises the different jobs.

farm-contracting work remains sufficiently profitable, as we need to obtain a wellprocessed crop (to the satisfaction of our customers) while keeping our running costs down. We bought our first Laverda machine, a 3790 model, in 1988, while our latest was an M 304 with straw-chopper which we purchased in 2004. Nowadays, I, Olivo, and my In two years, and after about two brothers Lorenzo and 800 hours worked, Andrea work for the firm. But I’ve never had to do any I must add that my mother particular maintenance except Paolina and my wife Silvia for the routine jobs that don’t have always played an active affect our costs in any way. part in the business. Since we often have to adapt Alongside our animal the machine so as to switch husbandry work (we breed from wheat to corn, dairy cows), we have I consider the time it gradually increased our takes to convert it to be very activity as farm-contractors advantageous, as throughout the years, and the operation never takes have invested lots of more than 15 minutes. resources in it. Our preference In short, even if you consider for Laverda during all this every possible item, the time has been motivated by average cost of the machines our need to ensure that our is truly low. 8

ctor Farm-contra IT TORIO PESSOT TO V Codognè, Treviso, Italy

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Year of purchase

M 304

2004

Crops threshed

Average areas worked

corn

200 ha

soya

100 ha

barley, wheat

30 ha

forage peas

20 ha

Speaking of quality, I’d like to refer to the statistics rather than my impressions: and one of the most significant statistics is the degree of splitting, less than 1%, as the technicians at the centre where we take the threshed crops have ascertained. A result that speaks for itself… Quality goes hand-in-glove with truly optimum

Work hours/year

approx. 350 hours

performances that allow us to process about 500 quintals of corn per hour and 160/180 quintals of soya. The crop ﬂow is perfect, especially with wheat, with an excellent cleaning action. The fact that Laverda machines are solidly built is a well known fact that I can only confirm. If I have to list the main reasons why we have chosen and continue to choose Laverda I’d say functionality first and foremost, an aspect that allows us to manage our ﬂeet of machines ourselves, in a practical way. Another important reason is that we can harvest several different crops on the same day without difficulty, by making truly simplified adaptations to the machines.

ctor Farm-contra ARINI MAURIZIO M Legnago, Verona, Italy

“…me and my Laverda…”

After obtaining my diploma as farm operator mechanic, I actually used a Laverda machine in my first job for a farm-contracting firm, then, at the end of the ‘70’s and having obtained a diploma as farming technician, I was finally able to start up my own business by setting up a company along with another farm contractor. At the present time, most of the hours we work are for a single farm that’s part of the famous “Castello di 10

Bevilacqua” farming area. It’s a complete cycle enterprise (harvesting, drying, and storage) that uses most of the crops to feed the livestock in its breeding farms. I work about 300 hours a year with my Laverda M 306, over an area amounting to almost 400 hectares of corn and wheat. The ratio between the quality obtained and the running costs is totally to the advantage of the former, seeing that the average cost of the machine does not exceed 400 € per year and that maintenance costs have practically no incidence at all. On the whole, the performances are excellent, with a special mention for the quality of the cut and for the GSA system that selfaligns the cutting bar with the ground, which I’d call excellent. Our positive relations with Laverda’s sales

and assistance network along with the practical experience we’ve acquired with Laverda’s machines and technologies are leading me to think of buying another Laverda machine in the future… On the other hand, you

never forget your first Laverda even if almost thirty years have passed by…

Laverda models in our current ďŹ&#x201A;eet

Year of purchase

M 306

2004

Crops threshed

Average areas worked

corn

300 ha

wheat

100 ha

Work hours/year about 300 hours

“A real passion for great red wines and for Laverda’s generous red machines” We’ll just introduce ourselves by our first names, Dario and Gigliola: we’re the two proprietors of the “La Bandita e Lunadoro” farm, which takes its name from the two estates of the same name. Encouraged by a desire to enlarge our business and with it, our passion for vineyards and wine-making, we purchased the Pagliareto holding in 2002: 12 hectares of land on which Nobile di Montepulciano vines were cultivated. The next step, as important as it was exciting, was to create the new wine cellar for the purpose of producing wines of selected 12

quality. The project took on a tangible shape after the first two years of vintage were bottled: Nobile di Montepulciano 2003 and Rosso di Montepulciano 2004 bearing the “LUNADORO” label. Our enterprise is situated on the ridge of Valiano, in the borough of Montepulciano, an area with a double vocation where grain crop cultivation takes place

