Innovative Handling Solution for Wet Ground Challenges
Westbury, Tasmania, March 2015 – Dave and Andrea Riordan bought a 170-acre farm in northern Tasmania and quickly realised they needed an innovative handling solution to deal with their land’s soft, wet ground. With high rainfall and several natural springs, the property was often boggy and difficult for wheeled tractors.
“We’re experienced in farming, but this was our first time facing such wet winter conditions,” Dave said. “Wheeled tractors left deep ruts, and even a quad bike couldn’t manage them.”
Looking for answers, Dave drew on his project management experience to carefully analyse the farm’s equipment needs.
Finding the Right Equipment
The Riordans needed a machine that could:
-
Load hay bales onto trucks
-
Tow trailers with tools and implements
-
Run a slasher or mulcher
-
Operate a PTO drive
-
Move timber and palletised firewood
-
Perform other daily farm tasks
All of this had to be done without damaging soft ground.
After testing different machines, Dave found that the Takeuchi TL8 tracked loader was the perfect fit. With rippers fitted to the back, the TL8 could be modified to tow trailers and handle a wide range of attachments.
Real-World Benefits
The TL8’s air-conditioned cab and reversing camera made day-to-day operation safer and more comfortable. The bale grabs and bale forks allowed quick, neat loading of hay and silage onto trucks.
“So far, we’ve moved over 700 bales with the TL8,” Dave said. “A wheeled machine would never manage that in our conditions.”
The difference in ground pressure was remarkable. A tractor carrying a 500 kg hay bale delivers about 690 KPa (100 psi) of pressure on its front tyres. In contrast, the TL8 delivers only 30 KPa (4.4 psi), allowing it to work on wet ground without damage.
“After heavy rain, we could still carry hay bales with ease,” Dave explained. “We gained an extra day of productivity that would have been impossible with other machines.”
Versatility in Action
The TL8’s hydraulics and attachments opened up new possibilities on the farm. A three-point linkage with PTO drive turned the rear of the machine into a tractor-like setup. High-flow hydraulics made it powerful enough for a large slasher or brush cutter.
The Riordans now palletise heavy items such as firewood, making them easier to handle. “Andrea can move a ton of firewood straight to the veranda,” Dave said. “We only touch the firewood once, from cutting to burning.”
With the slasher mounted on the front, Dave can cut undergrowth, clear timber, and even trim windbreaks up to five metres high—all from the safety of the ROPS-protected, air-conditioned cab.
Cost and Productivity Advantages
The TL8 also delivered significant savings. A new 100Hp tractor with a cab and front-end loader would cost around $115,000 without attachments. The TL8, including all attachments and options, cost less.
“It was a no-brainer,” Dave said. “It saved us money while giving us more capability.”
The TL8 also boosted productivity by making it easier for Andrea to operate. The quick-attach system and pressure-release valve simplified attachment changes, letting her handle the loader while Dave tackled other jobs.
An Innovative Handling Solution That Works
At first, Dave worried about choosing a non-traditional option for the farm. But after logging more than 100 hours in the first few weeks, his doubts disappeared.
“The TL8 has exceeded my expectations,” he said. “It gives us flexibility, comfort, and productivity in all conditions. Choosing this tracked loader was definitely the right decision.”
For the Riordans, the Takeuchi TL8 proved to be an innovative handling solution that solved their property’s challenges and improved their way of working.
