Fendt and MULAG Demonstrate Operating Cost Reductions for Councils

In attendance at the demonstration were several councils, statutory bodies and contractors that resource maintenance fleets and are eager to rein in costs and improve efficiencies in their operations. Organising the event in conjunction with Knox Council were AGCO Silvan dealers, Darmac Ag Sales and Service together with Dandenong AGCO dealer Small Horse Tractors.

AGCO Sales and Parts staff were also on hand as well as AGCO Finance representatives, assisting attendees with questions regarding product, parts and service backup as well as Finance products that cater for the needs of councils.

Interest was strong with the event with around 50 attendees including operators and managers eager to get a closer look at the unique features of the Fendt 512 and Mulag Mower Arm combination, new to the AGCO Australian Fendt offering.

Faced with constrained budgets, new rules governing rate increases as well as occupational and safety concerns for employees and the public, council fleet managers are looking for machines that are efficient, reliable, easy to use and get the job done day after day.

With large open space in many of Australia’s outer suburban municipalities, grassland and road side maintenance is a never-ending task councils can make more efficient with the right equipment and implements.

In an industry dominated by rear mounted mowing implements, operators were interested in testing the performance of the MULAG. With a reach up to 7m either side of the tractor, the telescopic arm is able to be used to maximum effect at virtually any angle thanks to the highly manoeuvrable mowing head all controlled comfortably by a fully factory integrated operator joystick from comfort of the Fendt 512 Series’ generous and well-appointed cabin.

MULAG has had a long standing relationship with Fendt. German manufactured also, the MULAG Mower Arms are integrated into the Fendt 512 Series at the MULAG factory near Fendt’s Marktoberdorf facility making this purpose designed machine unmatched by another machines in grassland maintenance operations.

Taking fleet managers and operators through the machines capabilities, Fendt Product Manager Donny Cloney was able to give specialist advice for the machines function and operation.

“The MULAG is a unique machine and what operators find that it is very comfortable to work with as they are facing forwards and the mower is at the front of the tractor”, Donny says.

“They don’t have to twist and constantly look forwards and then backwards, their attention can be forwards 100 per cent of the time which has obvious safety benefits and virtually eliminates repetitive injury concerns. The front mounted mower concept also has the benefit of increased output compared to a conventional rear mounted reach mower, greater working speeds can be achieved as the operator is always facing the direction of travel.” Donny says.

Perfect for road side maintenance, the MULAG Mower can be manoeuvred around signs and other obstructions as the operator continues in a predictable forward direction, removing the need for reversing and manoeuvring of the tractor itself, while minimising many of the risks associated with mowing along highways.The MULAG mower head also automatically adjusts to contours and maintains even height and downward pressure over the ground which was demonstrated in the bumpy flood basin as well as along the steeply sloped basin walls.