Farm A “L A BANDIT O” E LUNADOR Pienza, Siena, Italy

alongside the production of Nobile di Montepulciano wine. 12 of the 60 hectares are dedicated to vines in the heart of Val d’Orcia, not far away from Pienza (Siena). We decided on Laverda for harvesting and threshing right from our first 2450 AL, a decision with which we are fully satisfied and which was confirmed by our successive purchase, a 255 AL 4WD,

individual part has been calibrated, is planned to ensure that work takes place It’s an excellent Italian machine in total safety and with the that, rather than being biased utmost productivity even on steep slopes. And that’s just by a question of national what we need. Not only this, pride, convinced us with its the fact that we’re close to the versatile and all-purpose parent company is a guarantee features. Since we have to work with two different crops, for us as it means that spare the fact that we don’t have to parts are immediately convert our machine in any way is a big advantage... used for both durum wheat and white clover.“

available, as is quick assistance when we need it. Even though the machine is as reliable as can be, we feel more confident... And if we compare the performance of our machine with the competitors, our satisfaction knows no bounds: we’re really happy with the productivity of our Laverda!

From a technical point of view, you can see at a glance that it hasn’t been adapted for use on different slopes, but has been designed as a selflevelling machine. This means that everything, from weight distribution to crop ﬂow, arrangement of the threshing components to the way each

“The maturity of middle-age, the energy of the new generations”

SANDRO CIRELLI ALES Farm re, Casalmaggio aly Cremona, It

1957. That was the year my father Luigi started the farm, although the harvesting work and our relations with Laverda began in 1980, with our first M 132.

pass it on to his sons. Not forgetting the help I’ve had from my wife Lina who deals with the office work, particularly the accounts. Well, that’s enough about family matters. What you want to know is how I work with Laverda. Nowadays, we have three different models in our ﬂeet (a 3790, an L 524 and an M 304), which allow us to tot up a total 1500 hours of work divided equally amongst each machine. With our three Laverda combines, we thresh 500 hectares per year of corn, 350 hectares of barley-wheat, 200 This means the farm’s almost of soya and 100 of sunﬂower fifty years old, a finishing line crops. The average cost of that we’ll sail past thanks to each machine is about 500 € the total commitment of my a year. The maintenance costs sons Graziano and Leonardo, are truly minimal for the who have every intention of M 304 and 3790 and only a improving the business still little higher for the L 524. further, with future If you’d like a classification investments as well. Very of the performances I think gratifying for someone who, most interesting, I’d place the like me, inherited a passion for separation degree in first place work from his father and who as it’s simply excellent, has evidently been able to followed by the agility of the 14

machines, the quality of the cut, the qualitative level of the product and the strength of the galvanized metal plate. It’s difficult to know what to put at the bottom of the classification. If you want me to be fussy, I’d just improve the position of the gearbox, but that’s my personal opinion. For us, Laverda represents a tradition that’s able to renew itself and to

face the new trends. This is where we feel it very near to the spirit of our farm. A tradition that also includes our excellent relations with the sales network and after-sales and spares services. Because, 50 years of experience have taught us that human values are certainly not less important than technological ones.

Laverda models in our current ďŹ&#x201A;eet

Crops threshed

Hours worked

barley, corn, soya, sunďŹ&#x201A;ower

about 500 hours per machine

3790 L 524 M 304

“...they can climb anywhere and beat all the speed records on clover...” Delicate treatment or accurate separation without converting the machine. My experience as a farmer began in 1972 along with my brothers with whom I worked in two business areas: animal husbandry and grain cultivation. After this, besides looking after the 200-hectare farm I owned, I also started marketing the straw all over Italy. I’ve now stopped doing this, but it certainly allowed me to authoritatively evaluate a good separation level. When it comes to Laverda, I can call myself a historic customer. I began with an M 84 and then proceeded with other models, like the 16

112 AL. My latest purchase was a 255 AL 4WD. I’d like to point out that our farm, which is situated in Val D’Orcia, in the heart of Tuscany, features softly sloping land on the whole which becomes rather steep and rugged in certain points. And it’s this particular morphology that has

DI IL ARIO NAR Farm Pienza, Siena, Italy

allowed me to appreciate the agility and strength of my 255 AL 4WD, a machine that can climb anywhere and that’s unrivalled when it comes to fuel consumption. I use much less diesel fuel, with about 20% savings as compared to my previous machine. This is extremely important for good farm management.

