In the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, Metcalfe Farms has evolved from a humble dairy farm into a diverse operation including heavy haulage, agricultural contracting, dairy farming, quarrying, and driver training.
Leading the charge is Managing Director Rob Metcalfe, who discovered the utility of Avant compact loaders through a recommendation from APSV, the main dealers for Avant compact loaders in the region.
“We heard about Avant through Rob Atkinson at APSV,” Rob recalls. “He told me I should really be using these Avant machines, and that they had a vast range of implements.”
Metcalfe Farms’ first venture into the world of Avant loaders began with the electric e6 model. Designed for confined spaces and workshops, the e6 proved to be a game-changer for the farm’s operations. “We really like the electric Avant in the workshop,” Rob explains. “It is quiet, and it doesn’t have the diesel engine roaring all the time. The team in the workshop like it so much they won’t let us use it!”
Beyond the workshop, Rob and his team rely on the Avant 630 from the 600 series for a variety of tasks around the farm. With its compact size and powerful hydraulics, the 600 series is the ideal all-rounder for professionals in various industries. “I like the quick-release hydraulic system on the Avant so you can change the attachments very quickly,” Rob notes.
“It is really good. You’ve got no risk of spilling hydraulic fluid and it makes life incredibly easy for the user.”
Rob highlights the versatility and reliability of Avant loaders, praising their manoeuvrability and sheer lift capacity. “It is incredibly manoeuvrable; you can get them into a lot of places, a lot of narrow places,” he says. “The sheer lift capacity of them is brilliant.”
One of the standout features of the Avant loaders, according to Rob, is the extensive range of attachments available. “I am surprised with the sheer vast number of attachments that Avant provides,” he remarks. “They have so many attachments that we can use and are great all-rounder machines.”
Rob emphasises the importance of reliable backup and warranty support, a service that APSV consistently delivers. “APSV are great to deal with,” he acknowledges. “They always have parts on hand if I need them; if not they order them in and are very rapid. The most important thing is backup and warranty. We like to choose a good machine that doesn’t break down and has the best backup – that’s what we aim for – and that’s what we get from Avant and APSV.”
As Metcalfe Farms continues to thrive and expand, Avant compact loaders remain an integral part of their success story, enabling them to tackle any challenge with confidence and efficiency.
For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk
