About a decade after first looking at the Merlo brand, Victorian dealership Farm & Diesel is officially part of the manufacturer’s network
Merlo’s newest dealer might have only represented the brand for a few months, but it is already long enough for them to describe the experience as “unreal”.
Farm & Diesel is located in northern Victoria, selling the Merlo product from its base in the town of Epsom, alongside its other sales branch in Swan Hill.
The dealership joined the Merlo family midyear and has already been able to display the manufacturer’s products at field day events such as Elmore.
Farm & Diesel founder and owner Sam Walker says the support from Merlo Australia has made the experience overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s been unreal,” Walker says.
“To have that support and the backing by the OEM has really made a big difference in the marketplace with telehandlers in our local area.
“It’s been great knowing we have access to the backup service, parts and the backing of the OEM in Australia.”
Merlo’s national sales manager Chris Wilson was in attendance at Farm & Diesel’s stand during the Elmore Field Days in October.
Walker described him as being one of the key figures in helping Farm & Diesel become part of the Merlo network.
“We first looked at Merlo 10 years ago,” Walker says.
“We’ve just branched back recently and revisited where we looked at 10 years ago and met Chris, plus a few other Merlo dealers, and went from there.
“There are a lot of Merlo machines out there and it’s well supported and well backed up.
“Merlo has got a great dealer network and they are very willing to work with the dealers.”
Farm & Diesel’s catchment area in northern Victoria takes in several types of farm, including cropping, dairy and horticulture.
Catering to these different industries, plus finding common ground in terms of the ideal machinery for each situation, means versatility is key.
This is why Merlo’s MultiFarmer is shaping up as an important part of Farm & Diesel’s offering.
“The MultiFarmer has been a real attraction at the field days, and I reckon it is well suited to this area,” Walker says.
The name provides an insight into the MultiFarmer’s purpose, being described by Merlo as a “unique and unrivalled telescopic tractor”, and which combines the benefits of both tractors and telehandlers.
At its essence, it provides the functionality and drivability of a tractor along with the lifting ability of a telehandler, thanks to its telescopic boom.
Two models of MultiFarmer are available in the Australian market – the MF44.7 and 44.9.
The MF44.7 offers a 6.8 metre maximum lift height and 3.9m maximum reach, with the MF44.9 giving users an 8.9m maximum lift height and 6.1m maximum reach.
Both are powered by 170hp (125kW) engines and have 4,000kg maximum load capacities.
The MultiFarmer is loaded with features that mean it is not merely a hybrid of two machines, but one which excels in both areas.
Firstly, its suspended cabin has active hydropneumatic suspension as standard, which Merlo says means operators will “feel like you’re seated on a comfortable cushion, even when driving over the roughest terrain”.
PTO, 3-point linkage, trailer hitch and hydraulic distributors are all standard across the MultiFarmer range, along with boom suspension to ensure stability while using the MultiFarmer as a telehandler.
Its axles have been developed and manufactured in-house by Merlo and have differential locks to ensure traction on any terrain.
It is the combination of these features that Walker cites as being his standouts and which he says has also been popular with Farm & Diesel’s customers – along with the fact these are provided as standard rather than additional options.
“Having the standard boom suspension and standard cab suspension – they’re some really great features,” he says.
“Not having to spec them up and having them as an option, but actually having them as standard, really gets the customer over the line.
“Having that three-point linkage and PTO, four remotes in the back, standard front and rear diff locks – that all brings customers in.”
Another important feature on Merlo’s MultiFarmer is the ASCS safety system.
This system adjusts the speed and maximum extent of the unit’s movements based on the attachments in use, the load being handled and its position, therefore eliminating the risk of the machine overturning.
Merlo’s patented EPD system electronically controls the engine and transmission, managing engine speed, hydrostatic pump flow rate and hydrostatic drive displacement.
These help to maximise efficiency and reduce rpm, with Merlo saying this saves up to 18 per cent in fuel consumption.
Another popular product in Merlo’s range is the Turbofarmer, which is a more conventional telehandler available in a variety of configurations and capacities, from compact versions up to a 6.5 tonne capacity model.
Standout features of these include the hydrostatic transmission, a narrow turning circle and the ability to customise it with a low profile.
Merlo’s head office is located at 120-124 Toongabbie Road in the Sydney suburb of Girraween and its product range can be viewed at www.merlo.com/aus/en
Farm & Diesel’s head office is at 239-245 Midland Highway, Epsom and its Swan Hill branch is at 49 Sea Lake-Swan Hill Road.