I work a cultivated area of about 200 hectares with my new 255 AL 4WD. The main crops in this zone are durum wheat and clover, two types of harvest that must be treated very delicately, in the case of durum wheat, and with very accurate separation when it comes to clover. Besides treating the crop in a very delicate way,

I’ve noticed that the machine provides a very high productivity rate with durum wheat, passing from 15 hectares a day with the L 519 to 20 hectares a day with the 255 AL 4WD, and with a production rate of 45/50 quintals per hectare. We got a very pleasant surprise when we worked on clover, where the L 519 didn’t go faster than 2 kph while the 255 AL 4WD exceeds 3 kph. One of the most significant aspects is that these extremely positive results have been obtained without converting the machine or working on it in any particular way. Besides providing these high

performances, the 255 AL 4WD is also an all-purpose machine: you just have to change the sieve and you can process wheat or clover with the original machine! The final result is determined by a series of factors such as the cutter bar, which offers considerable advantages, or the four-wheel drive that allows the machine to work in an agile way even on steep slopes. This selflevelling machine is the right choice for my needs, a choice that achieves the right combination between technology and practical use: it’s no small thing to be able to count on intuitive controls and a machine that’s extremely easy to

manage. A word of praise also goes to the MCS system which allows me to obtain an extremely marketable product and reduces losses to the minimum in even the most difficult conditions. I’m referring to my experience in marketing straw: good quality straw means a clean crop, especially when it comes to clover. If you’ve got MCS, you never need to do anything else with any other machine.

JEAN PAUL PASQUER AU Farm Tauxigny e Indre-et-Loir France

A farm in the “garden of France” Tauxigny is a little borough in the ancient province of Touraine (more or less the present-day district of Indreet-Loire) in the central region.

located, I’d like to present our farm, which has been operative since 1973. We purchased our first Laverda machine, an M 152, in 1978 and it was immediately followed by a second M 152. The relations between our farm and Laverda have proceeded uninterruptedly throughout all these years: nowadays, our ﬂeet includes 5 combine harvesters, the latest of which, the 255 LCS, was Our province is particularly famous for the beauty of its purchased in 2006. I appreciate various aspects castles, amongst the most important of the entire Loire of these machines: from the wholeness of the area and a great tourist grain to the cleanly dressed attraction. But the most important economic activity crop as a whole. All you is certainly grain cultivation, need to do to obtain all this a sector in which the central is to slightly adjust the grates, and that’s an region excels. Huge areas extremely simple operation. and rolling plains are the The cutting table, with its characteristics of our Schumacher system, always countryside. And now that makes a precise cut, while you’ve formed an idea the PFR, MCS and GSA about where we are

accessories are a must. This is particularly true of the GSA, since it is an automatic system. The best operation is ensured by careful maintenance: this is the advice I’d like to give to anyone who buys a Laverda machine for the first time. To give a concrete evaluation, I’d like to add a word about consumptions: when working with wheat at an average 2 hectares per hour, the fuel consumption is 15 litres per hectare, while with a sunﬂower crop, it is as low at 10 litres/hectare with our most recent 255 LCS. I think these

parameters are more than good and they certainly stand up to comparison with those of other brandname models. Technical assistance and the Spares Service are about an hour away from our farm. We’d obviously prefer them to be nearer, but on the whole I’m satisfied with the competence and rapidity offered. On the other hand, the Laverda machines are amongst the strongest and most easily handled of all. This is why you only really need to call the assistance service for routine scheduled maintenance work.

Crops threshed

Area worked

rape

200 ha

L 523

sunﬂower

350 ha

25.50 LXE

corn

150 ha

wheat

600 ha

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet two L 521 units

255 LCS

“Full satisfaction and no compromises: with Laverda you can” I’ve been familiar with Laverda’s machines since 1975 when I decided to buy an M120. Our enterprise was very new at that time, since it had “opened its doors” in 1972. Laverda machines have been working for us since the time our enterprise was first established and during all its phases of growth and consolidation. Even now, when we want to plan an investment in technological means, our thoughts first go to Laverda, because the dealers have a good business-like approach and we’re sure of finding a 20

product that meets our needs. Amongst the many machines we’ve purchased, there are also two secondhand ones which were in optimum conditions and perfect for our requirements. On the other hand, everyone knows the quality of the

ctor Farm-contra RAYMOND DRESSAYRE Camares, nce Aveyron, Fra

Laverda’s bodywork, a real guarantee when it comes to toughness and long-life. Our latest purchase was a brand-new M 304 LS 4WD Integrale combine, a real miracle, also thanks to the ease with which it can be manoeuvred.

We’ve always found that the performance is excellent, right from our very first selflevelling Laverda machine (a 3550 AL). Nowadays, we’re very satisfied with our 184 AL, which processes over one and a half hectares per hour, really excellent when it comes to profitability and a significant development with respect to the previous machine. The Schumacher cutter bar is toughly built and provides a precise cut. We find it useful to reinforce the lower slides of the cutting table as we work on difficult ground containing a great deal of ﬂint stones.

