Queensland-based Butler Grazing has purchased two Hercules wheel loaders from Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales to lend a hand in on-farm heavy lifts and general maintenance
The name Hercules is synonymous with strength in classical mythology, and Hercules machinery is no different.
Distributed nationally and exclusively by Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales (BMES), Hercules machinery has become a go to with farmers over the past 13 years.
While it offers everything from telehandlers and graders, to skid steers, compact track loaders and excavators, Hercules’ flagship products are its wheel loader ranges.
These machines are suited for a wide variety of jobs on-farm, including hay movements and storage, clearing country, and dam building and improvements.
BMES has also found the loaders to be very popular in the beef industry, and few agree more firmly than customer and farmer Michael Butler.
Lift and load
Butler runs his cattle grazing business Butler Grazing over two properties in southern Queensland.
The business breeds wagyu cows in Teelba, not far from Glenmorgan, while a cropping farm based in Widgewa, between Goondiwindi and Moonie, grows oats and other crops to feed the cattle.
Wagyu beef is one of the most expensive meats in the world due to its marbling, meaning that streaks of fat exist within the red meat that make it tender and add extra flavour.
Because of this, Butler uses the crops from his Widgewa farm to fatten the calves.
Playing a key role on both properties are two Hercules H1250 wheel loaders, purchased from BMES.
Weighing in at 13 tonnes, the Hercules H1250 model is the largest in BMES’ agricultural loader offering – a key factor for Butler when purchasing.
“The Hercules loaders have been helping us put cattle troughs in place, moving tanks around and stacking hay,” he says.
“We also use them to load our feed mixer up for all the silage.”
With one of these machines based on each property, Butler uses them for all things lifting and loading, saying he has been impressed with the machines’ four tonne lift capacity.
The machines have been put to work lifting troughs with aprons that weigh over two tonnes, and heavy ploughs off the back of trucks, Butler says.
“They make it easy to lift things off the back of trucks, so we use them very regularly,” he says.
“We’ve been really pleased with the loaders.”
Catching the eye
While Butler has always had wheel loaders, BMES and Hercules weren’t on his radar until they caught his eye at the Westech Field Days in Barcaldine.
One of the biggest selling points for Butler was the price point.
“For what you’re getting, the price was very attractive,” he says.
Butler originally only purchased a single H1250, but after witnessing its impressive performance firsthand, he decided to procure another unit.
BMES’ aftersales service was also a key factor in purchasing the second loader, thanks to the easy communication of sales executive Steven Ragenovich.
“Steven was really good to deal with,” Butler says.
“Whenever we needed a small part for the loaders, Steven was able to send it out to us.”
New and improved
The Hercules wheel loaders that Butler owns are just one model that forms part of the second iteration of BMES’ H-series machines, which Ragenovich says continue to thrive in the agricultural sector.
As an update on the previous H-series machines, the Series 2 models provide new design changes, including new engine cowlings and an enhanced systems display with more information for the operator.
Ragenovich adds that there is also a new and improved heavy duty chassis, increased dump heights, better stability and extra-large cabin space.
“We’re always listening to our customers and frequently improving our machines,” he says.
“All the Hercules loader ranges are premium builds and have the same complete parts support we are known for.”
Butler’s H1250 loaders are powered by a genuine Cummins 180 horsepower (132.4kW) engine and come standard with a hydraulic quick hitch, GP bucket and a reverse camera.
A 1.7 cubic metre bucket capacity enables Butler to carry out a variety of tasks, including cleaning out the feedlot pens and loading the feed mixers.
“The loaders have done everything we wanted them to do,” Butler says.
“We’ve had no problem with them, and they’ve stood up to the farming work that we’ve been giving them.”
For more information on the Hercules H1250 wheel loader, visit www.brisbaneminiexcavators.com.au or call (07) 3807 4333.