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Lely raking it in for Queensland contractor

Since acquiring four new Lely hay equipment six months ago, life has changed significantly for Queensland farmer and contractor John Gersekowski.

John and wife Venetia purchased a Lely Welger RP445 round baler, a Lely Hibiscus 745 Vario twin rotor rake, a Lely Lotus 600 tedder and a Lely Lotus 300 tedder mid last year for use in their business, which is based at Wyreema, south of Toowoomba.

The couple owns a 100 acre piece of land called Haystack Ridge and share farm another 250 acres nearby, all for making cereal and forage hay and pasture.

Their contracting business, J and V Gersekowski mainly does round baling as well as a small amount of cultivation and is a one-man operation run by John.

“I cut, rake and bale by myself and also buy and sell hay,” he says.

Before his new Lely Welger RP445, John operated a Lely Welger 435 for almost six years.

“I did about 42,000 bales with the 435 and it was still going perfectly,” he says.

“It was a really great machine and it actually got me a lot of work.”

John says the Lely Welger RP445 makes a heavier bale and gives his customers great value.

“People see that, and it gets me work,” he says.

On the other hand, the Lely Hibiscus Vario 745 twin rotor rake has also been living up to John’s expectations.

“The 745 keeps the hay light and fluffy and makes a very even windrow,” he says.

Having not owned a tedder before, John decided to take the plunge and purchased both the Lely Lotus 600 and 300 tedders  last year for different weather conditions.

“I bought the Lotus 300 for any hay that got wet. I use it for turning damp hay and fluffing it up again,” John says.

“I’ve had rows ready to bale after the rake then it has rained and I’ve run over it with the 300 and builds a good wide windrow.”

“After I bought mine about three of my mates bought one,” he adds.

John uses the Lotus 600 for heavier crops and says it is excellent for dealing with wet conditions.

“If I know there is rain coming I go out and tedder it and the water goes right through it. The Lotus throws the hay out evenly so there’s more air in it.”

So far, John is very content with his purchases and is certainly seeing the return in investment.

“The 600 Lotus is making a better bale and clients are willing to pay the extra to have it done,” he says.

“Now that we’ve started buying them (the tedders), everybody is interested in them and are impressed by the end results.”

John credits Lely Queensland Regional Manager Shane Christian and Lely dealer David Evans Group Toowoomba Branch Manager Chris Swain for his life-changing purchasing decisions.

John says Christian has provided him with all the information and advice he needed to make the purchases while the David Evans team sold him the machines backed-up by quality service and support.

Click here to find Lely farm equipment for sale.

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