GSA and PFR are excellent systems with concrete advantages, while the MCS provides an additional separating action that’s particularly useful in the evening. It means that we can also work at night and obtain the same results as we do during the day. We’ve sometimes purchased machines that offered the performances required by

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

our customers. This was the case of the 184 AL we bought in 2001. At the present time, we have to replace our AL 59: we want a machine with 5 strawwalkers, 3.5 metres wide and able to level on 30% slopes both laterally and longitudinally. I’m certain that Laverda will be able to pick out the model that’s right for us.

Crops threshed

Hours worked

barley, wheat, triticale, rape, oats

between 400/500 hours per machine

184 AL M 304 LS 4WD Integrale

DONNEUX Farm ium Hannut, Belg

“Reliability, to be competitive”

My name is Zephi Donneux, and I run my farm in the countryside of Hannut along with my son Julien. There’s still a great deal of organized farming done in Belgium in this day and age, although it obviously conforms to modern criteria. I must say that, compared to the past, our work is now subjected to constant pressure since the competition gets ever stronger and the rules for safeguarding the environment increasingly stricter. Farmers are forced to comply with productivity goals that are continually growing, but they must also 22

cut their prices to the utmost. This is why technology has become a must and this is also why our choice has been directed towards the most functional and the most reliable machines. In agreement with my son Julien, I decided to opt for Laverda and purchased an M 303, and we continue to examine all the innovations

from the Breganze firm with the greatest attention. In an area characterized by a great deal of different ground surfaces, with an alternation of plains and hillsides, the most interesting and appreciated machines to which we’ll be looking in the future are certainly Laverda’s Levelling System combines. To all events, thanks to Laverda’s

sales organization and our Dealer, we know we can count on Laverda’s entire range of combine harvesters, besides the assistance and spares service.

AB B E Y OF SCOU RMONT Farm Scourmo nt, Belgiu m

“At top speed… with Laverda”

Our farm’s history is really unusual, Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

as it was due to the meeting between two uncommon men: a man of the church, who desired to found a religious community of men who were also diligent workers, and a man of temporal power who dreamed of developing his reign and, to do this, entrusted part of his land to the monks so that they might cultivate it. This was how the monastic Abbey of Scourmont was established, more than 150 years ago. Near the monastery, there’s still a cross with this inscription: “Here, on 25 July 1850, several Cistercian monks who founded the abbey of Scourmont, began to glorify God and work the land.” These are the

foundations of monastic life three 3450 units according to Saint Benedict’s 3790 2350 LX Rule (“ora et labora”) and, 25.50 LXE besides prayers, the monks M 306 LS 4WD of the Abbey still dedicate Crops threshed their time to cultivating their land, contributing towards corn the economic development wheat of the region with various different activities, such as producing the famous Trappist beer. Laverda M 306 LS 4WD during the harvest. It’s a We recently bought an machine that combines M 306 Levelling System 4WD simple use with high combine with a 6.60 metre efficiency thanks to the PFR cutter bar that worked that ensures a regular and perfectly throughout the uniform crop ﬂow, and the entire harvest. On our farm, MCS, which separates the we plant a mixture of oats, grain from the straw in an peas and spelt that we grind excellent way besides on the fields to obtain fodder allowing the machine to be for the livestock. We were accurately adjusted according able to appreciate our to the conditions and degree

Hours worked/year

about 300 hours for the M 306 LS 4WD

Average area worked 300 ha 90 ha

of humidity in the crop. In other words, perfect technology that’s up to the Abbey’s great traditions.

“…Laverda, quality to hand down from grandfather to grandson…” Farm-contr actor IBR AHIM E GE Ipsala, Edirne, Turk ey

think the result is more than good. If you work lots of hours in a cab, you need a superior level of comfort and I’m fully satisfied with what Laverda provides. There’s an efficient air conditioner, a practical fridge and a truly ergonomic seat. I marked a whole row of “goods” in the questionnaire about “satisfaction”: the quality of the product is really very good, the machine is easy to manoeuvre, the performance level, cutting table alignment, crop ﬂow and so forth, are all good. There’s no weak point. On the other hand, there’s one point that’s absolutely in favour of Laverda, i.e. the extremely clean crop, something that’s really Nowadays, with two of appreciated when you Laverda’s M 306 combines harvest rice. in our ﬂeet, we work with I think that the Laverda rice and sometimes wheat in brand and organization the region of Thrace (in stand for diligence, great Canakkale and Ipsala), the attention and conscientious European part of Turkey on dealings. It’s a pleasure to the borders of Greece and work with them, with both Bulgaria. I’m really satisfied the sales consultants and with these twin red assistance technicians. combines that share an You’re dealing with true overall 1000 hours of work professionals, always ready each year. With so many for anything, like when you work hours and very low urgently need a spare part. routine maintenance costs, I High quality and optimum

If we bought another M 306 in 2005 well,… I think it’s evident that we were fully satisfied with the one purchased only the year before.

performance when harvesting rice confirm my preference. Thus, within the next few months, a third M 306 will be joining the

ones already working in the fields. On the other hand, like they say in Turkey, there’s never two without three.

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Year of purchase

M 306

2004

M 306

2005

Crops threshed

Hours worked/year

rice, wheat

overall 1000 hours/year

“...Laverda, our customers insist on it...”

When we decided to renew our machine ﬂeet in 2003, we bought two 28.60 LXE models at the same time

Farm-contract or AHMET YILM AZ Ipsala, Edirne, Turke y

the aim being to boost our output to 1800 work hours a year. Nowadays, work with the two machines is divided into different parts as one of the combines is exclusively dedicated to rice and works about 500 hours, while the

other is also used for wheat and barley and tots up 1300 hours. In short, two highperformance machines that never disappoint us as to quality or reliability, not to mention the extremely comfortable cabs. We decided on Laverda as we knew that their machines always provided optimum results in Italy for threshing rice. Our region, Thrace, is also a ricegrowing area, so we decided to try them out ourselves... 5 machines and 4 different models confirm that the experiment was more than successful and that Laverda has now become a tradition for us. I think that Laverda machines are the best combine harvesters in the world and I can now voice my opinion out loud, having dealt with and evaluated lots of

harvests in different conditions. Everything about these machines satisfies me. Not only the technical aspects, but also how the running costs can be kept under control as they’re very low, both for routine maintenance and when it comes to converting the machines. But the thing that counts most is the quality, especially for the crop we harvest, rice. In actual fact, it’s the customers in our area who ask for their rice to be threshed with Laverda machines. And we’re in full agreement. What we appreciate in the machines is confirmed by the service, which is always prompt and reliable. If you want to know whether we’ll continue to prefer Laverda in the future, the answer is “absolutely yes”.

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Year of purchase

3650

1990

L 624

1996

L 627

2002

two 28.60 LXE units

2003

Crops threshed

Work hours/year

rice, wheat, barley

a total 1800 hours/year for the two 28.60 LXE combines

“...Proﬁtability, efﬁciency, versatility. In short: REV...”

We started out in 1996.... Ten years of practical experience have brought us to a natural conclusion: use only Laverda.

Farm-c ontrac tor YASAR HORAT A Kizilca ören, Kütahy a, Turk ey

barley and corn. This is why our machines must always be all-purpose, besides being reliable: true quick-change artists... Not only this, the running costs are more than competitive, while the fuel consumption is low as is routine maintenance, especially when compared to the enormous number of hours worked.

Quantity goes hand-in-glove with the quality of the results: whatever type of grain is threshed, it’s always whole and very clean. Our customers have always been This is why we have two REV fully satisfied with the quality of the threshed crop. Credit 205 Eco combines in our for this is due to the tough, ﬂeet, and we use these alone, with an average 1500 solidly built cutting table and work hours per machine. At the uniform, continuous ﬂow of crop fed into the threshing these truly record-breaking components. The action that levels, only Laverda is so separates the grain from the reliable. This is particularly true of the REV combines as straw is also very good: it makes for a very clean they unite efficiency and adaptability to the perfection product that does not in their simple construction. need to be treated in any Along with our two Laverda further way. When it comes to operator machines, we travel around comfort, the cab is perfectly the entire region of the Aegean and central Anatolia, designed, comfortable and sufficiently silent inside, a where we thresh wheat, 26

must for people like us who have to spend so much time in their machines... Lastly, as for safety and reliability, I feel as certain as I do of myself. We’re satisfied with every aspect of the commercial side and consider ourselves well advised and assisted. The vicinity of Laverda certainly lets itself be felt... The after-sales assistance service is extremely fast. Any spare parts we need are always available. You get the clear impression that

customer care is a serious commitment for Laverda. Why did I choose Laverda? For the strength, durability and profitability of the machines and, as I said, for the added value of a real service. There’s certainly another Laverda in my near future, and perhaps even more than one...

Laverda machines in our current ﬂeet

Year of purchase

two REV 205 Eco units

2006

Crops threshed

Work hours/year

wheat, barley, corn

3000 hours per season

“...Laverda’s M series: a choice that all farmcontractors think about” It was our father, Elías López Luque who, more than 40 years ago, started up the family business in Alcalá la Real, in the province of Jaén.

Laverda’s that have always stood out for their optimum performance and reliability. We fondly remember the 112 AL and two 3350 AL’s. Nowadays, the enterprise is run by me, Elías, and my brother Víctor López, while our headquarters are still in Alcalá la Real. Our strategies have always been directed towards everything innovative that’s offered by the industries At the start, the work was in the farming technology done by our father and other sector. professional workers, and Our fleet of machines the first combines used were features modern equipment Clayson M-135 machines. like computers, electric Throughout the years, we’ve controls, telecameras, purchased various different humidity sensors and so models. It’s the actual work forth. itself that obliges you to Each of our machines has continuously renew your been outfitted so that it is machines, along with the able to work on any surface growing need to be able to and with any crop: wheat, count on a good fleet. barley, sunflower, chick-peas, Amongst the many models, broad beans, corn, rice, etc. we’ve also had various The latest model we’ve

Farm-contract or ELIAS LOPEZ Alcalá la Real, Jaén, Spain

purchased is one of Laverda’s M 306 LS 4WD combines with a straw chopper. A machine with a 6.60 m bar, 20% lateral and 8% longitudinal levelling and four-wheel drive: characteristics that make it an all-purpose machine, one of the most versatile available on the market. And it’s also one of the most productive with its 9,000 litre grain tank. Thanks to our spirit of initiative, we discovered that by equipping our M 306 LS 4WD with tracks with chains, we’d be able to make the machine even more versatile and achieve even higher productivity results. As far as we know, ours is

the first Laverda levelling combine to have been equipped with tracks with chains. After two campaigns, we’ve had the chance to see how highly efficient it is on all types of ground, something that’s extremely satisfying for both us and our customers. We’d also like to mention the good quality of the grain harvested and the delicate way in which the straw is treated, a very important aspect when you work for livestock breeders. Last but by no means least we’d really like to praise the fuel consumption, really low even with rice, and the truly little daily maintenance required. Well, you know how it is, time’s money...

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Crops threshed

M 306 LS 4WD

wheat, barley, sunﬂower, chick-peas, broad beans, corn, rice

“Only the land is the same as ever. Technology has changed everything” I’m Atilano Prieto and, along with my son Miguel Angel, I run a family farm that’s been dealing with combineharvesters for the past 27 years. In actual fact, today’s combines have nothing to do with the ones used 25 years ago: who’d have thought that we’d be using devices like the GSA or the PFR. Who’d have dreamed of achieving efficacious separation that only the MCS can provide? Nowadays, it’s a real pleasure 30

to thresh with an M 306, even though work is always work. But if you know that you can count on certain results, that you can prepare your machine for different types of harvest without

ctors Farm-contra PRIETO e San Pedro d y, Valderadue Leon, Spain

particular difficulties, that you can deal with worry-free routine maintenance, well, it’s a nice way to work. Obviously, the land is really just the same. What’s changed is the end

customer who’s become specialized and much more demanding when it comes to all the work we do for him. This is why everything technological that we can add to the job is highly

appreciated by our customers confidence of having who, as I said, know how to eliminated crop losses to be evaluate the difference. of fundamental importance. When the machine is well Laverda is considered a very adjusted and operating at valid brand that’s able to an acceptable speed, the propose particularly losses are practically functional solutions: it nonexistent. Another thing certainly enjoys great I’d like to underscore is the prestige amongst all the efficiency of the after-sales farm-contractors I know service. Laverda is incredible and with their customers. in this aspect. After six Personally speaking, I years of working together, consider the absolute with a 2050 LX model in cleanliness of the grain 2000 and now with the harvested and the M 306, I can only say that

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Year of purchase

2050 LX

2000

M 306

2006

Crops threshed

Average areas worked (hectares)

Hours worked

wheat, sunﬂower, corn

total 1000

500 hours per campaign

I’m completely satisfied our machine ﬂeet, Laverda with their efficiency and the is already in pole position rapidity with which they as first choice. respond. Since we’re toying with the idea of adding to 31

“We conduct our comparison tests in the ﬁelds” Our names are Juan José and Miguel Ángel González Mediavilla. We’ve been using harvesting machines for over 25 years, first working for other farmcontractors with whom we got the chance to use

different brands and machines. Then we started out on our own by purchasing one of Laverda’s M series combines, an M 305. We mainly work with grain crops (wheat, barley, rye and oats): an enterprise that now keeps us busy over a fairly vast area between the regions of Castile and Leon. During the second grain harvesting season, we worked for more than 1000 hours with our M 305 and couldn’t have been more satisfied. In view of the experience we’ve acquired by using other machines as well, we’re able to make very reliable comparisons. First and foremost, our M 305 has a decidedly lower fuel consumption than other machines with the same type of engine, which certainly doesn’t stand out for low consumptions. Besides our logical satisfaction, we obviously asked ourselves if

Farm-contracto r GONZALES MEDIAVILLA San Pedro de Villafruel, Palencia, Spain

there’s a practical explanation that justified this evident difference in consumptions. The conclusion we reached was that thanks to their construction, Laverda’s require less power than the other machines. We have been able to see for ourselves that the explanations given by Laverda’s sales staff are real and able to provide excellent results in the fields: optimum distribution and a continuous ﬂow of crop supplied to the threshing components, eight ballast bars on the drum of the M series as part of the standard outfit and a correctly balanced machine are all real, like the good quality straw obtained

thanks to the MCS system. Nowadays, straw has a high market value and we must leave straw that allows the next processes to be carried out in an easy way. Our customers always express great satisfaction in the work we do and in the good quality of the harvested crop. But now we’d like to thank our area dealer who’s always dedicated us the utmost attention. All this has allowed our enterprise to become firmly established and grow. So much so, that we’re waiting for one of our young nephews to start working in the company and, why not, a new M 304!

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Crops threshed

M 305

wheat, barley, rye and oats

ctors Farm-contra AS PEPE QUINT a, Sandin-Vere in Orense, Spa

“...by investing in Laverda, we’ve invested in ourselves...” First and foremost, choosing a machine means deciding on a certain form of investment. To invest means to cultivate an expectation, and to look forward to obtaining good results. It’s the work we’ve chosen, the world of agriculture, that makes these concepts so evident. By telling you this, I’ve already replied to the question as to why we’ve been Laverda customers for years. Our enterprise combines the forces of two people, my partner Jose Antonio Quintas Coñeen and me, Pepe Quintas. Nowadays, we can also count on the help of my son, who mainly works in Galicia and in certain parts of Portugal. 34

We’ve now accumulated 27 years of work and experience acquired during harvesting campaigns across the regions of Castile, Leon and Galicia. Barley, wheat and rye are the main crop varieties to which we dedicate our efforts,

that’s not to say we’ll not be harvesting corn in the future, as this is a very widespread crop in the region of Leon. We’ve already had six Laverda machines in our ﬂeet. The first was the famous M 152, then came

the 3000 series (3350, 3650, 3790) and now the innovative M series, with the M 304 model which has a straw chopper. Harvesting with one of Laverda’s M series combines is a “luxury”, a sensation that

only someone who has spent his life working with combines can understand and fully appreciate. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get back to the initial concept: you invest in something to get a payback and Laverda has always assured both profitability and reliability along with easy use, which turns into another productivity factor. If you put running costs, servicing costs and the time required to convert the machine on the scale, the pointer wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move very far. Then, if you put efficiency, a clean crop,

no losses, safety and comfort for the operators on another scale, the pointer will start to swing in favour of Laverda, a preference that has always given our investments a good return. On the other hand, many of our customers, ones who have been with us right from the time we started business, would never ever let us work with any machine that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a Laverda.

Farm and or Farm-contract O ARCO LUIS SOLDAD in Cordova, Spa

“...35 years of mutual loyalty...” dealings. Part of this renown is also due to Laverda. We’ve always trusted in Laverda for harvesting, right from our M 150, our 3350 AL, the 3550 AL, the 3790 and then the L 521 Integrale. I’ve an excellent recollection of the Laverda machines we’ve used in the past, long-lasting, I’m actually a customer who’s toughly built machines that gave a lot in the fields and faithful to one single colour: maintained an high residue the red colour of Laverda. In value. This is another our region, Andalusia, and important evaluation criterion particularly the province of Cordoba where our enterprise to consider when one decides is situated, we’re known and to make an investment. Nowadays, our ﬂeet comprises appreciated for our serious

I’ve seen everything in 35 years, but I’ve remained true to my colours.

efficiency, reliability and highly simple maintenance, with such low maintenance costs that they only have a minimum effect on the running costs. This is why we plan to purchase another M 306 LS 4WD when we renew our ﬂeet of machines. I’ll stay faithful to the reds because their quality has never betrayed me.

Laverda models in our current ﬂeet

Crop threshed

Work hours/year

3350 AL 3790 L521 Integrale M 306 LS 4WD

durum wheat, barley, corn, sunﬂower and various types of leguminous crops

700 hours per machine

Farm-contractor CABRERA SANCHEZ BROTHERS Palma del Rio, Spain

“...up to 300 tons a day when the machine works with corn...”

We’re two brothers and together, we’ve decided to carry on our family traditions.

4 harvesting machines, each of which works an average 700 hours per campaign, threshing durum wheat, barley, corn, sunﬂower and various types of leguminous crops. Our latest purchase was an M 306 LS 4WD. The thing I’ve always appreciated about Laverda machines is the combination of

The most recent addition to our ﬂeet of machines, which comprises 4 combine harvesters, is a Laverda M 306 LS 4WD purchased in 2004, with which we have already faced two campaigns. We don’t just stop in Andalusia during the long summer campaign, but also forge ahead into the North, right up to the Castile

Leon region where we continue the harvest. This means that one of the machines may even have to face 1,000 hours of work a year! To do this, we need machines, like the Laverda’s, that are able to work without a break while guaranteeing excellent processing standards for various types of

crops (wheat, barley, sunﬂower), particularly corn. According to our experience, the machine that harvests corn produces about 300 tons a day and with a very satisfying fuel consumption. This has convinced us to invest in a new M 306 LS 4WD about which we’re already negotiating with our dealer.

“...Asi da gusto trabajar: it’s more satisfying to work like this!”

Ours is a marvellous region, but the ground conditions are certainly not easy to work on.

understand. This is true of both operation and Farm-contr actor maintenance. JUAN MIGU EL We also have an L 523 MARTOS Integrale, but we’re already Osuna, thinking about replacing it Siviglia, Sp with the ultra-new M 304 LS ain 4WD Integrale as we’re not only convinced by its performance, but also by the I’ve been familiar with This machine made an front and rear AL four-point Laverda machines for many excellent impression during system that ensures the years, and I’m particularly its first campaign, not just machine always remains familiar with the self-levelling because of its high efficiency perfectly level. Four-wheel series, the right choice for and productivity, but also drive plus integral levelling: a our sort of territory. To work because of its low fuel winning combination, a gem in total safety and provide consumption. Another of technology and quality our customers with tip-top aspect I’d like to underscore that will become the star of quality crops, we recently is how simple the machine is our ﬂeet. chose a Laverda 255 AL 4WD to operate: although which allows us to reach all combine harvesters now parts of the fields with the include particularly advanced safety and reliability you technologies, Laverda has been able to make need from a “mountain everything easy to combine”.

“...it’s hard work on the lovely hills of Andalusia, thank goodness there’s Laverda...” My name is Juan Lobato Navarro and together with my sons, I run our enterprise, which boasts more than 30 years in the world of harvesting.

we’ve only rarely had to call, but which was always prompt and competent on those occasions. We recently purchased an M 306 LS 4WD, perfect for “our” hills, and we chose the version complete with straw chopper which integrates perfectly with the machine and which can be used for all the crops we thresh. We work in Andalusia, particularly in the provinces of Seville and Cadiz, and we work on lots of different We’ve had lots of machine in crops including barley, the past and I repeat, in the wheat, oats, chick-peas, past... Since we purchased corn, rice, sunﬂower, our first Laverda, a 3550 AL sorghum, etc... to be exact, we’ve never This list tells you immediately changed to other machines that without a versatile and have remained faithful machine, our work would be to the Breganze brand. very complicated. Moreover, Credit for this goes to the we work in a territory that’s machines themselves, which mostly made up of hills and fully meet our requirements, this creates a lot of difficulty to their reliability and to the as we need very precise assistance service which levelling. We know that 38

ctors Farm-contra VARRO LOBATO NA Utrera, in Siviglia, Spa

we’re in good company, as many of the farm-contractors here in Andalusia have found the ideal solution in Laverda’s self-levelling combines, like the 255 AL or the 184 AL, with which they’re very content. By choosing our M 306 LS 4WD, I think we’ve opted for the best machine now available on the market: we’ve not only been able to appreciate the machine for its performance and perfect levelling action, but also for its valid four-wheel drive. Amongst the equipment

available, the MCS and PFR are truly indispensable as they allow you to work in the best possible way in any condition. Autumn is the season in which we discuss new decisions and strategies for our enterprise: the idea is to plan a new investment. We’ll be decidedly opting for another Levelling System and there’s no need to add that it’ll be a Laverda...

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“Full satisfaction and no compromises: with Laverda you can”

Working with Laverda 2006

Raymond Dressayre

A date to remember: “we’re celebrating our ﬁrst 40 years with Laverda”

“Reliability, to be competitive”

Fattorini

A farm in the “garden of France”

Donneux

“A real passion for great red wines and for Laverda’s generous red machines”

Jean Paul Pasquerau

“La Bandita e Lunadoro”

“...they can climb anywhere and beat all the speed records on clover...” Ilario Nardi

“...by investing in Laverda, we’ve invested in ourselves...”

Juan Miguel Martos

Pepe Quintas

“...Laverda’s M series: a choice that all farm-contractors think about” Elias Lopez

Values in the ﬁeld

“At top speed… with Laverda”

Abbey of Scourmont

Laverda S.p.A. 36042 Breganze (VI) Italia via F. Laverda,15/17 tel. +39 0445.385311 fax +39 0445.873355 info@laverdaworld.com www.laverdaworld.com

327820303 - 01/2007

“...Asi da gusto trabajar: it’s more satisfying to work like this!”